In the gathering global gloom - economic, political, climatic - try seizing as a sign of hope the gory brutal aftermath to Iran's election. Seriously.

I take my cue on this from young Canadian academics of Middle Eastern background who see themselves as Muslims with a secular and liberal democratic bent. They include Nader Hashemi - quoted in Time this week calling it a “turning point” for “popular mobilization and discontent” - and the irrepressible Jehad Aliweiwi. You may recall him for his battle with the Ontario government. They wanted to revoke his vanity licence plate - JEHAD - after 9/11, on security grounds. He fought back, refusing to let...