Well I hope you are enjoying a peaceful day and that everything is indeed "merry and bright."

Things look bad most places that I look -

We're staring down the barrel of nuclear war with North Korea.

We could be at war in a month's time with Iraq.

Money is hard to come by for a lot of people with little option for easing up.

Paranoia and distrust are rising in this country against foreigners and around the world against Americans.

I never thought I was a pessimist until this year. But I'm looking at a new year and I'm tempted to actually make something akin to a resolution: I will do something about the problems I see in my life and the world around me.

As for everyone else, I hope everyone else understands how lucky they are with the things they have and the people around them who care and support them. If you're reading this you've probably got my love and support.

So I'm wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Have merry Christmas, and a happy new year
Let's hope it's a good one
without any fear
-John Lennon and Yoko Ono