Sunday, December 04, 2005
Wildmon and Dobson, sittin' in a tree ...
Focus on the Family considers this kind of thing (below) "advocacy journalism," but it's not. It's just advocacy.
And it's "gotcha." It's unfair and unbalanced, in other words. And it's not journalism at all; it's propaganda.
Not that propaganda is a bad thing. They're entitled.
As to the merits of the matter: It peeves me, too, to see stores water down Christmas messages. I am, after all, a Christian.
But guess what? They're not in business to cater to Christians. They're in business in performance of a societal act of worship of Mammon, actually.
(Hee hee. This fundamental[!] strain within the Republican Party cracks me up. Money-grubbing capitalists and Bible-misquoting fundies: Talk about a match made in political hell. It cannot last.)
Focus on the Family, in its self-appointed role as watchdog over all things Christian in American culture, focuses more and more on anything ... but ... family.
ER predicts a break of the political action arm from the ministry arms before too long, and the announcement of a separate organization (NOT -- just a new name). To keep calling it Focus on the Family is silly.
But I digress.
You're known by the company you keep. Focus on the Family, so called, is a conservative Christian outfit that regularly wobbles over into righty-rightness. Donald Wildmon, however, is a right winger extraordinaire.
I'm surprised to see them acting together like this. No way is Wildmon moderating. Focus is veering even more to the right-wing fringe by hitchin' to his wagon.
--ER
Target Boycotted Over 'Christmas'
From Focus on the Family
The American Family Association (AFA) has expanded a
nationwide boycott of Target stores. AFA Founder and
Chairman Don Wildmon said the reason is simple: Target
refuses to use the word "Christmas" -- instead referring
only to a generic "holiday."
Read all about it.
END
And it's "gotcha." It's unfair and unbalanced, in other words. And it's not journalism at all; it's propaganda.
Not that propaganda is a bad thing. They're entitled.
As to the merits of the matter: It peeves me, too, to see stores water down Christmas messages. I am, after all, a Christian.
But guess what? They're not in business to cater to Christians. They're in business in performance of a societal act of worship of Mammon, actually.
(Hee hee. This fundamental[!] strain within the Republican Party cracks me up. Money-grubbing capitalists and Bible-misquoting fundies: Talk about a match made in political hell. It cannot last.)
Focus on the Family, in its self-appointed role as watchdog over all things Christian in American culture, focuses more and more on anything ... but ... family.
ER predicts a break of the political action arm from the ministry arms before too long, and the announcement of a separate organization (NOT -- just a new name). To keep calling it Focus on the Family is silly.
But I digress.
You're known by the company you keep. Focus on the Family, so called, is a conservative Christian outfit that regularly wobbles over into righty-rightness. Donald Wildmon, however, is a right winger extraordinaire.
I'm surprised to see them acting together like this. No way is Wildmon moderating. Focus is veering even more to the right-wing fringe by hitchin' to his wagon.
--ER
Target Boycotted Over 'Christmas'
From Focus on the Family
The American Family Association (AFA) has expanded a
nationwide boycott of Target stores. AFA Founder and
Chairman Don Wildmon said the reason is simple: Target
refuses to use the word "Christmas" -- instead referring
only to a generic "holiday."
Read all about it.
END
Comments:
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MBR's thought are definitely uncelar ...
I'd say its the other way around, actually. I think the de-Christianizing of Christmas will strike rank-and-file Americans as stupid overkill. And I'll bet that next year you won't be able to sling a cat without hitting a Baby Jesus at Target and other stores -- precisely because Americans DO try to worhip God and Mammon during the Yuletide.
My main point here was to point out the bedfellows of the Wildmon bunch and FOTF, which strikes me as beneath FOTF. They've gone slumming.
I'd say its the other way around, actually. I think the de-Christianizing of Christmas will strike rank-and-file Americans as stupid overkill. And I'll bet that next year you won't be able to sling a cat without hitting a Baby Jesus at Target and other stores -- precisely because Americans DO try to worhip God and Mammon during the Yuletide.
My main point here was to point out the bedfellows of the Wildmon bunch and FOTF, which strikes me as beneath FOTF. They've gone slumming.
Clarification: I meant the political arm of FOTF focues on everythign but the family. I was totally unclear about that. And, I do know the good the broader organization does, because you've pointed that out to me previously, and for that I thank you.
And, I did not call FOTF "money grubbers." I distinguished specifically between "money grubbers" and "fundies."
FOTC falls under the latter category, I think, not the former. But that marriage will eventually fall apart. It has too.
Either the money grubbers will all come to Jesus and quit being money grubbers, or the fundies will lose their salt. Of course, I think they have already, as a natural result of engaging the world on the world's terms.
What does it profit a PAC if it gains the whole federal government yet loses its soul?
And, I did not call FOTF "money grubbers." I distinguished specifically between "money grubbers" and "fundies."
FOTC falls under the latter category, I think, not the former. But that marriage will eventually fall apart. It has too.
Either the money grubbers will all come to Jesus and quit being money grubbers, or the fundies will lose their salt. Of course, I think they have already, as a natural result of engaging the world on the world's terms.
