The World did not end. Now a lot of people will have to deal with the unexpected—how to address the issues of credit card balances run up and bad checks written with the Mayan calendar’s doomsday prediction as the only defense.

   There were no "takers" on the invitation to discuss Christmas on today’s Show. Therefore, in light of the holidays—yesterday’s solstice, Tuesday’s Christmas, Wednesday’s Boxing Day and the beginning of Kwanzaa—it seems only fitting to take today off. (I won’t tell Paul. I know how he crams in preparation right before 11 a.m. every week. He needs the workout.)

   "Civil Discourse Now" will be back on December 29. Ours will be a different sort of "look back" at the year 2012.