O’Reilly throws down the gauntlet in the War on Christmas.
By on Nov 7th, 2008 at 9:47 am
O’Reilly throws down the gauntlet in the War on Christmas.
No time of the year is more merry for Bill O’Reilly than the “Christmas season,” because he can then go to war with his nemeses, the so-called “secular progressives.” Last year, he kicked off the season on Nov. 9, with a story on a decision by the Fort Collins, Colorado City Council to forgo traditional Christmas decorations. Though he hasn’t found his first outrage of the year yet, he’s getting ready. For the past two nights, O’Reilly has been offering bumper stickers reading “We Say Merry Christmas” to anyone who orders his book off his website:
This year, O’Reilly is also evidently acknowledging Hanukkah, telling his viewers last night that his website has plenty of merchandise for the “Christmas and Hanukah season.”
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
118 Responses to “O’Reilly throws down the gauntlet in the War on Christmas.”
View Most Popular
Advertisement
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Boehner
Bush
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Corporate Ethics
DADT
Economy
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
Gingrich
Global Warming
Graham
Guantanamo
Hannity
Health Care
International Relations
Iran
Iraq
Justice
LGBT
Limbaugh
Liz Cheney
McCain
Media
Military
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Pelosi
Race
Radical Right
Religion
Rove
Sanford
Sotomayor
Steele
Supreme Court
Terrorism
ThinkProgress
Tiller
Torture
Women's Rights
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
Reports
In-depth studies on select topics
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
ArchivesBlog Roll
And a very happy Diwali to you, BillO!
November 7th, 2008 at 9:49 amWHO CARES ???
November 7th, 2008 at 9:49 amI thought that BillO hated the French, but then I noticed the the Fleur-de-lis flanking his bumper sticker message. What a hypocrite.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:56 amIs it that time already? My, how the year just flies by.
It just wouldn't be Christmas without Bill-o fighting a battle that doesn't exist.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:57 amIt's the only kind of battle BillO can fight, and even hope to win...
Well, mebbe that and the war on tooth decay...
November 7th, 2008 at 9:59 amI'm afraid with the economy the way it is, I'm going to have to cut back on my War-on-Christmas shopping this year.
November 7th, 2008 at 9:59 amYES! My sarcastic, smart ass attitude gets to come early this year!
Can't wait to get the zombified Fox Viewers in a flippin' tizzy (including my mom), when I start wishing everyone a happy holiday or holidays.
What is a riot, is when I observe their hypertension increase dramatically as I won't reveal which holiday(s) I'm referring to.
Fun, fun, fun!
Seriously, as a progressive Christian, it don't get better than this!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:00 amBildo should really do a Christmas special! One of those Perry Como/Bing Crosby type things, you know... fake fire, loofahs hung on the mantelpiece, Bill in a Christmas sweater, shouting.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:01 amWHAT'S UP WITH THE TWO FLEUR-DE-LYS?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 amI say, "Mister, can you spare a dime?"
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 amBusinesses look for Christmas as their best selling season.
Sales represent over 30% of all year's sale.
O'Reilly thinks that his FOX lies has a cycle too, it should go up during Christmas season by a healthy margin. !!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 amWe say....President Barack HUSSEIN Obama!!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:03 amThe war waged by Republicans on the pocket books of the middle class will upstage O'Reilly's phony war on Christmas schtick.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:04 amDr. Hussein Matt Says:
We say….President Barack HUSSEIN Obama!!!!
Don't forget to add Chief of Staff Rahm Israel Emmanuel!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:07 amO'Reilly: One of those people who don't get the concept.
Thanks to jerks like this my family Christmas gatherings are even more stressed than they are anyway, with the conservatives demanding we all say "Merry Christmas."
November 7th, 2008 at 10:07 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
I'd say from the looks of him these days, BillO's has already lost the Battle of the Bulge.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:08 amI noticed that too. Since when does a fleur-de-lis represent anything Christmasy?
There's nothing religious in that design at all. No cross, No star of Bethlehem, no shepherds, no wise men.
