An interesting comment by a business commentator on TV today to the effect that Canadian banks have not been doing any new lending pending the end of the calendar year when their books close for 2008. He said that bankers have told him that things will loosen up considerably as soon as we enter the new year. It seems to me that the sad mess in the middle east will be bullish for commodities and oil in particular. Mention has been made on the news accounts that give the impression that the "Arab nations" are taking a stand against Israel. Very frightening and upsetting - the world didn't need this new flareup at this time.