The original question about the Panama Canal was a good one for presenting to a genealogy list. I looked forward to a worthwhile exchange -- genealogy-wise. But it sure looks like this thread is going to become very political!!!! As I have understood it, maybe incorrectly, the Chinese own each end of the Canal now -- so why wouldn't the United States want to make all the improvements now so that the Chinese won't have to do a thing when they take complete control of this vital zone!!!!! Tongue in check, of course. If you have a comment, please direct it to me personally. I need to be educated, but not at the expense of this List. Shirley My website: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~twigs2000 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.8/162 - Release Date: 11/5/2005