Merry Christmas
It has been a melancholy Christmas, with so much loss — Howie Klein, Rob Reiner. Rayne’s dad fighting in RFK’s anti-science world.
A cherished local community closed here in Limerick yesterday, a rare craft beer pub, which opened during COVID, remained aggressively welcoming to all, yet closed yesterday after the local government shut down the parklets created during COVID. We were in no way regulars, but when we stopped by yesterday the talk was still focused on where to rebuild a community.
Creches across the United States have depicted Jesus, Mary, and Joseph gone — snatched away by goons.
Which is part of the story, isn’t it? That amid a horrible empire beset by politicized trials, a leader, and after him, many leaders rose up out of the persecution?
2025 was a terrible year. But it was a year when new leaders rose up — and more importantly, average people everywhere stood up, blowing whistles to stop the madness.
It was a start.
May you all have a wonderful day to renew, reflect, and carry on.
Merry Christmas!
I did find a packet of saffron this morning. It was not a Christmas gift. It was something I had stuck away in a pocket when I purchased it weeks ago and forgotten about. The store clerk assured me it was really good saffron — I use it too, he said.
Turns out I had stored my toothbrush in that same pocket on a recent weekend away. But the saffron was untouched. It was just as intense and rich as the day I got it.
Wow, now that’s a prompt to bake. My godmother makes an Italian saffron bread which is out of this world. She doesn’t have a written recipe; it’s one of those old-school pinch of this handful of that list of instructions handed down from her Italian nonna.
The closest I’ve come to the recipe is a Hawaiian bread/pao doce with a healthy pinch of saffron added. I’ll have to make some now for our holiday celibration.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful, restful holiday, fragrant with saffron.
My family is blessed enough to be spending the week of Christmas here in sunny Belize, escaping a brutal Midwestern winter. I am committed to working as much as I can in 2026 to flip Congress to Democratic control and building the foundation for impeaching and convicting this monster and holding he and his minions accountable. Thanks so very much Ms. Wheeler for your brilliant research and analysis and national security insights! Have a great 2026!
Just curious…what part of Belize? I have a Canadian friend who retired and tried the expat lifestyle in Placencia, on the coast, in 2022-23. Didn’t work out for multiple reasons, he’s back in Canada now. I visited in 2022 – saw Placencia, Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio. Swam for the first time ever in the Caribbean – wonderful. And far enough away from Venezuela to not have boats being shot at…
Thank you Marcy, for all your contributions, research and writing. Happy Holidays and Very best wishes throughout the New Year!
Merry Christmas to you, Marcy. I envy your living on the Auld Sod. Infuriatingly, I am too Irish to move there. All I needed was one grandparent or parent. Instead, all eight of my great-grandparents were born in Ireland, but moved to NYC and Boston to reproduce. (The Famine and all that.) John LeCarre had one Irish grandmother and became an Irish citizen to protest Brexit. Now isn’t that a fine kettle of fish?
The Holy Family was fleeing goons, not snatched away by them. There were lots of the other infants, however, could not get away from the goons and ended up dead at the hands of the authorities. More here, including more about the leaders who rose up.
(Why yes – the flight of Jesus and his parents *was* part of my sermon last night. Why do you ask?)
Peace to you all, my friends — whatever your citizenship, whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity, whatever your employment status or marital status, whatever your wealth or social status, whatever your home or lack thereof, whatever your health, etc. That’s the wish of Christmas: peace to *all* the world.
Snatch is a very relevant word in the current vernacular. I’m guessing that’s why Marcy used it. It’s in the files. (Yes, those files.)
Smart catch of a “snatch” there, SL. Very very very very smart. And…yeah.
As soon as I read the word “peace” after “Christmas:” the sun came out & flooded the room with light. I hope that’s a ppromise for all of us.
May our holidays be the start of something brighter for the coming year.
