I'm here at KABC and looking forward to the 11:00 am show (tune into 790 AM or click here to listen online).

What's on tap? This morning, we're going to talk about some of the good news coming from Iraq. According to a report on the Fox News Channel this morning, 6,000 contracts have been awarded for Iraq reconstruction; 100,000 Iraqis have been employed in reconstruction projects; more than 1800 megawatts of power have been added to the Iraqi nationa power grid; 1,167 Iraqi construction projects have been initiated; one million Iraqis have access to new sewage treatment; more than 360 Iraqi schools are being renovated and rehabilitated; 83 Iraqi rail stations and 42 fire stations are being rehabbed, as well. Not bad, not bad at all!

And as this piece in Businessweek today points out, there's reason for hope on the political side, as well.

One other issue: In this piece, Washington Post reporters harrumph disapprovingly about the President's perceived "absence" on the issue of the Asian tsunami disaster. Give me a break. I'm hoping some listener will be able to call in and explain to me why or how it helps the situation at all for the President to rush to the television cameras -- Bill Clinton style -- to shed tears, emote and generally feel everyone's pain.