Wisdom & Humor: " Don't Ask Don't Tell"

Wisdom & Humor: "A Little Christmas Story"

A Little Christmas Story

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Not a lot of people know this.

[thanks to my friend Mauricio in Rome for sending this...Christmas Day 2010]

With Lame Duck Over, 2012 Campaign Begins

December 23, 2010

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, The New York Times

Let the games begin.

With President Obama on vacation in Hawaii, lawmakers streaming away from Washington and the new year around the corner, there’s no excuse to pretend anymore.

The 2012 presidential campaign is underway. There are some — including many voters — who will refuse to focus on 2012 until, oh, that very year.

But for political deal-makers and junkies, there is already much to consider. In less than six months, for example, as many as a dozen Republicans will crowd onto a stage for the first major debate of the campaign, their eyes on the G.O.P. nomination and the opportunity to face President Obama.

Click here to read more about 2012.

Two Dreams, One Dead

Posted by Joe Klein Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 8:13 pm

183 Comments

The Senate today passed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which is a good thing. It did not pass the "Dream Act," which is a cold, cold abomination. There is a relationship between the two. Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will allow homosexuals--who have fought honorably in every one of America's wars--to serve openly. Blocking the "Dream Act" means that young immigrants, who were brought here illegally by their parents, will not be able to gain citizenship by completing college or by serving in the military.

Click here to read more.

Gee, I had to look up "puerile" even though it seems to be one Klein's favorite descriptors for Senator McShame.

Senate Passes 9/11 Health Bill

December 22, 2010, 1:24 pm

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

Michael Reynolds/European Pressphoto Agency Senator Charles E. Schumer outside the Senate chamber on Wednesday.

2:46 p.m. | Updated The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to cover the cost of medical care for rescue workers and others who became sick from breathing in toxic fumes, dust and smoke after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

The vote, passed by unanimous consent, came soon after a deal was reached between conservative Republicans and Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The New York Democrats agreed to changes demanded by the conservative lawmakers, who raised concerns about the measure’s cost and prevented the bill from advancing in the Senate. After drawing criticism in recent days from Democrats and Republicans alike, the Republican senators backed down.

Click here to read more.

[We all need to give Jon Stewart enormous credit for so brilliantly and passionately bringing the issue forward on his TV show...thanks!!]

Do teens at risk hear the message "It Gets Better?"

Do teens at risk hear the message "It Gets Better?"

A friend writes: "A quick Google search for "it gets better" called up a whole bunch of these testimonials from folks in many different areas of public life. Each one is delivered directly to teens, it seems. They're spoken with candor and emotion. I think a kid in trouble or despair who looks up "it gets better" will see some pretty otherwise staid public figures, or even celebrities who don't otherwise discuss such things letting down their guard especially for them. I think it'll reach kids. I hope more and more public figures do this and that word spreads so kids know how to find these messages. Once they find them, I think they'll be touched or at least know where to go for resources." [thanks Anna! for writing this]

from an exchange on Facebook.