The Greater Significance of the So-Called War on Christmas

After work today, I caught a few minutes of The No Spin Zone. I generally agree with O'Reilly on major issues, but I find his personality abrasive and can think of approximately 4.37 million people that I would rather have arguing our cause in front of millions of people each night. I was getting dressed for my evening jog when I heard a (D) express his contmept for O'Reilly and his "fabricated conflict at a time that should be reserved for unity."(The Congressman was referencing the "War on Christmas") Over the past few weeks I have tried to remove myself from my typical thought process in an attempt to gain new perspective on the issue. Admittedly, during this period of a month or so I thought, "what's the big deal if some minimum wage employee at Best Buy tells me 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'?" I spent most of my jog considering this issue, hoping that I could get off of the fence once and for all.

Upon further reflection, I realized that my most recent position was the narrow, near-sighted, and worst of all, the easy one to take. Here's why:

This alleged War on Christmas is really just a battle in the Liberal War on the Majority. This is a cultural tug-of-war that has played itself out in the courts, our classrooms, our City Halls, and on the floor of the United States Senate.

Consider the fact that 94% of Americans believe that God exists in some form. Only 5% believe that God does not exist, and a mere 1% are "certain" that God does not exist (Gallup- 12/13/05). Despite these overwhelming numbers, many Liberals, such as Michael Newdow and the progressive ACLU, are trying to shut God completely out of public life in America.

Public opinion polls also suggest that a 55% majority of Americans believe that gay marriage would "degrade the institute of marriage", compared to 41% of Americans who disagree with that sentiment (USA Today- 4/10/05). Now, I am not saying that homosexuality is intrinsically right or wrong, but the institution of marriage is THE cornerstone of our society. Therefore, if the vast majority of Americans are not prepared for the ramifications of such a massive societal shift, then it is my belief that their wishes must be respected. Liberal activist judges and civic politicians in Massachusetts and California, on the other hand, are dead set on ramming this change down the throats of unwilling Americans.

Consider also the unprecedented use (and childish threat of use) of the filibuster by Congresional Democrats to block votes on Republican appointments and legislation. Since the Contract with America in 1994, the American people have elected Republican majorities for the purpose of having a conservative government, and yet Liberals cry "foul" every time elected politicians carry out the will of the people. Think back to the summer's explosive debate that nearly forced Senate Republicans to exercise the "nuclear option" to defeat the filibuster.

Without a doubt, a truly democratic system MUST stipulate that concessions be made to the minority. But where do we draw the line? Liberals, led by the ACLU, have been moving it more and more to their favor since that fateful midterm election in 1994.

Maybe you do not particularly care about one or more of the issues I have discussed. Maybe you think, "Obviously, I agree with Chris, but I can't make myself care about whether or not they take 'In God We Trust' off of our currency." Well find a way to make yourself care, because all of these issues must be taken as a whole. They are united under the banner of this Liberal War on the Majority.

It might seem silly to raise Cane over issues such as the "Merry Christmas"vs. "Happy Holidays" debate. However, If we keep giving ground, then one day we will wake up to a generic America that is inconsistent with the vision of our Founding Fathers.

So the next time the ACLU orders a boycott against a retail outlet for displaying non-generic holiday displays, make your contempt known.

Remeber: The authoritarian's dream is an apathetic public.

Roseanne, Australians, and King Kong

Friends,
I am ashamed at the depth of my selfishness. For quite some time now, I have known that the world would be a much better place if only the inner workings of my mind could somehow be displayed for all to see. I have also known that the internet could be just the template I need to share this beautiful knowledge with the outside world. Yet I have failed to act. Like a liberal in Congress, I sat around picking my nose and criticizing the arguments of political adversaries while offering no meaningful solutions to the world's problems myself. This has gone on for quite a while...I believe Al Gore invented the internet something like 20 years ago.
Tonight, the stars have aligned and I have decided to take the technological plunge into Bloggerdom (read: The Nerdery.)

I will use this site to post my thoughts (read: your-soon-to-be-beliefs) on one particular political or social issue at a time, but since Christmastime has put me in the spirit of giving, and since there is a lot to talk about, I am going to break this site in with some Random Nuggets of Wisdom.

-I saw Roseanne Barr on the Jimmy Kimmel Show tonight. She was plugging her political comedy tour, a portion of which served as the opening act for Michael Moore's college tour. I thought it was nice of her to hop off of the Empire State Building for a minute to talk with Jimmy. Seriously though, she is a large destructive primate.

-I have jumped on the FairTax bandwagon like a Georgia fan on a Mark Richt blowup doll.

-My prediction for the next presidential election year...2008: New Eagle Head Coach Brian VanGorder, or "Baby Erk" as we call him in Statesboro, is going to give Georgia hell.

-Saying that you completely support the troops but not the mission is like saying that you love marching bands but hate instruments and watching nerds walk around in circles.

-The Braves will more than likely lose the division to the Mets this year. I will still invest hundreds of hours of my life and drink thousands of beers watching them fall from grace, but with a hopeful heart all the while. It's fun to have no expectations other than watching baseball and drinking col'beer.

-Speaking of drunks with no expectations, working in a grocery store can be such a slap in the face sometimes (ok, it's a slap in the face all the time, but stay with me here). There is nothing like watching people pay for steaks and Heineken with Food Stamps while you are working. I had an epiphany after watching that very thing happen yesterday. I've been working 40 hours a week, and taking home about 30 hours pay. The other 10 hours of my wages were spent on steaks and Heineken for people I have never met (and do not want to, by the way) while I come home to Milwaukee's Best Light and bologona .'Cuz my paychecks they have a way, of forcing me to eat b-o-l-o-g-n-a.

-This summer I met an Australian exchange student. Naturally, I asked him all of the obnoxious questions that I normally reserve for foreigners, and here's what I found:
1. Kangaroos ARE as common down under as Captain Kangaroo would have you believe.
2. They refer to their backyards as "out back" with minimal confusion. Shocking.
3. Foster's...American for bullshit. Aussies have never heard of it.
4. To his knowledge, no one has ever held up a bank with a boomerang.
5. People outside of the crocodile hunting profession do not use the expression, "Crikey!"
6. When asked about the general perception of Canada at his remote corner of the world, he replied, "haha, you mean America's 51st state?!?". This comment earned my Australian friend several free beers, freedom from further questioning, and a lifelong ally across the pond.

Tomorrow: Why the FairTax will work for you, for me, and for America.