What does it profit a PAC if it gains the whole federal government yet loses its soul?
The whole thing's a non-issue, and I get sick of seeing it return, every December.
On one hand, I suspect that the level of alienation felt by non-Christians during this season is probably pretty negligible, but I don't have any numbers in front of me.
On the other, it strikes me as grapes gone seriously sour that so many people would get all huffy about failing to hear the word 'Christ' from some chain of stores.
Again, if your belief is so damn strong, what do you care what Target thinks?
This is cheap political grandstanding by a couple of hacks who really are-like Target-just in it for the money.
I read today that a Wal-mart employee was fired for sending a letter to a customer (irate about failing to hear the word 'Christmas') concerning the manifold origins of this holiday. Anyone else read that?
You can get fired for reminding people that the real reason for the season is the winter solstice, apparently.
And the fact that I was born in December, of course.
On one hand, I suspect that the level of alienation felt by non-Christians during this season is probably pretty negligible, but I don't have any numbers in front of me.
On the other, it strikes me as grapes gone seriously sour that so many people would get all huffy about failing to hear the word 'Christ' from some chain of stores.
Again, if your belief is so damn strong, what do you care what Target thinks?
This is cheap political grandstanding by a couple of hacks who really are-like Target-just in it for the money.
I read today that a Wal-mart employee was fired for sending a letter to a customer (irate about failing to hear the word 'Christmas') concerning the manifold origins of this holiday. Anyone else read that?
You can get fired for reminding people that the real reason for the season is the winter solstice, apparently.
And the fact that I was born in December, of course.
Dang it, I didn't say that, Nick.
For FOTF Action to keep "family" in ITS name is curious, not because it's not in the ministry, but because so little of what it DOES focus on is not "family."
Sheesh.
They should call it Focus on What We Think is Best for America, or, People for the Christian Way As We See It, or, Americans United for the Unification of Our Brand of Church and State, or something else that would ring truer.
For FOTF Action to keep "family" in ITS name is curious, not because it's not in the ministry, but because so little of what it DOES focus on is not "family."
Sheesh.
They should call it Focus on What We Think is Best for America, or, People for the Christian Way As We See It, or, Americans United for the Unification of Our Brand of Church and State, or something else that would ring truer.
I know. :-) Some Unitarians say they go to "church," too.
LOL. I don't know what that was supposed to mean.
LOL. I don't know what that was supposed to mean.
I'm with bachelor.
I think that the whole argument is just a bunch of Hooey.
I don't care whether Target Employees tell me "Merry Christmas" or not. I could care less if Lowes sells me a "Christmas Tree" or a "Holiday Tree".
I know what holiday I am celebrating.
if someone else wants to celebrate "Winter solstice", then Knock yourself out.
As to FOTF, I'm not surprised to see them take up this banner again, any more than I was surprised to hear that Jesse Jackson opposes the KKK.
This is what they are in business to do, and if all of these problems were to be suddenly solved, then there would be no more need for any of them.
I will say this though. Aproximately 9/10 of the U.S claims to be Christian in one form or another, and it doesn't hurt anyone for people to tell one another "Merry Christmas." Not one bit.
Brandon:
"Don't these money-grubbers realize that saying "Happy Holidays" is more smart marketing than de-Christianizing Christmas?"
Maybe so, unless it pisses off your customer base, and they go and shop at Wal-Mart instead.
The people who are offended at any mention of Christ are a slim Minority.
I see no reason to let them Offend the Vast Majority.
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!
I think that the whole argument is just a bunch of Hooey.
I don't care whether Target Employees tell me "Merry Christmas" or not. I could care less if Lowes sells me a "Christmas Tree" or a "Holiday Tree".
I know what holiday I am celebrating.
if someone else wants to celebrate "Winter solstice", then Knock yourself out.
As to FOTF, I'm not surprised to see them take up this banner again, any more than I was surprised to hear that Jesse Jackson opposes the KKK.
This is what they are in business to do, and if all of these problems were to be suddenly solved, then there would be no more need for any of them.
I will say this though. Aproximately 9/10 of the U.S claims to be Christian in one form or another, and it doesn't hurt anyone for people to tell one another "Merry Christmas." Not one bit.
Brandon:
"Don't these money-grubbers realize that saying "Happy Holidays" is more smart marketing than de-Christianizing Christmas?"
Maybe so, unless it pisses off your customer base, and they go and shop at Wal-Mart instead.
The people who are offended at any mention of Christ are a slim Minority.
I see no reason to let them Offend the Vast Majority.
Merry Christmas, Everybody!!
The people who are offended by *not* having Christ mentioned every goddamn time they buy something are a small minority, too. And I see no reason to let them dictate what others have to say.
Anyway, I thought the real argument about Christmas was that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"--if anything, you'd think that practicing Christians would actually feel rather relieved at secularizing the money-grubbing aspect of the holiday.
Anyway, I thought the real argument about Christmas was that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"--if anything, you'd think that practicing Christians would actually feel rather relieved at secularizing the money-grubbing aspect of the holiday.