Just weird.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:09 amrastaman Says:
WHAT’S UP WITH THE TWO FLEUR-DE-LYS?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
_______
Guess he surrendered his War on the French to fight the War on Christmas.
What a cut-and-runner.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:09 amHaaa-hahaha!
That's got to be the UGLIEST sticker ever!!!!!!
Surely designed by falafel-boy himself.
H I L A R I O U S !!!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:10 amtarazan: Businesses look for Christmas as their best selling season.
Sales represent over 30% of all year’s sale.
O’Reilly thinks that his FOX lies has a cycle too, it should go up during Christmas season by a healthy margin. !!
Which presents Billdo with a dilemma:
November 7th, 2008 at 10:11 amIf sales are flat or worse, should he claim victory for his inevitable boycotts (no doubt citing a 'report' from the 'Paris Business Review' again), or should he blame Obama's 'socialist' policies ( which won't have taken affect yet of course)?
"We say Merry Christmas"... BUT, we don't mean it!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:12 amegO'Rielly is a JOKE. His basic point every year is either you say the things I want you to say and celebrate in the way I DECIDE is appropriate or you are attacking ME and Christmas. The man is plain looney tunes
November 7th, 2008 at 10:14 amOh goodie. I love this. How this goofball has made a career out of whining about people saying Happy Holidays just makes me giggle. Still I am perplexed as to why he cares so little about that whole pagan fertility bunny thing...
November 7th, 2008 at 10:16 amHAHAHA what a complete fool! It just shows you how much he doesnt understand about the world around him. Someone should tell him about the french flowers! His head would explode after he fires the intern that put that together. I hope they printed thousands!
FWIW its also the syymbol of my favorite city in the world, florence!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:16 amShorter Billo: My ratings!! My ratings!!! Arrrgggghhhhhhh!!!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 amuh, billo... that ornament... did you know?
Fleur-de-lis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 amWhile the fleur-de-lis has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur-de-lis
just sayin'
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 amFor Republicans, nothing says "Christmas" more than "war".
November 7th, 2008 at 10:19 amI always thought of "Merry Christmas" as a pleasant greeting, used in celebration of a holiday marking the arrival of one who stood for peace and goodwill to all mankind.
Yet Bill O'Reilly wants to pervert this greeting normally expressed with joy into a battle cry to be expressed with hostility. Something seems to be terribly wrong with this picture.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:23 amAnd a Happy Kwanzaa and a Joyeous Holiday Season to Bill O'Reilly, too!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:23 amIf BillO throws a war and no one shows up... would anyone care?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:25 amPerhaps the best way to "defeat" The Culture Warrior on this issue is to ignore him. I mean what Christian should really ever seek to turn Christmas into a battleground. He has no idea what the day is about himself and is best left to his paranoid delusions.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 amI wonder if Bill knows that the expression "Happy Holidays" (or even "Season's Greetings") came about not as an all-purpose greeting for holidays of all religions, but as a greeting to cover BOTH Christmas and New Year's Day.
There is absolutely nothing non-Christian about the greeting.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:27 amCan't he afford a graphic artist?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:27 amand why is that sticker ORANGE?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:27 amHappy Holidays, EVERYONE!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:28 amHappy Diwali, Daryll.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:29 amBill is a non-entity and just hasn't figured it out yet. Go get a life Bill.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:29 amHi nude Daryll. Doesn't that whole tree thing piss you off and what it the infatuation with poisonous plants this time of year?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 amRaptureReady Says:
Also, Kwanza is a sham.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
______
So is your corrupt version of Christianity.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 amSuch a vivd reminder of the message of Jesus Christ -- shopping bags in the closet. That is a truly beautiful sentiment, Daryll.
And if I were you, given your well-known virulent opposition to all things gay, I'd stay away from mentioning things "in the closet".
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 amHAPPY HOLIDAYS Parodyll the Failure!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:30 amRaptureReady Says:
Also, Kwanza is a sham.
___________
You made a mistake there, L'il Feller...
Didn't you really mean to say... also, Kwanza is real but "I" am a sham...
