Christmas, No Matter What

Christmas has always had a bit of a surreal cast in Southern California: the plastic snowflakes, the pink and powder-blue flocked Christmas trees, Santa on a surfboard, palm trees wrapped with twinkling lights. Even with this week’s low temperatures, the current holiday season is generating a perverse heat.

“Shoppers Stream to Malls Despite Impeachment Vote,” read the headline in Monday’s Business section. Was it the usual last-minute shopping panic that drew so many to area stores last Saturday? Or was it disgust with the House of Representatives’ forced march toward impeachment that drove them from their homes? Whatever the reason, parking lots filled, crowds jostled and cash registers jingled in Southern California as House members on Capitol Hill postured, one after the other, for the cameras and the history books.

“Shoppers weren’t distracted at all by the impeachment,” said a retail consultant. Indeed, weekend sales figures may just save what has been a disappointing season for retailers.

There was still an hour’s wait Saturday night to drive through the Department of Water and Power’s annual Festival of Lights in Griffith Park. Christmas carols blared at the snaking line of cars, lights blinked on cue and sleepy kids in the back seat sat up and were enthralled.

Peace on the Earth, goodwill to men? Not in Washington, anyway, where the bare-knuckled brawl between Republicans and Democrats rumbles on.

“Support for President Jumps in Wake of Impeachment Vote,” said Tuesday’s front-page story. Republicans may have hoped that Saturday’s impeachment would compel President Clinton to resign. Yet four surveys, all taken after Saturday’s votes, found Clinton’s approval ratings at record levels.

What gives? Is this really about Bill Clinton and the job he’s doing? Or, as we surmise, did respondents see these polls as their chance to tell Congress to end this ordeal?

Tidings of comfort and joy. As the impeachment fest ended and all the politicians and pundits went home, Christmas returned to the airwaves. Was it coincidence or irony that one network Saturday night aired “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Frank Capra’s sentimental 1946 paean to hope, responsibility and middle-class values?

After all is said, it’s still Christmas. So set out the poinsettia place mats, plug in the tree and put on the video of the burning yule log. The season of good cheer is here, no matter what.