I think most of us who have lived in Britain have had similar experiences. And not just Britain. For many Americans who have experienced British and European health care, it's humbling and enlightening. But there are plenty of other Americans who are unwilling to accept that we aren't best at everything we do. But it's true. We're really good at some things but not everything -- kind of like everyone else in the world.

Thanks for a great account, nicely told.

I confess that the moment I heard Rahm Emanuel had been elevated to his current position, I had a sick feeling about the Obama presidency I'd fought so hard for.

I know what we older progressives have in mind. I just don't know whether younger progressives have got what it takes or whether their cojones are just a plastic strap-on. If they're the real thing, the issue will cease to be Democrats v. Republicans and become a genuine and (I believe) very popular and successful movement away from both parties and -- above all -- the authoritarian, militarist and corporate-driven government we've had, in one form or another, since the mid-'50's.

That "On the Media" interview drove me to write some harsh stuff about Shepard, though I recognize that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as long as it continues to take public money, is answerable to more than just the left, particularly a left which (this lefty acknowledges) is determined to demonstrate its weakness in Congress. Congress, of course, provides public broadcasting with that public money. CPR should get off the tit.

Accordingly, Shepard lives on bread and water in a 7'x7' metal cell in spite of the fancy "ombudsman" sign on the door.

That said, no one tortured Shepard with the fact that waterboarding has been ruled against the law in the US. Vide the Texas sheriff who was imprisoned, etc. etc. It's NPR's obligation to state at least that fact when the subject comes up.

"Ombudsman" seems to have taken on a new meaning in the US. Look at the NYTimes ombudsman. Disgrace to an honorable calling. We won't get those compromisers out of their media jobs, but at least we should take the word back.

Well, Mr. Holder, your execution will proceed this evening as scheduled. Why? Well, the government "tend[s] to prefer continuity in positions after changes in administration."

Hmmm. Just what makes Rove a political authority? His boy George is at a new low for negatives in national polls. In contrast there's that uppity Obama doing something right all by himself and with no help from Karl. This morning's Rasmussen survey shows Obama still nicely ahead of McCain -- and doing just fine against Clinton whose numbers are sinking again.

I liked Andrew Sullivan's piece in yesterday's London Times. He sees the Republican party and Rove in a funk because Obama is using a new kind of politics. Those new politics appeal to a lot of people, moderate Republicans and independents included. So far, and in spite of being the target in both McCain's and Clinton's target practice, Obama's campaign is working.

Panic stations! New guy! new rules! large following! steady flow of $$$! new donors every day! grassroots support! deftly organized campaign! Of course the right wants Clinton as an opponent! Her campaign is disorganized and subject to infighting; she has alarmingly high negatives; she has Bill. Rove & Co know how to deal with her and then deal her out.

Sullivan writes: "The death match is now. And the Clintons and the Republicans need all the mutual support they can muster."

I supported Obama from the start because of his internationalism. That was the strongest draw. The second consideration was position on the Iraq invasion. Then it was his education and his ability to articulate progressive ideas and choices clearly -- which go along with his feet-on-the-ground sensible approach to most issues.

But even a committed progressive can appreciate his independence, his willingness to incorporate viable conservative approaches into proposed solutions. Perhaps because of having lived outside the US for many years, the gender and race obsessions of contemporary Americans seem alien, anti-progressive to me. Why cling to things which tend to separate us? Dumb move. Compared to Obama, both Clinton and McCain look like screw-ups, nebbishes, last year's dog's dinner -- to this voter, at least.

Obama's color is really about our native-born nuttiness on the subject of racial origins. Barack Obama can't escape being "white" or "black" or both or whatever -- anymore than he can escape being extremely bright, articulate and highly educated. This latter three descriptors also get him into trouble with a lot of people who are deeply suspicious of education and a worldliness.

These problems are ours, not his. The way out of them is to get over the little mental illness we (we blacks and we whites) were born to along with our citizenship -- the illness which makes us see race and class before we see almost anything else about a person. To stop doing this would be like getting out a prison we've built for ourselves. Maybe one of the reasons people (white and black) are so "hopeful" and "joyful" about the possibility of Barack Obama's leadership is the recognition that he may help us walk out of this jail.

Hillary's negatives are awfully high for a potential nominee. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, particularly if she gets the nomination and then is elected because of the far right that just can't bear McCain. It has also been said that no way should Obama consider her for the vice presidency, even if she were to accept the idea. Her negatives would rule it out. If it's true Ann Coulter would vote for her, well... 'nuf said!