Tony, I will agree with you up to the point that there probably is a slightly 'liberal' bias in most of the mainstream media, including the cable channels. I don't believe, however, that there is the kind of hate-mongering and extremism that we have seen on the Right since the election of President Obama. Have you listened to guys like Micheal Savage recently? Have you listened to the responses of the people who listen to these guys? They are as extreme (and dangerous) as anyone walking the streets of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, or Afghanistan. What Fox does is give people like Glen Beck a platform with little or no restraints. Their audiences are relatively small but still significant. The people who blow up federal buildings, murder doctors who legally provide abortion services, and show up at presidential political rallies armed with AK47's, come from these ranks. True, this is the lunatic fringe, but look at who they align themselves with.

I don't believe the problem is with fiscal conservatives; I think the problem (the one we all pretend doesn't exist) lies with so-called social conservatives. These are the people who would have us turn the clock back 50 years when ...........well, you know when.

Still, I think this is, or has the potential to be, the greatest country in the world. I base this on it's generosity (which, admittedly sometimes comes with a price), it's ingenuity and creativity in science and technology, it's willingness to 'step up to the plate' (sometimes taking longer than we'd like) on the great moral issues of the day; in other words, when push comes to shove, we can usually depend on the MAJORITY of Americans to 'do the right thing'. Oh, did I mention religious freedom. It ain't perfect but I'd rather be here than anyplace else. I'm sure others feel the same about their respective countries. The image of the 'ugly American' (some of it well deserved) has caused us much grief in recent years, but I truly think we're making progress in learning to respect other countries and other cultures. Of course, some of us are slower to learn than others.

chas