Happy Holidays to all readers of Touch 'Em All.
Don't be offended. My declaration to you is not meant to exclude anyone or anything from your particular holiday.
If anything, it is to include everyone in this time of joy and happiness.
This season, more and more people are actually offended by that simple greeting. From the Christian Conservatives who are upset with the White House holiday card to simple interactions at your local mega-mart.
Those on one side cry because "Happy Holidays" takes Christ out of Christmas. What they fail to take into account are the number of holidays that occur at this time of year and the fact that not everyone celebrates Christmas -- and that it is likely Jesus was not born on Dec. 25.
Several sources indicate that the actual Christmas holiday is of pagan origin -- a celebration of the winter feast. A declaration by Pope Julius I in 350 A.D. that Christ's birth would be celebrated on Dec. 25 was done to be able to convert as many of the pagans to Christianity as possible -- since they wouldn't lose their winter holiday.
Indeed, many of the features associated with Christmas (exchanging of gifts, burning of the Yule log, decorating trees) were rooted in pagan festivals. "Back in the day," early Christians would appropriate many pagan holidays and convert them in an effort to stamp out their ancient traditions.
These days, there are other holidays that fall towards the end of the year -- the Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
And among Western cultures, Christmas itself has divided into two nearly separate holidays -- one to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and one to celebrate joy and happiness with Santa Claus. Is it commercialism or Christianity?
Why can't it be both and more?
There are those who say that political correctness has gone too far and fails to recognize their own individual beliefs about the holiday season. However, if I choose to say, "Happy Holidays" to you, am I not recognizing that your beliefs are just as important as mine and I recognize our individual differences?
Let us all celebrate the holiday season together and our own holidays individually. There is nothing wrong with coming together with our beliefs -- no matter how varied -- as long as we respect each other's beliefs -- whatever they may be.
And right now, I believe I will have another cup of hot chocolate.
Peace, love, joy and happiness to each and all of you. I think we can all agree on that.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Good News? Your Choice
There is a new Web site that is concentrating solely on producing "good news" and nothing else.
While this is an outstanding endeavor, it is hardly the first time that someone has concentrated on good news. Indeed, good news stories in this column have generated outstanding responses.
Back in the 1990s, a few television stations around the country heard the complaints about local news -- too much murder, too much crime, and too much bad news. They decided that they would not do those stories anymore and focus more on positive news and good news.
In the beginning, it appeared it was a good idea. People watched and the accolades came in.
As time wore on, the audiences dwindled and eventually got to the point where the newsrooms had to go back to reporting the old way. It was not without some hand wringing, but it had to be done.
"Good news" stories are a welcome break from the constant stream of death, mayhem and destruction. However, people don't want to be fed a steady diet of good news.
Good news is the distraction -- a cleansing of the information palate. But many of the stories that do well on my work Web site usually involve death, sex or controversy. It is what people want to read, while maintaining an air of superiority by insisting that stations produce too much "bad news."
That's the great thing about news on the Internet. If you click on a link to a headline, you chose to read that story.
So fill up on all the bad news you want. Just remember, you asked for it.
----------------------------------------------------
And while I'm on the news rant, can we please get some context in our stories? Recently, it was reported that a boy died from avian flu in China -- the first such death in the region. It was widely reported and led some news reports.
In the 2003-2004 flu season, the deaths of 93 children younger than 18 in the United States was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They died from traditional flu and not the dreaded avian flu that seems to get all the press.
All I'm asking for is context.
--------------------------------------
"Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances!"
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
While this is an outstanding endeavor, it is hardly the first time that someone has concentrated on good news. Indeed, good news stories in this column have generated outstanding responses.
Back in the 1990s, a few television stations around the country heard the complaints about local news -- too much murder, too much crime, and too much bad news. They decided that they would not do those stories anymore and focus more on positive news and good news.
In the beginning, it appeared it was a good idea. People watched and the accolades came in.
As time wore on, the audiences dwindled and eventually got to the point where the newsrooms had to go back to reporting the old way. It was not without some hand wringing, but it had to be done.
