I have great respect and admiration for Thomas Friedman and it came as no surprise to me to learn that, in a recent International Heral Tribune Poll, that he is the writer readers turn to first (ahead even of the incomprable Dave Barry, surley the funniest writer "active" today). It's refreshing to find a journalist who, while never denying the direness of our straits, always tries to look at things in a positive light. He incarnates the best aspects of the American psyche.