Garry Trudeau, 1 percenter

Merry Christmas Anyway

Sadly, the annual tradition of strangers wishing glad tidings to other strangers has gone the way of department store Santas, stars atop Christmas Trees (on public or commercial property,)  Peace on Earth and Goodwill To Men. "Christmas" is a dirty word now and no matter how bad the economy gets, Macy's  and The Gap et al  won't dare utter the word until they post their first After Christmas Sale (!) ads on December 26.

Ass with a Jawbone

Venezuelan shortman Hugo Chavez seems hellbent on playing "Tattoo" to Fidel Castro's "Mr. Roarke." Tonight's celebrity guest star- Sean Penn !

If he behaves himself the Summit of the Americas promises to let him ring the bell as each plane arrives.

Or push the buttons when the heads of state board an elevator.

Heil on Wheels

The little tyrant almost departed this mortal coil last year. The "progressive" world finally exhaled when Fidel emerged from his sickbed clad in a reassuring Olympic sweatsuit- and ready for a fresh round of mall-walking. All that's missing is a mall. Damn that embargo!