There, fixed it for ya...
November 7th, 2008 at 10:31 amRaptureReady Says
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
It’s the time of the year (I know this is true because of the many shopping bags in our closet). It is time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Sinners can give the best gift to the Lord by following Acts 2:38 and continuing to follow his principles. Also, Kwanza is a sham.
_________________________________________________________
Lemme get this straight. Your indicator of the approaching of the holiday marking the arrival of the Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God, who spent His time on earth concerned about the salvation of man, who placed importance not on acquiring treasure here on earth but acquiring it in heaven -- THAT Jesus Christ -- is the number of SHOPPING BAGS IN YOUR CLOSET????
Oh, and if you don't like Kwanzaa, you're not obligated to observe it, you know.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:31 amWonder what he'll pick next. . .this "war" is a non issue.... Billo, the Christian right doesn't control America any long. . . get used to it.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:32 amAct 2:38
"Repent, and be Baptized, in the name of Jesus!"
And nothing says repentance like hording all your money to go shopping, eh Parodyll the Failure.
You're posts are getting stale.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:37 amHey. I know. Let's talk about president elect Huck-a-buck, and your forgiveness of Senator Craig's rendez-vous in a mens restroom.
Hey cRaptureReady, if you have any cajones, I challenge you to answer my question in the ThinkFast thread.
I anxiously await your non response.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:40 amLook, DRxJ, if we're gonna have Daryll stick around to play Whack-A Troll™ with us, we can't keep throwing "President-elect Huckabee" in his face. It seems to chase him off.
He seems fine with mentions of "Shaking the devil off", however.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:41 amIt's the "We Say" part that's important. If BillO doesn't have a "them" to excoriate to his "us", he has no idea what to talk about.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:43 amIn honor of Christmas, this year I'm going to nail a skinny hippie to some lumber outside my house. And hang lights on him.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:44 amJesus Hussein Christ! Is it that time already? I had better get the Nativity scene out of the attic and get it set up. What do you think Daryll? Shall I have the three wise men tag teaming Mother Mary while Joseph services the donkey? I want to do my part to celebrate the myth.
I do so love Xmas!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:44 ammissmolly says:
"...THAT Jesus Christ — is the number of SHOPPING BAGS IN YOUR CLOSET????"
And on Christmas morning drywall will come out of the closet. It makes perfect sense.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:46 amAnd a Happy Holiday to RaptureReady. May there be Peace on Earth.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:49 amIrrelevant Bill-o desperately seeks a way in which to justify his existence.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:50 amHow entertaining!
Pretty soon the War on Christmas™ will start July 5th.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:52 amDaryll is a braggart, and commits the sin of pride.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:54 amBill O . . . astoundingly irrelevant.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:54 amIsn't it fascinating how, even in his most spirited defense of Daryll's concept of Christmas, rampant consumerism not only leads it off but is by far the most detailed part of his argument?
So, Daryll, aren't ALL of us technically sinners, including you? Why do you talk as if you're not one of us?
Are you judging others, Daryll?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:55 amWhy not? After all, "Labor Day" is a leftist communist tradition that rips at the roots of a Christian nation, promoted by S-P forces as a way to unrepentantly "spread the wealth".
November 7th, 2008 at 10:57 amBah! Humbug! None of this "Merry Christmas" stuff before Thanksgiving, or it's off to the stocks with ye!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:59 amrmwarnick Says:
Bah! Humbug! None of this “Merry Christmas” stuff before Thanksgiving, or it’s off to the stocks with ye!
Oh Nose! Not the Stocks!!! They're not doing so well right now as an investment tool. I'd advise Bonds at this time. :)
November 7th, 2008 at 11:06 amRR: Isn't your wife a christian? Doesn't she believe in the bible, which says she exists to serve you? Did she not vow to love, honor, and OBEY you? Why, then, is she commercializing the celebration of your savior? Reducing what is a holy day of hope and peace into a great, lengthy worship of mammon (note: christmas lasts one day, but the worship of merchandice begins earlier and earlier every year. How many days until christmas? All that time to pray to the great golden bull). Nice bragging on the stores your wife shops at.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:08 amYes, Bill can tell all those great Christmas stories. Our economy should create lots of Matchstick Girls this winter.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:10 amKaty above is right on; not only is the Fleur-de-Lys a symbol of the French Monarchy, it's also the emblem of the Prince of Wales.
