Wal-Mart: We're not afraid to say Merry Christmas

[onehandle]

No. 1 retailer has decided to abandon its generic 'Happy Holidays' greeting in favor of 'Merry Christmas.'

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Wal-Mart has told its employees that it's OK to once again greet shoppers by saying "Merry Christmas" this holiday season instead of the generic "Happy Holidays."

CNN confirmed that Wal-Mart will announce Thursday that it plans to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" in products and around its stores this holiday season.

The announcement comes a year after religious groups such as The American Family Association and The Catholic League boycotted retailers including Wal-Mart last holiday season for excluding the word "Christmas" from products sold in stores.

"We, quite frankly, have learned a lesson from last year," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Linda Blakley told USA Today in a separate report. "We're not afraid to use the term 'Merry Christmas.' We'll use it early, and we'll use it often."

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/09/news/companies/walmart_christmas/index.htm?postversion=2006110909

Non-Christians not welcome at Wal-Mart. Got it.

[bluestateguy]

1. Uh, so what?

I hate Wal-Mart and haven't shopped there in 5 years, but they are a private company and can say whatever they want during the holidays.

[Cronus Protagonist]

27. It's a shot over the bow - we have to organize this years Attack on Christmas NOW!!

I'm series! This is HUGH!!

:evilgrin:

[triguy46]

48. I'm calling together our "scrooge" cell ASAP!

[peacefreak]

49. yur wright

if we dont were seriesly screwn.

[susanna]

103. "Screwn" is my new favorite word.

Wish I would have thought of it. ;-)

[torrentprime]

54. yes

And the original poster is typifying the stereotypical intolerant left by saying that a private store, offering a vaguely defined greeting, is un-welcoming to non-christians. Newsflash: Not only christians celebrate Christmas, and just because someone does offer you x_holiday greetings doesn't mean you're not welcome in the store if you don't share the feelings.

Why is this a big deal? If anything, it removes one more bullet from the "they're stealing christmas" whine coming from O'Reilly and the right.

[Toots]

71. Stereotypical intolerant left

Of all the absolute bullshit I have read here this has to top the list. It is because of tolerance that we wish to include all in the holidays, not just Christians. If anyone is intolerant it is the Christians who want to force America to worship at their alter. What is so terrible about an inclusive holiday season? Why not do you worshiping in your own church or home where you should instead of forcing it into the public realm. Remember it was Jesus that said (do not worship or prey in the street where all can witness but in your own closet or room. To worship in public is an act of the hypocrite) Those are Jesus' words and I think we all know how he felt about hypocrites....You think it is just fine to shove Christianity down everyone's throat, then I doubt you belong on these boards because that is not the prevailing attitude here.

[iverglas]

83. isn't it funny?

"Put the 'Christ' back in Christmas" must be just so last millennium.

Remember how some people used to complain about the commercialization of Christmas? Now they complain about the non-commercialization of Christmas ... it must be just danged hard for a poor retailer to keep up.

"Put the profits back in Christmas" must be the new Walmart watchword, I guess.

[Jade Fox]

98. The Right (having no ideas of their own) like to think that....

they can simply take Progressive ideas and reverse them, and it will make sense. It's the old "reverse-discrimination" argument hauled out whenever the dominant majority is in danger of having to become equals with the rest of the world.

[Judi Lynn]

111. Thank you for making those points. Faux Christians want to flaunt their

"holiness" in public, force everyone to defer to their dictates, while pretending the being they claim to worship approves, while we have been shown dramatically they couldn't be farther off course, sailing in the opposite direction from his teachings.

They would seem comical if they weren't so destructive. We all pay the price for their me-first attitudes, and unbelievable Philistine childishness.

[Kikosexy2]

55. but, but,but...

Bill Oh Really says there's a War on Christmas!!!...oh, that was soooo last year!

[iverglas]

82. gosh a'mighty

they are a private company and can say whatever they want during the holidays.

And everybody here, and anywhere else, can say whatever s/he wants about what they say.

Ain't it amazing?

Now that neither of us has contributed an iota of useful comment to the discussion, we can go back to sleep.

