I agree with Little Hawk.

At the risk of indulging in a little reverse chronological snobbery, in which every era but your own was idyllic, it seems to me that in times past (distant and near) there was a far greater sense of statesmanship involved with our elected officials (speaking of the US). The distant example would be those who had to reconstruct a nation following the civil war, and to a lesser extent, WW I and II. By no means were they perfect, but considering the devastation (physical, moral, emotional, economic) that they faced they did a remarkable job of forging a new union from the breach. More recently, there is much anecdotal evidence that while Pres. Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neil shared little but respect during the daytime, they got along famously when each was allowed to "let his hair down" and things got accomplished. Reagan the conservative and O'Neil the liberal both understood that they had a job to do - govern. Alas and alack, today the vitriol flows 24 hours a day and there really is no "off season" when elected officials take off their gloves and govern. Don't know about other places, but around here it extends even to the local sheriff's office. Neither side can afford to be seen as being "soft" by their most radical elements, therefore it is all confrontation, all the time.

My comments about the Supreme Court acting as adults was not intended to be a ringing endorsement. It is just that when two young children are bickering endlessly an adult has to put a stop to it. The issue was going to the supreme court from one side or the other. For whatever reason the court decided to act quickly. I think in terms of governance it was a good call. No one has ever decisivly proven that Gore won, even though several groups did come up with split decisions.

My take on the whole political scene now is "who cares." Unless and until I hear a man or a woman stand up and say, "I know I am at odds with my party, but this is for America" then all we have to look forward to is more of the same old same old. We really, really need a viable third party, but it ain't gonna happen in my lifetime.

Sorry to be such a wet blanket, but honestly, where did the concept of statesmanship go? How about in Europe? Is there a greater sense of the good of the country that ultimately prevails, or is it all partisan 24/7?

Freightdawg