I don’t care what anyone says, it’s a great day. Yes, the economy is still in pitiful shape with some economists now predicting even worse times ahead; Obama is getting us sucked deeper into the Afghan quicksand; and Sen. Droopy Dog (I-CN) is threatening to torpedo health care reform. Today, at least, none of that matters as much as the fact that my beloved New York Yankees are back in the World Series.

When the Series starts tonight in New York, it will be the 40^th times the Yankees have played for the baseball championship (second place goes to the St. Louis Cardinals with 17). The bad things about being a lifelong Yankees fan are 1. When the Yanks don’t make the World Series, it’s a big letdown, no matter how good the regular season was, which, when you think about it, is kinda stupid; and 2. You take crap from other teams’ fans all the time. Believe me, though, the latter is a small price to pay when your team is about to vie for its 27^th title. Plus, face it, anti-Yankees criticism usually stems from jealousy. Say what you will, and this may P.O. other teams’ fans, but . . . you know that “other” team you root for? They wish they were the Yankees. I’m not saying New York will win the Series – both teams (oh yeah, the other one’s the Philadelphia Phillies) are great, and anything can happen. But millions of us, members of YankeesNation all, are breathing a big sigh of relief today because, after 9 years wandering in the desert, the Yankees are back where they’re meant to be. As the New York Times headline put it, Order is Restored.

• Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut

• New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter