Alright then! It’s at times like these when it feels like the great, rusted, backwards-rolling old tank of Western civilisation is actually cranking a few heaves forwards. There’s hope painted on people’s faces everywhere, and yes we know that power has corrupted many a saint, and we know that the reality of governing the Universal Soldiers of Absolutelyeverything is that it’s a crazy muddle of challenges… But the king is dead! Long live Barack Obama! It still doesn’t seem possible, and people in their cynicism are still whispering that the worst could happen (look at Lincoln… look at Kennedy…) but for now, let’s revel in that forward motion. The way of things has just shifted a good deal, and that’s something to be celebrated. And the autumn colours are beautiful. Look outside…