Who knew that we could count Ben Affleck as one of our esteemed readers? At Tuesday's Huffington Post Ball, he even took the time to mention us to Politico's Michael Calderone. In referencing the financial bailout, Affleck says: "Newsweek, I feel like, is basically culpable for the first [$350 billion]. They did like this hagiography on Paulson. Did you read that?" Big words! He goes on: "Long and short of it is, Newsweek, in deciding to tell all of America that we all have to put our trust in Henry Paulson, that’s like a mediaocracy," Affleck added. "It’s presumptuous and it damaged us in some ways."
Kudos to Ben for catching us in our tracks. We are responsible for the bailout. And before we apologize, we thought it'd be nice to admit all the other problems we've thrust on you this year. Enough with the posturing, and let's get started. This year, Newsweek was responsible for:
1) That whole Hudson plane crash thing. We should have gone with that cover on goose hunting, after all.
2) This awfully cold winter. As you make decisions about your heating bill or your NEWSWEEK subscription, keep this in mind.
3) Michelle Obama's white ball gown. If only our design team had sent along those sketches we promised.
4) Jamie Lynn Spears. Which part, you ask? All of it. (But we had nothing to do with Britney).
5) The crisis in The Congo. Boy, did that get out of control.
6) Global Warming (our Web staff), deforestation (our printers) and the declining interest in the space program (our Mars bureau).
7) That whole Gloucester pregnancy pact. Had we not been behind that, you can be sure we would have got there before Time did.
8) Cyber bullying. We agree: it has to stop. That means you, commenters.
9) Sally Hawkins' shaft from the Oscar Nominations. We regret influencing the vote, as it would have looked great if everyone from our Oscar Roundtable had been nominated.
10) And to you, Ben, sorry about ruining your career as an actor. I hear that MSNBC is looking for a new pundit?
(PS--Paulson is no longer Treasury secretary. But you still made "Gigli.")
