Is it morning in America?

A year ago, things looked pretty bleak in the US. There was a lot of dire talk from the right and the left.

America has seen its best days. Decline and fall.

But in the last 24 hours, we’ve seen Apple unveil what may be a game-changing new electronic device, the latest in a series of cool products.

(Okay, I admit it, I just got an Ipod and I’m completely hooked…)

We’ve watched Ford roll out huge profit numbers, while Toyota struggles with recalls and lackluster sales.

Eastman Kodak and Proctor & Gamble are also posting surprising profits.

Meanwhile, a visionary American film, Avatar, is the cultural event of the winter around the globe.

What do you think? Blips of good news on a bleak landscape, or a sign that there’s some fresh energy out there in the USA?