Random

• NPR has a story about how the Orthodox Church in Russia is trying to squeeze out others. Same ole same ole power politics. ~ link

• Why some Christians refuse to celebrate Christmas -- and are thus impoverished ~ link

• I guess we're getting "re-branded." Hopefully it isn't too painful. ~ link

• Four more days until Betsy gets here. I asked her to bring a few tins of Creme de Menthe Altoids. Guam has run out of them. She'll miss most of her 21st birthday because she's flying so long and jumping the dateline. Oh, well -- it might be brief but it will be memorable. I can't remember what I did for mine.