19 December 2008: Morning

Mark Felt, former FBI no. 2, who became Deep Throat and brought down Nixon, dies at 95.

I would move the flowerpot with the flag...to the rear of the balcony if I urgently needed a meeting. From 2005, Woodward on his crash course in espionage, courtesy of Felt.

After eight years of neglect, Latin America throws a virtual shoe in the face on U.S. foreign policy.

"They live in a perpetual crisis, which they treat with vodka and indifference." In Russia, distrust of the state runs high--citizens' apathy will lead to poverty.

Op: Obama demonstrates great shrewdness in selecting Rick Warren for his inauguration--it'll benefit the Democrats in the end.

South Korean government barricade themselves in committee room to make deal on free trade, fight back opposition with fire extinguishers.

On the Chinese, bird-watching, new social forces emerging, the government listening.

Gaza truce is over, with neither side accepting the other's legitimacy; expect no lasting agreements.

The text is punctuated by Photoshop collages, including one of children frolicking in a grassy garden amidst Roman temples. The face of creationism in Turkey.

Occasional war, economic collapse can be a good thing for the soul.

Gallery: Desert dogs chasing a car.

"Thank you, America, for taking a chance on an openly gay man from Texas: tight jeans, cowboy hats, and all." America's first gay president bows out.

Video: Menagerie kaleidoscope.