Reflections as the Holidays Approach

With Christmas around the corner, crime scenes from Chicago to New York are wrapped in festive holiday tape. It’s that time of year when I find myself hopeful, yet reflective.

1. Here’s to hoping everyone stays safe this Christmas—from crime, sure, but also from those heated family dinner discussions. I think of my Uncle Mac, who had a drink that promised not just to clear his skin, but maybe even his mind. I miss his drunken rants about politics. I suppose I learned to handle family and firearms the same way: always assume there’s a bullet in there.
2. My thoughts are with Rob Reiner’s family. He was truly one of the greats, with classics like Spinal Tap among his works. It feels like comedy has suffered under political correctness. It’s hard to imagine him or Mel Brooks crafting the same films in today’s world. If I had to add a footnote to this: Rob Reiner was a trailblazer who, sadly, predeceased not just his father but also our collective ability to laugh at ourselves.
3. I’m grateful for college swimmer Riley Gaines who has been vocal about the challenges of women in sports. Under this current administration, we have, believe it or not, seen another “historic first.” Leah Thomas made headlines—and snow—being the first NCAA female swimmer to write her name in it.
4. Taking advantage of the moment, Congressional Democrats have started questioning TikTok about minor controversies. Many of them go way back to college drama days, partaking in, let’s say, their share of synthetic theater.
5. If the situation between Russia and Ukraine finally wraps up, I wonder what President Trump might do next. Maybe he could weigh in on that age-old Roadrunner-Coyote debate?
6. Trump ended nearly all major wars during his presidency. Nowadays, it feels like Democrats have developed a fondness for war. Once, we built weapons to fight; now, it seems we’re fighting just to sell weapons.
7. His striking a drug ship bound for the U.S. certainly gave the Democratic Party a break from involvement. Meanwhile, folks in L.A. are reeling from the rising cocaine prices. Celebrities, perhaps somewhat confused, are showing up at Verizon stores, thinking they can snag deals for phone lines.
8. Interestingly, around two million undocumented immigrants have headed back home voluntarily. In cities like San Francisco, navigating legal systems is tricky. One judge even married a couple of undocumented immigrants during a deportation hearing. While Trump might not win a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in bringing peace, he could certainly snag a Fox Nation Patriot Award.
9. It seems Joe Biden is hitting a snag with fundraising for his presidential library, designed as an ambitious three-story structure at the University of Delaware. To his credit, the elevator doesn’t quite reach the top floors.
10. Zoran Mamdani won the mayoral election in New York, buoyed by youth votes. As this new generation matures, they’ll likely discover that idolizing politicians is akin to believing a stripper genuinely cares for them. Surprisingly, Trump and Mamdani hit it off during their meeting, which caught many off guard. Discussions about Muslim immigration restrictions created some tension, but Mamdani suggested delays could impact the broader global situation.
11. Jasmine Crockett and AOC keep poking fun at themselves. Maybe they’re actually helping put an end to the dated blonde jokes?
12. Notre Dame’s football team was furious about not making the top 12 in the playoffs, choosing not to host a bowl game. Perhaps it’s time to rework their anthem to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
13. Interestingly, since 2020, crime has generally seen a decline in many areas. During my last year in Atlanta, I would even sleep in a hoodie and mask, just in case an intruder came. They’d think I was part of the crew.
14. California, in its usual nanny state fashion, has introduced a new law mandating separate sections for gender-neutral dolls in toy stores. It seems like the perfect stage for a Gavin Newsom doll, doesn’t it?
15. The Affordable Care Act has resurfaced this year, demanding even more resources. The way insurance works sometimes feels like a gamble on whether you’ll stay healthy or end up really sick. You pay a lot in hopes that they’ll win on your behalf. When President Obama oversold certain things back in 2010, the ACA made clear that “if you like your teeth, you can keep them.”
16. The Somali community in Minnesota has drawn lots of eyes, getting involved in piracy and extorting massive sums from the government. It’s so outrageous that the infamous Nigerian prince is now hiding out in Minneapolis. As the Olympics approach, someone ought to remind them that sailing and shooting aren’t combined sports.
17. Inflation seems under control these days, dropping from 9% to 3% in the Biden era. However, steak prices are booming due to dwindling cow stocks. It’s curious—more patrons are entering my Costco than leaving, but with meat so inexpensive, I don’t inquire.