Play of the Day from Muntadar al-Zaidi, a correspondent for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya TV. “This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog,” said Mr. al-Zaidi before being wrestled to the ground and disappearing forever. “Democracy is messy,” he didn’t add.

Shoes thrown at Bush on Iraq trip [BBC]

UPDATE: Before you read about Madoff, take a look at Preznit Bunnypants ducking to avoid thrown Iraqi shoes.  Sure he’s a war criminal, but he’s got pretty good reflexes for an old dude.

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This Ponzi scheme will probably be the largest and longest-running investment fraud uncovered during the downturn, but it will not be the last. It’s related to Big Shitpile because, among other things, hedge funds are some of the big losers. From the New York Times:

The zoning lawyer in Miami trusted him because his father had dealt profitably with him for decades. The officers of a little charity in Massachusetts respected him and relied on his advice.

A charity – this doesn’t look good.

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Title: Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die

Author: Michael Largo

Rank: 20,723

Blurb: “Ants, bad words, Bingo, bean bag chairs, flying cows, frozen toilets, hiccups, lipstick, moray eels, road kill, starfish, and toupees are only some of the more unusual causes.”

Review: “It’s hard to pick my favorites, but I did especially love the one about the moron who climbed on top of a cage full of tigers and started using the bathroom.”

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Sarah Palin’s Wasilla Bible Church, also known as a welcoming place where homos can learn how to get boners for chicks, suffered $1 million in damages following a suspected arson fire Friday night. Nobody was hurt, although five women and perhaps two children were inside when the fire broke out.

Local fire chief James Steele declined to speculate on a political cause for the blaze. “Right now there’s no indication that we have that there’s any connection there,” he said. “We just don’t have any leads at all as far as the intent or motive in this.”

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Found at Jalopnik:

Discuss.

While I’m not in favor of pissing money away, I’d be sad if I couldn’t walk into a dealership and buy a Mustang or a Challenger. Not that I would – I live in Manhattan – but I just like knowing I can.

We’ll love you more if you buy us Grand Theft Auto. And whatever it runs on.

Season’s Greedings [Flickr]

We weren’t aware until now of what must be the charming Italian tradition of setting off fireworks during Christmas season. We’re not exactly sure what it represents — the sound of being pestorked by an angel? — but it certainly sounds more lively than draining the power grid so God can see your three-stage Santa display.

Still, fireworks are fireworks, and Italian officials must have their hands full keeping fingers from being blown off. So in Naples this year, women are pledging to withhold fireworks from the bedroom if their men indulge themselves on the streets:

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