[jayctravis]

87. I'm going to start retorting "Joyous Ramadan!"

That or, "Thanks, I'm Jewish." Even though I'm not.

Does that get me sent to hell or something?

[Maeve]

94. "Happy Hanakah!" or "Have a wonderful Kwanzaa!" works, too

But then, so many of these greeters are just low-paid grandparents who can't make ends meet...sigh...

[Mad_Dem_X]

96. I agree

I haven't shopping there in ages. I couldn't care less how they greet people.

[thoughtanarchist]

2. A Minimum Wage hike, however, is terrifying. N/T

[lapfog_1]

34. employee health care makes them doo-doo

in their pants.

And they will be "held to account" on this. No more free rides on the backs of taxpayers.

[stepnw1f]

62. Shhhh... they Want to Believe Christmas is for the Customers ONLY!!! (nt)

[hedgehog]

3. Right, let's get Christmas back out of the homes and churches and

into the stores where it belongs!

[superconnected]

15. rofl... good one!

[Porcupine]

33. Christmas has something to do with Church? Do tell....... nt

.

[MGKrebs]

38. The context is "Christ-mas" as opposed to Happy Holidays.

So yes, celebrating the birth of the Christ has something to do with the church.

[susanna]

104. LOL. Well said! n/t

[bullimiami]

4. who ever told them to stop. use it all. merry xmas, happy holidays,

happy hannukah, seasons greetings, happy kwanza, blessed ramadan.

[MissMillie]

35. Yep!

I think saying "Happy Holidays" works best because then it works in the New Year... but hey... whatever floats your boat.

[trogdor]

5. And so it begins.

The annual War on Christmas has started, right on schedule.

[TommyO]

21. It's actually a little early this year

Fox News needs something to distract from their losses this week.

[knight_of_the_star]

59. Yeah

They will be busy licking their wounds and wallowing in self-pity, they need something to perk themselves up.

[liberalpress]

6. It's is good that they gave up...

... in the battle to steal Christmas. I stole it in 2004, it's in boxes in my garage, and since the repeal of habeus corpus I can keep it as long as I want any where I want.

The folks at Wal-MArt are such amateurs.

[mikeytherat]

19. Hey! I've still got some that stolen Christmas in boxes in my attic!

When are you gonna come and pick it up? If it's not out my house by Thanksgiving, I'm sending it all over to Goodwill and they can deal with it.

mikey_the_rat

[liberalpress]

85. S-H-H! ix-nay on the ocation-lay!

[Art_from_Ark]

67. You don't happen to live just north of Whoville, do you?

[TexasLawyer]

7. Merry Christmakwanzahah!!!

Y'all. Have a great war on Christmas.:sarcasm:

[Warpy]

It sounds like they're referring to decorative items

and that's OK. I hadn't realized such items had been banned there, but it's not my holiday so I admit I haven't bothered to go down the Xmas aisle.

I'm just glad I don't have to work on it any more so that all the Christians can do the family thing.

It's just a shame that admitting the rest of us exist causes them so much pain and makes them feel so persecuted.

[YankeyMCC]

8. Oh thank goodness

Finally a large corporation is joining the fight against the pervasive christian persecution in this country! :sarcasm:

[KyndCulture]

9. The dems won...

better watch out or we will declare war on christmas..

:evilgrin:

[yellowcanine]

10. Caving in to the talk radio fascist bullies. One more reason to not shop there.

As if I needed one more. The only reason TO shop there is to support their employees in rural areas where there are no other jobs.

[Swede]

11. Finally they do something right.

Now how about kicking up those wages?

[heliarc]

28. A pay hike would be great...

But they should pay people for the hours they work... That would be revolutionary for Wal-Mart. Then maybe their employees might be able to spend some time home for Kwanzaa, I mean Christmas.

[Vorta]

12. I love Christmas

I am an Epicopalian by birth, so a demon second only to a Catholic by evangelical standards. Of course I haven't been to church in years, but if I die before my mother does, there is little doubt that will be buried as an Episcopalian.

I love Christmas. Lights, decorations, holiday spirit, greetings, and music. I could live without the bell ringers, but consider the source and make allowances.

