Alcohol plays a big part in most American parties. People drink to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves. Anyhow that's the way it should be.

He's in America because he wants a college degree, and because his American college wants his money. But in this marriage of convenience, both parties suffer.

With the election approaching and the budget fight at least temporarily resolved, members of Congress in both parties were eager to give the American people evidence of bipartisan progress.