Obamboozled
What was the harm in asking the Islamic Republic of Iran to return the United States drone that malfunctioned/was downed over Iran? The Iranians might say no, once again highlighting President Obama's impotence in international affairs. Bad news, Mr. President, the Iranians have once again highlighted your impotence in international affairs: No, thank you-link. Maybe the latter-day princes of Persia would be more agreeable, sir, if you actually kowtowed before an image of the Ayatollah Khomeini? As long as we are doing everything we can do to appear as weak as possible in the eyes of both our friends & enemies, it might be worth a try.

How's the parade of horrors been treating you, Obama '08 voters? Is this the change you believed in?

The Queue
There is one crucial plot hole in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold with which I was familiar from the excellent motion picture adaptation; I was mildly disappointed to find it in the novel as well. 'Tis one of those niggles that perhaps irks only persnickety beggars such as your humble narrator. "The plan" only works because of some unanticipated element that could not possibly have been anticipated, even by a nigh-omniscient planner, yet the author never bothers to offer a plausible explanation of how the plan could possibly have worked without that unanticipated element. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is a grand yarn, but it is far more akin to Call for the Dead—le Carré's debut—than Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy—his masterpiece. I fear I've read his best, but find solace in the confidence that there is plenty of worth in much of the rest.

Recently
Christopher Moore, Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story
Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Golden, & Troy Nixey, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: Blackwood's Guide to Dangerous Fairies
John le Carré, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

Currently
Christopher Moore, You Suck: A Love Story

Presently
Christopher Moore, Bite Me: A Love Story
David Ignatius, Body of Lies
Len Deighton, City of Gold

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song of the Day
Barenaked Ladies, "Footprints" from Barenaked for the Holidays (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"You look just outstanding in the snow,
Standing in the snow."