22 December 2008: Morning By The Morning News — 22 Dec 2008 Op: A debt pardon for all would wipe out the lenders--and maybe even our current crisis. Pay close attention to Greece; at a time of worldwide economic upheaval, it might eerily presage disturbances elsewhere in 2009. Climate change diplomacy is moving at a geologic pace; at a recent two-week gathering, a semicolon was removed. "The solution is to restore peace in Somalia so that we can have a better life and more job opportunities." Pirates explain how to hijack ships, save Somalia. China defeats pirates with gasoline bombs; pirates ask for free shoes, gas. Environmental group confronts Japanese whalers in the Antarctic Ocean, launches rotten butter at their vessel. Some advice: Do something new every three years--it's crucial to maintain fresh eyes. Venezuela pays to free Bolivia of illiteracy. Non-book bookstores thrive in Venice exactly because they sell blank pages. People don't want to read in Venice, they want to imagine. From the 1983 Sears Wishbook: the video-game systems that didn't survive. Examples from great American catalogs (Andie MacDowell! His-and-her dirigibles!) and an interview with a catalog historian. Video: A field guide to NYC tourists. Note that this song only provides a partial list of things heard on high. Christmas carol errata.
