Iraq elections

In the middle of Christmas preparation insanity so little time for anything except to note the excellent turnout - estimated at around 70%, with unexpectedly strong showings even in places like Fallujah and Ramadi.

It's at these times I'm simply too embarrassed to tell you what the average turnout is for elections to the Scottish Parliament.

Any pseuphologist will tell you that turnout matters; it's an indicator of enthusiasm or at least of participation in a process people believe to be meaningful.

Don't expect the cynics to agree on the positive nature of this. They used to think low turnout was indicative of a legitimacy problem, when a majority of Sunnis boycotted the last election, for example - but not any more. High turnout, low turnout - why bother with analysis when you've got the Americans to blame for any conceivable combination of circumstances?