"Good news" stories are a welcome break from the constant stream of death, mayhem and destruction. However, people don't want to be fed a steady diet of good news.
Good news is the distraction -- a cleansing of the information palate. But many of the stories that do well on my work Web site usually involve death, sex or controversy. It is what people want to read, while maintaining an air of superiority by insisting that stations produce too much "bad news."
That's the great thing about news on the Internet. If you click on a link to a headline, you chose to read that story.
So fill up on all the bad news you want. Just remember, you asked for it.
----------------------------------------------------
And while I'm on the news rant, can we please get some context in our stories? Recently, it was reported that a boy died from avian flu in China -- the first such death in the region. It was widely reported and led some news reports.
In the 2003-2004 flu season, the deaths of 93 children younger than 18 in the United States was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They died from traditional flu and not the dreaded avian flu that seems to get all the press.
All I'm asking for is context.
--------------------------------------
"Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances!"
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Could You Repeat The Question?
Imagine working your way through a government questionnaire and coming across this question.
Are you a member of any foreign or domestic organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons which is totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or which has adopted, or shows a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny other persons their rights under the Constitution of the United States, or which seeks to alter the form of Government of the U.S. by unconstitutional means?
Ignoring the obvious run-on sentence, what is the point?
If I am a member of such a group, do they honestly believe I'm going to answer yes? Or by answering no, am I under suspicion that I am lying about my response?
And what if I answer yes? Do they believe I really am a member of such a group, or do they think I'm just being a smart aleck?
Either way, I somehow feel this is just another sheet of paper in my ever-growing file in a cabinet somewhere. I had a high school friend who applied for a job with the federal government and listed me as a reference many years ago.
While I was flattered that he thought that much of me, I was a bit concerned when, while at work, I was visited by two people who flashed badges and documents showing they worked for the FBI.
Over the next couple of hours, they asked me many questions about my friend, our relationship, and what I thought he would do in the future. I guess I was supposed to psychoanalyze him, but our friendship didn't work that way.
We hung out, played in the band, enjoyed video games and lived about 3 miles from each other. Was I qualified to determine his future in the government? Could I somehow tip off the FBI that he was a subversive who was destined to become one of those people who answers 'yes' to the question?
In this age of high security and high alarm, is it even necessary to ask the question at all? Either answer probably gets your investigated.
And so does this column.
"Is this some sort of funhouse, Wonka?" "Why? Are you having fun?"
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
Are you a member of any foreign or domestic organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons which is totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or which has adopted, or shows a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny other persons their rights under the Constitution of the United States, or which seeks to alter the form of Government of the U.S. by unconstitutional means?
Ignoring the obvious run-on sentence, what is the point?
If I am a member of such a group, do they honestly believe I'm going to answer yes? Or by answering no, am I under suspicion that I am lying about my response?
And what if I answer yes? Do they believe I really am a member of such a group, or do they think I'm just being a smart aleck?
Either way, I somehow feel this is just another sheet of paper in my ever-growing file in a cabinet somewhere. I had a high school friend who applied for a job with the federal government and listed me as a reference many years ago.
While I was flattered that he thought that much of me, I was a bit concerned when, while at work, I was visited by two people who flashed badges and documents showing they worked for the FBI.
Over the next couple of hours, they asked me many questions about my friend, our relationship, and what I thought he would do in the future. I guess I was supposed to psychoanalyze him, but our friendship didn't work that way.
We hung out, played in the band, enjoyed video games and lived about 3 miles from each other. Was I qualified to determine his future in the government? Could I somehow tip off the FBI that he was a subversive who was destined to become one of those people who answers 'yes' to the question?
In this age of high security and high alarm, is it even necessary to ask the question at all? Either answer probably gets your investigated.
And so does this column.
"Is this some sort of funhouse, Wonka?" "Why? Are you having fun?"
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Wallets, Wars and Wonder
The holiday season tends to wear on people's nerves and their wallets.
I have vowed not to enter any store or mall to purchase Christmas gifts. Everything will be done online or via magazines.
