Comments on: The War for Christmas http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/ a view from mid-America Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:16:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Jarhead http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-20005 Jarhead Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:51:54 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=1978#comment-20005 You’re right. People have freedom of speech which means they have the right to be tacky jerks. My only problem with the idea boxes and festivus poles is that people want to display them only while Christians are displaying symbols of our faith. If they believe organized religions are bad, shouldn’t they be equal opportunity protesters? Why don’t they attempt to draw the same attention by protesting Ramadan? Why not at least display the idea boxes at other times during the year? The reason is because these displays are not pro-freedom-of-speech or even anti-religion, they are specifically anti-Christian which should make them just as distasteful as the disgusting and obviously anti-Semitic comments made by Garrison Keiller. You’re right. People have freedom of speech which means they have the right to be tacky jerks. My only problem with the idea boxes and festivus poles is that people want to display them only while Christians are displaying symbols of our faith. If they believe organized religions are bad, shouldn’t they be equal opportunity protesters? Why don’t they attempt to draw the same attention by protesting Ramadan? Why not at least display the idea boxes at other times during the year? The reason is because these displays are not pro-freedom-of-speech or even anti-religion, they are specifically anti-Christian which should make them just as distasteful as the disgusting and obviously anti-Semitic comments made by Garrison Keiller.

]]> By: Toby http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-19984 Toby Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:51:00 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=1978#comment-19984 Here's what Toby Keith thinks about all this: <table style='font:11px arial; color:#333; background-color:#f5f5f5' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='360' height='353'><tbody><tr style='background-color:#e5e5e5' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;'><a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com' rel="nofollow">The Colbert Report</a></td><td style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;'>Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c</td></tr><tr style='height:14px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'<a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/211034/november-23-2008/a-colbert-christmas--toby-keith-sings' rel="nofollow">A Colbert Christmas: Toby Keith Sings<a></td></tr><tr style='height:14px; background-color:#353535' valign='middle'><td colspan='2' style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; width:360px; overflow:hidden; text-align:right'><a target='_blank' style='color:#96deff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/' rel="nofollow">www.colbertnation.com</a></td></tr><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><embed style='display:block' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:211034' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed></td></tr><tr style='height:18px;' valign='middle'><td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><table style='margin:0px; text-align:center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' width='100%' height='100%'><tr valign='middle'><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/full-episodes' rel="nofollow">Colbert Report Full Episodes</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com' rel="nofollow">Political Humor</a></td><td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/258566/december-15-2009/prescott-financial-sells-gold--women---sheep' rel="nofollow">Economy</a></td></tr></table></td></tr></tbody></table> Here’s what Toby Keith thinks about all this:

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
A Colbert Christmas: Toby Keith Sings
http://www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy
]]> By: BKisida http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-19118 BKisida Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:36:02 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=1978#comment-19118 That's so weird about Garrison Keillor. Try reading his rant while hearing his nice and pleasant Prairie Home Companion voice in your head, saying things like "go write your own damn silent night." Was it just an attempt at curmudgeonly satire that fell flat, or is he losing it? I came across a blog-post by a Jewish group talking about Keillor's rant. The title was "The News From Lake Jewbegon" That’s so weird about Garrison Keillor. Try reading his rant while hearing his nice and pleasant Prairie Home Companion voice in your head, saying things like “go write your own damn silent night.” Was it just an attempt at curmudgeonly satire that fell flat, or is he losing it?

I came across a blog-post by a Jewish group talking about Keillor’s rant. The title was “The News From Lake Jewbegon”

]]> By: Coach Mack http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-18663 Coach Mack Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:54:53 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=1978#comment-18663 I've never understood the threat that people feel when opposing views are allowed to be aired in their presence. If you believe in Christmas and all that Christmas stands for, then why should you care what goes up around it? Someone could put a giant sign next to the Nativity display that says "There is no God" and it's really not going to change my thoughts on the matter. Anyone who is threatened might be helped by a little self reflection, and who knows, perhaps an airing of grievances 'round the ole' Festivus pole could spark that! I’ve never understood the threat that people feel when opposing views are allowed to be aired in their presence. If you believe in Christmas and all that Christmas stands for, then why should you care what goes up around it? Someone could put a giant sign next to the Nativity display that says “There is no God” and it’s really not going to change my thoughts on the matter. Anyone who is threatened might be helped by a little self reflection, and who knows, perhaps an airing of grievances ’round the ole’ Festivus pole could spark that!

]]> By: JGreene http://mid-riffs.com/2009/12/the-war-for-christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-18619 JGreene Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:02:33 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=1978#comment-18619 People interested in this subject should check out this column by Garrison Keillor. (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor16dec16,0,225627.story ) He's decided to channel Bill O'Reilly. He heard a Unitarian Church sing Silent Night with altered lyrics that minimized God. He reacted by saying: "If you don't believe Jesus was God, OK, go write your own damn 'Silent Night' and leave ours alone." He continues: "And all those lousy holiday songs by Jewish guys that trash up the malls every year, Rudolph and the chestnuts and the rest of that dreck. Did one of our guys write "Grab your loafers, come along if you wanna, and we'll blow that shofar for Rosh Hashanah"? No, we didn't. Christmas is a Christian holiday - if you're not in the club, then buzz off." Is he unaware that Christians adapted Christmas traditions from other religions? Would those pagans be right to tell Keillor to buzz off? Besides, no one is making him sing altered lyrics or purchase Christmas songs written by Jews (heavan forbid!). Where does he get off telling others what their traditions should be if no one is telling him what he can or should do? People interested in this subject should check out this column by Garrison Keillor. (http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.keillor16dec16,0,225627.story )

He’s decided to channel Bill O’Reilly. He heard a Unitarian Church sing Silent Night with altered lyrics that minimized God. He reacted by saying: “If you don’t believe Jesus was God, OK, go write your own damn ‘Silent Night’ and leave ours alone.”

He continues: “And all those lousy holiday songs by Jewish guys that trash up the malls every year, Rudolph and the chestnuts and the rest of that dreck. Did one of our guys write “Grab your loafers, come along if you wanna, and we’ll blow that shofar for Rosh Hashanah”? No, we didn’t. Christmas is a Christian holiday – if you’re not in the club, then buzz off.”

Is he unaware that Christians adapted Christmas traditions from other religions? Would those pagans be right to tell Keillor to buzz off?

Besides, no one is making him sing altered lyrics or purchase Christmas songs written by Jews (heavan forbid!). Where does he get off telling others what their traditions should be if no one is telling him what he can or should do?

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