Santa has been having problems this year.

First, both the USDA and the SPCA complained. The USDA was upset about the spread of disease; the SPCA was worried about the stress of the annual marathon on the aging reindeer.

Next, the department of Homeland Security impounded the sleigh, and an American manufacturer brought an ITC complaint against illegal dumping of non-US manufactured toys.

(Rather ironic since many of the elves have been on long term lay-off because they can no longer compete against cheap substitutes from China.)

Further, the department of Labour has been looking into complaints about working conditions, lack of proper pensions, child labour, and minimum wage issues, as well as gender imbalance and a whisper campaign about sexual impropriety.

Finally, lacking a sleigh and reindeer, and having many loads of toys stuck on the dock in shipping container sealed as part of the ITC hearing, there was no choice but to go by aircraft.

This led, of course, to the indignity of the pat down search at LAX, and another at DFW.

Now, with time drawing short, European air travel is at a standstill.

All of which is to say that while Santa is on his way, he may be delayed in arriving at Heathrow.

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Eudaimonia