Despite calls from leaders worldwide, including the U.S.,  for Israel to halt its assault on Hamas in Gaza, Israel continues to conduct aerial attacks against the Palestinians in the Gaza region.
Israel is currently mobilizing its reserve forces with tanks and artillery along the border between Israel and Gaza in an all-out effort to step up the attack against Hamas with ground forces, if necessary.
What does everyone think about the attack of Israel against the Palestinians?  Do you think that Israel has a right to move against Hamas in the fashion that they have chosen?  Do you think a cease fire will be possible in the near term or will the U.S. have to get directly involved, either politically or militarily to halt this attack, which has already claimed 280 lives in two days?

Retailers this Christmas season are anticipating a dramatic drop in sales.  Already, retail giants like Wal-Mart and Macy's are experiencing a dramatic decline in retail sales pre-Christmas.

With the decline in the financial markets and the rise in layoffs nationwide, it's no wonder that people, in general, don't have the money to spend on Christmas gifts that they had last year at this time.

The nationwide jobless rate has exceeded 6.5% and some states, such as California, have reported jobless rates in excess of 9%.

The financial future is grim for the U.S.  Perhaps the U.S. should return to the original spirit of Christmas before it was commercialized.