Christmas Traditions and Political Correctness Gone Awild

[DFW2T]

http://www.calgarhighlanders.com/2005events/xmas2005.htm

Here are some pics from ours - a WW II vet in attendance, nice to see.   And a new twist - the youngest private got to be CO for the night, but also the oldest corporal got to be RSM...

This is new????

Post script..................I didn't put the little yellow frowny face at the end of my comment there.  Gremlins or something.....

Cheers

 

[Pte_Martin]

Yes i know what you are talking about, I'm in a Highland Unit also and it's really expensive for the Kilts, Every pay statement we pay $3.00 for our Highland kit, This year we came in combats and had a big competition IE) Putting weapons together and our unit and CF History, in the afternoon we played Hockey thus we needed our PT kit and for supper we changed into our DEU Other than the look good Factor i don't like wearing the DEU they are tight fitting and with the Kilt it's a pain in the butt, plus you have to "try" to be careful and not get too much Alcohol or other things on them

 

[Michael Dorosh]

This is new????

Post script..................I didn't put the little yellow frowny face at the end of my comment there.  Gremlins or something.....

Cheers

Well, in 18 years we've never done it, and I've never belonged to another unit much less gone to their Christmas Dinner, so it was certainly new to us...

 

[a_majoor]

The city of Boston has decided that the evergreen tree which is erected and decorated on the Boston Common this year will be a "holiday tree".

http://www.cbc.ca/ns/story/ns-tree-boston20051123.html

Tell me:  Besdies Christmas, on what other holidays do we traditionally cut down, erect and decorate a fir tree to celebrate that holiday?

Lunacy!

I occured to me if we are really serious about this, then why not display a holiday Menorah, or celebrate a "Holiday Fast Month". (See how well that would go over...)

 

[Michael OLeary]

Lunacy!

Wait until the Holiday Hare leaves you chocolate next spring.

 

[3rd Herd]

Haven't been up on the board for awhile. Was busy planning and then cooking the local air cadets Christmas Mess Dinner. Myself and an xKings Infantryman fed 65 plus cadets and guests. It was nice to see a head table full of air force brass looking prim and proper, just for them we decorated their table with blue, maroon and gold table cloths. You can take the boy out of the PPCLI but you can't take the PPCLI out of the boy.

 

[Zartan]

I've found that all this PC nonsense is not the result of pressure from immigrant groups, but rather a caste of completely out of touch high class caucasians. Case in point - the muslim immigrants at the superstore switched to green and red head scarfs a few weeks back, and have been wearing them since. My non-christian buds don't give a shite what we do, they respect our beliefs, and we respect theirs. And that's all that matters, and that's exactly what PC folks just don't understand. To be PC, to try to be inclusive in the manner they go about, is exclusive and repressive in itself - hypocracy.

Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your Alberta Centennial Medal, Cpl. Dorosh - I was seated a few seats to your right! ;D

Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

[TCBF]

"but it is just an effort to be more inclusive."

But we ARE inclusive: all of our churches accept converts...

;D

Tom

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your Alberta Centennial Medal, Cpl. Dorosh - I was seated a few seats to your right! ;D

I hope you were the one that clapped! 

That was a pretty good Christmas Dinner as far as those go; the poor "CO" didn't get a proper briefing though, he didn't give a single order all night.  Ah, youth is wasted on the young...

 

[luck881]

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or the secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

In addition, please also accept my best wishes for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without the due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great (not to imply that this country is necessarily greater than any other country or area of choice), and without regard to race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual orientation of the wishers.

This is limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first. "Holiday" is not intended, nor shall it be considered, limited to the usual Judeo-Christian celebrations or observances, or to such activities of any of any organized or ad hoc religious community, group, individual or belief (or lack thereof).

Note: By accepting this greeting you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all. This greeting is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. This greeting implies no promise by the wisher actually to implement any of the wishes for the wisher her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may arise from the implementation or non implementation of it.

This greeting is void where prohibited by law.

:

Recceguy, That is classic, can I have your permission to use it in future??

 

[Zartan]

I hope you were the one that clapped! 

That was a pretty good Christmas Dinner as far as those go; the poor "CO" didn't get a proper briefing though, he didn't give a single order all night.  Ah, youth is wasted on the young...

Aye, I clapped, and the dinner was fantastic - I don't think anyone finished their servings, though, as far as I could tell, but one of the officers. The pipers were amazing, too. I hear you're a piper? Good times. Quite a start for my own military career.

 

[pbi]

I've found that all this PC nonsense is not the result of pressure from immigrant groups, but rather a caste of completely out of touch high class caucasians. Case in point - the muslim immigrants at the superstore switched to green and red head scarfs a few weeks back, and have been wearing them since. My non-christian buds don't give a shite what we do, they respect our beliefs, and we respect theirs. And that's all that matters, and that's exactly what PC folks just don't understand. To be PC, to try to be inclusive in the manner they go about, is exclusive and repressive in itself - hypocracy.

Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your Alberta Centennial Medal, Cpl. Dorosh - I was seated a few seats to your right! ;D

Merry Christmas everyone!!

This, IMHO, is it exactly. Most immigrants just want to work hard, fit in, and get a two car garage house in the suburbs with big screen TV. They celebrate their religious affiliations as freely (perhaps in some cases even more freely) than they did in their countries of origin. This whining comes from the same PC crowd (IMHO mostly white, upper middle class and liberal beyond the pale of reason) who wet themselves over the contents of children's schoolbooks that talk about the Rocky Mountains because that might disadvantage children who have never seen them.

I am a Christian (albeit not a very good one). When I put up Christmas lights that my non-Christian neighbours can see, or if I send out religious Christmas cards to people without bothering to find out their affiliation, or wish everybody "Merry Christmas", I do not mean to say "convert, you filthy heathen" or " In your face, non-Christian devil", or even "my Christmas is non-inclusive". What I mean is: Christmas celebrates somehing great, and stands for something good. I wish you all the same good feelings that I can hope to enjoy".  Nothing more, nothing less. If that offends people, that is their problem.

As far as I am concerned, nobody is getting hurt here. The PC crowd is trying to draw a connection between celebrating Christmas and reviving the Crusades.

Cheers

Merry Christmas

 

[George Wallace]

Just thinking on what pbi just said, I have come to the conclusion that this same "PC crowd (IMHO mostly white, upper middle class and liberal beyond the pale of reason) who wet themselves over the contents of children's schoolbooks that talk about the Rocky Mountains because that might disadvantage children who have never seen them" are totally wrong and Racists.  If they think that by doing what they advocate is going to reduce conflict and make us more harmonious in our society they are wrong.  The statement that pbi made: "I am a Christian (albeit not a very good one). When I put up Christmas lights that my non-Christian neighbours can see, or if I send out religious Christmas cards to people without bothering to find out their affiliation, or wish everybody "Merry Christmas", I do not mean to say "convert, you filthy heathen" or " In your face, non-Christian devil", or even "my Christmas is non-inclusive". What I mean is: Christmas celebrates somehing great, and stands for something good. I wish you all the same good feelings that I can hope to enjoy".  Nothing more, nothing less." is what the season is all about.  By exclusion, the PC crowd is promoting Racism. 

So.....


Merry Christmas, one and all!

 

[Haggis]

Wait until the Holiday Hare leaves you chocolate next spring.

If you ask me, the Holiday Hare goes great with cinnamon gravy and mashed potatoes.  ;D

Oh, and have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Office Christmas Party

December 1 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 1
RE: Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't Be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

December 2 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 2
RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. Happy now?

December 3 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a no drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads "AA
Only" you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?

December 7 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 2 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party the days are so short this time of year or else package everything for take-home in little foil swans. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Did I miss anything?

December 8 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party

So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth based Goddess worshipping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanism-drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???

December 9 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 9
RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister were intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a
tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?

December 10 Memo

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director
DATE: December 10
RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so
quaintly put it, and you'll get your freaking salad bar, including hydroponics tomatoes. But you know, they have feelings too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right
now!

December 14 Memo

FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanatorium.   In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.We hope that this change does not offend anyone.

 

[pbi]

Don't laugh--just try organizing an HQ Christmas party and pleasing everybody. Worse than being PMC...


Cheers

 

[Gramps]

As mentioned, many of the traditions that we associate with Christmas have less to do with Christianity, and more with paganism and commercialism: christmas tree, the iconic image of Santa which came from a Coca Cola advert. So, even though, as the saying goes: "Jesus is the reason for the season", one doesn't need to be a Christian to celebrate the other aspects that come part and parcel with the season: celebrating being with friends and family, goodwill to others, exchanging gifts, etc.

Al

As a side note, the image of Santa does not come from a Coke ad. Heres the link.
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp

 

[ZipperHead]

As a side note, the image of Santa does not come from a Coke ad. Heres the link.
http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp

Just goes to show that much of our "knowledge" on certain things is wrong. Can't believe everything you read (in print or on the 'Net).

Thanks for busting me, Grinch!!!!! 

Al

 

[Brad Sallows]

Here's the irony: there are people babbling in one voice that we should "celebrate diversity", by which I presume they mean me to partake in the rituals of those not-like-me, and in another voice babbling that I should not put my rituals on display for others to partake.

 

[Zartan]

My family was going about looking at other folk's Christmas Lights, and I noticed that my when we passed the homes of two Iranian friends, one had a Christmas tree in his living room, and the other had Christmas lights up. That is diversity. Let us celebrate culture, rather than repress it. Everyone wins.