A STOCKING DUE FOR COAL!


A school in England has had the audacity to discredit Santa Claus! The problem, resulting from a misguided teaching lesson, is disturbing. Students were apparently given Holiday season type worksheets with numerous classroom exercises which are common in many schools. However, among the assignments was information which allegedly stated that many small children incorrectly believe in Father Christmas. It further explained that of the tonnage of letters children address to the Jolly Ol’ Elf every year is actually answered by the Post Office.

Parents were dismayed and some outraged. The inference was clearly that Santa Claus does not exist. The educator’s perspective instead of parental wishes was hoisted upon the spirits of the young and naive just in time for the Christmas holiday. Some stunned children as young as nine years old were affected.

Hoping to circumvent a potential backlash the school’s principal sent a letter home to parents explaining that the lesson would never again be taught. The communiqué was also accompanied by an apology.

As the parent of a wee one I can empathize with disgruntled parents. Asking for forgiveness after this kind offense is akin to saying “sorry”, after taking my daughter’s virginity. It might make one feel better but her innocence is gone nonetheless. How do you replace the irreplaceable? Simple; don’t go there in the first place. Where do you go when those touted as “the educated” start damaging our children?

What has the world come to in its abhorrent revulsion of even secular symbols evoking holiday spirit? Is there of any wisp left of truth regarding the sacred nature of the holiday? Taking someone’s innocence and expecting to be forgiven without consequence does not sit well and those who perpetrated this assault on the innocent certainly deserved coal in their stockings this Christmas.

Lame Ducks from the Start

After the midterm election, I took a small sabbatical after Thanksgiving from this column for about a month with another long Christmas break looming just ahead! It’s as if I was a congressman. Do you realize that your hard working elected officials only work about 6 months a year? Not bad for the money and all of the perks.

Having recovered from the debacle of the demise of the Republicans, I must once again reiterate that the Democrats are showing their propensity for delusion. Unless President Bush plays for his legacy the odds of getting meaningful legislation passed in the next two years will be thin. For six years you’ve heard “he’s never used his veto pen.” Get ready for it now. When the Democrats revert to their true colors from the show they put on in the campaign (and what politician can resist) there will be some watershed events that will push them into trying to cram unwanted bills upon the country. What will it be, healthcare, higher taxes, the draft? Expect some of it to get by, but expect Bush’s conservative leanings to also show his true color in the way of black ink. The veto may be on the way and everyone’s favorite phrase “gridlock” will be back in vogue.

So while everyone is seeing a sea of change in government it will really only be the same or worse. The next two years will be a passion play for whomever the media wants to anoint for an ’08 Presidential Run. Barack Obama is getting the early spotlight as the media tries to engineer a drama between the Senator and Hilary Clinton. Expect them to push John McCain and Rudy Giuliani also.

It'll be two great stories in the first round and then the showdown in 2008. Will they be able to pull it off? Should we no longer doubt? It took 6 years of them getting it wrong before they actually manipulated the electorate enough to force the Republicans out of the majority. The media is riding high and once again feeling its oats. Look for the same guys you see on TV to be asking "what happened" come 2008. It’s a long road. If you’re not up for a show you’ll have to invent your own media. Try the internet! The electronic marketplace is full of writers who have agendas rather than truth at heart.