While we're at it, both Santa and Christ were foreigners! Wouldn't Santa be on some terrorist watch list, flying willy-nilly all over the place? And what about Jesus? Wasn't he an antiwar activist who didn't, in fact, celebrate Christmas? Billo, please explain!
November 7th, 2008 at 11:11 amI thought Christmas was about the birth of Santa...
November 7th, 2008 at 11:12 amParodyll the Failure is trying to impress us with his wealth and his materials.
I give you MARK 10:24-25
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is[a] to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Uh oh. Another hypocrisy from cRaptureReady.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:13 amSometimes, it really is too easy.
I swear, some days I think that Parodyll the Failure is real (because, believe me, there are Parodyll's out there).
Then there are other days, when his posts are so hypocritical and so numbingly stupid, that I feel he's a plant to get plenty of responses on a particular thread.
Today, I think it's the latter.
But, one good thing, is when he does post, it always makes me look and feel more intelligent.
So to that, I say thanks, Parodyll the Failure, for stroking my ego!
And Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Well done, LiberyLover, well done.
/polite golf clap
November 7th, 2008 at 11:13 amSorry, typo. It's "LivertyLover". My bad.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:13 amAs reluctant as I am, I've Got to jump in on this one. Joshua Bar Joseph, otherwise known as Jesus Christ, wasn't born on Christmas. Remember that lambs were being born at the same time as he was? Well lambs are born in the spring, not the dead of winter. Christmas was/is Yule, a central feast in Celtic/non-Christina mythology. The early Christian church co-opted the feast to maximize converts. If BillO wants to get technical, then he should declare a war On Christmas to Bring Back Yule! That way he can help restore ancient traditions that were wrongfully surpressed centuries ago. Bring Back Yule! Springtime for Christmas! More holidays for Everybody!
November 7th, 2008 at 11:17 amstateofthedivision Says:
Our economy should create lots of Matchstick Girls this winter.
That is so true, and intensely sad.
Glad to hear that the good conservative christians will be doing their part to help out the homeless: not, of course, by doing anything that resembles "socialism" (ooohhhh... scaaaarrrryyyy word), but by spending their money at stores for gifts that are not needed (sometimes not even wanted).
Jesus must be SO proud. Good thing these people (like RR) don't actually READ what that Jesus fellow said, or they'd find themselves to be in pretty sad shape.
Remeber, RR (and your ilk): what the bible says is open entirely to YOUR interpretation: it is not objective at all; it is entirely subjective. Modern christianity has a stranglehold on moral relativism, while at the exact same time denouncing it.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:17 amIsn't this is a little early in the holiday season for O'Reilly to be starting this stuff?
O'Reilly redefines the meaning of "The Christmas Creep".
November 7th, 2008 at 11:21 amOjj et al.
Perhaps BillO thinks that the Fleur de lis is the Candlelabra put up at Hanukkah ? / snark
Or is he one of those so-called Christians that insists on the trappings of his childhood but without any knowledge of Christianity ?
November 7th, 2008 at 11:30 amDoesn't seem like the War on Christmas starts earlier every year? I think next year we should start the War on Christmas in October so it interferes with the War on Halloween.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:38 amI am really mad about the War on Saturnalia. Nobody ever wishes me a Merry Saturnalia.
Saturnalia
November 7th, 2008 at 11:46 amDecember 17-23. The festival of Saturn celebrated in ancient Rome, at the end of the vintage and harvesting, with feasting and unrestrained merrymaking. It honored Saturn, the god of agriculture. Observance included exchanging presents and offering sacrifices. Masters served their slaves as a token of the equality of rank and the lack of class distinctions during the golden age (which was supposedly ruled over by Saturn). Many Christian customs are derived from this festival
I don't even get this.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:49 amI am not kidding this really is my favorite nonissue. I look forward to it each year...
