Reacting to news that commercial GPS components manufactured by Auckland-based Rakon Ltd. were sold to "George Bush's war machine", New Zealand Green Party MP Keith Locke has helpfully proposed a new test for exports.  Specifically, MP Locke suggests that "weaponry that is distasteful" should require extra checks.  Keep that in mind next time you find yourself muttering that "specifically designed or modified for military purposes" is a vague standard.

Another way to think about this is that Mr. Locke would like New Zealand to adopt an export control policy toward the US quite similar to the one that the US is soon to formally propose for China.

Thanks to Douglas Jacobson for sending me the link to this morning's amusement.