The Funk Chubby's other components were selected for ease of handling as well.

WSJ: More Skateboard, Less Falling Off

Which vehicles do you think strike the best balance between weight and ease of handling for a new driver?

WSJ: By JONATHAN WELSH

Once deputy prime minister of Portugal, trained as a lawyer and at ease in five languages, he has won plenty of praise in Brussels for his handling of the recently-invented job of European commissioner for justice and home affairs.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne