TONI AIRAKSINEN: My First Hanukkah as a Jew, and Why Latke Calories Don’t Count. A sweetly personal essay.
December 21, 2025
STOCKING STUFFER: Flying Orb Ball (Red, 2025 Upgraded). #CommissionEarned
K-12 IMPLOSION UPDATE, TEACH-WOMEN-NOT-TO-RAPE EDITION: Sevier County teacher arrested for statutory rape by an authority figure, sexual exploitation of a minor.
WILD:
Well, it wasn't six months to go worldwide.
Ukrainian drone armed merchant raiders are global already 24 hours later.
Maritime insurance risk underwriters are going to be having a double handed polish heart attack. https://t.co/eKx1PE0unV
— Trent Telenko (@TrentTelenko) December 20, 2025
STILL A FEW BUGS IN THE SYSTEM: Waymo Suspends Service in SF Amid Blackout, Driverless Cars Basically Give Up.
And block everyone else. “Traffic lights across the city were down, seemingly confusing the driverless cars — and halting them in their tracks. Riders and pedestrians posted videos of Waymos stuck at intersections, long lines of drivers behind them.” Time for a backup plan.
WHY CHARLIE BROWN GOT CHRISTMAS WRONG: Yes, when Charles M. Schultz designed what is perhaps the best-known Peanuts, Linus gets the true meaning of Christmas exactly right. But here’s what you may never have realized — Charlie Brown’s critique of commercialism missed the mark big-time, according to Rod Martin.
And after you take in Rod’s thought-provoker, check out this beautiful version by Casting Crowns of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” on HillFaith. The youth choir in this one is simply splendid.
REMINDER: After today, the days start getting longer and the nights start getting shorter.
TO BE FAIR, THEY REPORTED IT EXACTLY AS THEY MEANT TO: Matt Taibbi: The Jeffrey Epstein Saga is the Worst-Reported Story of All Time.
IT’S WRONG TO QUESTION THE NARRATIVE:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2025
WELL, THEY’RE NOT MEANT TO STOP CRIME THEY’RE MEANT TO WEAKEN AND DEMORALIZE THE PUBLIC: There’s No Evidence Australia’s Strict Gun Control Laws Are Effective.
DEAL OF THE DAY: Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum. #CommissionEarned
MORALE AMONG MANY MAGA SUPPORTERS SEEMS LOWER THAN I’D EXPECT GIVEN RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
This week we found out: the Mar-a-lago raid was not legally executed, Georgia was stolen in the 2020 election, Trump tariffs have not caused inflation, and Bill Clinton was Epstein’s #1 pal
Oh, and the Congressional Dem approval is -55 overall (Quinnipiac)
Merry Christmas!
— Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) December 20, 2025
I AGREE:
I could not possibly agree more strongly with this sentiment.
Thank you for saying it, Ma'am. https://t.co/50WTBWBp8B
— Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) December 20, 2025
IT WAS A POLITICAL BUBBLE, INFLATED BY (MOSTLY U.S.) TAXPAYER MONEY: The Electric Vehicle Collapse: Wow, That Was Quick!
It was less than three years ago — early 2023 — that I was writing about the then-universal government and industry line that electric vehicles (EVs) would soon be taking over the American car market. In April 2022 the Biden Administration had adopted aggressive vehicle mileage standards intended to be achievable only through rapid transition to EVs. Our “climate leader” states, California and New York, had then adopted regulations in August and September 2022, respectively, mandating a phase-out of sales of combustion vehicles, to culminate in 2035, after which only EVs would be allowed. In a post in January 2023, I linked to the websites of Ford and GM, where they both touted their grand plans for rapid conversion of their companies to the manufacture of mostly or entirely EVs. At that time, Ford was claiming that it would “lead America’s shift to EVs,” and would achieve 50% of its sales in that category by 2030. GM bragged about its “path to an all-electric future” by 2035.
In a post on February 23, 2023, I expressed skepticism.
Well-founded, as it turns out.
WHEN THE OPPOSITION IS TRYING TO ORGANIZE A COUP AGAINST YOU, IT’S IMPORTANT TO PAY THE TROOPS:
I have 3 sons still serving on active duty and they all have received their 1776.00 Warrior Christmas Bonuses
And for the first time since the wars started 20 plus years ago ALL 4 of us are home stateside
Thank you President Trump and Secretary Hegseth https://t.co/vSQ82E4znn
— Tim Hollingsworth (@soldiertim1961) December 19, 2025
THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR FANS: A Christmas Present Book For You All!
Makes me glad all my fans ask for is sound tracks, honestly…
IT’S THEIR CHIEF PROPAGANDA ARM, OF COURSE THEY DEFEND IT: Labour is battling to protect the BBC from the reform that’s long overdue.
WE’VE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN AMERICA: This perverse government is a greater threat to the British way of life than Russia.
IT’S THEIR SPECIAL TALENT: Hey, Dems, When CNN Can’t Save You on How You’ve Handled the Epstein Files, You’ve Really Screwed Up.
THANKS FOR THE MEMERIES: The Epstein Files Memes Are Pouring in, and They’re Hilarious.
IT COULD BE JUST PERSONAL VENDETTA: Keep An Eye.
THERE IS NO ARROW OF HISTORY. TIMES DON’T ALWAYS CHANGE FOR THE BETTER: Bondi. Thoughts on a massacre.
I’M DIVIDED ON THIS: Trump Green‑Lights Marijuana Drug Schedule Change, But Stops Short of Federally Legalizing Weed.
I do believe people have the right to go to h*ll any way they please. OTOH there’s a difference between legalizing a psychoactive substance in times of plenty and well being, and legalizing it when the vast majority of the young feels marginalized and despondent. The second can go really ugly fast. Right. I know. Not a prefect time, ever. And yet–
