The Color of Christmas

Faded Frenzies now Peace, maybe even Joy

It's amazing what we as a society will do for the commercial version of peace and joy. We go to battle on the streets, row after row of armies of tanks, and other assault vehicles, in the trenches and aisles, fully equipped with plastic power launchers, that go ballistic. Modern day weapons can wipe out 100s of Hiroshimas in one bomb, and society's very generous giving to the annual stimulus for our own economy is enough to wipe out hunger in many Hiroshimas and countries in the world. Oh the power we have to do bad, but also good, in the world... if we more seriously wanted to.

Gifted Already

I still take part in customs of peace and joy,
and try to be that deserving good boy.
But as exchanges have merit where good intent is meant,
I'm happy just with civility, and simple caring, to be content.

With warm lodging, enough food, and comforts of life,
not in fear, violence, and never-ending strife.
There's justice, freedom, and protection in society,
not the chronic cruelty and grief of others' anxiety.

We acquire things to fill some needs,
then follow ads to spend and give - those marketing creeds.
While more things don't always make us content,
Others hope for new ways for energies to be spent.

We are lucky to be here I know is cliché,
it's just that we had no input on where we would stay.
We didn't determine what place to be born,
the "I" in us could here, there, or could be foreign.

Whether luck or a gift, how fortunate to be in peace and free,
that beaten brother, and tortured sis on tv, could be you, could be me.
That Guatemalan woman, stripped by a mob, about to be set on fire,
makes me wonder why her birth place was not mine, and senselessly dire.

As we search for loved ones' gifts at stores like the Gap,
its other meaning is all over the map.
Live news broadcasts the strife of the poor,
and it makes me want less, more and more.

Merry Christmas Economy - Hope you Liked Your Stimulating

It is especially at this time of year that we must think about the less fortunate CEOs of financial companies like AIG, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; auto companies Chrysler, Ford and GM. May they be blessed with 100's of billions in stimulus packages without terms. And may CEO bonuses be just as big so as to feed a poor starving nation somewhere in Africa.

The good people of the western world have just went beyond normal need to feed the economic beast by way of Christmas 'n' everything. May our system of economics continue to offer hope to believers and non-believers alike that the system is fair, decent, and oh so rewarding.

May justice be bestowed on investment guru Bernard Madoff who is charged with defrauding the public of $50 billion, and may the selfish starving people of Congo and Somalia stop their begging for food and help out mega-rich industries of the world, somehow.

Yes, may the world unite as one to support the one true way that works, and let us bail out together, the industries that are the symbols of success and virtue in the world, so that once again the world will be as it should. Blessings to both the needy, the greedy, the conniving, and the 'just surviving' of the world.

No Offence, but Merry Christmas

Some shopping centres in some of the country's bigger cities took down "Merry Christmas" and replaced it "Happy Holidays", so that non-Christians won't be offended. Before the political correctness factor popped up some years back, either greeting, plus others, were typical without one giving a second thought to it. There's a sense, to me at least, that using neutral greetings like "Happy Holidays" is equated with "knowing better". Memorial Universitys greeting on Christmas Eve is "Best Wishes for Personal Growth in the New Year." Nothing wrong with that or other neutral greetings. On many Canadian Universities, you won't find the word Christmas on the front pages at least. On this Christmas Eve some have no acknowledgment of Xmas or the "holiday season" at all, and some have "Seasons Greetings".

There is nothing inherently offensive about saying Merry Christmas. It really just means "good wishes to you", or "enjoy the Christmas holidays". With over 70% of Canadians being Christian of some stripe, there's a good chance the greeting Merry Christmas will resonate with most. The fact is that Dec. 25 exists, it's a birthday of a special and good person, and from what little we do know, he lived an exemplary life, which is cause for celebration. You don't have to be religious to appreciate that.

Many public organizations like tv stations, universities, and governments will say something more general or nothing. From their point of view I guess it is less confusing to avoid a specific religious greeting as they could get pressure from other religions to display a specific religious greeting for their special times of year. Then it can get more complicated since the number of occasions can become numerous and imposing on broadcast and web space.

On the other hand, one could ask, "what makes the holiday?" Answer: Christmas, so why not say "Merry Christmas". The Telegram did today.

There are people who don't care for any type of organized religion, and those that grew up with the tradition and still partake to some degree or other. If you see or hear a greeting that does not apply to you, ignore it. Different religions have their own special days, and accordingly they like to wish each other some related greeting. That sure doesn't offend me. They can display it any window, or say it anywhere. No offense taken. If Walmart wants to display "Happy Hanukkah", "Happy Eid", or "Happy Diwali", that's perfectly fine. These holidays don't apply to me but they do apply to someone, and everyone is entitled to celebrate whatever it is that is important to them.

In a multi-cultural society, it's a given that there are special days to all. "Merry Christmas" should not be viewed any differently.

What is offensive is hearing on radio stations, "Don't worry, you still have "X" number of weeks to shop." If anything should go, that's it. However, as long as the word "Christmas" keeps selling stuff for business we'll be hearing that again. Anyway, don't worry, there will be 10 months to go before you hear that again, 11 if we're lucky.

Merry Christmas (i.e., best wishes) and have a safe holiday.