THE DAILY GRIND 02.18.09

Obama ordered 17,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Afghanistan which, we guess, means that they don't have to be in Iraq anymore. So, that's, um, good news? Probably. Who knows? Afghanistan is whole different deal from the Middle East. First, there's no oil. Secondly, Afghanistan has always been a loose collection of tribes rather than anything like a modern nation-state. A democracy, like the one that seems to be blooming in Iraq, probably isn't a realistic goal in Afghanistan . Not a terrorist training ground is more like what we should be aiming for. Also, it would be nice if we could encourage the locals to let their women out of the house.

Just few thoughts on the End of Days, as people like to pretend this recession is. Some writer for New York Magazine just referred to the current downturn as "The Greatest Depression." Oh, please. We know the Apocalyptic style is part of being heard above the din of blogs, but could we all agree that the sky is not falling and, that somehow, life will go on.

Some stats. In modern times, the average recession has been about 10 months. The most recent two downturns, 1990-91 and in 2001-02, lasted eight months each, and there were two 16-month recessions in 1973-74 and 1981-82. The current slump is in its fourteenth month. bad. But even if it was to last 24-months, the current recession would end in last quarter of this year or early 2010. Very survivable. Yeah, it's tough, but it's not the end of the freaking world. All the hysterical prophecies of doom, in addition to being dumb, only make it worse.

In a TV interview, Bristol Palin says abstinence education doesn't work, which is sort of like Paris Hilton warning people about STD's. The appearance on FOX News coincides suspiciously with the release of an unauthorized biography about her mom, "Trailblazer: An Intimate Biography of Sarah Palin," by Lorenzo Benet.

In the heat of the campaign, of course, Sarah Palin became a cultural touchstone. She was portrayed as a book-banning, abortion-hating, gay-bashing, illiterate, Alaskan separatist. So what stunning revelations are in the new book? The Palins hired a nanny after Trigg was born. Also, Palin once told her husband she was going to Costco, but instead went to a public appearance by Ivana Trump. Shocking! Can someone explain why this stuff is interesting to anyone?

According to friends, Rihanna can't help her deep feelings for boyfriend Chris Brown. Star magazine reports that the singer has stayed in touch with Brown, even though he allegedly beat the crap out of her. "She keeps saying she wants to make sure that he's okay," a friend tells Star. "She thinks this will all just blow over and they can go back to how they were."

Oh, sure. That'll work. Here's the thing, ladies. If a man you love with beats you once, you have everyone's sympathy. If you go back to him and he does it again, you have no one to blame but yourself.