Christmas Cliche

I guess I'll join in on the debate, although I think it's rivaling the weariness that evolved when some ancient lady with a raspy voice started asking "Where's the Beef?" The first few times we heard that Wendy's commercial with that wiry ol' gal, we laughed. Then, as we heard it over and over and over and as it spread to venues other than hamburger-impaired sandwiches, we got a little tired of it and yearned for a new "talking point."

Oh yeah, that and "bottom line" fall into the same category---worn-out, overused phrases that eventually drive people up the wall. Hmm. I think that one's been used a time or two also.

During this holiest of seasons for spending billions of dollars on ipods, plasma TVs, slippers and annual supplies of cologne, I'm getting sick and tired of the Merry Christmas debate. I'm wondering who it was that suddenly decided to coerce the entire United States population into spitting out "MMMMMer---er-----HHHHHappy Hanukkah, oops HHHHappy HHHHolidays" to everyone they greet from Thanksgiving through New Year's.

This is stupid. How did we get along all these years with Merry Christmas? I've lived 58.5 years with the knowledge that when those presents started showing up under the tree, or images of Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas reminded us that we'd better be nice, or---in the childhood years--- when we'd stay up late, before opening the gifts, to attend Midnight Mass, this whole production started because of a really good guy named Jesus with a last name that happened to be Christ. Hence, ChristMASS.

I guess now, in 2005, we're once again rewriting history for the sake of someone, yet to be identified, who decided we need to retrain our tongues once again because someone else might get mad. I say to everyone out there, "Greet people with whatever you wish to say." It's just possible in professing your own personal pride that someone might learn something about why it means so much to you. Isn't this blending of cultures what's supposed to make America great? Isn't free speech one of America's greatest principles?

If you're Jewish and want people to remember the reasons for "Happy Hanukkah," say it. If you're Black and want folks to know about Joyous Kwanzaa, for Heaven's sake, yell it out. And, if you're Jose Feliciano or just plain Hispanic, I don't mind hearing "Felice Navidad." Since I'm Irish Catholic and stubborn, I'm gonna keep saying "Merry Christmas" any old time I want.

And, if I ever buy another $10 box of Leanin' Tree Christmas cards, which advertise decorated envelopes to go with the cards, only to discover the envelopes in the bottom (out of view) covered with postmarks of "Happy Holidays - Dec. 25," I'm gonna continue to write "Merry Christmas" right under all those "HH's."

I bought 'em at the Hallmark store for Christmas cards. Those animals on the cards, accompanying the "Happy Holidays" envelopes, are standing on somebody's porch with a Christmas wreath on the door, and it's snowing. They also have puzzled looks on their faces cuz some fool has probably come up to their house and said "Happy Holidays." They just don't know how to react because even the dogs, cats, rabbits, and mice have heard "Merry Christmas" for years.

I'm wondering what's gonna happen when these thought police start in on all the other special occasions which Americans have legally enacted through acts of Congress as national holidays in celebration of the accomplishments of certain individuals or events that have made a difference in and for this nation.

Think of what havoc the invisible but vocal PC'ers could wreak on Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day or even Martin Luther King Day.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day!