"...what we can do, and what we should all do, is to keep an open mind."

Yes! I agree wholeheartedly, Melissa. Living in a "foreign" culture for over 5 years has taught me many things, but the most important, and by far most valuable lesson it has taught me is exactly that: keep an open mind. No matter your knowledge of the language, the culture, or the politics, if you don't keep opening up yourself to new, different approaches to life, you'll only make yourself, and those around you miserable and stunt communication, learning, intellectual growth.

What Friday night's debate lacked in concrete fiscal policy discussion, it made up for in character revelation. If in the presence of a fellow American Senator McCain must revert to oft-repeated anecdotes about his adoring constituents, refusal to make eye contact, condescension (opening his rebuttals with no less than four "What my opponent doesn't seem to understand"), mockery, and distorted facts, how can he be expected to preside honorably over a Democratic Congress, or perform diplomatic duties with those "bad guys" he referred to during the debate?

Thank you, Ms. Karabat, for reporting on the incredible women of the Diyarbakır Laundromat. The original thinking of the founders, realizing that most of the women they were seeking to assist lacked the time and freedom to visit a municipal center, is inspiring. The fact that the founders opened up a laundry mat, then reached out with literacy programs, then preschool, and ultimately counseling shows a fundamental respect for the daily lives of the women in of this neighborhood, and an intelligent approach to connecting with a group that might otherwise be lost.

The fact that the green movement is becoming increasingly mainstream is wonderful news for the planet. A global consciousness of the fragility of the environment and mankind's potentially destructive footprint will hopefully mean that conservation and preservation will take priority among legislators and corporations.

However, as Jessica Mosby does so well to point out, being green today too often means being wealthy enough to afford goods that are very expensive. Marketers have hijacked the green trend and directed it toward the priveleged buyer, keeping prices for pesticide-free food, fair-trade products, and green residences at a restrictive price.

Going green does not, and should not have to mean spending five times the price one normally would for non-green products.