I wouldn't compare a country with a 'mat' of microbes, but, given the state of things in that particular country right now, that comparison may not be that "far out".

Now that we have the best clocks in the universe, it's time to sell them to the aliens!

This is probably more thought than the court gave.

I wonder what is so funny about this. It *is* totally unfair. But, guess what, that's how things are.