[cherry]

no apologies required Max. and i really didn't mean to come across as 'my government is better than your government'. my government swallows the cock of yours.
what I was looking for when I made my initial post was hope.
its my own fault I get so upset about the unjust politics of the world. Like the majority of folks I could simply choose not to watch the news, but I suffer with a rare pyschological make up; a control freak with an idealistic CPU.
I too like to kick back with the 'pointing and the laughing', its a very important survival strategy, but if thats all you do, what are you contributing? Since I hold out little hope of an afterlife I believe that in life, participation is mandatory. Sure, in dark days I envy the perogative of wealthy women in the 19th century who would just' take to their beds', shielding themselves from the difficulties of life. Since I dont have that option, I content myself with a different illusion; that through dialogue and discussion on an international level we may eventually beat the end of level boss with all lives still intact. unless anyones got the cheats?