The Lull, part 18

How status is my quo: Like the apocryphal frog-in-a-saucepan, we are slowly adjusting to new levels of stress, tension, and political goofiness. What would have been unthinkable five years ago is now business as usual. Here we are, over two months later, blandly listening to them talk about "progress" in the return of Gilad Shalit.

The Pope takes a pounding: Pope Benedict XVI is getting beefed up security in the wake of Moslem threats. PC has come to mean that it is not allowed to say anything bad about another religion, unless you are Moslem. Maybe we can get a few milu'imnikim (reservists) to volunteer.

Uh, what cease-fire? There are still rockets landing in Israel, guys! Luckily, no one was killed in the latest attack in S'derot. As I was typing this, the news banner just announced more rocket fire near S'derot. (These are rockets being fired by Palestinians in Gaza.)

First ordination in 64 years: The Abraham Geiger College in Dresden turns out the first rabbis ordained in Germany since 1942. Germany continues to take steps forward (only this Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel gets slammed by the Lebanese foreign minister for making comments supporting our right to exist), while Norway continues its anti-Semitic path.

Blame it on a snake: El-AL flight very nearly goes wrong.

Sports! UEFA is almost ready to announce that they are considering setting up a committee to investigate the possibility of potentially letting our home games actually be played in Israel. I'm not holding my breath. More important, Maccabi Tel Aviv ends up in Group B for the Euroleague (basketball).

Shana Tova! Best wishes to all for a sweet, healthy, loving, and successful new year. May the doves of peace visit your table without crapping in the honey or spreading avian flu to your guests.