Cate gets back from Moscow today. Yesterday it was -28 and her nose froze in the short time she was between hotel and car. She got herself back into working order with some Horseradish Vodka.

It was positively balmy here by comparison – although I ventured out only briefly.  Sissi on the other hand was busting to get out into the snow all day and kept sitting at the terrace door - looking sad until I opened it.

Well thank goodness the Republicans have stopped pretending that they give a rat’s arse about America and its common or garden variety people.  

Senate Republicans promised Wednesday to block legislative action on EVERY issue being considered by the lame-duck Congress until the dispute over extending the Bush-era tax cuts is resolved and an extension of current government funding is approved.

They have rejected the Democrat’s offer to extend all those tax cuts except the ones to the top 2% of income earners in the USA.

That’s right – the long term unemployed - whose benefits stopped on 30 November - can go fuck themselves until those rich Americans – and I mean the ones who earn more than $250,000 per annum (net not gross) can get their tax cuts.

There is really not much you can say about a political party that has these sorts of priorities.

Perhaps Ho, Ho, Ho - to the unemployed and to President Obama (if indeed he really did think at any stage that there was ever ANY possibility of a bipartisan approach to anything).

PS: Last chance to get Justin's bio before Christmas - it's 65% off. If I see him when I have my cricket bat with me I will help him take the Second Step 2 Forever.