It´s great to be an American.  Let me repeat.  It is an unparalleled privilege to be an American.  Why, you ask?  Can you spell corruption?  Or better, the relative lack of it by third world standards. 

Listening to the stories we cover every week about strange people, the bizarre things they do, and the lengths to which people with money and power will go to to extend their dominion can give you a cynical view of America.  Fret no more comrades.  For a fresh pick me up in patriotism, apple pie and family values, just visit a third world country every couple years.  It´s good therapy for those who are troubled by our ´warts´, and a real booster for you and me….the folks who want to preserve our goodness....

As the presidential race reaches a fevered pitch, those of us who tuck the portable radio under our pillows can’t wait for the next big, little or downright trivial story to break.  For the rest of America, it’s about Oscar, Roger, Britney or Simon.  Not to demean the politically unengaged, just a plea to disengage.  Yep, that’s right.  Don’t vote and pollute the patriotic waters of discernment, debate and civic immersion. This just may be the tabloid election and by virtue of that the one that spells the end for the USA as you and I know it, friends.....