Friday's White House Kumbaya makes a prettier media narrative, but the reality is still ugly.

The heat is off, and reform slows to a crawl. Has Draghi done his job too well?

Greece comes off the threat-board as the can gets a very hard kick down the road.

Markets gave Washington a pass for Thanksgiving. Now, the battle of the cliff begins.

At least we wouldn't fall off the cliff. But don't kid yourself -- we'd still end up in the ditch.

Projections for negative growth and below-target inflation make a rate cut a certainty.

A seemingly stronger economy allows cliff brinksmanship, and makes a GOP cave likelier.

Passing a pre-emptive tax hike bill in the House would restore the balance of terror.

He's not conceding to Berlusconi -- he's depriving him of political momentum.

So much for the Fed "targeting jobs." Turns out inflation is still a binding constraint.