Friday, December 23, 2005
Things That Will Always Be
Imagine someone--say, a member of Congress--being shocked when a jolly fat man in a red suit comes down his chimney tomorrow night. "Yes, I know it's Christmas, but I didn't expect that."
Absurd? Not really. People do it all the time.
Item: Samuel Alito once argued that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, but that it should be done piecemeal rather than all at once. In addition to this, released documents also show he once stated that he believed the Attorney General of the United States should have blanket immunity from lawsuits when authorizing domestic wiretaps.
What will happen as a result: During his upcoming confirmation hearings, Alito will be asked about his past statements on Roe and on wiretaps, and he will say that they won't necessarily affect any future rulings he might make. This will convince many senators that he means what he says. At his first opportunity, however, he will rule in precisely the way that could have been predicted from his record. Senators will claim to be surprised by this.
And don't get me started on the story that Iraqis are protesting the election results, claiming the whole thing was rigged. I've been predicting civil war for almost three years, and this is the opening bell.
How come one dumb bastard with an Internet connection can predict this stuff, but our leaders always seem blindsided by it? Beats me, just askin'.
Who Who?: We watched the original animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas last night, which is another big holiday tradition at our house. According to this website, the song sung by the Whos in the town square is an adaptation of a song sung in an isolated Norwegian town called Hu. I'm not sure I believe it--but wherever it came from, the song is really quite lovely:
Imagine someone--say, a member of Congress--being shocked when a jolly fat man in a red suit comes down his chimney tomorrow night. "Yes, I know it's Christmas, but I didn't expect that."
Absurd? Not really. People do it all the time.
Item: Samuel Alito once argued that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, but that it should be done piecemeal rather than all at once. In addition to this, released documents also show he once stated that he believed the Attorney General of the United States should have blanket immunity from lawsuits when authorizing domestic wiretaps.
What will happen as a result: During his upcoming confirmation hearings, Alito will be asked about his past statements on Roe and on wiretaps, and he will say that they won't necessarily affect any future rulings he might make. This will convince many senators that he means what he says. At his first opportunity, however, he will rule in precisely the way that could have been predicted from his record. Senators will claim to be surprised by this.
And don't get me started on the story that Iraqis are protesting the election results, claiming the whole thing was rigged. I've been predicting civil war for almost three years, and this is the opening bell.
How come one dumb bastard with an Internet connection can predict this stuff, but our leaders always seem blindsided by it? Beats me, just askin'.
Who Who?: We watched the original animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas last night, which is another big holiday tradition at our house. According to this website, the song sung by the Whos in the town square is an adaptation of a song sung in an isolated Norwegian town called Hu. I'm not sure I believe it--but wherever it came from, the song is really quite lovely:
Welcome ChristmasReligious nattering aside, that's what Christmas is all about: It doesn't require commitment to a particular creed to show love to your loved ones, and enjoy the fact that they love you back.
Bring your cheer
Cheer to all Whos far and near
Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we
