Political strategists' efforts to stigmatize opponents, along with poisonous radio and TV talk, leaders who question the patriotism of their opponents, the failure of mainstream journalists to challenge lies and distortions with facts, a passive electorate that naïvely expects to learn about candidates from TV sound bites and staged "debates" and a culture that values simplification of complex problems and prizes candidates' personalities over their abilities, has created a crisis in American democracy.

Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the head of training and equipping Iraqi security forces, says that succeeding in Iraq is like a cattle drive from Texas to Wyoming in the Old West: the cattle are the myriad tasks that need to be done in Iraq, and American and Iraqi trail bosses are battling insurgent rustlers, treacherous conditions and daunting logistical hurdles to keep the herd moving.

Some have marveled at Mr. Bush's refusal to admit any mistakes in Iraq. But what looks like negative feedback to some of us ... may be positive feedback, proof that God is there, testing your faith, strengthening your resolve.

I am no Sharon fan, but I am impressed. Mr. Sharon's willingness to look his own ideology and his own political base in the eye, conclude that pandering to both of them is no longer in his country's national interest, and then risk his life and political career to change course is an example of leadership you just don't see much of any more in democracies.

Americans are getting a little taller and a lot fatter.

Obesity, aided by poor diet and lack of activity, threatens to overtake tobacco use as the leading preventable cause of death.

"Everyone has a leaf blower. Ten years ago, people had rakes."

"What will happen with the next generation of adults is really scary."

A compilation of photographs, biblical quotations and essays published last year by Master Books, "Grand Canyon: A Different View" says God created the heavens and the earth in six days, 6,000 years ago, and that the canyon formed in a flood God caused in order to wipe out "the wickedness of man." The geology of the canyon proves it, the books' contributors say.

It is for sale at the six bookstores at Grand Canyon National Park.

The flaw in David Brooks's analysis of two models of leadership is that it leaves out a third. Mr. Brooks depicts a public looking either to men of faith or to experts versed in the workings of government.

A third model of presidential leadership is found in traditions of a self-reliant, productive citizenry that doubts the ability of any leader to save us. This is the leadership that tackles tough issues in a collaborative way and rejects the rescuer role.

Such leaders are catalytic, tapping the talents of citizens and building democracy as a way of life, not just at election time.