Hey, it’s the holidays, with joy to the world, good tidings, and so on and so forth.
So, how come a word, I wasn’t at first sure was a word, had come to mind, the other day?
…the rather crude-sounding word: ‘assholism.’
It’s in some dictionaries, and it can refer to someone who exhibits anti-social behavior, rather consistently; and who tends to say nasty things to people, without thinking of how the people will be effected by them; and who is intentionally cruel, obnoxious and heartless.
Well, none of that applies to Santa, that’s for sure. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Santa’s probably keeping assholism at bay. Where there are wars, maybe there’s a little peace, briefly, at least during the holiday, with Santa causing warmongers to chill out a bit.
Santa, and many folks worldwide, are the very antithesis of anyone exhibiting or personifying assholism. But, sadly and unfortunately, there are some people who might qualify as the personification of the word.
Now, since it’s the holiday season, I’m not about to nominate anyone in particular, even though, going over the definitions of assholism, some folks might be coming to mind.
But for now, I’ll just leave it up to you, dear reader, to contemplate… and maybe, in your mind, to nominate someone or other… with, as Santa himself might say, a hearty…
‘Ho Ho Ho!’
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.