November 7th, 2008 at 11:59 amYeah, but before you know it, the War on Christmas is over for another year.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:05 pmOn the scale from sacred to profane, what can one say about a man who makes war on the words: "Happy Holy Days"?
November 7th, 2008 at 12:08 pmShoeless, I would like to wish you a Happy Saturnalia! I didn't realize anyone still celebrated it in it's true form.
And To all who know that The Winter Solstice is really the pagan reason for the Season (since those who actually know their Bible will acknowledge that the Birth of Christ happened in the Spring -- or more arguably the Early Summer), may your winter days be long...
As for me, I celebrate Christmas as a yearly renewal of a commitment to Peace on Earth, which Jesus is supposed to represent by his moniker of the "Prince of Peace"
So, on that note: Peace be with you.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pmMother of all pinheads. 'Nuff said.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:13 pmRaptureReady Says:
November 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pmKwanza is a sham.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am Add Karma Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
I've been away for awhile. "RAPTURE READY??" ARE YOU SERIOUS??
This is the moniker you've chosen? ROTFLMFAO! So, the Kingdom of Heaven is open to those whose pride, arrogance and self-righteousness are even too big for a moving van? You guys are precious, just precious. Keep writing from the wilderness, whoever you are.
Aren't the two symbols part of French royalty's trappings? Seems odd to declare his Frenchness without discussing it with Jesus' General first? To just come out of the closet so suddenly?
November 7th, 2008 at 12:30 pmThe thing that really confuses me is that if Daryll is so Rapture Ready, why is he buying shit to put in the closet? I thought he had told me that you go up cold, naked, and snackless. Sounds like he isn't expecting the party that nevers happens afterall...
November 7th, 2008 at 12:32 pmAbu Ben Hussein Leporello Says:
As reluctant as I am, I’ve Got to jump in on this one. Joshua Bar Joseph, otherwise known as Jesus Christ, wasn’t born on Christmas. Remember that lambs were being born at the same time as he was? Well lambs are born in the spring, not the dead of winter.
.
.
.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Where do you get the idea that lambs were being born at the time of Jesus' birth?
Is this in the Bible?
Or, did you get this idea from a nativity scene?
November 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pmHooray! Now that that stupid election stuff is over, we can finally get back to the really important stuff!!
Happy Holidays, Mr. O'Really.
November 7th, 2008 at 12:59 pmisn't this thread a little out of bltblt's area of expertise? I mean, after all, it doesn't have anything to do with what Jesus had to say about gays. Maybe bitblt is contractually obligated to follow Daryll on every thread he posts on?
And dbadass, I totally agree. War-on-Christmas Season is my favorite time of year. I can't wait for the "It's a Charlie Brown War-on-Christmas".
November 7th, 2008 at 1:00 pmhow many intellectual giants do you think will display these fleur-de-lis next to BillO's boycott france bumper sticker?
(on sale for half price! It appears even Mr. Bill is in a sales slump right now.)
November 7th, 2008 at 1:24 pmWhy offer it to anyone who buys his book? Why not just give it away? After all, it is Christmas isn't it?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:10 pm90. Ralph the wonder llama -
Fortunately, even if Schultz were still alive, he would have more class than to make that TV special. ;-)
And may I add, The Fleur has 8 points. A Hanukkah Menorrah has 8 points. So what's the problem ?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:11 pm______
katy Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
uh, billo… that ornament… did you know?
Fleur-de-lis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
While the fleur-de-lis has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur-de-lis
November 7th, 2008 at 10:18 am
______
Of course, you might have included, from the same article:
"As a religious symbol it may represent the Trinity, or be an iconographic attribute of the archangel Gabriel, notably in representations of the Annunciation.[2] In such contexts, it is associated with the Virgin Mary.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pmOf course. That's probably the meaning Bildo meant to impart. It being such a standardized form of Christian iconography in this nation and all. Most people see a Fleur-de-lis and think "archangel Gabriel", and not the New Orleans Saints. And from "archangel Gabriel" it's a direct jump to "Christmas".
