It’s the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It’s cold. It’s dark. It’s easy to feel hopeless, that the sunshine is gone for good, that things just aren’t going to work out. Yet this day comes within a season of hope; we know Christmas Day is just around the corner.
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long, long agoOur God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ
As you know, I am entirely reader supported:
- Paid subscribers via Substack get bonus notes with most articles, giving me an opportunity to share behind-the-scenes thoughts with supporters, as well as early access to podcasts and significant discounts in the merch store.
- Do you have a small business you want to advertise? I’ll put your ad on the top of the Chronicle homepage, on the article sidebar, and will shout it out on any podcasts I release during the sponsorship. I’ll also write an article on behalf of sponsors, whether about a particular issue or just sharing their story. Send me a message and we’ll get it done. Take the time to visit this month’s sponsors: Lynn Bradescu’s Keller Williams Realty is a regular sponsor, and I’ll have a graphic up for Idaho Family Policy Center very soon as well!
- Finally, I also offer freelance writing and editing services. Reach out to me if you have a project you’d like me to consult with you on.
Last week at the Chronicle…
On Tuesday, I attended a ceremony in which Idaho’s four electors officially cast their votes for Donald Trump for president and J.D. Vance for vice president.
On Wednesday, I looked at the tactics of politics and explained why I have chosen to do things the way I do.
On Thursday, I shared an opportunity to give to those in need via the Giving Machine.
On Friday, I broke down the results of the Idaho Poll, conducted by Mountain States Policy Center. I also spoke to MSPC’s Chris Cargill on Thursday afternoon:
There were a lot of great guest editorials at the Chronicle this week:
- Colton Bennett on the initiative process
- US Sen. Jim Risch on nuclear power
- Sen. Brandon Shippy on legislator pay
- Rep. David Leavitt on legislator pay
- Idaho GOP chair Dorothy Moon on the Electoral College
- Attorney General Raúl Labrador on a win for Idaho’s sovereignty
- Brent Regan on the Electoral College
- Ryan Spoon on legislator pay
In other news…
Idaho Freedom Foundation has released the long-awaited 2024 Pork Report. Click here to download the whole thing and see the most egregious wastes of money in Idaho government.
According to the Idaho Capital Sun, it’s going to cost $64 million to repair the Idaho Dept. of Transportation building, rather than the $32 million estimated during the last legislative session. Former Sen. Chuck Winder said he would die on the hill of allowing the pending sale of that property to go through, but lost the battle in the end. Is this vindication for his position? Will Speaker Mike Moyle’s insistence on keeping the property backfire?
I’ve been digging into the political history of the 1940s lately. Did you know that future president Lyndon Johnson stole his first victorious Senate race?
I enjoyed this old CSPAN broadcast about the career of Thomas Dewey. He was a gangbuster, governor of New York, and two time presidential runner-up. An interesting man from a bygone era.
I also enjoyed this conversation between J. Burden and Will Tanner about how laws related to agriculture and international trade changed the course of history. (It really is more interesting than it sounds, trust me!)
There’s yet another Superman movie on its way. Does the Man of Steel, who upholds truth, justice, and the American way, still have a place in 21st century culture?
Rickey Henderson passed away yesterday. One of the most prolific hitters and base-stealers in baseball history, Henderson spent half a year as a Seattle Mariner when I was a teenager. Even at 40+ years of age, his speed changed the game. Relive Henderson’s first at-bat as a Mariner with the late Dave Niehaus:
Finally, did you know that “We Three Kings” is the first American Christmas carol? It has surprisingly deep theology in addition to a catchy tune.
Upcoming events…
The Idaho Republican Party will host the 2025 Winter Meeting in Boise on January 3-4. You are invited to join Republicans from throughout the state as we meet to vote on various rules and resolutions as well as attend the Chairwoman’s Luncheon and Winter Gala on Saturday the 4th. Click here to register for any of the three events (the meeting itself is free!) I hope to see you there!
Thank you all for your support as I continue to bring you news and analysis that empowers you to make positive change in Idaho. Make sure to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, and follow the Chronicle on Facebook, Telegram, YouTube, and Rumble. Have a great weekend!
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
