MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone.
I say that because I mean just that - and NOT that lame-ass, politically correct, "Happy Holidays."
I'm not very religious - or at least not in any organized, church-going fashion - but I do believe in God and say private prayers to give thanks for my good fortune, good health, for the people in my life who love me, for the people I love - especially those facing challenges - and for people I don't know in need of help. That's why to me, it's CHRISTMAS.
While you may celebrate the spirit of Christmas in some other religion, that's up to you, because no matter what religion it is, the spirit and meaning are the same. Christmas, and everything it represents, is the reason for the "Holidays" the politically correct are so happy to have us all celebrate equally and with full diversity. It's also the reason we take December 25th off from work and public servants are paid for it. So I say, if you don't want to celebrate CHRISTMAS - haul your ass to work on December 25th.
I see where Queen Christine has punted politically on the question of the viaduct, by saying she wants it left up to the voters. That was politically courageous - a non-decision of epic proportions.
She openly acknowledges Mayor Greg Nickels' monument to his own massive ego, the tunnel, is not a financially viable option, and polling shows few voters prefer it. So why incur the risk of a vote, and the delay that makes whatever option is finally approved cost more with each passing day? And why a Seattle-only vote, and not a statewide one? The viaduct is a state highway, and taxpayers statewide will pay the price for the inevitable delays and cost overruns. Shouldn't we all get a say in this? After all, voters from as far away as Yelm and Forks got to vote on tolling the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It only seems fair.
The Port Orchard City Council has failed - again - to name a replacement for Tye Moore, who resigned after being convicted of fraud. There are a number of qualified candidates for the position, and while the law doesn't require a decision until late January, this should have been done by now.
In my view, this is symptomatic of the lack of leadership Port Orchard suffers from under Mayor Kim Abel. It's often decision by indecision. I believe in decision-making that is prompt, strong and informed — and that does NOT mean "studying" something to the point that time and circumstances limit your options. While some people call that "Paralysis by Analysis," I call it "Anal-izing." By any name, it's a huge part of why Port Orchard has gone so far down hill in such a short time. It's the same thing Bremerton USED to suffer from until true leadership appeared in the form of Mayor Cary Bozeman.
For all the money Queen Christine is proposing throwing at the "Education Problem" we have in this state — something like $200 million — why isn't she advocating defining and funding "Basic Education?" If we have that much extra money to spend on educating our children, the time to settle this question has never been better.
I just have to comment on the December 16th cartoon by Frank Shiers in the Port Orchard Independent showing former county commissioner Tim Botkin as a flim-flam man ala Professor Harold Hill, commenting on NASCAR and Seed. Shiers hit the nail right smack on the head.
No public money to support or promote private enterprise say NASCAR opponents. In my view, if they support funding SEED at the same time — they're simply hypocrites.
Merry Christmas, Lary.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me the politically correct forget why the pilgrims came here in the first place--to escape religious persecution. This country was built on tolerance of other religions. That is why we are a great melting pot. To be politically correct shows an intolerance to religions and to be offended by ones religion is also religious persecution. I celebrate Christmas, but if my friend, neighbor, or co-worker wishes me a Happy Hanakah or Happy Kwanza or any other religious saying that I don't believe in, then I will accept it gladly. Because the meaning behind the words is all the same. Peace and God bless us all.
Lary,
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate the sentiment behind your comments regarding Christmas, political correctness, etc. I must take it a step further. Each year I become more upset that it seems Christ is being seperated from Christmas. It is not enough to simply believe in God. The reason we celebrate Christmas is to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christian Savior. I feel that it is easy for many of us to believe in God, but belief in Christ seems to be more difficult. To which I say, tough toenails. Christmas need not be celebrated equally or with diversity, it is a purely Christian holiday. I won't go so far as to say that it should only be celebrated by those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior, but I will say that there should be no equal recognition of any other holiday on Christmas. Those who recognize other religions are more than welcome to celebrate them and should do so without the threat of persecution. But, during the Christmas season we should all feel free to express our joy in Christ without feeling like we may offend someone. I realize we have seperation between church and state, therefore, if you are a government employee and a non-Christian you should absolutely have to work on Christmas. As for the annonymous commentor who states that this country was "built on tolerance of other religions." Actually, this country was founded by Christians, who created the foundation for this country based on those beliefs. That little piece of history is convieniently forgotten, just as we convieniently forget Christ on Christmas. Why? My theory is that if we all lived as Christ did,or even close, we would have to hold ourselves accountable for many things that we don't want to accept responsibility for. Being "politically correct" is a cop-out. It allows us all to do whatever we please, and be accountable for nothing and stand for nothing. Our forefathers would be ashamed.