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teya Commander
Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423
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Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:20 pm |
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I agree with Trekkie Mage. It's *not* a big deal. Christmas is in no danger of dying out.
The problem with calling this a skirmish in your culture wars actually takes attention away from the issues you *want* to draw attention to: organized prayer in public schools, religious memorials on public land, acknowledgements of religious history in public seals (e.g. the cross on the mission in the LA County seal), abortion, same gender marriage, and so on.
For the record, on the issues listed, I am against, for, for, for, and for.
In other words, I side with you on some issues and am opposed on others. By arguing against us "progressives" and casting us as demons out to destroy "American culture," you make me less likely to work *with* you on such issues as religious memorials and acknowledgements of religious history.
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Resume your disorder.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:30 pm |
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teya wrote: | In other words, I side with you on some issues and am opposed on others. By arguing against us "progressives" and casting us as demons out to destroy "American culture," you make me less likely to work *with* you on such issues as religious memorials and acknowledgements of religious history. |
You're not a secular-progressive, teya. Don't be confused by "progressive" and "secular-progressive." What you just said proves that you aren't. You seek progressive reforms, but not at the expense of morality, religion, tradition, etc.
That said, I disagree with you that the attacks on Christmas isn't that important, once again. I think it's as important as any of those issues you said so far as religion in public life is concerned (therefore, not counting abortion and gay marriage, which are set apart from that because deemphasizing religion from public life is the first step; those are the next.)
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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teya Commander
Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423
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Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:14 pm |
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I refuse to participate any longer in this "warfare" that politics has become.
It used to be that politics was the fine art of compromise, that we recognized that, as Americans, we had more in common than what divided us.
That's still true, but you'd never know it by listening to political discourse in this country.
The name-calling, the denigration, the holier-than-thou posturing on *both* sides has to stop.
So, I suppose it depends on what you want to achieve when you give a speech or type out a response here. Do you want to rally those on your side? Do you want to get them riled up and ready to "fight the good fight" again the evil liberals who will destroy everything that is good and holy about America?
Or do you want to convince others, those liberals and moderates, of the wisdom of your position. If that, then you need to look at *how* you present your case.
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Puck The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596
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Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:41 pm |
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Any further discussion on RM's speech needs to be sent to him via PM, or perhaps in his TIM if he wants to discuss it. Otherwise, back on the original topic please.
-Puck
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teya Commander
Joined: 02 Feb 2005 Posts: 423
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Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:55 pm |
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^ I wasn't responding to his speech. I was responding to his *post*.
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Puck The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596
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Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:05 pm |
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teya wrote: | ^ I wasn't responding to his speech. I was responding to his *post*. |
Which is talking about (along with numerous previous posts) the term secular progressive, political warfare, and the tone of his speech. None of which relates to the original topic. Now, any further questions you have regarding my judgement can be sent to me through PM, so that we don't further lead this topic off track .
-Puck
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Oddbeani57 Senior Cadet
Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 25 Location: NoPo.
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Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:13 am |
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I agree with the afore mentioned in calling it an unnecessary mentality (perhaps quoted wrong...)
The fact that so many people claim to be offended by "Merry Christmas" because of the word within it, "Christ." Though to be realistic, when I am buying Christmas cards, I don't see pictures of the above-named all over them-I see Santa Claus. This particular person has claimed Christmas in the US, perhaps elsewhere in other percentages, and it's not like most people even regard Christmas as a Christian holiday any longer.
Christmas now has become a reason for people to get offended, instead of the way that most people celebrate it with their kids and family--with beliefs of Rudolph landing on their roof and a day or so off from work.
I can certainly see where the fact that Christmas could be offensive if pictures of Christ were everywhere--but they're not. It's Santa, and coming from most Christian perspectives, that in and of itself is offensive, a false idol of sorts.
There isn't a war on anything if people don't make it into one.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:31 pm |
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Check out Bill O'Reilly's latest column on this issue. I touch on it in my speech as well.
