VBVW for November 9: Sleep with the Fishes

• The Very Best •

Italy captured Salvatore Lo Piccolo, the leader of the Sicilian Mafia. Obviously Mafia kingpins aren’t getting their customary level of respect now that The Sopranos is off the air.

Yahoo’s senior executives were reprimanded by Congress for helping China build a case against a journalist who has since been imprisoned. Our elected officials can’t crack the whip to get legislation passed, but they sure know how to deliver a good old-fashioned tongue lashing.

Citigroup tossed out its president and chairman after posting the worst losses in its history. No word yet as to who is spiking the Wall Street punch with ethics and accountability.

• The Very Worst •

Oil prices hit record levels of almost $100 a barrel. Eight years ago, oil was only $16 a barrel. Happy motoring.

An 18 year old student went on a killing spree in his high school. That’s not unusual in this day and age, unless the location happens to be the tiny country of Finland. Pekka-Eric Auvinen posted his plans on YouTube and then gunned down 8 people, including the principal. He wounded 10 others before graciously committing suicide. Finland? We thought student violence was an American specialty.

The highest court in England will decide if a man convicted of rape can be sued for damages now that he’s rich. Iorworth Hoare was broke when he was convicted, so his victim received nothing. But then the “Lotto Rapist” won 7 million pounds while on a day release from prison and was soon paroled, providing yet more evidence that (a) there is no God; or (b) there is a God, but he’s a real joker.