BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

On a cold and drizzly December morning the Israeli cabinet meets to approve a renewal of the cease-fire in Gaza, which has proven so successful. There have been no rocket, mortar or shooting attacks into Israel since the tahadiyeh was proclaimed by Hamas six months ago. The Erez, Karni, and Sufa border crossings, along with the Nahal Oz fuel depot, have efficiently funneled a cornucopia of supplies into the Strip from Israel, while the Rafah crossing for goods and people leaving the Strip for Egypt is functioning smoothly under the watchful eyes of Egyptian officials and Palestinian border guards loyal to Mahmoud Abbas's administration. Thanks to intensified Egyptian efforts, the flow of illicit weaponry into the Strip has been reduced to a trickle. EU officials have steadfastly rejected dealing with Hamas. The Islamist government has never been more unpopular because, despite the end of the "siege," it has proven incompetent in delivering basic services to the people. Po...

FUNNY, BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST TRUE. When I was writing and doing comedy there was one truism. No - it wasn't self-deprecation or making fun of others. It was the TRUTH. The truth, when pointed out with all its warts or put up close, under the microscope - is the funniest material you can ever hope to have. Just ask Larry David. That said, Andy Borowitz's piece below is hysterical, because it's almost true: Bush Gives Musharraf Tips on Eliminating Democracy ‘ Benefit From My Experience,’ President Tells Pakistani In what he described as “an emergency mission to help a key ally in the war on terror,” President George W. Bush flew to Islamabad today to give General Pervez Musharraf tips on how to eliminate democracy. Mr. Bush said he scheduled the trip just hours after General Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan and suspended elections “because when it comes to eliminating democracy, I thought my friend Pervez could benefit from my experience.” Speaking to...