SantaCon

photo: Jim.henderson

Democracy is a fine thing, but there is a price to pay by some individuals for the rights we offer to others. One of these is the right to congregate. Without whittling down our liberties, democracy does propose limitations such as the famous Schenck decision in which Oliver Wendall Holmes argued that it wasn’t alright to shout fire in a crowded theater. Which brings us to SantaCon which just occurred this past Saturday. Hundreds of twenty somethings dressed in Santa Outfits descended upon Manhattan bars, giving early warning signs as to what the actual fall of Western Civilization will be like. The Birds not withstanding, Hitchcock couldn’t have dreamt up SantaCon, which had all the worst aspects of the heinous and ubiquitous New York Street fare and parade rolled up into one. The Mayans prophesied that the world will end on December 21, but while it didn’t on December 15, Santacom was a death rattle, its vulgarity and stupidity, brazenly turning the iconic Miracle on 34th Street into A Clockwork Orange. SantaCon is like a nightmare in which Santa goes on the rampage, marauding and pillaging. It wouldn't be surprising to find a new release by Stephen King entitled SantaCon where Santa like the family pet in Cujo turns vicious.