Yes, Virginia, there is dumbassery . . . .

Santa is white

Santa is black

Santa is an alien

Ummm . . . . in all honesty (and please get the kids out of the room or cover their eyes), Santa is an fictional character based on a folk tale, and that character's appearance changed from culture to culture. He matched the expectations and needs of the kids who believed in him, including looking like them in their imaginations.

So the Megan Kellys and Bill O'Reillys of the world should put a sock in it. Making political hay out of this non-issue is the height of stupidity.

And by the way, Happy Holidays!

"Carol of the Brains" — A Zombie Christmas parody by Not Literally Productions

Ah, Xmas. Lights and carols and . . . zombies?



(Via Not Literally Productions)

A cat and a laser---endless amusement

Here's a movie from the holidays: my Grand Daughter playing with her new kitty, Bender, and a laser pointer. The fun speaks for itself.

Happy Xmas . . . .

We're visiting our Grand Daughter and her Mom for Xmas. There's nothing that puts the "X" back in "Xmas" like getting milk and cookies ready for Santa:

She even put some carrots out for the reindeer, keeping all the participants covered. Of course, we tracked Santa via the NORAD site, and she had to hit the sack to avoid getting skipped by the big guy.

It's such a wonderful time for children. I wish it would never end. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Quote for the Day (Cartoonista Division)

"Christmas is the time when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ." – Bart Simpson

A present you can make book on

Tom Tommorrow's web site is my browser's home page, so my grand daughter was introduced to his characters Sparky and Blinky at a very young age. When I heard he had produced a children's book starring these two, The Very Silly Mayor, I knew what at least one of her Christmas presents would be. And, as you can see, it was a good choice:

Oh, and grandpa likes it too!

From the aggravating to the sublime:

After all the political and social BS that has been buffeting us this year, there is something reassuring about a cliche-ridden tradition such as decorating the Christmas tree. And nothing warms my weary soul more than my six-year-old grand daughter.

Lots of familiar ornaments reappear.

Sometimes help from Mom is necessary.

We got new lights: LED low energy use ones. They actually look very charming.

Tinsel hanging is serious business.

My grand daughter and wife did some temporary Christmas artwork. Merry Christmas, everyone!

I gotcher Xmas fer ya, right here:

The gift of Christmas present

Thia is my absolutely favorite gift from Christmas: the Blue Snowball USB mic with shock guard. As an aspiring voice artist, this is an incredible tool that gives a fantastic sound for something you just plug right into your lap top. 

My wife totally nailed my desire with this one!!! Wooo-hoo!

Blah blah blah blog

I think I have posted less posts during December 2008 than any month since I started this little blog a few years back. Heck, I didn't even do the semi-mandatory "Season's Greetings" post. (I hope you had a nice one, by the way.) I spent a few days visiting the step daughter and grand daughter over Christmas, but otherwise, I have been around mostly. I did book my first voice over gig, which was an incredible experience, and I have been doing a little work for the local food bank.

I am not one of these bloggers who is going to let this thing eat my life. I post as I can, and as I feel moved. That being said, I am still here, still ranting or raving occasionally, and I will keep trudging along.

Eerie Christmas decorations

Along the road leading inland from our coastal home is a farmhouse where the owners decorate the place with each season to the max. As you might expect, Christmas is a real amazing display.

With a time exposure, it almost looks like the Nativity is ablaze!!!

The Wise Men will have no trouble finding this place.

Scooby Doo keeps watch over the Christ child.

Criminalizing "Happy Holidays?"

(Via Talk to Action)

Holiday Harangue: Utah Lawmaker Wants To Mandate `Merry Christmas'

By Rob Boston

The Religious Right's annual whine-fest about the "War on Christmas" is coming along right on schedule. James Dobson has issued his list of "naughty and nice" retailers, and Donald Wildmon is doing land-office business selling in-your-face buttons and stickers criticizing anyone who fails to say "Merry Christmas" (a nice move during the season of peace).
It's all well and good to leave the carping to Religious Right leaders and blowhards like Bill O'Reilly, but I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop: input from elected officials.

Right on time, state Sen. Chris Buttars of Utah has appeared. Buttars is promoting a resolution encouraging retailers to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" instead of the more generic "Happy Holidays."

"It would encourage the use of `Merry Christmas,'" Buttars told the Salt Lake Tribune. "I'm sick of the Christmas wars - we're a Christian nation and ought to use the word."

There are a couple of points to consider here: One, it's amusing to see right-wing Republicans, who normally adopt a hands-off attitude toward regulating business, trying to force retailers to use certain terms in their ads or in-store greetings. Talk about micro-managing!

As Jim Olsen of the Utah Retail Merchants Association pointed out, Buttars' plan isn't even practical. Many stores these days are owned by national chains, he noted, and decisions about ads and language used is made at home offices, far from Utah.

Buttars would probably argue that the resolution is non-binding. That's true, so what's the point (other than giving Buttars an opportunity for more grandstanding)? If we really want to be serious about this, nothing short of a federal constitutional amendment barring anyone from uttering or printing the phrases "Seasons Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" from Thanksgiving until the Epiphany will do.

Secondly, I must point out to Sen. Buttars that we are not a Christian nation. Our Constitution gives no preference to Christianity. That secular document, in fact, mandates the separation of church and state. (Ironically, America's first "Christian nation" advocates, the Puritans, banned Christmas celebrations. Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until 1870.)

Finally, is this really all Buttars has to do? If my legislator were wasting time on something this frivolous, I'd suggest a long vacation.

