So, I'm at my neighbor's Christmas party this past weekend.

[Squatch]

Let me lay it out for you...

We show up, they have a beautiful Christmas tree, a very intricate Christmas village display (I think it was Hummel or something like that), a large buffet spread with finger foods that kids can enjoy, the football game on in the garage, and cases of beer and other adult beverages. In short, these folks, who are just your average, every day Americans (probably earning less than $60,000) opened their home to their neighbors and friends. They even went so far as to hire a very authentic-looking Mr. and Mrs. Claus who entertained the children and gave out presents that the hosts bought for all the kids.

Sounds like the paramount gesture of goodwill in the holiday season, right?

I thought so, too, until I overheard one of the kids (mid teens) remark to her mother on a sign that hung over the foyer arch which read: "Seasons Greetings".

"Mom...look. There's another example of how they're taking Christmas away."

I was floored. I shook my head and lamented a true disease this Christmas has contracted. The Christian Right has successfully instilled a vein of close-mindedness and exclusiveness in their followers, and it's a shame.

It's really sad, you know?

[qnr]

1. Was the kid able to find his presents with those blinders on? n/t

[Squatch]

2. Of course. That's the important thing, you know?

[qnr]

3. Yeah, I was thinking that as I typed it :/ - what a world n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. That's insane.

I went to a neighborhood Christmas party this weekend, too. It was billed as a Christmas caroling party, and there was a Christmas tree and lots of food. One of the guests had a guitar, and we all sang Christmas carols, and people said Merry Christmas. The interesting thing is that these people were mostly old hippies and other assorted neighborhood lefties (my precinct went to Kucinich in the '04 primary). I guess we pinko commie lefty Enemies of the State are just enjoying the holiday, while the wingnuts are ruining their own Christmas by getting angry about what other people call it. Go figure.

[Mad_Dem_X]

5. "ruining their own Christmas" - you nailed it

They're just spoiling the holiday, for themselves and everyone else (or trying to). Such a shame; this is supposed to be a joyous time of year. It's the wingnuts who are trying to spoil it by inventing problems that aren't there.

Edit: spelling

[lukasahero]

6. If I understand this correctly

the people who put on this party had a sign hanging in their house that some kid didn't like the implied "meaning" of? I still think your neighbor's gesture "Sounds like the paramount gesture of goodwill in the holiday season." In fact, it's kind of nice to hear about. :)

[Squatch]

7. Yeah...Sometimes I am shocked at the level of ingratitude

expressed by some people.

[m_welby]

8. I went to a christmas gathering this past weekend and no one

there had even heard about the 'war on christams'. They don't watch the news often nor are any of them religious fanatics.
- just typical americans who don't pay attention. At least it works in our favor occasionally.

[skygazer]

9. It would be funny if there weren't so many of them

Sounds like a wonderful gathering and nice neighbors. I rather pity the poor fools who spend so much time worrying about what other people are doing that they can't enjoy themselves. How pathetic.