I'll be back

I'll be gone for a few days.  A trip to the Philippines.  I don't know how much posting I'll be able to do while I'm there.  It's a pleasure trip.  But I'll be back by the 1st of June invigorated, ready to take up the battle once again, and confident that Bush and Maliki will be able to keep things under control while I'm gone.  You have to admit, they haven't been doing all that badly of late.  Fingers are crossed for Iraq, but you know -- things look better than they have in a long time.