Happy Holidays

Let’s take a good look at the state of Christmas in America. At the time the law was passed that established Christmas as a Federal holiday in the 1800’s the U.S. wore their Christianity on their sleeve much more openly. At that time the average citizen feared God much more than their government. Today the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has surpassed God through an agenda of fear. Rightfully so, given they represent rule by the few over the many (also known as communism). Today the word Christmas is being cast in a light of radicalism by the purveyors of secular extremism backed by such anti-Christian organizations.

Extremely progressive organizations will cite the first Article of the U.S. Constitution, selectively. The text says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” and here is the part the radicals forget “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Organizations like the ACLU would have you believe that exercising religion in public or on public governmental ground is an establishment of one religion over another.

Since 85% of this country identifies themselves as Christian it stands to reason that the vast majority of displays on public grounds will reflect that point of view. Take note that there is no restriction on other religions displaying the trappings of their religious occasions on the same site. Instead of suing for the right to also be included in displays, the A.C.L.U sues to remove existing expressions of religious beliefs. That is what is patently unconstitutional!

Culturally, the phrase "Merry Christmas" is even being cast aside in favor of the phrase "Happy Holidays." Examining this we find that the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November begins the Christmas season. There is no other sanctioned holiday between Thanksgiving and Christmas; not Jewish, African, Buddhist or Hindu. Therefore the phrase "Happy Holidays" does not properly apply in the context of the season. "Merry Christmas" is the only expression that can do the holiday justice. If there was no Christ or Christian church there would be no Christmas or Christmas holiday. There would be no Federal holiday; day off from work, or solemn occasion of religious reflection by those who wish to do so, unmolested by the nonbeliever.

The second sanctioned holiday is New Years day and is quite secular. Saying Happy Holidays would be appropriate between the two dates not before and not much long after either.

It is the right of every citizen as spelled out in the constitution that no law can prevent your right to practice, and express your religion anywhere, or at any time. This includes public spaces, or in your home on Christmas. Should you decide to shout Merry Christmas from the roof of your house to everyone that passes, no harassment should come to you (as long as you don’t disturb the sound ordinances of your town). Doing the same in the town square is your right, and not to be denied by those of different faiths. The constitution guarentees what "the creator" has endowed to all mankind.

Pumpernickel Politics

Political candidates are like bread. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. Deciding on which one to consume is not a reflection of anything more than our personal taste. However, that taste is from our mouth not from our biases.

When prominent civil rights leader Andrew Young recently spoke of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama he offended some people. He said that "Bill is every bit as black as Barack. He's probably gone with more black women than Barack." In letting this offhand joke slip, Young peeled back the onion, and defined the debate of politics in America.

It is true that there is a hard corps of the electorate that would never likely vote for a dark skinned person for President. Such prejudice might even be more prevelant in local politics. The statement by Young proves once again that racism exists in politics, in all quarters. Pointing up race to justify qualifications should raise objections. It was reported upon, but there was a roaring silence, especially in the overly tolerant African-American community.

This election cycle, offers evidence that we are not yet culturally mature enough to achieve America’s promise. Should anyone care about a candidate’s skin color? Shouldn’t we rather be focused exclusively upon what policies candidates would enact, and how they would lead? Skin pigment is irrelevant! The statement by Young smacks of schoolyard antics. The Civil Rights Act passed in the 1960’s, but yet it seems that sometimes the African-American race is its own worst enemy.

African-Americans vote in large numbers for Democrat candidates. There is nothing wrong with that per se. When a whole group of people categorically eliminate half of their electoral choices out of hand (Republicans and Independent candidates, for instance) it begs the question, who is really prejudice”

Oprah Winfrey’s foray into politics has made people take notice. Would those people be as interested if she were Walter Cronkite? He is someone equally as famed and trusted. Cronkite however, is of the old boy network and he is white, to boot. Oprah's popularity comes from her integrity and her race. Most of Oprah’s influence is upon her fans who tend to be color blind. She is bringing large numbers of the public to events for Senator Obama, whom she supports. Whether that translates into support for him or detriment to her popularity remains to be seen. In that context however, race is a factor.

The point is that today in politics anything goes. If you listen to the media, race and gender still have a prominent place at the table. We have not even come close to achieving Martin Luther King’s dream. That is disturbing. We are not only not ignoring race, but we are pointing up and celebrating our different heritages to the detriment of the whole society. We are no longer a true melting pot of Americans.

If we don’t get past it, race will haunt our grandchildren’s lives much like it has corrupted the population for the past two century’s.

When shopping the bread aisle at any local grocery, you will find white bread, rye bread, pumpernickel, and a whole host of others. If we made bread purchases the same way we apply this county’s selective racism, some bread would no longer be on the shelf, from lack of sales.

It is time for American’s to step up beyond their veiled racism, and practice what they espouse. Race has no place in American politics, or American life. The sooner we can see people based on their abilities rather than their skin pigment, the sooner the society will reach the goal of the Civil Rights movment; equality for all withour regard for race. That would justify Dr. King's life long mission.