peHUB First Read

* An imaginary retrospective on 2009. * When American Greetings bought $44 million of Recycled Paper Greetings debt in September, RPG chief executive Jude Rake called the move "predatory." Apparently bygones are bygones, as RPG has agreed to be acquired by American Greetings. Rake now calls the merger "a testament to the creativity of our greeting cards and the outstanding customer service RPG people provide our customers." * Jim Robinson of RRE Ventures on venture capitalists in general: "We have always been too arrogant." * Morning Call: U.S. futures mixed before final session of 2008, FTSE up in early trading, other European shares rise 1% on oil and bank gains, Nikkei rises and Hong Kong flat. * The American Small Business League continues its stubborn refusal to recognize VC-backed startups as small businesses. Bank loans yes, institutional equity investment no. Some dichotomy.