Hamas is up in arms after Israel's actions in Gaza. Pakistan is amassing twenty thousand troops on the Indian border. Car bombs in Afghanistan. Bombs in Baghdad kill 28. Sri Lanka still has problems. Iran's Ahmadinejad says Jesus would be on their side. At least the Pope seems cool while under attack. He's even calling for peace. 
Where's George ? Licking his legacy wounds.
As the world prepares for America's new leadership, little has changed in the world since Bush took the reins. Oppressed people revolt, governments repress. Coverage of it it all is as clueless as ever.
One can imagine the new administration getting multiple mulligans during the first half of the year. As personal situations worsen or stabilize at the outset of summer, the transition to a nation in debt and beholden to the rest of the nations still might not be obvious. Perhaps another faux crisis will occupy our attentions.
Bunker down, spend less, liquidate and consolidate. It still might not help if the dollar completely collapses.