I have listened to the "War on Christmas" crap on conservative bulletin boards for as long as there have been bulletin boards. The problem is, I never see it. When I worked for (a major New York bank), their employees said 'Merry Christmas' if they wanted to, or nothing at all. If there is a war on Christmas, I haven't seen it. Here in Hooterville where we have more than our share of people whose religious beliefs run to crystals and drum circles, just about everyone says "Merry Christmas". But this is the South and we tend to be a little more laid back about some things. On the city lawn we have a big Christmas tree as well as tributes to Solstice, Kwanzaa, and Chanuka.

[neilepi]

14. Here are some very nice decorations which you won't find in Walmart

<http://www.cafepress.com/ralley/908183>

disclosure: they are mine.

[mikeytherat]

20. Those are really beautiful!

I'm going to order a few!

mikey_the_rat

[Bridget Burke]

26. Really lovely! I like the pre-Raphaelite flavor.

Definitely better than WalMart. Good prices, too!

Have you considered saints from The Other Island? One reason I'd love to visit Loughrea--home of my grandfather--is the Cathedral. Undistingushed from the outside, it was decorated in Celtic Revival style. (Coole Park was very close by.) There are hangings by the Yeats sisters & quite a bit of stained glass. Here's St Brendan:

http://www.stbrendanchurch.org/albums/displayimage.php?album=8&pos=11

[neilepi]

29. Off-topic: - Bridget, you have touched a nerve.............

......one of the greatest stained glass artists of the 20th century was Harry Clarke. In his short life, which tragically ended with his death in 1931 at age 41, he became probably the greatest Irish stained glass artists of all time. Even after his death his work was perpetuated by the craftsmen who continued to work in his style and use his designs for several decades.

I have seen relatively little of his and Clarke Studio's work "up close" but that which I have seen is beautiful, stunning and uniquely disctinctive. The windows have the richest, deepest colours imaginable and positively glisten and sparkle.

If, as and when means permit I have a serious ambition to research, photograph and publish a comprehensive study of the work of Clarke himself and the studio after his death. This ornament incorporates a photograph of a window by the studio:

<>

This detail is from one of the windows in the church in NJ:

<>

Other links:

StainedGlassPhotography my content site.

Ornaments on CafePress incorporating my stained glass images

[Maeve]

95. Lovely! and I note that the William Morris angels have celtic harps eom

[Ferret Annica]

75. Remember to honor life and the Goddess this Winter Solstice

What else the heck is a christmas besides a coopted pagan holiday? If a Christ existed, he or she was not born in December in all likelihood.

Some Christians are too angry, hateful, aggressive and militant; screw evangelicalism, proselytizing and put on the dog faux pious 'witnessing.' I have zero use for the brainwashing the christmas gambit involves.

[xxqqqzme]

47. your chosen hooterville sounds like fun.

[0007]

13. ....and I'm not afraid to say "Fuck You" Wal-Mart

[Sherman A1]

16. Agreed

[gratuitous]

17. Golly Wal-Mart's so brave

Caving to the prevailing culture of our society, courageously endorsing the dominant all-pervasive pseudo-religion of the zeitgeist. Wow, what an example!

I'll tell you what scares Wal-Mart right down to its silk shorts: A union card check campaign.

[denverbill]

18. Yea! Finally, someone with the guts to stick it to the Jews!

Is it OK if greeters tell non-Christians they are going to hell too? Maybe call Jews Christ-killers and offer them free Christmas hams? Finally, Christians are fighting back against thousands of years of persecution by Muslims, Jews, and atheists! </sarc>

[shanti]

22. bully for them!

good grief.

[regularguy]

23. Regularguy not afraid to say to Walmart :"Who gives a flying fuck?" NT

[Bridget Burke]

24. I thought the Harpies at Concerned Women For America would be crowing over this!

(Do Harpies crow?) After all, that highly influential Religious Right site has been bemoaning The War on Christmas (TM) since 2001. But I found nothing today.

