Just for a change some hopeful words coming out of the north. I still recall the adrenalin rush of negative anticipation the sight of Sid Shniad's by-line began to bring: uh-oh, yet more nasty shit being pulled in Canada. Something like 30 years I lived for a time in Winnipeg. Although too wrapped up in personal stuff to take a look at the political scene then, I can still say that I've never experienced a softer, more benign big city environment - certainly not on this continent. To live without having my elbows out or dodging other elbows was truly a dry acid trip. valis