It's a little less than 3 days before the new year. The ending of each year brings both anxiety and hope.  Economic indicators point to a mild recession, boy that's heartwarming. I read today that average Americans don't rate Iraq as a high concern anymore. It's the pocketbook, always the pocketbook.  The mortgage crisis is a mess but anytime you make $50,000 and someone shows you how to buy an $600,000 house, shouldn't you be at least cautious or wary? Instant gratification.  It's the American way. That's enough of that. Time for sports talk.