However, wading through the crap (hey, that's why we Texans wear boots) I found something interesting:

CWA'S Crouse: Slight, but Significant Voter Changes 11/8/2006
By Janice Shaw Crouse, Ph.D.

In terms of how groups voted, there were slight, but very significant changes from 2002 to 2006 that spelled disaster for the GOP.

Washington, D.C. --- In a dramatic shift of allegiance, two voting blocs abandoned the Republican Party in yesterday's election. (1) Married Mothers and Married Men were decisive factors for the Republicans in 2000 and in 2004, but in the mid-term elections of 2006 they were as likely to vote Democratic as Republican. (2) Evangelical support of Republican candidates dropped from 74 percent in 2004 to 69 percent in 2006.

Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, Director and Senior Fellow of CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute, said, "Married Mothers and Married Men -- the M & Ms -- are very concerned about issues affecting their families, especially issues related to their children's well-being and future. Families had such high hopes when conservatives were in power; they ended up discouraged, disappointed and disillusioned." .....

"Finally," concluded Crouse, "pessimistic voters dominated this election. More than half of the voters (56 percent) said that the country is on the wrong track, nearly six in ten voters said that they disapprove of the way President Bush is handling his job (down from 2004), and 61 percent of voters disapprove of the Republican-controlled Congress."

www.cwfa.org/articles/11789/BLI/commentary/index.htm

Interesting....

[Samurai_Writer]

30. Married Mothers and Married Men ???

Why not married women and men? Why not simply married parents? Why must they always delegate females as MOTHERS? You mean no childless married women shifted from Republican to Democratic?

Blah, even in a thread on stupid Walmart, we find misogyny and sexism.

Edit to add: That's a generic 'you'... I know you personally aren't butchering the English language like this. :)

[Bridget Burke]

40. Consider the source: Concerned Women for America.

From People for the American Way:

Founded by Beverly LaHaye, wife of Religious Right activist Tim LaHaye, as a counter to the progressive National Organization of Women, Concerned Women for America (CWA) describes itself as “the nation's largest public policy women's organization.” CWA opposes gay rights, comprehensive sex education, drug and alcohol education, and feminism, while advocating what it calls “pro-life” and “pro-family” values.

Lots more here, if you've got a strong stomach: www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=22376

Despite the dreadful language you noted in the excerpt, that's one of the less insane pieces I've seen at that site. Which says more about CWFA than about the article.

[dmallind]

44. Don't think it's that way

There is a difference between married women and married mothers in demographics and in voter behavior. Once couples start a family, women frequently (not always - this is an aggregate statement not a universal one) become more conservative socially (for example more vehement about crime and public safety as well as pornography and adult themed TV etc) then they were as childless married women. Men, especially married ones, of course already are more conservative socially than women on the aggregate level so there is less of a difference between married men and married fathers than between married women and married mothers.

What the clip is saying is that married mothers shifted a little back to the left this cycle. I haven't seen the data but I would guess it is accurate. All in all it's just a separate demographic segment with different behavior, and therefore a perfectly valid distinction to make in a survey like this.

[One_Life_To_Give]

25. Either extreme is bad

We'll use it early, and we'll use it often

Excluding it sucks. But that does not mean everyone wants to hear it all the time. I don't usually say Merry Christmas to my Jewish friends. And I suspect the guy in the turban would probably appreciate some other reference once in a while as well. Why does it have to be one extreme or the other.

[zreosumgame]

31. uh, OK? not like them saying it or not

will change my mind about never buying anything at one.

[noonwitch]

32. Whatever happened to saying whatever greeting you feel like saying?

I worked retail-you change what you say each time to keep from being repetitive.

So, customer 1 gets "Merry Christmas", customer 2 gets "Happy Holidays", and maybe by 3 I'd be saying "Happy Hannakah" or "Merry Kwanza".

The only people who care about this are people who think that everyone should always kiss their butts over their religious preferences.

[dave29]

36. And I'm not afraid to pay a living wage

but whatever floats your boat, Wal-Mart

[Orsino]

37. They're only afraid of *actual* Merry Christmases. n/t

[iowa_democrat]

39. So they ARE afraid to say...

Happy Holidays! Big brave wally world.

