SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET:

MAJOR CHRISTMAS ETIQUETTE BULLETIN – Please pass this on to loved ones.  From the Denver Post:   Santas-in-training in Australia have been warned by a recruitment firm that "ho-ho-ho" is no longer politically correct.  The Daily Telegraph reports that Westaff - which supplies hundreds of Santas across Australia - is telling trainees that the signature catchphrase could frighten children and be derogatory to women.   They suggest "ha-ha-ha," instead.  Some Santa hopefuls have dropped out of the course in protest. Name one child who's been frightened by "ho-ho-ho."  I dare you.

FOOD LADY OFFERED HER JOB BACK – We reported the beginning of this story at last night's "Short Takes."  The saga continues.  From Mediaite:   Pocatello Chubbuck School District’s heart grew three sizes this week after angry parents and internet strangers protested the firing of a middle school cafeteria lunch lady who offered a hungry student free lunch.  Irving Middle School originally fired Dalene Bowden for “stealing” after she gave a 12-year-old girl without lunch money a hot meal for free...A petition demanding the school district change its policy and re-hire Bowden garnered over 80,000 signatures in less than two weeks. “This kitchen aid deserves to keep her job,” the petition reads. “Lunch room policies should prioritize kindness and making sure kids receive a nutritious lunch so they can be ready to learn.”  In a statement, the school district said it “does not and has not ever taken negative employment action against any food service worker due to a singular event of this nature.”  But, the statement continued, “in the spirit of the holidays” the school district “has been in communication with Ms. Bowden, extending an opportunity for her to return to employment.”  Maybe the "educators" have learned a lesson.  Educators often need further education.

AND AFTER THE CHRISTMAS MEAL – From London's Telegraph:  A cure for sugar cravings is a major step nearer after scientists identified a hormone that suppresses a "sweet tooth".  Researchers say their findings, published online in the journal Cell Metabolism, could improve the diet and help patients who are diabetic or obese.  While sugar cravings are common, particularly at this time of year, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our "sweet tooth" were not well defined until now.  But the new study in mice shows that a hormone produced by the liver, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), suppresses the consumption of simple sugars.  The researchers say that FGF21 is produced in the liver in response to high carbohydrate levels. The hormone then enters the bloodstream, where it sends a signal to the brain to suppress the preference for sweets.  I'm sure it's a great medical advance, but, once again, evil conspirators are taking all the fun out of things.  You can pretend you didn't read the article.  Enjoy the Christmas pie.

December 24, 2015