"Byzantine"is the only word that can apply to what has become of sending Christmas presents to the US. Not only are there several forms to fill out, but the information requested is utterly ridiculous. It must be part of Homeland Security.
I hope the US feels safer, now that Customs knows that the fabric in the sweater that we sent to my sister is a cotton/wool blend, and that the thread used to bind it together was nylon. That buttons were plastic and that all of these components were manufactured in Canada. (like I know this shit, but I had to respond to these questions for every goddam christmas present that we sent). Is this a Bush administration "Fabric Defense Shield?"
FTS! (Fuck that shit) from now on (and I actually wanted to do this this year, but was overruled) there are no more gifts that can be prodded, insppected or even shipped. If we feel the urge, the absolute need to give anything to anyone, it will be in the form of an e-mailed gift certificate to a giant box store or e-retailer. This, however, is antithetical to how I prefer to live, the nature of businesses I want to support, and the type of merchandise I would want to encourage the production of.
If these are the hoops we have to jump through for this hollow holiday, than it is time that I abandon it altogether. In a way, I must thank US Customs since it has now become abundantly clear that the inpenetrable isolationist wall around the US is here to stay. I, my family, and our "traditions" will pay the price.
Mr. Bush: tear down this wall!
Merry Christmas indeed.