Here's a preview:
Quote: | 'Tis The Season
By: Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com
Thursday, Dec 14, 2006
Well, the Supreme Court punted. The justices were supposed to decide weeks ago whether or not to hear a blatant example of anti-Christian bias in New York City. But still no decision.
The case concerns a policy by the New York City public schools to allow displays of the Star and Crescent flag for Ramadan and the Menorah for Hanukkah, but to ban the Nativity scene at Christmas time. The decision makes no legal sense, as the federal courts have previously ruled that so-called "religious" displays can appear on public property, as long as there is no preference given to one religion over another.
As one of the lead players in defending the traditions of Christmas in the public arena, I must say that I am tired of it all. It's just so dumb. There is no need to deny students a Nativity display. Don't they get enough bad stuff? How about some nice stuff? I mean, how threatening and offensive can a baby, two loving parents, and three wise men really be?
All the polls say that most Americans believe as I do: That the traditional signs of Christmas are a good thing. So leave them alone, okay? |
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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WeAz Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 1519 Location: Where you aren't
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Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:39 pm |
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For once I agree with O'Reilly. The only time it will ever happen.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:12 pm |
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WeAz wrote: | For once I agree with O'Reilly. The only time it will ever happen. |
I'm really shocked that you agree with him here There are plenty of other issues on which I would expect you to agree with him, least of all Christmas.
The war continues on, this time in Disney World:
Quote: | Disney World Tells Santa Lookalike to Hit the Road
The happiest place on Earth just said "no" to the jolliest man on Earth.
Walt Disney World resort gave an ultimatum to a Santa lookalike who was visiting the park Sunday, warning him to ditch his festive gear or get out.
J.D. Worley, 60, is used to being mistaken for Santa Claus. But it had always been something that brought him joy, until a recent visit to Disney World.
Read more at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236796,00.html |
Ridiculous!
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
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Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:28 pm |
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Republican_Man wrote: | WeAz wrote: | For once I agree with O'Reilly. The only time it will ever happen. |
I'm really shocked that you agree with him here There are plenty of other issues on which I would expect you to agree with him, least of all Christmas.
The war continues on, this time in Disney World:
Quote: | Disney World Tells Santa Lookalike to Hit the Road
The happiest place on Earth just said "no" to the jolliest man on Earth.
Walt Disney World resort gave an ultimatum to a Santa lookalike who was visiting the park Sunday, warning him to ditch his festive gear or get out.
J.D. Worley, 60, is used to being mistaken for Santa Claus. But it had always been something that brought him joy, until a recent visit to Disney World.
Read more at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236796,00.html |
Ridiculous! |
Did you read that article RM? That has nothing to do with being anti-Christmas. It explains that Disney already had a Santa Clause and considered Santa a "Disney character". This was more about them probably losing money to this "free Santa Clause" rather then the one they are paying within the park.
Disney didn't say they kicked him out due to be secular or anything of the sort. Hell, didn't Disney create the movie called "THE SANTA CLAUSE"?
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:45 pm |
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Founder wrote: | Did you read that article RM? That has nothing to do with being anti-Christmas. It explains that Disney already had a Santa Clause and considered Santa a "Disney character". This was more about them probably losing money to this "free Santa Clause" rather then the one they are paying within the park.
Disney didn't say they kicked him out due to be secular or anything of the sort. Hell, didn't Disney create the movie called "THE SANTA CLAUSE"? |
Yes, I did read the entire article when I posted it, and yeah, I realize that their reasons were more business-oriented, but nonetheless...It's related to it because it involves a man essentially being forced out of the park because he looked like 'ol Saint Nick.
lol, I realize I'm making more of a big deal out of this incident than I really need to, but I just felt like being outraged about it They wouldn't be losing money because of this, however, for meeting with "Disney characters" doesn't cost a dime. The park fee is the fee.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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