November 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm______
ralph the wonder llama Says:
Of course. That’s probably the meaning Bildo meant to impart. It being such a standardized form of Christian iconography in this nation and all. Most people see a Fleur-de-lis and think “archangel Gabriel”, and not the New Orleans Saints. And from “archangel Gabriel” it’s a direct jump to “Christmas”.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
______
I'm not sure what most people think when they see it. Being a Christian, I recognize that it is used as a religious symbol. Football fans may think of the "Saints". Nothing religious there. Did you miss the reference to the Trinity and the Virgin Mary in the quote? And a connection between Gabriel and Jesus? Ridiculous! ;)
November 7th, 2008 at 3:39 pmIs it kosher to use enhanced interogation on enemy combatants captured on the field of the War on Xmas? Can we eggnog board them?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pmMaybe long periods of time in stress positions like the "kid's table"?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pmsleep deprivation caused by endlessly playing that chipmunk Xmas shit over and over?
November 7th, 2008 at 4:24 pmRaptureReady Says:
Thanks for the update but I HAVE a calendar also you are a MORON
November 7th, 2008 at 4:33 pmLike I've always said, we should keep the "X" in Xmas.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pm______
dbadass Says:
Is it kosher to use enhanced interogation on enemy combatants captured on the field of the War on Xmas? Can we eggnog board them?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
______
Careful with those kinds of jokes, dbadass. ;)
November 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pmAlso being a Christian, and a colonial America buff, I recognize it as the symbol for the French monarchy, prominently displayed on the battle flag of French troops in America in the 18th century. Not to mention the helmets of the aforementioned Saints.
Your argument seems to be that, since wikipedia and you both note secondary religious connotations for the symbol, then it makes perfect sense to use it as the sole graphical element on a bumper sticker celebrating the War on Christmas.
If that's the kind of argument that makes sense to you, it's no wonder you choose so many of the odd positions you espouse here.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pmI received a chain email from a sortof friend that was a neo-con hack version of the Christmas poem ‘The Night Before Christmas.’ It was so lame and had the obligatory Clinton references and all, so I looked on the Internets to find one that I could quickly send back but I couldn’t locate a liberal version, even with teh Google.
So I wrote one.
Like to hear it? Here it goes:
‘Twas the Month Before X-Box and all through the land,
the fake “War on Christmas” goes according to plan.
It’s always the same, no matter the facts.
Fake Christians pretend that they’re under attack!!!1!
Say “Merry Christmas” they shriek, or we’ll boycott your stores.
We’ll go on Fox News and call you all whores!
We’ll go on talk radio and create such a clatter,
to distract and divide you so nothing else matters.
And they conquer and divide us in all sorts of ways,
so that no one will notice how well their crime pays.
They run up our debts, with deficits galore.
While they cut their own taxes and stomp on our poor.
They preach Peace On Earth, and Good Will Towards Man.
But they dream of war profits, and invading Iran.
And with war in Iraq, and more dead every day,
their biggest concern is whether you’re gay.
But the whole War On Christmas is just this month’s ploy,
to profit from hate as Sears profits from toys.
And if Jesus was born in this day and age,
He’d die of starvation, on minimum wage.
But if He survived and grew to a man,
they’d call Him liberal and toss His Book in the can.
They’d call Him a commie, a pinko and worse,
then slap both His cheeks and send Him off with a curse.
They’d sue Him in court to trademark His name,
and sell Him on Wall Street for money and fame.
So for this “War on Christmas,” don’t shy from the fight
Tell them “talk's cheap, just DO what is right.”
‘Cause He belongs in our hearts, not up on some wall.
Not stamped upon money, or in City Hall.
He knows us by deeds, not by prayers that we shout.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pmWhat we DO unto others, is what it’s about.
Mia Kulper:
OUTSTANDING!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:42 pmI agree with Ralph. Fantastic!
