WAR
AGAINST CHRISTMAS 2004 COMPETITION
[I]
[II]
[III]
[IV]
[V]
[VI]
[VIII]
[IX]
[X]
[XI]
[XII]
[XIII]
[XIV]
[XV]
[XVI]
[XVII]
[XVIII]
[XIX]
[XX]
- See also: War
Against Christmas
2003,
2002,
2001,
2000
It is almost embarrassing.
Americans are so terrified of spiritual incorrectness that just preparing for religious holidays has become an affliction.
It even has a name: The December Dilemma.
We've had several emails regarding this "dilemma." For example, one reader asked "Where's the dilemma?"
Originally, the December Dilemma referred to "interfaith marriages" between Christians and Jews. Specifically, how those households should celebrate the holidays.
Onlypunjab.com, "the internet destination for Punjabi people around the world," has even published a December Dilemma Survey of 199 interfaith families. Interestingly, the survey suggests the dilemma is a misnomer:
"These findings are significant because they dispel the common perception that interfaith families find the December holidays to be especially difficult."
Side note: So the dilemma by and about whom the dilemma was created is not really a dilemma and the dilemma I have is that there was a dilemma in the first place. Ok, got it!
But of the entries concerning the DD (I just can't write it out anymore), not one dealt with the possible concerns of a private family. There were corporations, schools, government entities, cities and states.
One reader sent a link to the New Jersey Bar Association website and an article titled "The December Dilemma: The Constitutionality of Holiday Displays" by Karen M. Spring.
Ok, the title alone had me laughing. Is there anything, anything, in the Constitution regarding holiday displays? Or even just the word holiday?
Umm, NO!!!
Spring writes:
"By allowing occupants of government buildings, such as courthouses, government offices, and public schools to put up holiday displays that have a religious theme, like a Nativity scene, it may seem that the American government is endorsing and supporting the Christian religion. A Muslim member of the community might be upset by such a display because his or her faith is not being publicly acknowledged, whereas the Christian religion is."
Where exactly is upsetting Muslims considered unconstitutional? Iran?
Target Stores is back in the VDARE.COM email bags for its contributions to the War on Christmas.
Here's an entry that places the decision by Target to cancel their support of the Salvation Army in perspective.
Target—which, remember, is a private institution and not constrained by any church and state nonsense—has a rather odd policy for community outreach.
1. Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Not OK
2. Chicano Exhibit, OK
From Target's website:
"To honor the long, rich history of Chicanos in America, Target is sponsoring CHICANO, a groundbreaking exhibition that recognizes the many facets of Chicano life." [Exhibition Celebrates Chicano Culture—you will need to scroll down the page a bit.]
A traveling exhibit, Chicanos in America is a five-year commitment by Target to showcase well, Chicanos in America.
Maybe I can save you a trip by summing up the exhibit: They are Chicano and they live in America.
More on Target: Margaret Taft writes:
Target claims to have banned the Salvation Army bell ringers because of a blanket non-solicitation policy. I have shopped regularly at the Target in Culver City California for several years.
There are always always at least two solicitors out in front requesting donations for various charities. On Saturday, December 4th, there were two charity solicitors there.
If Target has a blanket non-solicitation policy then why are these charity solicitors always out in front of the Culver City Target? Or was the non-solicitation policy invented solely for the Christmas season?
An entry from Fred, one of my favorite readers in Vermont: Madam Tussaud Profanates (sic) Christmas
This famous London wax museum revealed a nativity scene which features Posh and David Beckman as Mary and Joseph.
Oh yes, they went there.
She is the former Spice Girl and he is the famous soccer player for England. (p.s. and, of course, even in wax they are unearthly beautiful.) And they weren't the only cast members:
"[T]he nativity scene which also features…Tony Blair, the Duke of Edinburgh, and President George Bush as the three wise men."
Blasphemous, of course. But also satirical
What else explains that lineup of Wise Men?
Some good stuff:
Bryanna Bevens [email her] is a political consultant and former chief of staff for a member of the California State Assembly.
