Our troops NEVER get enough USO-type support so a big “Whoooo!” for these performers trying to give them some. I’d like to spotlight Toby Keith, Joan Jett and Ted Nugent as hardcore entertainers who’ve actually flown in while battles were in progress. Props must also be extended to Al Franken - who’s proven his patriotism over his politics by going nearly every year to any location.
My father was a professional magician who took a total anti-social bent after taking a scab gig and getting the crap beaten out of him for attempting to cross a picket line. This guy was so flipped out that he had me dressed up as debilitated Igor from the Frankenstein movies to do a few tricks - perfectly acceptable to most audiences - but when it came to his tax-saving Christmas “charity” audience of crippled and mentally retarded people he failed to see that was wrong. He got angry when I ditched the getup and performed as a person and failed to understand that depicting a chained “gimp” could be seen as insulting to those who can’t take the chains and make-up off at will. Those unfortunates appreciated my weak tricks and flourishes despite the lack of getup and I would have liked to get acquainted with them if not for being dragged out on my ear.
Sorry folks - nearly every Christmas in my formative years was associated with psychological trauma. I make it a point to do something great for someone or group whenever possible each Christmas to prevent similar horrors occurring to them. Each of you you reading this are hereby tasked to do something to make someone in lesser circumstances have a better Yule than they expected. It’s not just Christian...its a civil responsibility.
BTTT!