I have copied your poem, Mia, and will post it on the Zoo closer to Christmas -- giving you proper credit, and linking to this thread.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pmI know I have preposed this idea before but I still can't help but envision the fisrt reindeer mounted elfin cavalry riding truimpantly onto the battlefield while the snowman storm troopers defend the northern front and the wannabe dentist assisted by Frosty raise the flag upon the shores of the Island of Misfit Toys...
November 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pmDoes anyone else think it ironic that O'Reilly's sticker has the fleur-de-lis on it? I thought the French were to be assailed at every opportunity for thier weakness and secularness.
http://thelieshavenotimproved.blogspot.com/
November 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pm______
ralph the wonder llama Says:
Also being a Christian, and a colonial America buff, I recognize it as the symbol for the French monarchy, prominently displayed on the battle flag of French troops in America in the 18th century. Not to mention the helmets of the aforementioned Saints.
Your argument seems to be that, since wikipedia and you both note secondary religious connotations for the symbol, then it makes perfect sense to use it as the sole graphical element on a bumper sticker celebrating the War on Christmas.
If that’s the kind of argument that makes sense to you, it’s no wonder you choose so many of the odd positions you espouse here.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
______
So sorry about the wiki reference in my post, but it was necessary since I responded to Katy’s citation of it. Wiki and I aren’t the only ones aware of the religious connection with the symbol. Google it and you’ll find others. But I suppose the fact that some don’t recognize it is reason enough that no one should use it. I made no argument. I simply pointed out that there is a religious connection contrary to several previous posts.
Odd positions? Well, you aren’t the first person here to have difficulty understanding how I can possibly agree with Dems on some issues and Repubs on others.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:17 pmMia Kulper Says:
OutSTANDING
November 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pmSounded to me like an argument. The point I made was hardly "the fact that some don’t recognize it is reason enough that no one should use it." Odd that your original post depended on reading comprehension of a certain level, yet you seem unwilling to make the effort in return.
In any case, allow me to clarify, so you'll have a better chance of "catching my drift": the fact that the symbol is not widely recognized as a religious one is reason enough to question its inclusion in this strange design. Sure, one can research it and discover that the French monarchy used it to reflect its own religious ties, or one can rely on one's own sophisticated vocabulary of religious iconography, as you obviously do, but when serving a general audience (or in the case of the War on Christmas, a decidedly downscale audience) one might be well advised to deliver information as snappily and immediately as possible. If research is required, that tends to limit the audience it's going to reach.
Who said I had "difficulty understanding how I can possibly agree with Dems on some issues and Repubs on others"? I said "many of the odd positions you choose". Not sure where you drew your conclusion from, out of that. Look at it this way, uptighty: the issues on which ou agree with "Repubs" are generally the ones I find odd, and that I attribute to your curious logical process.
Make more sense now?
November 7th, 2008 at 6:29 pmupright, and all...
i copied and pasted that short clip @28 from the google search page...
i didn't go to the site to read the rest of the reference...
it doesn't even matter - MY point was that the fleur de lis is a FRENCH symbol, and i found it odd that billo would hence use it...
given his aversion to everything french... he touts... at times...
...
fantastic poem, Mia Kulper!
November 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pmRalph, as long as we are speculating about what “most people” would think, let’s at least be honest. A lot of people might associate the symbol with the “Saints”. “Most people” probably don’t even know the name of the symbol, though they are probably familiar with it. It is unlikely that anyone other than a partisan liberal who hates O’Reilly would have the reaction of most posters here. “Most people” would just consider it to be decorative with no deeper meaning and move on.
My views are socially moderate/conservative and fiscally moderate. If that’s odd, so be it.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:15 am______
Mia Kulper :
Your poem makes some good points about the commercialization of Christmas. There are a couple of problems, though.
“So for this “War on Christmas,” don’t shy from the fight
Tell them “talk’s cheap, just DO what is right.”
Jesus’ idea of right differs somewhat from the liberal idea of right.
“Cause He belongs in our hearts, not up on some wall.
Not stamped upon money, or in City Hall.”
