We’ve got a little politics, a little turkey and a little corn as we place tongue in cheek and "flASHback" on the week’s news that amused and confused:

» State senators paid tribute to colleague Colleen Hanabusa at a luncheon to send her off to the U.S. House of Representatives. She’ll miss the friendships, the floor banter and the 36 percent pay raises.

» Gov. Linda Lingle held a ceremony at Washington Place to unveil her official oil portrait, which will join the gallery of Hawaii’s other ex-governors. Thus ends an eight-year journey that’s gone from back against the wall to hanging on the wall.

» Sen. Will Espero said he doubts the Legislature would approve having the government grow and distribute medical marijuana because few state bureaucrats are experts at growing pot. That could change with a new administration.

» City Councilman Rod Tam admitted he overcharged the city on meals and pleaded guilty to 26 counts of theft and falsifying documents. Tam could face jail time, but he’s looking at the bright side: more free meals from taxpayers.

» A field of 14 candidates filed for the special election to replace former Councilman Todd Apo, who stepped down to work for Walt Disney Resorts. They’re willing to put in a few years under the big top if it prepares them for a job with Disney, too.

» More than a third of Hawaii public school graduates who enrolled in the University of Hawaii system needed remedial math or English, a study found. That won’t change until our state leaders grow a remedial conscience.

» A planned boycott of airport body scans and pat-downs turned out to be a bust in Hawaii and elsewhere as travelers rushed to get home for the holiday. Battle cries of "Don’t touch my junk" lost their urgency against worries that the drumstick was getting cold.

» Local shoppers hoping to stretch their holiday dollars lined up in the pre-dawn hours to fight the crowds at Black Friday sales. In Hawaii the event is known as "Melee Kalikimaka."

» The city is replacing Kailua street signs that point drivers in the wrong direction. They were supposed to point Target shoppers to Salt Lake.

» University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood celebrated the likely move of UH football to the Mountain West Conference, saying, "We have a bright future ahead of us." Tsk, tsk. Send her to the remedial course on tautology.

And the quote of the week … from Honolulu Police Chief Kealoha on what he’s learned from his first year in the top job: "I can tell you one thing: If everybody is happy with what you’re doing, then you’re doing something wrong." But it’s the best chance of getting to keep doing it.