We often encourage our readers to shop at home for the holidays, emphasizing the importance those local sales tax dollars.

But we also encourage you to give at home, too &045;&045; to the many charities throughout the Miss-Lou dedicated to helping those less fortunate.

Over the next few weeks, we will be asking these organizations for their &uot;wish lists&uot; &045;&045; the items that can help get them through the month or even the next year, the donations that will make Christmas brighter for so many Miss-Lou youngsters or the kind of volunteers who can help relieve those already giving of their time.

So many people and organizations need our help, now more than ever. With job losses hurting our community, these charities are hurting, too.

Surely each of us can find a way to give &045;&045; even to sacrifice &045;&045; to make the holidays a little better for everyone. Whether you find one charity you especially appreciate, or give a little to all, we will surely be a better community for making sure everyone’s wishes come true.

President Bush’s surprise trip makes the right statement

President Bush’s stunning trip to Baghdad &045;&045; possibly the best-kept secret of the war besides the hiding place of Saddam Hussein &045;&045; has been criticized as little more than political showmanship.

But it was a much-needed gesture for troops with sagging morale and for an administration that has gone to great lengths to put a positive face on a violent war.

It was the right thing for this commander in chief to do, and the pride on the faces of the troops who were able to greet the president was worth the risk &045;&045; and the fallout.