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All those who are involved in US politics for the next year are cruising for a bruising. It's going to be a hard-fought campaign for control of the White House and both houses of Congress and both major parties are gearing up for it, both in the USA and in their respective branches here in Panama.

The Democrats are shown here gathering at Mi Ranchito on November 28. Yes, they may be cruising for a bruising, but they intend that the Republicans will be hurtin' for certain.

It's about votes, not fisticuffs, but then after a controversial losing invasion of Iraq in which war crimes were committed and torture was used, in the long run it might be about handcuffs --- freedom from unjust shackles for some people, and accountability for criminal behavior for others. Polls give the Democrats reason to be optimistic at this point but a lot can change in 11 months and the Republicans don't intend to just give up the offices they now control. It's going to be a hard-fought campaign with a lot at stake and there are sure to be hard feelings afterwards.

War and repression, however, are not the only things on Democrats' minds. The state of the American economy, the dumbing down of US education, media and political discourse, the deterioration of US government services to veterans and diminished respect for the USA around the world are all vital concerns for various Democrats Abroad members who gathered over dinner to elect the chapter's officers.

Democrats Abroad will hold a February 5 - 12 global presidential primary to select its delegates to the Democratic National Convention.