cjm, i guess it’s just raw bitterness at the whole thing –so easily preventable, so obviously telegraphed in time to head it off. makes me feel stupid, as a westerner. but you’re right –we have assets galore –mainly us, and the USA as the exemplar of the best yet end state of political systems. but, it feels like we have a long grind in front of us, and the missed chance to kill the latest little hitler in the crib has just got me blabbing too much. thanks for the heads up on that –