LUNACY

But the most astonishing and unforgettable photo of 2006 is this one of a New York Rabbi shaking hands with, and smiling enthusiastically, at Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran.

The date was December 11th, and the occasion was a Holocaust Denial Conference. This was an ongoing part of the Good President's campaign to rid the world of the "lice and rats who are Jews."

I have only one question about this picture.

Why not kiss Hitler?

THE JESSE AND MICHAEL SHOW

To the right, you will find a photo of The Reverend Jesse Jackson (a man who never met a spotlight to which he didn't hurry) and Michael Richards, Kosmo Kramer to you and you and you.

This is one of my favorite pictures from 2006.

Mr. Richards had just caused some kind of national scandal and personal disgrace by falling into a heated argument with a heckler at a Los Angeles comedy club. Mr. Richards now famously resorted repeatedly to using the "N" word.

Wearing his hairshirt very much in public over the ensuing weeks, the actor, who has been blessed and saddled with a defining, once-in-a-lifetime role as Kramer on "Seinfeld," Mr. Richards turned to guidance and appeasement and forgiveness from Jesse Jackson.

Why is this one of my favorite moments from the year past?

Please never forget that The Reverend Jesse Jackson used to call New York City, HYMIETOWN.

Who will counsel the counsellors?