Oh, and another thing.  You ask about gay rights?  We have had spouse rights for at least 10 years and gay marriage for 5.  So does the Netherlands and several other European countries.

And we have had a Charter of Rights since 1985 that guarantees protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation.  And some guys down there want to BAN gay marriage in the constitution?!!

And of course, since 9/11, the paranoia down there is unreal.  Pearl Harbour was far worse, anyway.  And you fought two wars simultaneously and cleaned it up in 6 years.  Bush has had the same and has only made the US more unpopular in the world.  There is a LOT riding on this next election.

Having said all this, it is incredible that a place like California and Hollywood exists.  They turn out the most incredible free thinkers and are a beacon for the world.  And a vanguard. Not to mention many of your famous universities.

Where are all the protesters, as in the Vietnam war?

One of the reasons gays are not liked is we appear to be so hedonistic.  This is partly true.  Maybe its the generation, or maybe its that they are too shut out, at least if they are out.  Whatever; I like that people are standing up for their rights.

Whoever said politics (especially US politics) is full of it, is right.  Why they just can't get ON WITH IT down there. They have the good guys fighting the good guys (democrats).  Here, you have the best chance since confederation, or whatever you guys call it when you broke from England; a choice between a black and a woman and you have them fighting.  Those republicans will just be able to pick up the pieces.

I wonder if Ben Franklin intended all this primary stuff.  Why can't the caucus' just get together for a weekend like we do, and get the thing over privately?  OK, ours is televised, but you only see the  surface, not the infighting.

Hillary is the only one that can give that country universal medicine.  The US is the only G8 country without it.  Instead, a trillion dollars is spent in Iraq.  Which makes me wonder about the American people.  Electing Bush once could be an honest mistake.  But TWICE?!!!

And AFTER the election, you NEVER see what is going on in Congress.  The proceedings are not televised.  And you CAN'T get rid of a president in the middle of a term without impeachment.  Last was Nixon.  We can rid of a government ANYTIME with a non confidence vote.

Poor old Ben must be turning in his grave.  I have been to Philly, saw the 'sunrise' chair, liberty bell and all that…  He even turn to the Magna Charta to try and get it right, with a balance of power, fairness etc.There is a copy from 1387 RIGHT THERE in Philly.  And yes, he even wrote a doc against slavery.  And BTW, the US was the LAST country to quit slavery, and took Abe and a civil war to do it.

You want some one else to talk politics, well that's my piece.