Apropos of the season Kent Peterman writes:

Next to a circus there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit.  ~Kin Hubbard
I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not  included.  ~Bernard Manning
No matter how carefully you stored the lights last year, they will be snarled again this Christmas.  ~Robert Kirby

Dan Grobstein File

• Check out a passel of items in this weeks Danorama
• BUSINESS DAY   | December 07, 2010
  U.S. Arrests Online Seller Who Scared Customers
  By DAVID SEGAL
  Authorities seized evidence from the home office of Vitaly Borker, who was accused of abusing customers to generate Web buzz that led to more business.
• Tucker Carlson: Bigger Jerk than you thought
• The payroll tax cut, Social Security and the problem of the trust fund
• Clueless golden parachute recipient
• Harper's Index: • Percentage change in spending by independent political groups between the 2006 and 2010 midterm elections: +310
• Is It Finally Time to Reform the Filibuster?
• America Underestimates Its Economic Strengths
• Ebert Tweet: I dislike anyone using the word "patriot" with the implication that I am not included.
• Don't know why I'm still amazed that republicans do the exact opposite of what should be done to help the country compete with the world in the 21st century.
  I Don't Really Think They Understand How Things Work