The eyes of the world are once again riveted to the escalating fighting and chaos erupting in the Middle East. As expected, the tiny nation of Israel once more finds itself fighting a war on both physical and political fronts.

Can North Americans afford to fill their gas tanks at $4 or $5 per gallon? If not, what will they do for transportation when oil prices rise? With very few exceptions (such as Canada), the governments of most oil-producing nations now hate the United States!

The winter tide festivities continue on, with people moving almost mindlessly through them—looking neither left nor right, only onward to the end, full of parties, food, drink, and maxed-out credit cards.

In just a few more days it will be the New Year, and the glut of holiday celebrations will cease and we all can get back to normal—at least until Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mardi Gras, etc.

Thanks to the news media, the world can now add chickens to the things we must worry about killing us. To date, 100 million domestic birds have been killed and it is reported 60 of the 100 people infected with the human form, since 1997, have died.

You may think the Holidays are over, but there will be a nagging monthly reminder for all those who were caught up in all of that "Joy to the [commercial] world" last month.