This should be read while listening to “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues (running time: 4 minutes, 36 seconds).

• Dennis Rodman is trying to get a group of NBA veterans to travel to North Korea for an exhibiton, saying, “You know, they’re still afraid to come here, but I’m just telling them, you know, don’t be afraid man. It’s all love, all love here.” Something tells me John Kerry might put it differently.