I think I kinda said that, Dr.B...
Tell me or don't. I don't care either way.
Both sides have blown this way out of proportion.
Tell me or don't. I don't care either way.
Both sides have blown this way out of proportion.
What I was getting at is, If you would rather tell me "Happy holidays" than "Merry christmas", then "Happy Holidays" to you too.
If you want to wish me a "Merry Christmas", then "Merry Christmas."
If you have a problem with me wishing you a "Merry Christmas", then it's your problem. Deal with it.
Celebrate your particular Holiday in your own way, and I will do the same.
I don't want to force anyone to do or say anything that they are not comfortable with, nor do I have any interest in restricting anyone from celebrating however they choose.
That is unless, of course, they want to celebrate by trying to restrict how I can celebrate MY particular Holiday.
Then we begin to have problems.
If you want to wish me a "Merry Christmas", then "Merry Christmas."
If you have a problem with me wishing you a "Merry Christmas", then it's your problem. Deal with it.
Celebrate your particular Holiday in your own way, and I will do the same.
I don't want to force anyone to do or say anything that they are not comfortable with, nor do I have any interest in restricting anyone from celebrating however they choose.
That is unless, of course, they want to celebrate by trying to restrict how I can celebrate MY particular Holiday.
Then we begin to have problems.
Happy winter-festival-Hannukkah-Christmas-capitalist-freedom-with-an-appropriate-regulatory-structure season, Tug! :-)
Why should anyone make a big deal out of what Target does? They are trying to be sensitive to minority holidays, and get slammed. I'm with Tugboat Capn on this one.
If your gonna make a big deal about something, try fighting poverty, injustice, or immorality. I don't agree with a LOT of stuff FOTF does, but this seems to be a trivial waste of time and PR for any organization.
If your gonna make a big deal about something, try fighting poverty, injustice, or immorality. I don't agree with a LOT of stuff FOTF does, but this seems to be a trivial waste of time and PR for any organization.
Wal Mart says it's up to the greeter to say Christmas or Holiday. Since it is Christmas I'm going for, I won't spend money in any store that doen't say Christmas.
# posted by 
: 12:46 PM
: 12:46 PM
Chrismukkahwansa is the most logical thing to do here. The only problem is what preceeds it. Shall it be "Merry", "Tov", or "Mantunda ya". Maybe happy, that fits Christmas and Chanukkah, but Kwansa. OK, how about good.
Good Chrismukkawansa. However. Hanukwansmus fits better rather than Chrismukkawansa. So let's do Good Hanukwansmus.
What?
Ramadam?
Good Chrismukkawansa. However. Hanukwansmus fits better rather than Chrismukkawansa. So let's do Good Hanukwansmus.
What?
Ramadam?
# posted by : 12:48 PM
: 12:48 PM
I am not going to argue on this one. People who take offense by some company preferring the words, "happy Holidays" over the words, "Merry Christmas" apparently have too much time on their hands. It just isn't worth the cost of printing their handouts, in my opinion.
It makes more sense to be to boycott Target for not allowing bell ringers than saying Happy Holidays. Geeeeez.
I won't boycott Targwet for any reason except if their prices get too high.
It makes more sense to be to boycott Target for not allowing bell ringers than saying Happy Holidays. Geeeeez.
I won't boycott Targwet for any reason except if their prices get too high.
Hell, given the choice, I'll probably go there now on purpose because they are boycotting it.
# posted by : 1:18 PM
: 1:18 PM
What if you go shopping this time of year but it's expenditures not related to any holiday? Say I make a dash to Target or Wal-Mart for toilet paper and Pepto. What should I expect the cashier to say to me? And how do THEY know I'm not buying that stuff as a present?
I think it is the ultimate ego trip to expect any particular greeting from anyone working in retail. They're just trying to support their families too. And this is a stupid thing to get worked up about.
I gotta go. Shopping. Yeah.
I think it is the ultimate ego trip to expect any particular greeting from anyone working in retail. They're just trying to support their families too. And this is a stupid thing to get worked up about.
I gotta go. Shopping. Yeah.
Accepted, B.
Trixie, If you were buying TP and Pepto, I would tell you "Hope everything comes out okay..." were I the Cashier, no matter what time of year.
If you gave me TP and Pepto as a gift, I would think you were trying to offer a thinly veiled hint. (Like maybe I am full of something, which I may be...)
In any case, I would not be offended whether you told me"Merry Christmas", "Happy Kwanza", "Joyous Rahmadahn (sp?)", "Enjoy the Winter Solstice", or "Have a nice day."
Makes no difference to me...
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Trixie, If you were buying TP and Pepto, I would tell you "Hope everything comes out okay..." were I the Cashier, no matter what time of year.
If you gave me TP and Pepto as a gift, I would think you were trying to offer a thinly veiled hint. (Like maybe I am full of something, which I may be...)
In any case, I would not be offended whether you told me"Merry Christmas", "Happy Kwanza", "Joyous Rahmadahn (sp?)", "Enjoy the Winter Solstice", or "Have a nice day."
Makes no difference to me...
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