Good morning. It’s Saturday, December 28th. Let’s get this blog post rolling. Shall we? That’s a statement, not a question, sorry. DJ play that song.

My daughter Joy and stepdaughter Lauren are both really into this song, so I gave it a whirl. It’s Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club. It’s not half bad, and it’s a bit catchy. Though you have to hand in your man card to admit you like it 🤣

Christmas came and went. I’m thankful for all of the family that was together. The food was terrific. I bought a couple of bottles of Niner wine for Christmas Eve, and that really turned it into quite the evening—which I find comical as I don’t drink wine.

The Christmas decorations go up and thus must come down. I think we’ll wait until after New Year’s. But – slowly post Christmas – life will return to normal. It showed that first sign last night meeting up at our local hangout with our neighbor Mark for a good time. Eight drinks between three people for $45. How do you beat that?!?

I read an interesting take that claimed political angst and anger have bled into this year’s Christmas season. This observation seems particularly relevant today as we witness heightened tensions and divisive rhetoric dominating the news. I guess it’s easy to understand how complex emotions intertwine during such a festive time, especially when it’s challenging to transition from heated statements like ‘I hate you,’ ‘they’re such assholes,’ and ‘they’re so stupid’ to spreading goodwill with a cheerful ‘Merry Christmas.’ The stark contrast creates a dissonance that many are struggling to reconcile, leading to a unique holiday atmosphere marked not only by celebration but also by a lingering sense of frustration and discord.

Lou. Lou. Lou.

Christmas Eve: I was driving to get some additional supplies for the Christmas Eve party and made the mistake of listening to Lou Penrose, a conservative talk show host. I honestly can’t stand him, as he’s obnoxious and egotistical, often pushing polarizing viewpoints that I find hard to engage with. But, on Christmas Eve, he was using his diminished and shrinking each day radio platform to bash the homeless. Even going as far at one point saying they shouldn’t be called ‘Homeless’; they should be called ‘Hopeless.’ This is wrong for a plethora of reasons. Firstly, it strips away the humanity of individuals facing dire circumstances, reducing them to a mere label that implies they are devoid of any hope or potential for change. Moreover, such rhetoric alienates not only the homeless but also the community at large, fostering an environment of disdain and misunderstanding instead of compassion and support. On a day meant for joy and generosity, this attitude was particularly disheartening, reminding me that many people still struggle against societal indifference during the festive season when empathy should be at the forefront of our thoughts and actions.

When I called him out on it. He told me that he was trying to solve a problem and not be a saint. Lou. Lou. Lou. NOBODY is nominating you for sainthood. But, on all days, perhaps Christmas is when you crack open that bible and decide to improve your views.

@loupenrose Just a thought: As it’s Christmas Eve, don’t use your platform to call the ‘Homeless—Hopeless’. There are a plethora of reasons for people becoming homeless. Suggesting they chose this is a lack of understanding and a simplification.

Matthew 25 35:40. Give it a…

— Christopher  John (@thetechguychris) December 24, 2024

You don't have to be a saint to be respectful and mindful of the homeless. That kind of rhetoric isn't solving anything. pic.twitter.com/FY7alFDyec

— Christopher  John (@thetechguychris) December 25, 2024

Let me be clear here. I’m not supporting the homeless deciding to take a shit on your car, the doorstep of your business, or gather around for evening ‘Smores’ and start fires. Those actions are disruptive and disrespectful. However, it is crucial to recognize that a large number of the homeless are Veterans who have served our country and face challenges that many of us may not fully understand. These individuals have sacrificed so much and often find themselves in difficult situations due to a variety of reasons, including mental health issues, trauma from their service, and lack of support systems. They don’t deserve to have their backs turned on them; instead, we should strive for compassion and understanding, working together to find solutions that address the root causes of homelessness while also protecting our communities.

One More Thing….

Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks recorded a ‘Duet’ together. Enjoy! Again. Thanks for reading. I appreciate all of you.