Merry Christmas! I mean, Happy Holidays! I mean, Seasons Greetings!?

[tenguzero]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051218/...ays_america_dc

Well, following in the trend of politicizing everything else, the ignorant among us are at it again. As most of us are aware of by now, the big dispute this month (and probably at this same time next year) is how "those damn liberals" and "those right-wing conservative nuts" are both "tainting" the holiday in their own way. As if the numbskulls in this country who like to use phrases like "liberal mush head" and "right-wing wackos" aren't given enough fodder throughout the other 11 months of the year.

I'm going to say right now that it may just be time for anyone over 18 to officially give up the Christmas/Hanukkah season altogether. Think about it: the last time you tried to venture anywhere near a commercial area, what were you confronted with? Idiots laying on their horns, lines out the doors, the carting around of huge boxes with LCD TV's and home surround sound systems and laptop computers. What the hell happened to the spirit of the whole thing? I would be happy not to get anything for Christmas, and not have to worry about giving anything either. Just getting a week off of work, getting together with the family, stuffing our faces, spiking the eggnog, etc. The only lines should be at toy stores, because the "gifts" Christmas is for kids. Children should be allowed to enjoy the commercial side of Christmas for what it is -- Santa bringing toys. Adults shouldn't be allowed to exchange gifts, because they just screw the whole thing up.

An example: when our family was younger (my sister and I and our cousins) the whole family would get together at my grandparents house. Everyone would have fun, no one would skip out on the thing, and if there WERE tensions between any family members, they wouldn't show it. As the years went by, "us kids" grew up more, parents went through divorces, family members stopped hiding their conflicts with each other, and (surprise surprise) the nature of the whole thing changed. Why? Because the show was no longer being run on kid power. And that's where people are getting lost in this whole thing. Grownups are apparently trying their best to royally screw it up for kids. Too many of us seem to forget that kids don't give two shits about stupid conservative/liberal BS. Kids don't see Red and Blue at Christmas, they see Red and Green -- until parents step in and change their napkins to white, their Christmas trees to "holiday" trees, and any other crime they feel like commiting.

I swear, if I have to listen to that fat, ignorant asshat Limbaugh whine once more about how "those damn liberals" are ruining Christmas, I'm going to call his stupid show and curse him out. If I have to hear about one more backwards, pathetic excuse for a "parent" calling their child's school to rant about "Christmas" decorations or Christmas songs that have the name "Christ" in them, I'm going to hunt them down and pour spoiled eggnog all over their cardigan sweater. As a matter of fact, here's some tips for those of you who would disagree with me here:

1. Shut up

2. It's not a "holiday tree", it's a CHRISTMAS tree. No other late December celebrations recognize a tree covered in ornaments as a any sort of icon.

3. For those of you who decry the use of the term "Christmas" in any sort of phrase because it offends your system of belief/non-belief, and demand that "Holiday" be used instead, here's a little something to think about: what the f*** do you think the word "Holiday" is a contraction of, dumbass? Who's a hypocrite now?

4. "Seasons Greetings" is just plain dumb sounding. "Hey! It's winter! Here's a winter greeting!"

5. Don't mess with a good thing. Kids love Santa Claus, kids love Christmas, and kids love Christmas presents left by Santa. Just because you're an adult and you've ruined the magic of the whole thing for yourself, don't do that to your kids as well.

6. If you don't buy into the whole "Christmas" thing, then what the hell are you doing taking that week or whatever off? Clearly, since it's obviously just another event to be politicized, then it really doesn't merit time off for you, now does it?

If you really want to know what the Christmas spirit is all about, settle down to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with the kids, make the rounds at gift drop-off locations for kids without families, or who's parents don't have the means to leave Santa Claus's signature item under the tree, get together with your family and just shut up and enjoy spending time with each other, because you never know if the future might see one less member around to share in the festivities. There's nothing wrong with "Happy Holidays" -- I use it regularly with customers on the phone because it's just an easy way to tie in Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, etc. into one phrase. But it shouldn't be foistered upon children, and it shouldn't be blindly applied to things that it doesn't apply to.

I don't think anything speaks more loudly about how ridiculously politicized everything has become, than watching what the numbskulls are doing to Christmas. Politics has become like wine tasting, large vehicle ownership, and every other fad that far too many people think they're professionals at because they watch Fox News, rented Sideways, and assume that since all their friends drive a friggin' tank, they should too. Unfortunately these people are also all too capable of exercising the requisite level of ignorance required to voice their uneducated opinions on things like what THEY think Christmas should be called, how it should be run, and why everyone else is wrong because they don't agree. And the politicians are absolutely FEEDING off this stuff, because that's what sharks do -- when there's blood in the water, the gloves come off.

And who gets screwed in the end? The kids. White napkins at Christmas, "non-offensive" costumes at Halloween, taking the pledge of alleigance to court. Kids don't care if it's Jesus, God, or the friggin' Boogeyman. They just know it's fun. I'm as non-religious as someone can get without being anti-religion, and I could care less who the hell is on my money, and what the hell they're calling the tree I have in my livingroom. What I do know, is that these are the kind of institutions better left alone. And I know what makes sense and what doesn't, and to me, a "Holiday Tree" is about as stupid sounding as it gets.

