Two stories

These two stories from the StarTribune caught my attention yesterday.

Story #1.

Foley Foods owner Nou Chang, 52, told police that Franklin T. Forlemu, 22, of Savage came to his store several times this fall trying to sell him a chemical potion that he claimed would turn white slips of paper into U.S. currency. . .

Forlemu, who faces theft by swindle charges, has a hearing Monday in Anoka County District Court. . .

Formelu, an illegal immigrant from Africa, had no prior felony convictions. He was released on personal recognizance.

Say what? An illegal immigrant faces felony charges and he is released on his own recognizance? That says a lot about how seriously our government takes illegal immigration.

Story #2.

Pirates armed with grenade launchers and machine guns tried to hijack a luxury cruise liner off the east African coast Saturday, but the ship outran them.

Who knew this still happens?