[Dr Fate]

41. Not this crap again. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Who cares. n/t

n/t

[Whoa_Nelly]

42. Hey, Wal-Mart! How do you say that in Chinese?

or do you just get the Yen to speak for ya?

[tanyev]

43. Unspun: We are afraid NOT to use the term Merry Christmas.

Afraid of a fundie boycott.

[Parche]

45. say this

I am not afraid to say "I will never shop at Wal-Mart"

[54anickel]

46. Maybe because last year's war on Christmas was fabricated to begin with.

No longer needed.

[KamaAina]

50. KamaAina: I'm not afraid to say Wal-Mart Sucks

It's not just the caving to fundies. It's the offshore manufacturing, the part-time, no-benefits workforce, the locating stores 50 yards outside city limits to avoid taxes, and so on, and so on. Always. :puke:

[stormymonday]

51. Just so long as Bob Cratchit does not ask for any time off

[POAS]

52. But will they say "Feliz Navidad"?

[Lindacooks]

53. And I'm not afraid to boycott Wally World!

Never spent a dime there. Never will.

[hatrack]

56. "We're not afraid to boldly embrace the customs of 90% of our customers!"

How brave.

[Raine]

57. *sigh* "war" on Christmas again

talk about a non-issue.

[DrZeeLit]

65. Don't the rules say we can't start the War on Christmas until after

November 15?

I think so.
I think that was the original rule.
Unless somebody changed it.
Darn!
I hate when they change the rules.
I am sure that I must have been out of the country when they changed that rule about not putting out Christmas stuff until AFTER Halloween.
But I really think the Christmas War doesn't start until November 15.
Wal Mart -- always jumping the gun.

[Irreverend IX]

58. This just in:

Wal-Mart announced yesterday that small "Happy Hannukah" sections will be added to their predominantly "Merry Christmas"-themed store. Located in remote corners of the Supercenters, these sections will be more cramped and less tidy than other parts of the store, stocking matzoh crackers, gefilte fish and other "alternative" holiday treats. Frequent shoppers in the "Happy Hannukah" sections will be required to wear gold stars on their clothing at all times, and any "Happy Hannukah" kids caught speaking to Christian children will be ejected from the store.

"We support traditional family values here at Wal-Mart," said Linda Blakely. "We at Wal-Mart understand that some people follow different religions, and it's important that our children learn how to deal with that."

"Happy Hannukah" sections at some supercenters are already being outfitted with a unique rail transit system, referred to as "cattle cars" by some insiders, that rapidly speeds customers to the checkout line. Plans for an outdoor "Happy Kwanzaa Produce Plantation" have also reportedly been aired at Wal-Mart board meetings.

[Evergreen Emerald]

73. hehehehe

that was funny

[NotGivingUp]

60. merry christmas!

[DuaneBidoux]

61. Fantastic! And a Merry Christmas to you too!

[Iris]

63. Wow! Way to take a stand!

I wonder if they'll allow employees who want to say "Happy Holidays" instead.

[upi402]

64. had teapot, needed tempest. GO UNION!!!

:woohoo:
I'll have to go there for once and ask for a pentagram mat.
No?
Okay, how about Goat-on-a-rope?

No?
Okay, maybe just some ammo, a survival knife, and camp saw, and your biggest cooler.
















:eyes:

[daleo]

66. Do Wal-mart's workers in Chinese sweatshops get Christmas off?

Or does Wal-Mart care about that?

[radfringe]

68. said it before and I'll say it again

if an employee is required to say "Merry Christmas" or "have a nice day" or "thank-you for shopping at _____" it means nothing.

the operative word being REQUIRED

It's not a sincere expression of sentiment - it's a condition of employment.

Merry Christmas etc. means nothing if it's not freely expressed by anyone. It's just mouthing words.

this whole issue is stooooopid.

[onehandle]

70. Exactly. nt

[bling bling]

69. I'm finally offended.

I've never been offended about someone saying "Merry Christmas". I've never been offended by someone saying "Happy Holidays." In fact, I've always had pretty much an opposite reaction to being greeted by people wishing me well. It was just simply nice.