Utah Rep. Rep. David Litvack, who is Jewish, pointed this out to the Tribune. Litvack said he has no problem with people wishing him a Merry Christmas but added, "There are many more pressing issues that we've been elected to address. We're a nation of many faiths, and we as leaders should be finding ways to build common ground and respect, not entrenching one side over another."

Buttars says he's sick of the Christmas Wars. I am too. I'm especially sick and tired of the Religious Right's "Christmas Police" trying to tell the rest of us what to say and how to celebrate this month - and now actually trying to bring government pressure to bear! I never had a problem wishing anyone a "Merry Christmas," but this year I'm going out of my way to use something else instead - especially when addressing anyone who has bought into this "War on Christmas" claptrap.

So in that spirit: Happy Holidays, Sen. Buttars!

All I can say is: Amen to that . . . .

Baking cookies---a lost American art:

In an age where kids think cookies come in bags, it is so wonderful and magical to share the actual process with our grand daughter. She loves to be a part of the projects for the holidays, and helping Grandma and Mommy bake cookies was a big chunk of that this year. Here's the evidence:






It may be sappy and old fashioned, but screw it! This is the spirit of Christmas to me.

Happy freakin' holidays!

I'm just taking a moment from here on the road to wish anyone who stumbles across this blog, by accident or by design, a Happy Holiday, whatever it is you celebrate. And if you don't celebrate anything, enjoy the moment in whatever way seems appropriate to you.

Being with a young child at this time of the year is enough to make ya feel positively Yuleful . . . .

Hitting the road for the holiday:

Ah, the holidaze! We're going to hit the road tomorrow to go see our grand daughter and her Mommy, and spend a bout six days immersed in the spectacle that is Christmas. The child is very excited that Boppy (me) and grandma are coming. She told her Mom that "Santa is a fake", but she also is asking when he is coming, just to cover all her bases. Being 4 and 1/2 is a time of doubting, but also a time of faith. (This picture is of her from last summer during one of my visits. Hence the strawberries, which are TOTALLY out of season now.)

I am taking my new laptop with me, so I may be able to post from the road for the first time. We'll see. It can get hectic with the family thing in full bloom, so I'll do my best.

Now that my job is over and the world is an open book, just ready for me to write my story (that's the view I get when I'm optimistic, anyway), I should try to keep up with these posts a little better. Maybe . . . . .

ACLU Poem by Jed Miller

An Overdue Visit

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the nation
Friends of Freedom knew it was a special occasion.
Lady Liberty stood taller just off the shore
Her torch shining brighter than a few weeks before

But it wasn't the flame turning her cheeks all rosy
It was thoughts of Snowe, Feingold and Nancy Pelosi
And leaders from every side of the aisle
Who would soon bring the Bill of Rights back into style.

The Amendments had all hurried out of their beds -
Which was no easy task, they were nearly in shreds -
And they rushed to the window on papery feet
As a jolly old man flew right over their street.

"Could it be!?" they inquired as the roof shook and trembled
And they crept toward the mantle, peaceably assembled,
Just as someone emerged from the chimney with flair
In a shiny red suit, with a shock of white hair

And a top hat, and pants all in red, white and blue -
"Wait a minute," the Amendments exclaimed, "Who are you?"
"Don't be frightened my children," he said, "it's no scam.
"You can't have forgotten your old Uncle Sam!"

"Holy crap!" said Free Speech. "Stop right there!" yelled Bear
Arms
And Privacy cried "Who shut off the alarms?!"
The Fifth remained silent, but Uncle Sam said
"We've been having some trouble, but Freedom's not dead."

The Amendments were cautious. "It's just been so long
"We've seen Liberty lost, we've seen so much go wrong.
"The President's trying to mangle and warp us,
"The Fourth is in tatters, so's Habeas Corpus!"

The old man sat down - he had had quite a ride -
But he told them "Don't worry, the Law's on our side,
"'Cause the nation's fed up and more people are crying
"For Justice and an end to illegal spying,

"And secret abductions by the CIA,
"And laws that would take women's choices away,
"And Gitmo tribunals and secret detention,
"And other intrusions too numerous to mention - "

"Not so fast," said a grinchity voice from above
And Don Rumsfeld pushed past the Fourteenth with a shove.
He was covered in soot and he looked kind of scary.
It seemed like his Christmas had not been so merry.

The Amendments said they weren't happy to see him:
"You tried to throw all of us in the museum!
"You've done so much the Constitution forbids!"
"And I would have gone on, but for you meddling kids!"

Uncle Sam told him "Rummy, your plans just won't do,
"So we've got a brand new timetable for you!"
And as Rumsfeld retired and crept into the night
The Amendments cried out "Have a good secret flight!"

From the distance they heard him reply with a snort.
"Bye-bye, Rummy!" they answered, "we'll see you in court!"
Uncle Sam rode the chimney up out of the room
And, like Frosty, he said "I'll be back again soon."

But they heard him exclaim "Oh, and just one more thing!
"This year, when the holiday bells start to ring,
"Try to honor religion. Honest faith can't be wrong.
"It's America, can't we all just get along?

"So, on Christian," he cried, "Muslim, Hindu, and Jew!
"On Quaker! On Shaker! And Atheist too!
"On Buddhist! On Taoist! And to show we're not chickens
"We'll file a few lawsuits defending the Wiccans!

"Your belief is your right, so get out there and savor it.
"Uncle Sam's not a preacher, and he doesn't play favorites!"
So this holiday season, whatever you do,
Warmest wishes for Freedom, from the ACLU.

(Thanks to Jewels)

In the Spirit of the Season:

For the holidays:

Thanks to Gabby, here's Mel Gibson's Christmas card: