If letters to the editors of many national newspapers are any indication, Time magazine did the right thing in naming Big Apple Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as this year's Man of the Year. USA Today this week printed two of the many letters it has gotten praising the venerable newsmagazine for naming His Honor for the award. Some, though, see him as important, but his work was not that earth-shaking. One such comment, printed by the publication, is in the form of a letter from a man in Los Angeles, who lauds Giuliani for being the man who rose to the task and did an exemplary job, but notes that it is bin Laden' title='Osama bin Laden' class='tpstyle'>Osama bin Laden who actually had the most impact on the world. He writes, though, that Giuliani certainly deserves a huge amount of thanks and praise for his leadership in a time of crisis. The other letter, from a reader in Pittsburgh, notes that since the attacks on 9/11, the nation and the world would have been a poorer place had it not been for Giuliani's actions and those of other New York City officials. Few New York mayors have gone out in such a positive limelight as will Giuliani when he hands over the reins of power in a few days.

By the way, some many think it odd that anyone would suggest that bin Laden be named Man of the Year. But we have to remember that Adolf Hitler was selected one year by Time.

TOLL TAKERS SEE FEWER MAKING CROSSING

There was a time when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge was something anyone who came near San Francisco wanted to do. Used in countless TV ads, promotions, works of art and the subject of many documentaries, the bridge that connects San Francisco and Marin County has been fabled since it was first constructed in the 1930s. But, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the sagging economy -- making the $3 toll less affordable, coupled with fears that someone might just bring down the bridge in another act of terrorism, have caused a sudden downturn in crossings and a big decrease in revenue. Unlike the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge was not built as part of a massive federal public works project. It was constructed with monies from bond issues voted in by a dozen cities and counties that ultimately benefited from the elimination of the old ferry crossings. Now, according to the publication, the bridge -- actually not golden, but painted International Orange -- faces a $5 million budget shortfall. That gap could double in just two years if more cars and trucks don't start crossing the span soon.

FAMILIES NOW FACE-TO-FACE VIA THE INTERNET

With an increasing number of people not going to visit friends and relatives over the holidays because of their fear of flying, an increasing number of people who have a connections to the Internet are making use of new technologies to have face-to-face conversations, on camera, with friends far away -- even those on the other side of the world. An informal survey taken by United Press International in Las Vegas shows that many people from all walks of life who have some mastery of the computer have purchased small, inexpensive "cams" in order to be seen at distant points. The cost of these cams has now come down to the point that an adequate one can be purchased for as little as $22 on some Internet Web sites. Many say they use a protocol call Netmeeting. It's imbedded in most Windows applications, though not some of the latest ones. Nor is it available for use on Macs. One person said that she and her sister visit many hours a day using Netmeeting, leaving it on all the time, giving the feeling that they both live in the same house again. By the way, the same technology -- once only dreamed of by AT&T and horribly expensive when it did become available -- is now a free service on the Internet. Many news organizations, including CNN, often show reports from correspondents via Web cams. The pictures are often choppy, but the concept works and it is bringing families together.

SPEARS TAKING ANOTHER PLUNGE INTO ADULTHOOD

Many parents cringe at the name Britney Spears. After all she is barely out of high school, but her demeanor, song lyrics, costumes -- what little she wears -- and other aspects of her personal life are not exactly the thing most would like their teenage girls to emulate. Or, for that matter, their teenage boys to look notice. Now the New York Post says if you don't like her pushing of the envelope so far, you might want to lock your kids up so they don't find out about her upcoming movie. The publication says the new flick for the would-be seductress, "Crossroads," forgets there was any envelope to push in the first place. In it Spears reportedly dances in her underwear -- and not in the style of Tom Cruise in "Risky Business," gets drunk and then becomes a non-virgin with some help from an ex-con. One reporter, writing in a Seattle newspaper, quipped: "No word on whether they'll be releasing action figures to accompany the film."

MEMORIAL FOR SLAIN NEW ENGLAND WORKERS

It was one year ago this past week that a disgruntled worker entered his company in Wakefield, Mass., and opened fire. When the shooting rampage was over, seven workers lay dead. Now a memorial service has been held for the seven, even as the alleged gunman's lawyer says his client will plead insanity when the case comes to trial. In addition to services held at a Catholic church, city officials have planted a special garden of trees in memory of the seven. A plaque has been installed in the church and a new bronze cross on the roof points toward the site of the shootings. Published reports indicate that the city is still in mourning. It still remembers and is using the anniversary to say that life must go on, but only by honoring the past.

FLYING ACE, PENTAGON BRIBE DIES

The career of flier Melvyn Paisley began with high promise. During WWII he became known as one of the Navy's top fighter aces. Then, after leaving active duty, he joined the Pentagon as a top official for that branch of the service. Now, The New York Times reports that Paisley has died if cancer in the Washington suburbs. It was during his time "flying a desk" for the Navy that he became involved in a bribery scandal that would end his career. The publication says that he was a central target in what prosecutors said was the most sweeping and successful example of multibillion-dollar white collar fraud in the history of the Defense Department. In one case Paisley was involved in a plan to help an Israeli plane manufacturer in return for money placed in a Swiss bank account. He eventually was fined $50,000 and spent four years in prison, despite a call for clemency from his lawyer because Paisley had cancer. Melvyn Paisley, war hero, taker of bribes, was 77.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 235

On this Fourth Day of Christmas our question is inspired by a lot of restaurant trips during the holidays: "What are your feelings about tipping in restaurants? Do you have a formula?" Put TIPS in the subject line and send to survey@upi.com via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 230 (DUMBEST)

Last week we wondered what was the dumbest thing you did during the past year. Here are some of the responses: Ironically a surprising number of respondents said that buying more computer equipment than they really needed was the dumbest thing they did in '01. Several said another -- related to computers -- was not buying the proper anti-virus softwear before being infected by several of the bugs that went around last year. SK says that dating two co-workers in the span of two months was not the brainiest. BabyJlub says she broke up with someone she "never went out with." Well, at least it saved money. WW says she once woke her hubby from a sound sleep and asked him to put out his cigarette. He doesn't smoke! Nighmares can be awful. Lleeeeggs tried smoking again and says that the addiction should be treated like an addiction to crack. I could not agree more. Pamela thought she had done a neat thing by wrapping Christmas gifts really early this year, only to discover that she had wrapped the boxes they came in, sans contents. Karen lent a bunch of Halloween costumes to a friend who didn't mention that she was moving away. HP should have spent more time with her infant son. Finally, Radaboy made the mistake of arguing with his boss. Yup. Got fired. Me? The dumbest thing I did this past year was to start a column (this one) that doesn't have room to print all the mail I get. GBA.