Below The Beltway

The latest video from Osama bin Laden’s # 2 man is a little bit different:

Heh.
H/T: Winds of Change

The Washington Post tells the story of the man who has chronicled the history of the National Christmas Tree
Each year since 1963, Aldon D. Nielsen, 84, has taken pictures of the National Christmas Tree. He’s trudged out there in the snow and sleet and rain, on frigid nights and perfectly clear star-kissed nights. He has [...]

The Washington Post tells the story behind the unlikely duet between Bing Crosby and David Bowie:
One of the most successful duets in Christmas music history — and surely the weirdest — might never have happened if it weren’t for some last-minute musical surgery. David Bowie thought “The Little Drummer Boy” was all wrong for him. [...]

Growing up in the New York City area, I was exposed every year to what I am convinced is the strangest Christmas custom followed by a television station, the Yule Log. For 24 hours starting on Christmas Eve, WPIX-TV would broadcast nothing but a picture of a burning fire with Christmas music in the background. [...]

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah, and I feel I would be remiss without posting something.
So, Happy Hanukkah and enjoy this little ditty:

I’m not quite sure when it all started but the idea of radio stations playing non-stop Christmas music for at least a month has caught on nationwide:
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The holiday classics haven’t changed that much — radio stations still turn to Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Burl Ives to spread yuletide cheer. [...]

Bing Crosby and David Bowie in 1977. But, damn, if it didn’t work.

Crosby. Sinatra. White Christmas. `Nuf said.

Nat King Cole, courtesy of YouTube:

The State of Maine has banned a beer distributor from selling beer showing an image of Santa Claus:
PORTLAND, Maine — A beer distributor says Maine is being a Scrooge by barring it from selling a beer with a label depicting Santa Claus enjoying a pint of brew.
In a complaint filed in federal court, Shelton Brothers [...]