Eric: long day, Patriot Act, Christmas Cards

Long Day

I had a nice time with my grandparents today. It was my grandmother’s birthday and it was a good chance to spend some time visiting. However, the drive both ways was long and I am kind of wiped out.

Patriot Act

Congress agreed to extend the Patriot Act for one month. The opposition to making it permanent seems solid, especially in the Senate where four mainline, conservative Republicans are joining with the Democrats to prevent its passage. There will have to be a significant change in order for it to be made permanent. January 7, 2006 is the beginning of the Alito hearings, so there is going to be extensive focus on the questions of civil liberties, presidential prerogatives, and executive authority. My feeling is that the Bush administration will not be able to scare the Senators back into line, and significant compromise will have to be reached. Remember that when it first passed, in the aftermath of 9/11, only one Senator spoke out and voted against it. Now opposition to the Act is widespread, not so much because of what people understand it to do, but because it represents an over-reaching executive, that is viewed as uncaring about the liberties of Americans, to the extent that it should be.

Christmas Cards

One of the nicer traditions associated with Christmas is the sending of Christmas (holiday) cards. It is a way for people to keep in touch when they otherwise would not, and they serve as a useful vehicle for sending photos, letters, and other updates. But when should a person start? I received two Christmas cards this year (to the best of my recollection) that were specifically for me. I haven’t sent out any. Is that alright? What age should a person have their own Christmas card list? Once I have a family of my own?

Cards represent something good about Christmas. Instead of them being materialistically or gift focused they tend to be more family focused, and on the wishing of another blessings and a good year. Maybe in the next few years I will start to get into it more!

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!