Thanks, Mary-Louise, for mentioning the situation at the University of Manitoba, with the implication that political and social realities can sometimes make it hard to concentrate on things like the teaching and study of writing. Needless to say, there's another reality looming. Perhaps as CASLLers we can join hands with our friends in Quebec and let them know that they'll be much in our thoughts in the days ahead. So, Patrick, Anthony, Ann, Jane, Carolyn, Bill, Sharron, Mary O, Mary M, Mieke, Martin (& apologies to any I've missed), we're with you -- keeping our fingers crossed and thinking NO hard..... dv