The hassle of parking, the hostility of angry shoppers and the uncertainty of actually finding what I want/need fuels my boycott. I've come close in previous years, but this will be the season for 100% compliance.
I'm not going and you can't make me. Besides, think of the money I'm saving.
________________________________________________
Speaking of money, I heard a report this week that the United States is now spending $5 billion a month on the war in Iraq. Yes, that is billion with a B.
And that doesn't even take into account the untold costs in human life.
I'm not getting into whether we belong there or not, but I am going to get into the wisdom of spending that much money on a conflict that appears to have no end in the very near future. Some experts said the U.S. may be needed in Iraq for another 5 to 10 years and the final bill could reach $1 trillion.
Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." It is also apparently requires very deep pockets.
________________________________________________
The television station I work at recently did a story about how a local volunteer fire department was in need of financial help and how the "Katrina Effect" had dampened the giving efforts.
Now, I have read how other fire departments want to know why they weren't highlighted because they need money too.
Forgive me if I'm missing something, but this sounds just a tad like envy. Since there are many volunteer fire companies around the state (and probably all in need of donations), does that mean we need to do a story about each one?
Or perhaps we should just ignore the story all together since we can't do a story on them all?
Or perhaps people should be donating to their local volunteer fire departments without us doing any story at all because these are the guys that will be coming to your house at 1 a.m. to rescue you and your loved ones -- and they do it because of their large hearts and dedication.
Don't forget these guys and gals in your annual gift giving. They'll be there when you need them.
________________________________________________
Snow is in the forecast. Let the hoarding of milk, bread and toilet paper begin. And please shovel and salt your walkways in front of your homes. Just because it "isn't my job" doesn't mean you can't help out. Remember, the back you save may just be your own.
"So you fell in a vat of acid, got your skin bleached, and decided to become a super-villain. What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown?" -- Batman
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
I have vowed not to enter any store or mall to purchase Christmas gifts. Everything will be done online or via magazines.
The hassle of parking, the hostility of angry shoppers and the uncertainty of actually finding what I want/need fuels my boycott. I've come close in previous years, but this will be the season for 100% compliance.
I'm not going and you can't make me. Besides, think of the money I'm saving.
________________________________________________
Speaking of money, I heard a report this week that the United States is now spending $5 billion a month on the war in Iraq. Yes, that is billion with a B.
And that doesn't even take into account the untold costs in human life.
I'm not getting into whether we belong there or not, but I am going to get into the wisdom of spending that much money on a conflict that appears to have no end in the very near future. Some experts said the U.S. may be needed in Iraq for another 5 to 10 years and the final bill could reach $1 trillion.
Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." It is also apparently requires very deep pockets.
________________________________________________
The television station I work at recently did a story about how a local volunteer fire department was in need of financial help and how the "Katrina Effect" had dampened the giving efforts.
Now, I have read how other fire departments want to know why they weren't highlighted because they need money too.
Forgive me if I'm missing something, but this sounds just a tad like envy. Since there are many volunteer fire companies around the state (and probably all in need of donations), does that mean we need to do a story about each one?
Or perhaps we should just ignore the story all together since we can't do a story on them all?
Or perhaps people should be donating to their local volunteer fire departments without us doing any story at all because these are the guys that will be coming to your house at 1 a.m. to rescue you and your loved ones -- and they do it because of their large hearts and dedication.
Don't forget these guys and gals in your annual gift giving. They'll be there when you need them.
________________________________________________
Snow is in the forecast. Let the hoarding of milk, bread and toilet paper begin. And please shovel and salt your walkways in front of your homes. Just because it "isn't my job" doesn't mean you can't help out. Remember, the back you save may just be your own.
"So you fell in a vat of acid, got your skin bleached, and decided to become a super-villain. What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown?" -- Batman
Touch 'em all with me, whether you agree with me or criticize me. I like the way you think! Tell me your opinion. Add a comment below and tell me what you think or write to me if you want to join the ever-growing e-mail list to have my column delivered right to your inbox.
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