Riffing On The Times, January 3, 2010

TOP STORIES

U.S. Sees an Opportunity to Press Iran on Nuclear Fuel
Scientists discover alternative energy source in sweat of angry mobs

Yemen’s Chaos Aids the Evolution of a Qaeda Cell
Economic desperation still the best recruiting tool of would-be terrorists


THE SAFETY NET

Living on Nothing but Food Stamps
And you can bet they ain't bankers

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

"I went from making $180,000 to relying on food stamps. Without that government program, I wouldn’t be able to feed my children."
ISABEL BERMUDEZ, who then proceed to get into her white Escalade with gold rims and drive to her lakeside condo

WORLD

For Shanghai Fair, a Famous Fund-Raiser Delivers
Huang Di, The American-Eating Dragon, always a crowd-pleaser

Many Karzai Afghan Cabinet Choices Are Rejected
Primary objection is that their name does not end with "Karzai"

Afghans Answering the Call to Fight
Nine f****ing years later

U.S.

Americans Doing More, Buying Less, a Poll Finds
Consumers realize "things" don't buy happiness - world economy collapses

Harvard Teaching Hospitals Cap Outside Pay
Inside pay still at record levels - unless you work for campus support services, in which case you're still treated like a peasant

Fight Against Asian Carp Threatens Fragile Great Lakes Unity
Wisconsin accuses Michigan of Ecological Terrorism. Threatens regional war.


BUSINESS

Real Estate in Cape Coral, Fla., Is Far From a Recovery
Retirees complain they may be forced to die in condos before realizing a profit

Citi’s Creator, Alone With His Regrets
Former CEO Sandy Weill nurses rejection on his 500 acre island plantation. Offers homeless victims of his reign "a nice place to work and live"