There is, however, a lingering legal dispute that continues to dog our celebrations. I count this anniversary as our 35th, while Leslie insists on counting this year as our 27th anniversary. (She takes a purely contractual approach that we must go by the marriage license while I insist on credit for eight years of our dating as constructive monogamy). We toasted our anniversary and the New Year (as we did 26 years ago and every year since) with a bottle of Schramsburg Cremant.
On New Year’s Day, we will follow tradition and make the Bowl of the Wife of Kit Carson Soup. My father, Jack Turley, first introduced the soup to our family in Chicago, which is a Mexican turkey soup. (He claimed that the spicy soup was the cure for any hangover). We have made the soup every year for over 50 years. I smoked a turkey that will go into the soup today.
I will be giving the summary of our year on the blog later, but I wanted to wish everyone a safe and joyous New Year in 2025. It has been another great year with our rapidly expanding community. I cannot thank you enough for contributing to our daily dialogue on issues great and small in our society.
This year will get off to a fast start with a new administration and sweeping changes promised in the election. It will undoubtedly be intense, and there will be a return to the rage that has characterized much of our politics. Many in politics and the press will be fueling that rage. We should all resolve not to be played for chumps and allow others to manipulate our feelings toward those around us. On this blog and in our lives, we can commit to civility and respect despite what will be legitimate and passionate disagreements.
Happy New Year to everyone on our blog.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”