In the midst of all our economic woes and political wrangling, I almost lost sight of global warming.But the other night I saw a very entertaining news story about how cow farts are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

You know the economy has taken a turn for the worst when you can't afford a cup of coffee.Just as McDonald's was ready to take a final run at the severely crippled and seemingly clueless Starbucks (in the midst of all their troubles, the coffee company has taken time and money to introduce a new, printed newsletter - the Good Sheet), Bank of America steps in (or out as the case may be) and says "no" to the loans the hamburglars so badly want to fund their 14,000 franchise coffee bars.So now the franchisees are scrambling to find other banks with money to support their java jitters.

In team sports, when things are not going well, there is a standard process that takes place. First you blame the individual players (ideally the overpaid, underproducing ones; they make good targets) and perhaps even replace one or two of the main cogs.

For all the goodwill that the Summer Olympics afforded China, I would have to say that allowing 13,000 babies to be hospitalized after drinking tainted milk formula pretty much levels the playing field and dropkicks the country back into the dark ages.

I saw it. The new Microsoft "PC" commercial aired last night. It was half over before I realized what it was, but I saw it."I am PC." Are you kidding me?Kirk Douglas saying the memorable line, "I am Spartacus" in this classic 1960 blockbuster became a classic moment because it represented the true dignity and spirit of man.

So now we know the big scret: Microsoft is going to tell PC users why it's okay to be PC users. Yeah, that ought to work.Let me say a couple of things at the outset. Bill Gates is awesome.

Okay, I can not believe that I am right back on this McDonald's vs. Starbucks topic, but it will not go away!While Starbucks is launching its new better-for-you breakfast menu with minimal fanfare and questionable success (there ain't no lines outside the stores), McDonald's is reporting global sales surges.According to some reports, recent Olympic promotions have helped to boost the sales. But that is a bunch of nonsense.

Bania: Why do they call it Ovaltine? The mug is round. The jar is round. They should call it round tine.Bania was an idiot, but he know a good joke when he heard it.

Okay, so McDonald's fired the first volley with the introduction of its premium coffee. And Starbucks - like many onlookers - was stunned at their success (and the immediate damage it inflicted on Starbucks).

I think I am getting a bad rep; or maybe it's a bad rap.  Either way, I feel the need to clarify my position on the subject of (take your pick of idioms) digital media/social media/social networking/internet marketing/online PR.John Booth authored a story that appeared in Crain's Cleveland Business this morning about online public relations practices and social networking media.