But this year I'm fully fed up and offended with the Americans who are so damn selfish they make this holiday a belligerant event for all of us complete with nasty e-mail chains about their particular persecution, rude pundits declaring that the war is on over a holiday, groups boycotting retailers over semantics, and ugly customers feigning insult and outrage over being greeted with "happy holidays" or whatever.

It's out of control.

Wake me up when all of these over-zealous-holiday-wording-enthusiasts grow up.

Until then, I'm just going to celebrate Christmas with my little immediate family and put the rest of the community on ignore. I'm not going to walk on eggshells about not offending someone with a well-intentioned greeting. That's ridiculous. So, I'm not wishing anybody a goddamn thing.

Happy Holi...errrr, Merry Chr,.....errrr, screw it.

[NoodleyAppendage]

72. And...we're NOT afraid to say...Let's go to Target!

Fuck'em. My money goes to Target or any other non-christofascist, buttlicking department store.

J

[Javaman]

74. And so it begins...

You know, some smart ad exec will make hay with the whole war on x-mas bullshit.

[Norquist Nemesis]

76. Wal-Mart sales targets have been down lately

Since Christmas shopping is typically something like 50% of annual sales for retailers, Wal-Mart must be seeing some really crappy numbers to come out with a headline like this.

[genieroze]

77. Good, another reason not to go there.

[depakid]

78. Here we go again...

I guess it would be too much to hope that the fundies have been duly chastised by recent events into keeping their mouthes shut.

[Tight_rope]

79. Walmart employees won't have to say it "MC" too much....

The American people are broke...can't even afford walmart....I certainly haven't been in there in months.

[Arugula Latte]

80. And I'm not afraid to shop at Costco. nt

[mbee]

81. Hey , no problem as I'll get my "holiday" items

over at COSCO!

[tabasco]

84. I'm volunteering for combat duty in the war on Christmas !!

The situation is clearly out of control !!

All able-bodied liberals TO THE FRONT !!

[HockeyMom]

86. What cured me of saying Merry Christmas to Total Strangers

on the street. This happened maybe about 40 years ago in NYC when I was a teenager. I was greeted with a frown and a, "Happy Hanukkah, to you". I was absolutely mortified. I then realized there are OTHER people in this world besides those in my own little cocoon (Catholic Girls School).

Happy Holidays, to one and all, whatever you celebrate, or not. Welcome to the HUMAN RACE.

[MrSlayer]

88. I'll never hear it anyway because I never shop there.

Fuck Wal-mart.

[HuffleClaw]

89. one more reason to NOT shop there

screw 'em for pandering to a vocal minority of BIGOTS

[onager]

90. For the record, many Egyptian Muslims celebrate Xmas

I spent the last holiday season in Alexandria, Egypt (I'm still here). Walking around the city, I saw Xmas trees and Santa Clauses in lots of store windows. Along with tinsel, angel hair, brightly wrapped gifts, and all the paraphernalia you see in American stores this time of year.

The difference seems to be that the Egyptians concentrate on the good parts of Xmas, like exchanging gifts. But they ignore the divisive, useless parts of the holiday, like the Jesus myth.

This may not last much longer. Those creeping Xmas celebrations in Egypt have predictably attracted the attention of Muslim religious kooks. They can't attack Jayzus too openly--after all, he's a major "prophet" in Islam. But some of them are already whining about Xmas being a distraction for good Muslims.

[gatorboy]

91. And yet, is afraid to tell these same Christians

That it just loves to do business with a country that forces abortions on mothers.


Helloooooo China! Wal-Mart loves ya! *smooch*

[Ayesha]

92. This calls for some South Park

(as sung by Mr. Garrison)
I heard there is no Christmas,
In the silly Middle East.
No trees, no snow, no Santa Claus.
They have different religious beliefs.

They believe in Muhammad,
And not in our holiday,
and so every December,
I go to the Middle East and say...

Hey there, mister Muslim!
Merry Fuckin' Christmas!
Put down that book the Koran,
and here's some holiday wishes..
In case you haven't noticed,
It's Jesus' birthday.
So get off your heathen Muslim ass,
And fuckin' celebrate.

