Women hold up half the sky...

...is what Mao Zedong said in 1949. I cannot let this day pass without mentioning yesterday. While this news may have passed below many of your radar screens as you (in the United States) prepare to face the family tomorrow, it is good news, news that I am thankful for. Yesterday afternoon the first time in the history of Europe's largest economy, Angela Merkel carefully said the words "So wahr mir Gott helfe" (so help me God) and became the first ever Kanzlerin or Chancellor of Germany. African women are celebrating, as Liberia's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has become the continent's first elected woman president. She is sixty-seven years old and has six grandchildren. I was sad that my President did not put forward a second female candidate for Supreme Court. The world will be a kinder, gentler place when Mao's words become reality and half the muscles holding up the sky also help us all temper the egos of the powerful. Yesterday was a good day. Mark my words.