Thank you for mentioning Howie, Marcy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Howie Klein was an absolute powerhouse in finding and vetting and fundraising for progressive candidates all across the country. I was honored to know him in L.A. and attend many of his fabulous events. He spent his career in the music business, first with 415 Records in San Francisco, then as President of Warner Brothers Records where his personal claim to fame was having no interest in using the private plane assigned to him.
He had gone through very tough, debilitating cancer treatments over the last years and had a period of relief. Then the cancer returned and he once again chose aggressive treatment. His last post was heartbreaking, questioning this decision. I had prepared myself for the announcement that he’d passed, but it is no less tear inducing.
Thank you, Howie, for all you did. His blog is “Down With Tyranny” for those who want to check it out.
And Howie is one of many people in progressive politics who started life out in the Music and Entertainment Industry, which always gives me a kick. They include: Jason Leopold, David Dayen, Digby, John Amato, Nicole Sandler, and Jane Hamsher.
2025 was my year just to survive. I intend to start 2026 on a new note – rediscovering joy, and finding a much more constructive way to counter the craziness. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
That was beautiful, rosalind. It felt like you lit a little candle in my heart. Thank you.
Howie Klein was also the organizer of a legendary concert at the California State hospital at Napa. His comments about the concert are featured in a documentary about the show called “Field of Vision: WE WERE THERE TO BE THERE” which I highly recommend. My recommendation is not only because you will see a great band, The Cramps, performing in an unusually democratizing venue, but there is extensive thoughtful discussion about the treatment of mental disorders and the tragic consequences of shuttering functioning asylums and the rise of indigent and unhoused persons that have been a feature of US life ever since. The documentary is free to view on YouTube.
Howie Klein was my main mentor and stylistic guide, when I began a blog back in 2007. He published some of my long, footnoted articles about Rep. Don Young at Down With Tyranny! in the leadup to the 2008 elections. When Sarah Palin became Sen. McCain’s running mate in 2008, he again published or republished several of my articles, which were generally under the headings of chapters to my series, Saradise Lost. I believe that, even back then, almost 20 years ago, Howie was already a cancer survivor. Howie may have had more knowledge about individual US House seats and races than any other blogger ever. His deep, rich sense of humor always came through, even when reporting crazy stuff that led us down the road to MAGA. RIP, friend!
Philip! Great to see you, though sad about the circumstances. I remember your DWT posts fondly. Ah, “Rep. Don Young”…the memories that brings back. Can’t believe 2026 will mark my 20th anniversary for meeting Marcy in person at the first Yearly Kos. What a ride it has been (and continues to be)…
Just got the news (Danke Marcy). important part of both my musical and political life, and cool shit in San frandisco.
F*ck, i’m also 77. Howie, Onward!
Never sent him Amurkan Liars Dice, my song against the Okkupant and fascism, should have, he might have approved.
Was a good man, will be a great Spirit.
Late to comment, as usual, but thank you rosalind, for the lovely tribute to Howie Klein. I am a musician and have followed or known of Howie for many years. Back in the 1990s he was responsible for supporting and promoting many of the early grunge and punk bands out of LA. Everyone loved him and his knowledge of music was encyclopedic. I have been following his website, Down with Tyranny and its predecessors, for years . Howie became such a strong voice in progressive politics, much like digby and Nicole Sanders, as noted above. He led many, many people into progressive politics. Rest In Power (RIP), Howie!
Merry Christmas and Peace to ya’ll!
Thanks, Marcy, for gifting us this reminder (on your bluesky feed) of the wonderful Sarah Cooper comedy sketch that she did earlier this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cJ1IZsp750
“The History of Wealth Throughout History”
I 2026, let us all support movements from the hurtful toward the helpful, from the regressive to the progressive, from the darkness into light. The two most important rules, according to Jesus are love the Creator and love one another. When confronted with a militant regressive, I ask What Would Jesus Do and that usually derails them.