“He knows us by deeds, not by prayers that we shout.
What we DO unto others, is what it’s about.”
It doesn’t appear that Jesus wants us to hide away our faith in Him:
"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
November 8th, 2008 at 12:29 amupright left Says:
You're entitled to your opinion on that but my point of that sentence is that talk is cheap and saying 'Merry Christmas' instead of 'Happy Holidays' doesn't actually accomplish anything to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Insisting, as Bill O'Reilly does, that retailers bid a 'Merry Christmas' to holiday shoppers is pointless and hollow.
upright left Says:
It appears that Jesus wants us to pray in private.
Aside of that, your point is taken.
And thanks for all the KUDOS from everyone! Feel free to share it with your favorite wingnut.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:38 am______
Mia Kulper Says:
You’re entitled to your opinion on that but my point of that sentence is that talk is cheap and saying ‘Merry Christmas’ instead of ‘Happy Holidays’ doesn’t actually accomplish anything to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Insisting, as Bill O’Reilly does, that retailers bid a ‘Merry Christmas’ to holiday shoppers is pointless and hollow.
upright left Says:
It doesn’t appear that Jesus wants us to hide away our faith in Him:
“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
It appears that Jesus wants us to pray in private.
Matthew 6:5:
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I believe the point of wanting Merry Christmas as opposed to Happy Holidays is that retailers depend upon a Christian holiday to carry their business, but some don’t want to acknowledge Christianity. That is a separate issue from doing things to help others. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.
The key to the verse you quoted is “…that they may be seen by others.” Jesus was speaking against those who prayed publicly for appearance sake. It isn’t an admonition against public prayer, only hypocritical public prayer.
November 8th, 2008 at 3:02 pmIf that was the only verse then your unique interpretation might make some sense, but the very next verse totally contradicts you:
Matthew 6:5... And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
In any event, if you want to say "Merry Christmas" to people then by all means go for it, but you and Bill O'Reilly shouldn't be offended if others fail to accommodate you by saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays," in my opinion.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm______
Mia Kulper Says:
If that was the only verse then your unique interpretation might make some sense, but the very next verse totally contradicts you:
Matthew 6:5… And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
In any event, if you want to say “Merry Christmas” to people then by all means go for it, but you and Bill O’Reilly shouldn’t be offended if others fail to accommodate you by saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays,” in my opinion.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
_______
My interpretation is hardly unique. Check a few commentaries. Jesus was speaking to those who are tempted to do things for their own glory. Do you really think, in verses 3-4, Jesus meant to never give in public? Did he mean we are to ignore anyone we see in need because we can't give in public? You have to take scripture in context.
I'm not the least bit offended whether people say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, have a nice day or nothing at all. The complaints against "Happy Holidays" began with reports that businesses were telling employees not to say Merry Christmas as they were raking in Christmas shopping dollars. If customers are offended by "Merry Christmas," are they not also offended by all the Christmas decorations and Christmas sales? Where is the retailers' concern in that case? As usual, it's the hypocrisy that is the root of the problem.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:42 amLOL.
I see.
Whatever.
November 9th, 2008 at 6:34 amWhen someone says Happy Holidays to me I reply with Merry Christmas. It pisses off the Liberals you know.
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pmThe founding fathers screwed up many things , including advocating slavery . One thing they did get right was not having Xmas as a National Holiday. Sorry to sound bitter, but the fact is Xmas did not become a National Holiday until century after our independence. I must admit I love the way scumbag O'Reilly says that people that get upset over being told Merry Xmas are too sensitive yet he gets upset when people wish him Happy Holidays . I do not think there is a bigger meglomaniac than that piece of crap O'Reilly.
December 10th, 2008 at 3:53 amOLBERMANN ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I am wished a Merry Xmas ... I always respond- I AM TOO INTELLIGENT TO BELIEVE IN WIZARDRY IN THE SKY!
December 10th, 2008 at 3:56 amThat really feels good. Guilty pleasure like eating a huge slab of pie or a pint of ice cream lmao.