SIGHS OF RELIEF HEARD FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AND TEHRAN

We may be wrong (it does happen periodically) but we could swear we hear huge signs of relief coming from Columbia, South Carolina and Tehran.

The mullahs have to have been relieved when they got knocked off TV screens by Luv Gov 2 from South Carolina. And he in turn got an undeserved break with the not unexpected demise of Music Icon Michael Jackson.

With wall to wall Thriller it must be hard for the grieving family. What fortitude that MJ's mother managed, less than 24 hours after his passing, to call a former employee of Jackson to find out where the money was hidden (Jackson was known to hide large amounts of cash in the house). And what a dad!! Stricken with grief he still managed, less than 24 hours after Jackson's death, to organize moving trucks to cart off all the possessions in MJ's house. And how did he manage, debilitated by the loss, to drag himself and his bling to the BET awards?

MJ's end may have been tragic and inevitable but at least he departed this world knowing he had a caring and loving family!!

ARGENTINA DROWNS IN TEARS

Thank you Guv Sanford.

Thank you for reminding us why we love Republicans. They are such good entertainment value.

We have been feeling a little morose. We are overdosed on Obama (24/7 on every channel) and feel certain he isn't going to be doing anything really interesting in the Oval office except maybe sneak a cigarette (yawn). We are getting bored with the Iranian uprising that only confirms what we already knew and isn't likely to be a gamechanger any time soon.

Out of the darkness come the Republicans.

First came the sleezy Mr Christian Right from Nevada confessing his carnal waywardness and now we have a real dilly in the Southern Guv Sandford.

He disappears - apparantly to hike in the mountains and, intriguingly , at the same time as Nude Hiking Day. Now we find out he zipped off to Argentina to visit (and sounds like break up with) his paramour. How great that the mistress is in Argentina and not Hoboken or Atlantic City. How great that a guy can confess how a relationship went from friendship to 'sparking'. Sparking? Is this some quaint southern euphemism for fornication?

Thank you Republicans. You are the gift that keeps on giving.

FROM CAIRO TO GERMANY AND BEYOND.....

As O arrives in Germany, we are all left to dissect and pontificate on 'The Speach' in Cairo.

It is a bit premature to pass definitive judgement but preliminary reactions are positive:

. The President of Iran has announced he 'loves Jews' and plans to vacation in Israel this summer;
. The Israeli Government announced the immediate cessation of settlement expansion and the commitment to dismantle existing settlements by 2012;
. The Saudi King announced 'free and open elections' will be held next year and that 40% of candidates will be women;
. Hamas and Hezbollah announced they will officially recognize the Jewish state of Israel effective midnight tonight;

It has not even been 24 hours so reaction is still coming in - in the meantime, it is on to Germany for O (apparantly, according to geneologists, he has German ancestors -is their anywhere he doesn't have ancestors?).................................leaving the rest of us bobbing in his wake...........