The Cliffs of Insanity

So the Americans have/have not gone over a fiscal cliff/shallow depression/speed bump/fantasy and the world will/won't know/care/freak out.

Also, the National Hockey League is approaching its immutable/arbitrary/fictional deadline that will mean the cancellation/resuscitation/transmogrification of the (now) 201X-2013 season that will/won't result in a playoff for the Stanley Cup - in reality the Dominion Challenge Cup - that will/won't be a travesty/reincarnation/desecration of Lord Stanley's intentions/will/whimsical thoughts.

Meanwhile, Canada's cross-country ski team goes from strength to strength without drama/cliffs/professional megabucks. As Lyndon Johnson allegedly said: "I do know the difference between chicken shit and chicken salad."