[AlmostStock]

It seems to me that only a few misguided politicians, or wacky individuals are concerned about any of this. No one I know is bothered about it either way. Our "holiday" celebrations are the same as they ever were. First we had the Christmas complainers, now the backlash from those who are complaining about the complainers. I'm not listening to any of them. (except when comedians make jokes about them... because that's funny!)

The fact is that Christmas, whether we like it or not, has become much more than a celebration of the birth of a savior. It has deep religious meaning for some, and is just another excuse to have fun for others. Can't we all just get along?

[tenguzero]

That's a good point, and maybe I myself am getting too uppity over the whole issue. I suppose it all only affects your family and personal practices as much as you let it. It's just frustrating because I remember when I was young, everything was Christmas-this and Christmas-that, Christmas cereal and Christmas cookies and whatnot. The biggest hassle WAS the toy store rush. Now it's all snowflake-this and Winter-that, "Winter" cereal and "Holiday" cookies. As un-Christmas as the whole consumer thing is, at least in bygone years it dressed itself up as such. Now maybe all of the new changes are just as much a result of marketing practices as they are outside pressure. Maybe the truly frustrating part is the fact that crap like this IS such an issue with the media and the radio and the internet and everything. Or maybe, I'm just lashing out because my own Christmas's are no longer those of my youth, and have instead become a stressful time that requires the buying of generally useless gifts, putting up with all of the other people doing likewise, and then not even getting together with my whole family because of conflicts between family members, divorce-altered parental situations, and the likelihood that if we DID try for an altogether thing, someone will start an argument over why "men suck", another will launch into politics discussion, and at least one will manage to get totally drunk and make a scene.

Then again perhaps this IS what family is about?

Now that I think about it, I don't want to be one of those "complain about the complainers" types either. I suppose I'll just take Christmas as it comes. And gift certificates for all!

[GTP Dad]

I truly hate political correctness as it tends to offend large numbers of people. Whether they be religious groups, ethnic groups, races and etc. Personally I like Christmas and do not allow the meaning of the season to be trivalized in my house. I also have a lot of respect for the other holidays like Chanukah and Kwanza because they represent religious and ethnic celebrations for other cultures and religions.

I think the commercialization of Christmas is one of the worst things that has ever happened and has actually been the reason why religious holidays have lost their meaning.

Not wishing to be politically correct I think we need to get rid of the commecialization and bring back the meaning for the Christmas season, Jesus. The meaning of Chanukah, celebrating the miracle of the temple. And Kwanza a celebration of a culture.

Lets seperate the holidays for what they are and lets celebrate each of them for thier own meaning.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Kwanza to all!

[Muscletang]

I just think it's sad really when you think about it.

Who are the people trying to piss in everybody's pool?

I remember one old lady, no family, very bitter, wanted to ban Christmas pretty much. She didn't want it displayed in public or anything.

I think last year there were some people wanting to ban the Christmas parade in Denver I think. Who were these people? They are the ones that wake up Christmas morning with nobody, no family, no friends, nothing cheerful.

Have you heard that suicides and depressions go up during the holidays?
Well, I think, in the last few years these people that feel down and feel as if they want to die, have decided that instead of dealing with it they're going to fuck everything else up for everybody. Since they can't be happy, they don't want anybody else who enjoys the holiday season to be happy.

[YogsVR4]

I'm having a good time, once again, around Christmas.

I wish everyone the same - even if they don't like it

[BNaylor]

Where I live we say:

Feliz Navidad Y Prospero Ano Nuevo

What can I say we're 80% Hispanic.

[KustmAce]

That reminds me of the little Taco Bell dog toys you used to be able to get that would talk when you squeezed em, and one of them said "Feliz Navidad Amigo"

Ahh...good times

[03cavPA]

I like Christmas, too. The hell with PC. It's for idiots who need someone else to tell them how to think and speak.

Seems like there's always some dumbass who LIKES to be offended and makes darn sure everyone else is miserable in the process.

So, Merry Christmahanukwanzaakah, guys. And felicitations on the upcoming new year.

mmmmmmmmmmmm, eggnog. cookies. ham. turkey. parties.

[fredjacksonsan]

If you celebrate Christmas, say Merry Christmas.

If you celebrate Hannukah, say Happy Hannukah.

If you celebrate Kwaanzah, say Happy Kwaanzah.

If someone greets you with something other than what you celebrate, give them your preferred seasonal greeting back.

How difficult can it be? Respect someone else's beliefs while keeping your own.

With that, I say to all, "Merry Christmas".



=edit= used "invective" without thought. Didn't mean to say seasonal insult!!

[Cailen]

all i have to say is





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festivus for the rest of us

[Kurtdg19]

From a business aspect, Christmas is the best thing that could happen. Think of all the money this holiday dumps into the economy. It would be irreplaceable.

[Alaa_Turbo]

Merry christmas to you all.

[Cailen]

I see it as a matter of civil liberty. I think it's offensive and intolerant to say people shouldn't say Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, or however their religion's well wishes might be phrased.

Which, coincidentally, is probably the most sad part about it - this small group of people that "find the phrase Merry Christmas offensive" are being offended by festive well wishes.

And whoever calls it a holidy tree can just go to hell. Sorry, but that we don't have to share. Saying we should call it a holiday tree is like saying we should call the karan, the bible, the book of mormon, and the talmud nothing other than "religious scripts" for fear of offending people.

[TexasF355F1]

Just read my sig.

I was wished a Merry Christmas by the lady on the tech support line of earthlink this evening and she wished me a merry christmas. glad im doing business with them.