Your tax dollars at work

You'd think with all the discussion about torture and the Patriot Act, the House of Representatives would have more than enough work to keep itself busy. But clearly not, if yesterday's vote on House Resolution 579 is any indication. What is House Resolution 579, you ask? With all the problems facing this country, surely it's something about the war in Iraq, or Katrina relief, or the budget deficit.

Nope. It's a resolution to fight alleged "attempts to ban mention of Christmas" and expresses support for and "recognizes the importance of the symbols and traditions of Christmas." (It passed by a vote of 401-22, by the way.)

The one bright spot in this ridiculousness was Michigan Congressman John D. Dingell's reading of his adaptation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Here's a selection from it:

Wait--- we need a distraction--- something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O'Reilly
We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it---then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they're in no danger

Sara in Philly