Always look on the bright side of life

I know I can be a gloomy Gus with all my hand-wringing over America's debt, so it helps to read some encouraging words from eminent British historian Paul Johnson:

"Of course I worry about America," he says. "The whole world depends on America ultimately, particularly Britain. And also, I love America - a marvelous country. But in a sense I don't worry about America because I think America has such huge strengths - particularly its freedom of thought and expression - that it's going to survive as a top nation for the foreseeable future. And therefore take care of the world."

He goes on to say that the Tea Party movement "cheered me up to no end" and he's a fan of Sarah Palin.