There is no holiday season,
In India, I've heard.
They don't hang up their stockings,
And that is just absurd.

They never read a Christmas story.
They don't know what Rudolph is about.
And that is why every December,
I'll go to India and shout...

Hey there, mister Hinduist!
Merry Fuckin' Christmas!
Drink eggnog and eat some beef,
And pass it to the missus..
*Hindu music*
In case you haven't noticed,
It's Jesus' birthday.
So get off your heathen Hindu ass,
And fuckin' celebrate.

Now I've heard that in Japan,
Everyone just lives in sin.
They pray to several gods,
And put needles in their skin.

On December 25th,
All they do is eat a cake.
And that is why I go to Japan,
And walk around and say...

HEY THERE, mister Shintoist!
Merry Fuckin' Christmas!
God is gonna kick your ass,
You infidelic pagan scum!
*Japanese music*
In case you haven't noticed,
There's festive things to do.
So let's all rejoice for Jesus,
Merry Fuckin' Christmas, ta you.

On Christmas Day..
I travel around the world and say..
Daoists, Christians, Buddists,
and all you Atheists, too!
Merry Fuckin' Christma-aaaaas,
To yooo-oouuu!

[FreeStateDemocrat]

93. Called marketing, Wally World will call it anything you want if you come there to spend your money.

[gauguin57]

97. Happy Solstice, Wal-Mart.

Or Happy Festivus

[jmowreader]

99. I don't think it's going to matter anyway

I got an e-mail from Wildmon insisting that I boycott Wal-Mart this holiday season because they gave money to a Homosexual Group!!!

Oh, the horror!

Since we're discussing the War on Co-opted Pagan Holidays, last year MY employer decided to eliminate all religious Christmas decorations from the Christmas Decorations set and to eliminate all religious Christmas songs from our Muzak selection. This year we've got angels. Hopefully we'll have Jesus Christmas songs this year too--it's strange in the extreme to work the salesfloor for eight hours during the season leading up to the most important holiday on the Christian liturgical calendar and hear absolutely no religious music.

[GliderGuider]

100. I prefer my geetings seasoned with a little Solstice and Saturnalia - like this:

http://www.e-sheep.com/Saturnalia/01.html

One of my all-time Christmas favourites.

[Witchy_Dem]

101. *snort*

Right on.

[leesa]

102. Pathetic.

[donco6]

105. Well, why shouldn't they say "Merry Christmas?"

I mean, didn't they buy it about 10 years ago?

[PurityOfEssence]

106. Christians are just SO persecuted in this country

How dare people question their right to dominate and control everything.

There's very little as nauseating as the sniveling of the extremely powerful.

[w4rma]

107. As if that takes any courage. (It doesn't take any courage.) (nt)

[zann725]

108. It's not a matter of Christians/or not. It's the "spirit" of the season that was missing last yr.

at all the malls that boycotted not only "Merry Christmas," but the traditional "holiday" red/green...in favor of more "sterile" silver colors, and square(?) holiday wreaths (at one mall).

Now I'm NOT traditionally "religious," but Christmas IS the only holiday I ever celebrate/enjoy throughout the entire year. Not the baby-in-the-manger part, but the "spirit" of the holiday season, the gifts (in RED and GREEN, the caring from strangers, the great food and celebration. If others want to celebrate in different colors, or not at all, that's fine too. But no one has a right to take it all away from the many who've come to love it. Have your own celebrations, or not.

After all, not all of us celebrate Memorial Day or Father's Day, etc. But don't force a boycott on those holidays, or try to make them over in our image.

Let the joy of the season remain...for those who want and love it. Those who don't, ignore it...and just go see a movie, or window-shop.

[upi402]

109. The Waltons aren't chicken hawks I guess

Not afraid to say Merry Christmas!:wow:
These heroes deserves a shiny medal!
:patriot:








:sarcasm:

[Habibi]

110. Huh. Aren't most Wal-Marts *open* on Christmas?

What kind of "Merry Christmas" do the employees have?