Stephan:   Conservative readers write me, saying I favor Democrats. Democrats sometimes write and say I am being too hard... on Democrats. It seems I need to say this periodically, so let me say it once again: I do not care about partisan politics. I care about fact based compassionate life affirming policies. Whomever proposes and supports such policies I support. The data that Blue value policies produce superior social outcomes is irrefutable. (See Social Values, Social Wellness: Can We Know What Works? http://www.explorejournal.com/article/S1550-8307%2811%2900346-6/fulltext). Here is the founding vision of SR. I put it on the net back in 1998 when I began doing this: SchwartzReport is a daily publication in favor of the earth, the inter-connectedness and interdependence of all life, democracy, liberty, and things that are life affirming. It also warns readers about actions, and events that threaten those values. Stories have been vetted for accuracy by either a significant peer reviewed research journal or, at the least, a major journalistic publication. As it happens more compassionate life affirming policies are put forward by Democrats than Republicans. That is a fact. That's what gives me the appearance of being partisan. -- Stephan