[Welcome back to emptywheel. FOURTH AND FINAL REQUEST: Please use the SAME USERNAME and email address each time you comment so that community members get to know you. You attempted to publish this comment as “Julius J Hayden” triggering auto-moderation; it has been edited to reflect your established username. You have a total of (5) usernames so far, beginning with your original username J J Hayden and JJ Hayden, Julius Hayden, JJ, and now Julius J Hayden. Creating new usernames constitutes sock puppeting which is not permitted. Please check your browser’s cache and autofill; future comments may not publish if username does not match. **You have now received (4) warnings ;you will be banned from commenting if you do not use your established username on your next comment.** /~Rayne]
All together now:
All I want for Christmas is the Epstein files
The Epstein files
See the Epstein files
What a coincidence: my real name happens to be Radical Left Scum.
“Which is part of the story, isn’t it? That amid a horrible empire beset by politicized trials, a leader, and after him, many leaders rose up out of the persecution?”
A big part. Jesus was born in a land suffering under the occupation of a Roman army, useful to Rome only for what could be extracted from it. Even Rome chose accommodation rather than continued fighting, leaving locals to manage themselves, so long as they did not interfere with Roman rule.
Jesus died as a byproduct of that collaboration. Perhaps a warning to the many who would rather collaborate than fight. Trump, otoh, demands continued, ever lower kowtowing to assuage his dying ego, which makes collaboration more fruitless.
Not all of us need to prosper for all of us eventually to prosper. But working together and eating together, commensality, is what gives us hope and pleasure. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all, and may God bless us, everyone.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Emptywheel’ers
@rayne: {{{big hug}}}
Wishing a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
A very merry Christmas to all, whether you celebrate or not. Just because you don’t celebrate it as a religious holiday doesn’t mean you can’t have a merry Christmas – as my very non-religious mother used to say, “why should we miss out on all the fun?”
My tiny Jewish Nana agreed with your mom, she couldn’t bear for her grandkids to miss out. She never brought herself to put up a full-size Christmas tree, but she did decorate a tiny table-top tree (dwarfed by the presents under it) and she’d always make an awesome Christmas dinner, complete with a rib roast and Yorkshire pudding. It seemed perfectly natural to us to have all of it lit by the glow of the candles on her menorah.
Thanks to Marcy and Rayne for getting us through a brutal year.
We do secular Christmas here, emphasis on family being together and sharing great comestibles. Some good wine is involved, of course. Our priceless gift this morning was little granddaughter’s first steps!
Grandchildren renew the magic of Christmas, punaise.
Joyeux Noel
Whether you call it Christmas, Saturnalia, or anything else, I hope everybody had a good time. These are dark times and we need to find something to celebrate.
I’m another secular Christmasite, along with my brother and his family (our parents are no longer with us), so it was food and drink and music and games.
I don’t have grandchildren but my brother has a step-grandchild and there were some wonderful pictures and videos of her enjoying life as only a five-year old can :-)
Feliz Navidad, Warm wishes, and beaucoup gratitude to Marcy&Co for providing some much-needed illumination in our determined journey thru that tunnel “to the light.”🙏🏻
Seasons greetings to everyone, regardless of what you celebrate. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Merry Xmas! Thanks for your dedication to honesty and truth, and the hard work it takes to find both of those in these interesting times of ours, and for keeping the lights on here, the pages constantly refilled with fascinating and important content, and the usernames 8 characters or more!
Marcy, you and your compadres do Yeoman’s work defending the Western World rule of law. We can’t get too down because if they can still put up trees in Odesa, then it’s Christmas time :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfoeSS-Pj8Y
Merry Christmas everyone;
Marcy you might find this interesting, 5 1/2 hours of Hunter Biden talking about everything.
Hunter Biden – One of the Most Controversial Figures in America | SRS #264
Shawn Ryan Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4D4MqYS11k
Many, many thanks for keeping truth in view, and sharing that vision with us. There is hope.
Merry Christmas to all.
