Saturday, December 23, 2006

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

I got this e-mail the other day and thought it was fitting since we just had our "Holiday" parties at work.

T’was the month before Christmas When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a “Holiday”.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;
it won’t touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate “Winter Break” under your “Dream Tree”
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!


What you do guys think of this "poem"? I get the gist of it, but is it a little harsh or am I just feeling a little sensitive today? I am Christian, Catholic to be exact, so I am saddened by the degradation the usual Christmas celebration (not the toys, etc.), but is this just going to be something else we're going to have to fight about? I mean, they made CHRISTMAS a national holiday, why is it hurting people's feelings to say Merry Christmas? I, certainly, don't mind hearing "Happy Cinco de Mayo" on May 5th. I just get sick of political correctness. But, I don't know if this poem makes me feel better or not. Can't we all be a little less sensitive?

5 comments:

Ann M. said...

I think the poem is a little harsh, too. I'm also Catholic, and we live in an orthodox Jewish neighborhood. The local hospital only displays a menorah this time of year; they have a Hanukkah Parade. Nobody else protests or threatens to sue. I don't get all outraged, not because I don't care about my religion, but because I respect theirs. I am in the minority here and I don't expect special treatment just because I'm different. You're right, we let everyone else have their holidays, why can't we have ours?

Merry Christmas, Mikala!! Sorry this was so long.

Mike said...

To be honest with you, I'm tired of sensitive people. Why can't others let others have their holiday? I can't figure out why it would be offensive in the first place. No one is forcing them to switch beliefs or anything. I guess I have this weird idea that America was free. With everyone being so sensitive I wonder how long this will last.

Michelle said...

Yeah, Mike, I was under some stupid impression that America was free too.

I do agree, I'm fed up with sensitivity. Grow a pair and move on!

Uisce said...

I think everybody should say whatever they want. I say Merry Christmas sometimes or "have a good holiday" if I'm not going to see someone between Christmas and New Years. What I object to is when people demand that everybody say it their way.

Ireland said...

I have to agree with uisce, as long as no one tells me what to say...I'm good
Everyone else...Cry a river, build a bridge and get over it!!!

;~)