There are times — a lot of them, actually — when it all seems pretty hopeless. Right now would be an excellent example: a president-elect who acts more like some doddering old man waving his cane and screaming about those darn kids, a congress practically salivating at the many things it can now do with almost unfettered glee, and a public that, when you cut through it all, doesnt really seem to care all that much. Oh true, we have the social justice warriors, who will post their outrage on the internet, but they too are little more than the doddering old men waving their canes and screaming about those darn kids. It's the political version of "thoughts and prayers", I suppose: lots of words that, ultimately, dont mean a whole lot. But those thousand-word blog posts and appearances on internet cable shows and millions of Twitter followers are really not that much different from those who bilked America into voting in a Clown Prince as president — blind loyalty cuts in both directions. Dont misunderatand: there are a lot of very hard working people out there who genuinely want to change things. Problem is, there's a lot more, on both sides, who at this stage just seem to be working the system and keeping outrage alive for their own personal benefit. They love to hear themselves talk about how terrible it all is, but — strangely enough — they have a very vested interest in making sure things stay terrible so they can continue to be relevant. Just food for thought... OK, some lighter fare, then our Christmas story. Bring a box of kleenex.