Meanwhile OT, a Yahoo news headline and story, Nicole Kidman Ditches Her Bra and Rocks Natural Curls for Holiday Outing With Her Daughters
The Babygirl actress infused some warm-weather energy into the December outing, going braless in summer’s hottest hue.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/nicole-kidman-ditches-her-bra-151805076.html
Any day I don’t put on a bra is a good day (and rare), so I wanted to see Kidman looking like me: in sweatshirt and yoga pants, hair full of static so sticking out in all directions. But no such photo! No braless photo at all!
InStyle can surely do better. Merry (belated) Christmas to all here on EW. You keep me sane(ish) and I love you for all you’ve taught me, not just about the putative subject matter but about life*. Thank you, every one.
*very much including those recipes I wrote down!
For as awful a year as this one has been, I have trepidation for the one coming at us.
This was one of the suckier Christmases for me. We usually go to Nashville for Christmas with our grand children, but right before we were to leave I got really sick. No Covid or flu, but I think Covid has battered my t-cells and whatever I have is encouraging me to cough my lungs out and plug my ears. So Mr Pitcher and Pitcher Jr., left and I have had Christmas alone/via facetime.
It was 75 in Nashville today, and we have had emergency flash flood/High wind/ tornado warnings here in Silicon Valley all day.
I think there is plenty more crazy to come in ’26, if past is prolog. The hopeful spot is the sands in the orange hour glass may actually run out soon. That comes with it’s own set of new problems, but I think even the right is tiring of the reality of the antique in the oval.
Merry Christmas to all, Happy Holidays and prepare for the New Year. It won’t be boring.
Sorry for your misfortune, Molly, and hope you continue to prevail regardless. As we all must do. I crashed out the back door on the Covid Christmas Eve of ’20 prepping the meal and only under family pressure relented to be carted off to hospital where I spent Christmas morning under their 24/7 tender care, but managed to be back home to finish the job and serve a takeaway meal to the (adult) kids out that same back door. Now we’re all “battered and bruised” but we must never give up.
As for the orange Pretender, I hope he continues. Not out of any generosity of spirit, I regret to say. Exactly because of what you say. His steady decline will serve as a visual metaphor for what his backers are attempting to the body politic. They made a big mistake in tying the success of their project to this self-centred failer. The growing public embarrassment will eventually penetrate through to all but the most diehard of MAGAts.
Thank you for being here to help an old farmer navigate these retched times. I don’t understand most (all) of what you folks write; but you manage to write it in a way that allows me to get the gist of the thing, a path I can follow to a better understanding. You folks are very good at peeling onions, I appreciate it. Thank you.
I recall November 10th of 2025 as being the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, men from their early 20’s to their 60’s went on a typical run and all of them unexpectedly died. Life can be fragile and that message was again delivered in 2025. I live about 120 miles east of Camp Mystic where flash floods killed a huge number of children as well as adults. As if that were not bad enough, I now see the machinations behind the scenes made the tragedy even worse and that sickens me.
The positives of the year include the No Kings protest, where we joined the demonstrators, plus I’m working on a hydroponic setup to grow for our local food bank in 2026. We built a free-standing deck, thinking if it weren’t attached to the house, we wouldn’t need HOA approval (that is false, maybe we read that on the Internet where everything is true). Since it turns out that isn’t the case, we’ll probably have to relocate the deck maybe move it eight to twelve feet further from the fence but, the majority of materials and labor costs will not increase. We’ve joined the local Unitarian church, a place where I don’t feel so isolated. Abbott, Patrick, and Paxton are the Unholy Trinity of Texas and it’s nice to see neighbors who actually care about people. Finally, the Epstein files are eating away at Trump and I love to see it.
Here’s wishing all of you a prosperous new year!
Unitarians have a magical ability to make almost anyone feel welcome. Alan, you are the third or fourth friend who’s mentioned making this connection during the past year. God (or whatever…some local churches have decided not to use that word) be with you!