Dear Santa
I'll be the first to admit: I haven't been the best of boys this year. I've done some knuckleheaded things, some things I'm not particularly proud of. I've hurt others, broken bonds, and squandered opportunities.
There's much I could wish for, but I don't ask much for myself. I can't; I don't deserve to do so.
But throughout my life, I've always hoped and fought for a better world. The past year, however, has put that dream just a bit further out of reach. Foreclosures are up, global currencies are down, financial markets are in freefall, and many have watched their life savings vanish.
I'm hurting. My friends are hurting. We're all hurting.
In these difficult times, it's easy to lose sight of what's important in life. And so it seems that you've been listening to my pleas, by providing three silver linings in an otherwise bleak year.
When I woke up today, I came across a New York Times article on the Minnesota Senate race. They reported that the Supreme Court ruled against Coleman's ballot challenges, all but assuring that Al Franken will be certified as the victor of the race.
A comedian in the Senate? Well, that's preposterous! And indeed, some may view this as a perversion of government, but considering the scandals surrounding the incumbent, I'm inclined to believe this is a step in the right direction.
Besides, it'll give me a hearty laugh, and really: he's good enough, he's smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like him.
The Times report reminded me of another recent AP story. Just a few days ago, the effort to repeal Proposition 8 was given an immense boost when CA Attorney General Jerry Brown reversed his position, stating that "based on [his] duty to defend the law and the entire Constitution, [he] concluded the court should protect the right to marry even in the face of the 52 percent vote."
This is spectacular news for a movement that I deeply care about — perhaps to a fault, considering I have no personal stake in the matter. I've gone to LGBT community meetings, demonstrated, and reached out to the most unlikely of people.
At a time when I was reluctant to wear my heart on my sleeve, it taught me to embrace love once again.
Of course, no political retrospective of the year would be complete without its defining moment: Barack Obama's unlikely journey to the presidency.
Unlike some of my peers, I bought into the hype. I absolutely did, and I have no shame in admitting that. I knew his positions like the back of my hand, and I was well aware of his accomplishments — but really, I was just ready to believe again.
He ran a campaign of hope when the world was going to hell in a handbasket. He was a relative unknown against heavyweights. He literally started off with nothing, fighting for every dollar and volunteer he could get. And he won.
Yes, there's more to life than politics. But damn it, the government makes the world go 'round, and it's really heartening to see the good guys win for once. As difficult as things have become, these events have taught me what it is to laugh, to love, and to hope.
My life isn't perfect — far from it. But, you know, the world isn't going to end. I'm going to be okay. We're all going to be okay. And that's what matters.
I'll keep hope alive, and will try again next year — as I'm sure you will, as well. Until then, I want to thank you for giving me not what I deserved, but what I needed.
Thank you for being there. Merry Christmas.
With hope,
Jason
There's much I could wish for, but I don't ask much for myself. I can't; I don't deserve to do so.
But throughout my life, I've always hoped and fought for a better world. The past year, however, has put that dream just a bit further out of reach. Foreclosures are up, global currencies are down, financial markets are in freefall, and many have watched their life savings vanish.
I'm hurting. My friends are hurting. We're all hurting.
In these difficult times, it's easy to lose sight of what's important in life. And so it seems that you've been listening to my pleas, by providing three silver linings in an otherwise bleak year.
When I woke up today, I came across a New York Times article on the Minnesota Senate race. They reported that the Supreme Court ruled against Coleman's ballot challenges, all but assuring that Al Franken will be certified as the victor of the race.
A comedian in the Senate? Well, that's preposterous! And indeed, some may view this as a perversion of government, but considering the scandals surrounding the incumbent, I'm inclined to believe this is a step in the right direction.
Besides, it'll give me a hearty laugh, and really: he's good enough, he's smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like him.
The Times report reminded me of another recent AP story. Just a few days ago, the effort to repeal Proposition 8 was given an immense boost when CA Attorney General Jerry Brown reversed his position, stating that "based on [his] duty to defend the law and the entire Constitution, [he] concluded the court should protect the right to marry even in the face of the 52 percent vote."
This is spectacular news for a movement that I deeply care about — perhaps to a fault, considering I have no personal stake in the matter. I've gone to LGBT community meetings, demonstrated, and reached out to the most unlikely of people.
At a time when I was reluctant to wear my heart on my sleeve, it taught me to embrace love once again.
Of course, no political retrospective of the year would be complete without its defining moment: Barack Obama's unlikely journey to the presidency.
Unlike some of my peers, I bought into the hype. I absolutely did, and I have no shame in admitting that. I knew his positions like the back of my hand, and I was well aware of his accomplishments — but really, I was just ready to believe again.
He ran a campaign of hope when the world was going to hell in a handbasket. He was a relative unknown against heavyweights. He literally started off with nothing, fighting for every dollar and volunteer he could get. And he won.
Yes, there's more to life than politics. But damn it, the government makes the world go 'round, and it's really heartening to see the good guys win for once. As difficult as things have become, these events have taught me what it is to laugh, to love, and to hope.
My life isn't perfect — far from it. But, you know, the world isn't going to end. I'm going to be okay. We're all going to be okay. And that's what matters.
I'll keep hope alive, and will try again next year — as I'm sure you will, as well. Until then, I want to thank you for giving me not what I deserved, but what I needed.
Thank you for being there. Merry Christmas.
With hope,
Jason
posted by Jason at 10:41 AM
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