"The Worst Americans": Ferraro, Zell, Spitzer, and Cheney make the list.

Your NYE Could've Been Worse: 54 dead in Thai nightclub fire.

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It's the Most Deadliest Day of the Year: For pedestrians.

"Barack the Magic Negro": Mean-Spirited? No, says O'Reilly.

Good News?: US Stock Exchange Up, a Little.

Duh Recipe of the Day: Hoppin' John (Personal note: I have eaten black-eyed peas on every New Year's Day since I have had teeth, because you have to. Happy New Year to all!)

Buh-Bye: Gawker to get rid of Consumerist, Defamer.

And... Buh-Bye: To glow-in-the-dark year-end glasses.

And Hello!: To the nation's first openly gay big-city mayor.

Black and White: Couple has second pair of black and white twins.

Just Tryin' to Get Some Head: Charles Barkley's DUI excuse.

Hard Times: New Year's Eve celebrations the latest casualty.

Duh Recipe of the Day: Hoppin' John (Recipe via me; photo via Peppergrass on Flickr)

1 cup dried black-eyed peas (if using fresh, just reduce the cooking time)
2 tablespoons oil (olive or neutral oil)
1 smoked ham hock or 1/4 pound salt pork or slab bacon, cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
28-ounce can drained tomatoes (optional)
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice, preferably long-grain white
1 lb. fresh greens, such as mustard, kale, or collards, shredded into thin strips

Soak black-eyed peas for four hours or overnight. (Not absolutely necessary, but increase cooking time if you don't).

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add ham hock, bacon, or salt pork (omit if you're vegetarian and move straight to onion.) Add onion and cook until soft. Add 6 cups water, peppers, and salt and bring to a boil.

Add peas. Lower heat and simmer until peas are nearly tender (about half an hour). Add tomatoes if using. Cook until slightly thickened, then add rice and greens. Simmer, covered, for another 20 minutes or until peas are tender.

If using ham hock, remove and let cool. Then shred meat and return to pot, discarding bone.

Fluff and serve with plenty of hot sauce.

Yield: 6 servings.