The winds of winter embrace the souls of three young men on Mount Hood and nations mourn, mightily; The winds of war embrace the souls of three thousand young men and women and nations mourn, silently.

Score Card – Progress Iraq: -0 New Secretary of Defense, Gates, spent the last few days in Iraq trying to figure out a strategy. It’s about time we had a strategy, don’t you think? Meanwhile, King George continues to thump his chest and tell the world we won’t leave until we’ve won. This isn’t baseball, George. There is no scoreboard that keeps track of innings and runs. There is no rule book that dictates when the game ends. Get out now George. You don’t have the right to take one more life; you don’t have the right to maim one more man or woman or child; you don’t have the right to destroy one more life.

Bristol Psychotic? Bristol-Myers-Squibb says it will pay $499 million for illegally flogging drugs, one of which was its anti-psychotic drug Abilify. Do you ever wonder who gets all the money crooked corporations pay?

Navistar Reaped? The big farm equipment company, formerly International Harvestor, is fighting with Deloitte Touche, its former auditors, who accused Navistar of great transgressions. KPMG has taken over from the axed Deloitte Touche, but audits are sliding in late. If you’re a buyer of Navistar stock, caveat emptor!

Moscow On The Hudson? According to some surveys, office rents in Moscow, driven by oil madness, are now fourth highest in the world, trailing London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, though London at $145 - $210 psf and Tokyo at $130 - $145 continue to lead the pack. Hong Kong comes in at $115 and Moscow at $110. By comparison, NYC is $60.

That’s all for this week, my friends. Happy Chanukah Happy Holidays Happy Kwanzaa Merry Christmas...and stay out of my damn chimney!