It’s two weeks to Christmas Eve, it’s freezing outside and I’m sitting here home alone for a while. Of course that statement would probably be challenged by the young wheaten terrier sitting on the floor in front of me if he was able to read this, but I haven’t taught him that skill yet. I think keeping pets dumb has its advantages.

So the key ladies in my life – wife and daughter – are at the church’s ladies’ Christmas Party and since I got back early from  my monthly Accessory Apartments Review Board meeting at Town Hall, I decided to watch a bit of Hannity.

I generally catch a bit of Fox & Friends at the gym in the mornings, but I can only take their evening programming in small doses. It’s not that I disagree with the content – au contraire, it’s refreshing to hear news commentary from people who are not madly in love with the President or beholding to him for some reason or other.

My problem with their Prime Time programmes is that everyone seems to shout. O’Reilly doesn’t come up for air, good old Sean speaks at way too many decibels and Greta Van Whatever has a combative style too.

When I was a lot younger I used to shout a lot when I preached. I thought that was what I was meant to do. Unfortunately it took me some time to discover that you can make a point without raising your blood pressure or your voice, but I eventually mastered it to some degree.

I don’t need to be shouted at when I’m relaxing in my own den. Inform me. Educate me. Motivate me. Entertain me, but for any sake vary your approach. You don’t need  to be combative all the time.