End of 2009 Countdown 3

Blogger Andrew Sullivan, who is a staunch fiscal conservative, has this excellent perspective on President Obama's first year. He includes the cartoon where Wile E. Coyote catches the Road Runner.

Object of the Week

End of 2009 Countdown 2

The roving photographer for the Voice of San Diego website has posted some of his favorite photos for 2009.

End of 2009 Countdown

This is a good photo for a "Peace on Earth" Christmas card. The cats' official names are Rocco and Junior, but around the house we call them "Schmall Kitty" and "Young Man." Don't ask me why. It's just us.

This is a great time of year for many reasons. One thing I've been enjoying is the attack of rationality and perspective that has gripped much of the news being reported. It's like there's a sudden realization that the molehill-conflicts we have been angry and screaming about all year really aren't that important.

One of the best things I read all year was a series of in-depth profiles of former Islamic terrorists called "Renouncing Islamism: To the Brink and Back Again." This is the best glimpse I've ever had into "Why Would Someone Do This?" It's a very long story, but a very good picture of the real genesis of terrorism.

Merry Christmas!

Ho-ho-ho, and Merry Christmas! Yes indeed, I'm a little late, but that's a side effect of my profession. I hope you had a warm and peaceful Christmas, and that you can enjoy some rest (or cleanup, or organizing, or planning) in the old-to-new week ahead.