[RANT] I think that the current debate revolving “Holiday” and “Christmas” is such a waste of time and complete nonsense. Can we say diversion? Yes. I just did. I don’t care what you call your holiday but I respect it just the same. Are we such an intollerant society now? Isn’t the foundation of our society a melting pot of culture and influence?

The separation of Church and State is important to regard but many of us forget why. It isn’t to protect the governing powers… so we’re left with one other entity. That’s right. It’s meant to protect the Church. However, this doesn’t mean that religion can’t play a part in trying to influence politics. An example of this is the abortion issue and the Catholic Church. Do they condone it? No. Some churches went as far as to send their parishioners out if they voted for a politician that was Pro-Choice. This is a clear step by the Church into the realm of politics. While this example is somewhat abusive in nature, it shows that the Church is very well endowed to enter this realm and throw their power around. Yet, the point of the separation of Church and State is that our governing powers have no right to tell their subjects to recognize a religion. So, changing gears, this clearly answers the question of religious symbols on public property. It’s OK! Get over it. What should we call the tree in front of the White House? “The Tree”? or “The Christmas Tree”? I say - Leave it up to the man living in White House. The point of the matter is that Uncle Sam has no right to tell YOU what to call a tree that you put in your house, or even if you put one there or not. End of discussion. [/RANT]

[PS. RANT] Oh. And Bill O’Reilly really is a blubbering idiot on this one. Can we say hypocrite. Yes. I just did.[/PS. RANT]

Sorry all but I’ve just been letting that little rant build up all week. The following poem was not written by me but I think it’s good (and fun) example of what happens when powerful agencies (read: ACLU) get their grips on things that really hold no relevance in their goals. Don’t get me wrong… I appreciate a lot of work that the ACLU does, but a lot of their work gets overshadowed by them stepping up to plate on ridiculous cases and getting egg on everyone’s face. Oh man… another rant may ensue…

On a final note, this was purely written in the moment and I don’t care to go through it with a fine tooth comb. But, as always, I’m open to any and all challenging views. I love being convinced that I’m wrong. Just make sure to give me criteria, maybe a value, three or four unique adantages, and social impacts for each. Yup. That should do it.

The ACLU’d Version of Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before RamaHanaKwanzmas, when all through the living area

Not a living organism was stirring, not even a mouse, cat, dog, parrot, oh, none of them.

The foot coverings were hung somewhere in the living area with care,

In hopes that the appropriate holiday figure soon would be there.

The people of a certain age were nestled all snug in their sleeping areas,
While visions of whatever appeals to them moved about in their favorite way in their heads (or other parts of their body if that makes them feel better).

And my partner in their favorite sleeping attire, and I in mine,

Had just settled our brains for a long cold season’s resting period.

When outside the noise level increased,

I sprang from my sleeping area to see what caused it.

Away to the window I flew, walked, hopped, sashayed, moved in a way that is acceptable to me and those around me at a pace that would be considered non-offensive,
Tore open the window coverings and opened the window.
The moon on the breast (gasp!!!) top of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes perceptions, whatever they are, should be made known,
But a mode of transportation, and eight living organisms who wished to participate.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, person at the helm who could operate the appropriate mode of transportation effectively,
I knew in a moment it must be the appropriate holiday figure.

At an effective rate of speed they came,

And the figure made sure, through effective, private communication that each living organism was aware and actively participated in the opportunity they had to serve others as long as it wasn’t done in a mean spirited or unequal way.
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

(this role call has been deleted to preserve the privacy of those associated as it relates to HIPPA regulations – the very nature of “roll call” is considered highly offensive and there is currently a case pending that would end the practice of “roll call” all together).

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Please decide amongst yourselves what is the appropriate action, but might I suggest dashing so we can complete our mission tonight?
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane flew
when they meet with an obstacle, they call the ACLU!
So up to the house-top the organisms traveled,
With the mode of transportation full of RamaHanaKwanzmas-appropriate items, and the appropriate holiday figure, too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The mode of transportation stopping.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
The appropriate holiday figure entered our home with a bound.
S/He was dressed in non-offensive clothing that is appropriate for RamaHanaKwanzmas from his/her head to his/her foot,
And his/her clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot (duly noted for later litigation).

A bunch of RamaHanaKwanzmas appropriate items s/he had flung on his/her back,
And s/he looked like a peddler person, just opening his/her travel bag.
His/her eyes-how they twinkled! His/her dimples how merry!
His/her cheeks were like roses, his/her nose like a cherry!
His/her droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his/her chin was as white as the snow.*

The stump of a pipe s/he held tight in his/her teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his/her head like a wreath.
S/He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when s/he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

S/He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him/her, in spite of myself!
A wink of his/her eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

*Everyone should just figure out for themselves how the appropriate holiday figure looks – it is best not to discuss as you may offend them.

S/He spoke not a word, but went straight to his/her work,
And filled all the foot coverings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his/her finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, out of the home s/he rose!
S/He sprang to his/her mode of transportation, alerted the living organisms what the next planned steps were and encouraged everyone to act on them

And away they all moved like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him/her exclaim, as s/he moved out of sight,
“Happy RamaHanaKwanzmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

This entry was posted Saturday, December 10th, 2005 at 12:59 pm and is filed under General, Opinions, Outside the Box, Poetry. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.