Signs of the holiday times

Even greeting card companies are having to downsize these days. American Greetings plans to cut 275 workers and close as many as 30 stores after profits fell. Hallmark is slashing 335 jobs and closing three greeting card plants.

But some have found a niche, taking advantage of the dour economic times by offering cards with somewhat humorous messages. The Order of St. Nick, a greeting card company in Iowa, has a line of Great Depression greeting cards, including one with a 1930s era woman cutting some fabric on the front. The message: "I made you a Christmas present!"

And inside: "But I had to burn it in a trashcan to stay warm.....Have a Great Depression and a Happy New Year!"

Uh, yes, thank you. It's good some can see the humor here.

As I've said before, I don't think we're near a depression. Sure, unemployment has risen to 6.7 percent nationally from 4.7 percent a year ago. Sure, the stock market is still well below what it was last year, though it's better than it was in October.

But we have a long way to go to hit 30 percent unemployment. Let's not get carried away, yet. I would just say, "Have a Merry Recession and a Happy New Year!"

Dodging shoes and worse

George Bush got rave reviews recently for his ability to duck some shoes thrown at him by an Iraqi journalist while giving a speech.

The journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, also was regarded by some as a hero for daring to hurl the shoes, which is apparently a rather strong sign of contempt in Iraq. Iraqi security guards did not think so, beating Zaidi in prison, according to the shoe thrower's brother. Sounds like the work of Dick Cheney.

The shoe-throwing incident has threatened to derail the career of the Iraqi prime minister, who claims Zaidi conspired with a terrorist to throw the shoe. Zaidi's family said he did it out of frustration towards the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Meanwhile, Bush is not the only speaker who has dodged items.

Last April, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman ducked green-colored pies thrown at him, avoiding "the brunt of the contents," according to reports. Friedman returned to finish his speech.