Auld lang syne and all that. You won't catch me at any bars tonight. It's already 2013 in Sri Lanka, if you're counting. Final notes, subject to additions later:
* CONGRESSIONAL FEUDING: A deal with the Senate is near on taxes, but not on spending cuts and Republicans in the Senate are pitching a tantrum, with the troglodytes in the House still to be heard from. Tiny Tim, for one, has made it clear no increase in taxes, even for the wealthiest 1 percent, are acceptable to him. Why change now?
UPDATE: At 8:30 come reports that there IS a deal. Some taxes go up. But a punt on spending means more drama in two months
* HUCKABEE DECLARES WAR ON CHRISTMAS: Funny. The Huckster caught wishing his radio listeners"Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."
* HILLARY CLINTON HEALTH UPDATE: From CNN:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has a blood clot between her brain and skull behind her right ear, her doctors said.Clinton remained hospitalized Monday in New York after the clot was discovered during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered this month, her spokesman said.
Her doctors said in a statement that the clot found Sunday "did not result in a stroke or neurological damage" and that they "are confident she will make a full recovery."
* MILLIONAIRE: The Arkansas Lottery today released a photo if Sherry Miller of DeQueen who bought a $2 million Powerball ticket recently in Lockesburg. She was joined by a couple of family members when she picked up a check for $1.61 million after tax withholding. She said she hopes to buy houses for family members.