I know what you’re thinking -- not another namby-pamby, reasons-to-be-cheerful, holiday-themed list of reasons to be happy while the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Okay, okay; point taken. But sometimes we progressives forget to sit up and take notice of our own progress; we’re so wired for seeking cures to injustice that, too often, all we see is injustice, and not the strides or baby steps made toward its correction. At least, that’s how it is with me.

But the self-help types tell us that a little gratitude in one’s attitude makes the whole darn world a sweeter place, and, after all, who wouldn’t want that? So, in that spirit, I seek to rise above my native pessimism, to unfurrow my brow but for just a moment, to breathe in some of the fresh air that blew through the political landscape in the final months of 2012 -- and just look around for a bit. Because some pretty amazing things happened, especially on November 6, and the days that led up to it. And at least one awful thing stopped. (Bye-bye, Romney.) And for these things and more, I am very, very thankful.