In regards to the positive, Steve, there were front page headlines in Canada today about Iraquis signing the first draft of their new constitution. That is a significant piece of positive news for a change. I hope it works for them.

Most people tend to be strictly partisan when it comes to politics (or religion). That can make them pretty strident. It helps to have the ability to laugh at the foibles of your own chosen side as well as the other, and I try to work on that ability. I see lots of hypocrisy on both the Left and the Right. And I see sincere, decent people on both sides too, though I tend more to favour the Left on the whole.

- LH