Tidings Of Comfort And Joy

In 2009, I struggled with questions for which I'm still awaiting answers. Life is very complicated - unless it isn't. As for the new year: I am hopeful that while our national discourse has taken a turn for the disastrously stupid and craven, in our own lives, we can think the smart thoughts and make the smart moves. For us - for you - here is what I wish -

In 2010 - and not a decade too soon - I want a political talk show host to finally turn to William Kristol and slowly, deliberately ask this important question:

"Bill, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

But our host can't stop there.

"Bill, what the fuck is wrong with you? You've been saying the exact same things about different brown people around the globe since the first time we had the misfortune of hearing your name. You are always wrong. You hate yourself and every living being. You stink of death and misery and I can smell you from here. For the sake of your favorite sky god, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

Balm, like the laughter of little children, it is!

In 2010 - and not a decade too soon - I want a political talk show host to finally turn to Thomas Friedman and slowly, deliberately ask this important question:

"Tom, what is the matter with you?"

But our host can't stop there.

"Tom, what's the matter with you? To call you stupid is to insult stupid people everywhere and to call those things you think ideas is to dignify suggestions to lick frozen flagposts. You have absolutely no idea what's going on in the world, the damage you're doing or the political use to which you've been put. If you had any decency you'd put out a Times supplement in which you hand wrote apologies to every literate man, woman and child in the world, drew pictures for the rest and never wrote another word. There's no excuse for your continuing to inflict yourself on a world desperate for adult interaction. What is the matter with you?"

Brings a tear to the eye, I know!

In 2010 - and not a decade too soon - I want a political talk show host to finally turn to Jonah Goldberg and slowly, deliberately ask this important question:

"Jonah, what in vomitrocious tarnation is your frigging problem?"

But our host can't stop there. No. Our host is on a roll.

"Jonah, what in vomitrocious tarnation is your frigging problem? Your ancestors roll over in their graves every time you touch a keyboard. Actual fascists wink when you leave the room. You're overdressed in pajamas and underdressed in a tux. No matter what your mom told you you are not a smart person. You just aren't. You're stupid and dangerous, and what is your frigging problem?"

Much like this magical moment -
- when for just an instant the truth was spoken, America heard it and laughed, laughter has the power to free us from the spell of tiresome, murderous trolls. I hope in 2010, many more heroes will slay evil with simple truths, delivered fearlessly. I wish this for you - for us - not just because it would be a pleasure and a delight to watch the venal meet justice on at least an Auntie Mame scale, if not on the Brothers Grimms', but because we need it now. We stand at the crossroads of history. Let us hope the messenger comes armed with both a punchline and a broadsword.