🎄 Is “elf on the shelf” a creepy tradition?

It’s Sunday, December 24 — people are talking about Biden’s weed pardons, the “elf on the shelf” holiday tradition, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

🌿 Biden’s weed pardons

Biden's weed pardons are sparking debate: Some praise the justice reform, but others call it a political stunt.

🌿 USA Today: President Biden pardoned all past federal cases of marijuana use, and cases of marijuana in Washington DC — although the pardons don’t apply to people who violated state laws.

🌿 MSNBC loved the move: Biden's pardons are a step towards rectifying disparities, and are a political no-brainer.

🌿 But Reason was more critical: Biden's expanded marijuana pardons are good, but don't go far enough.

🌿 And Hot Air said the weed pardons are more about wooing progressives than they are about real justice reform — the White House may be trying to counteract the narratives of Biden's dropping political clout.

🎄 Is “elf on the shelf” a creepy tradition?

Does “elf on the shelf” inspire holiday magic, or introduce unneeded stress?

🎄 The “elf on the shelf” is a tradition where an elf “visits” your home to monitor kids for their naughty vs. nice behavior leading up to Christmas. Fox News is a fan because it inspires imagination and good behavior in kids.

🎄 But the Philadelphia Inquirer doesn’t like it: Moving the elf around the house adds unnecessary stress during the holidays. Best to ditch it!

🎄 The Guardian is also against the tradition, because it normalizes surveillance culture for kids. The elf is a casual introduction to surveillance, akin to China's social credit system.

🎄 But Hot Air defended the tradition: It's harmless fun, not a privacy threat! Let kids enjoy make-believe and develop their imaginations.

🎄 A YouGov poll revealed that parents have mixed feels towards the tradition: 61% of parents without an elf find the tradition weird, or too much effort.

Quick hits

🤸 Gymnast Simone Biles was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for the third time. (AP News)

🏛️ Florida State is suing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), challenging both its $130 million exit fee and the granting of rights. (ESPN)

🇮🇷 The White House said Iran is involved in the Houthi attacks on the Red Sea, alleging that Tehran is providing intel and weapons to the group. (Al Jazeera)

⚫ A shooting at the Paddock Mall in Florida left one person dead and another person injured. (CNN)