You've got to try to not be tickled pink hearing this:

The U.S. economy grew at a 4 percent annual rate from July through September, faster than previously estimated, according to government figures that suggest the expansion may continue at a similar pace into 2005.

The final calculation of gross domestic product for the third quarter compares with an estimate last month of 3.9 percent, the Commerce Department said in Washington. The economy grew 3 percent in 2003.

Four percent is better than average, better than estimates and better than last year. When the American economy's current burst of growth started can be traced to late spring of 2003, just as President Bush's immediately effective, retroactive tax relief was made into law. Which is why the engineer has told his firemen to keep the firebox hot.

MEANWHILE, ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON: Four out of ten Americans seem to have missed one year of 3% average GDP growth and a second of 4% growth.