by Chap Petersen

It’s nearly the end of the year. Christmas will soon be here. In the spirit of the season, we need to celebrate all the great things that happened and be glad.

But what about the not-so-great things? Sometimes speaking them can be a form of purging. So, with apologies to Julie Andrews, here is my swan song for 2025: “A Few of My Least Favorite Things.”

(sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things”)

One party rule and Insider elections
Redistricting bills with mid-decade corrections
NFL seasons that last into spring
These are a few of my (least) favorite things

Illegal lockdowns and child face masking
Blowing up speed boats without even asking  
Large data centers and all that they bring
These are a few of my (least) favorite things

Political reps that all sound like each other
Snowflakes that cry and cling to their mother
Men that wear turtlenecks, girls that can’t sing
These are a few of my (least) favorite things

Higher ed protests and small business taxes
Noisy leaf blowers and last-second faxes
A family funeral, when a loud cell phone rings
These are a few of my (least) favorite things

When the Prez tweets
When the Press howls
When I’m feeling glad
I simply remember my (least) favorite things
And then I just feel so mad

Chap Petersen, a former Virginia state senator, practices law in Northern Virginia. This column is republished with permission from his “The Virginia Attorney” newsletter.