Splash got up early this morning and was barking directions at an assortment of independent contractors in a variety of costumes. This holiday is finally showing signs of passage. There are birds of several species, Maids and Lords, an assortment of rings in precious metal and two stoic milk-cows. He has dealt nicely with The Twelve Days of Christmas on this trip around the sun. He announced at the production meeting this morning that he was going to call the period “Twelvetide,” the last day of the dozen that can be said in one syllable. Loma and Rocket, retired aviators with solid credentials, suggested that we abandon the festive season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus should be respectfully wrapped up and stored until Thanksgiving of this new year. Splash countered with an offer to hail the Epiphany tomorrow, and the arrival of the three Magi at the grotto just off Manger Square.

“In some ecclesiastical traditions,” he said solemnly, “The Twelve Days are 25 December to 5 January, inclusive, with 6 January being a “thirteenth day” in some traditions and languages.”
Loma laughed as he rose on the balcony and gestured across the parking lot below.”The Congress was also in favor of extended celebrations, since they had completed a sixth unsuccessful attempt to elect a Speaker of the House of Representatives. Since that matter seems intended to make the new majority in the House look disorganized and vaguely ridiculous before the new session and all those investigations get started. Because we are squeezed up in ecclesiastic and legislative transitions, we ought to talk about what was done in the last Congress, since we are only finding our about some of it now.”

Blank looks were an appropriate response, since the recent Omni-Bus legislation contains all sorts of provisions unknown even to the Members who voted to pass it without having read it. Melissa smiled and reached down into her sturdy book-bag. “We found something in the Defense Bill, or what they call the National Defense Authorization Act.”

Splash sensed there was a possible excuse for a festive celebration rising. “Wasn’t that in that Big Bill?”

“No, that was a different $868 Billion Public Law. This provision is just an example of how things work these days. It is a story from Ohio and just got reported in the AP.”
Splash took a sip of java grimaced. “What was this one?”

“We don’t know what it costs. There is a provision to elevate President Grant’s military retirement status to “5-Star” General of the Army.”
There was some laughter about that since some of us get checks from the VA and thought about the impact of a century’s worth of back-pay when the eagle sends it along. No disrespect to President Grant was intended, of course. The treatment of the man who led the Army of Union and served twice as President has had some interesting re-interpretation just in our lives. Plus, there is some modest contention to it, since other statues have been coming down around Virginia.

Buck gestured toward the Big Pink parking lot. “It demonstrates we are no longer involved in the sort of priorities that would be useful. Like, we are facing a $31 Trillion debt. We are about to have a fight about the Debt Ceiling, which needs to be raised right away.”

There was general laughter about that, since we all agree it is absolutely necessary. There may be some consequences to that, but that is the way the river is flowing now.

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