Friday random thoughts...

• 66 years ago: In remembrance of Pearl Harbor.

• Please, put away that sword: Even if the National Intelligence Estimate is faulty (remember that whole Iraq WMD business?) President Bush and all the other blowhard war-hawks should shelve the rhetoric. Military action against Iran is a very, very, very bad idea.

• A short (and by no means comprehensive) list why it's a very, very, very bad idea: It would send oil prices through the roof. The military would break if we invaded — and a draft would be necessary. It would alienate our few remaining allies in the region (excepting Israel). And, worst of all, it would galvanize support for radicals like President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who really isn't all that popular with his people.

• Beware the intrinsic contradiction: Mitt "Made for TV" Romney said in his faith speech that "We face no greater danger today than theocratic tyranny." Ironic, seeing as how many of the voters he's trying to woo would like nothing more than to make the U.S. a Christian theocracy.

• Let me be the lowest bidder: For significantly less than the $1.2 million California will spend to build a Delta smelt refuge, I promise to buy a couple of high-quality fish tanks and make the little guys my personal pets.

• The journalist costs WHAT? Good thing no one rounded up any Tracy Press folks for the Brighter Christmas jail and bail. As one of my colleagues said, we'd still be out there.

• The weekly Christmas consumption watch: My total shopping bounty = 2 presents for 10 subjects. Retailers are weeping. I'd better step it up.

• Calvin and Hobbes quote of the week: "Tis the season to advertise."