How troubled are these economic times? Here's a bit of anecdotal evidence. My father-in-law -- who co-owns a pair of Steelers season tickets -- could barely sell his tix to yesterday's Steelers-Chargers playoff game.

The fact that I couldn't buy them doesn't signify much: Journalists are supposed to be struggling. But the Tribune-Review is reporting similar hardships for scalpers around town. 

With all due respect to rosy economic reports from The New York Times and resident numbers guru Chris Briem, Steelers playoffs tickets ought to be as sure an investment as government bonds. If you were looking for cause to panic -- stuff your cash in the mattress, fill up the bathtub with drinking water, and bar the door -- you may have just found it.