I agree, I think the whole point of this is to take the joy and significance out of the Holidays. I find it funny that there is not an outrage over Halloween, why aren't more people offended by scary images, ghost, demons, and hooker costumes? I just don't get it. Why isn't there a Christmas stamp? I know there is a hanukkah stamp, a EID MUSLIM stamp, but where is the Christmas Stamp. Isn't the fact the people don't want to hear or see Jesus being celebrated but don't have a problem with the Muslim stamp. Haven't most terriost attacks accord through the Muslim religion. I know Halloween is a pagan holiday, inwhich christ is not celebrated, I guess that is the reason it doesn't offend people.
The issue for me is when department stores, the news, or government agency go out of their way to avoid using the word Christmas. Last year Christmas was everywhere, 2 years ago we couldn't find Christmas anywhere, I guess this year we are phasing it out. Merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho! If I offended anyone, I'm sorry maybe this help "Happy Halloween"!
Oh yeah, Why are we talking so much about Global Warming? If you want to know why global warming is happening, read what it says in the bible about it. Yes, that is right the bible talks about Global Warming. Guess what there is nothing you can do about it either! Stop wasting your hard earned money and tax dollars on how to save the world. The truth is, the world will pass. Oh yeah it also talks about the removal of Christmas in the bible. Wow maybe there is more to that book than what people want you to believe.
Ok, I'm done....sorry about the rant.

This is getting ridiculous. How we should handle this is to tell the whiners to close their mouths and go get some therapy to learn how to manage life. We should also not allow lawsuits based upon "offense" caused by such terrible things as CHRISTMAS and Thanksgiving and Santa's well-known belly laugh. Lack of tolerance for whining and for special interest groups would also help decrease this stupidity. It's AMERICA. We have CHRISTMAS. If you practice another religion, oh well, you chose to move to a CHRISTIAN country complete with the annoying Santa Claus. I dislike the commercialism but, it is a CHRISTMAS tree. Don't like it, leave. Realignment of beliefs surrounding Thanksgiving provide exactly WHAT?? (other than making a few people feel better about something that happened hundreds of years ago.) Get over it. If some ladies are offended by Santa saying "Ho Ho Ho" it is not our problem that they are either too sensitive (a personal choice) or truly resemble that remark. Give me a break. If people don't like it in America, move. Leave the country. Let's ask them to leave. How about a gov't program that pays for a one way flight to whatever country really wants to hear the whining of these morons. Problem is that no county wants to listen to their whining. When are the citizens of this country going to pull their collective heads out of whatever collective sand pile they are in and start becoming more self reliant, responsible and stop looking for ways to conjure up a lawsuit. You know, that's probably what it's all about. Choosing to be offended so that they can be "compensated" for that offense. What a joke.

I am going to, and request all of you other believers to do, voiceterously bellow "Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas" to everyone you see, and everywhere I go. We have to fight back. By God this is America. I still have freedom of speech. They allow Hollywood to make any obnoxiuos crappy movie they want and call it frredom of speech, Why are our schools and businesses and public places heald hostage by a few that are offended by it? I witnessed it last year at the Christmas concert at Decatur High in Federal Way, when a teacher stood and told everyone Merry Christmas over the microphone. The other staff was all over him telling him he couldn't say that. BULL CRAP!!!! This is America! We are not to be censored here. WHAT GIVES??? It's not about christianity now, it's about civil rights and these whining babies have about filled me with enough of their crap. I hope you feel the same way. We have rights too.

ALL, I CAN SAY IS MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HO HO HO TO EVERYONE. AND IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT TOUGH, GET OUT ON AMERICA

More an indication of the journalistic integrity of your times. The notice was that for SOME students Thanksgiving might be more of a day of mourning, not that it should be taught as a day of morning. The australian (yes australia!) Santas were asked by ONE company to switch to Ha ha ha because the loud deep 'ho ho hos' were scaring children AND kids were heckling them and young ladies nearby with the other meaning of the word 'ho'. And like it or not, 'Christmas trees' are not just for Christmas anymore - Jewish, Wiccan, and who knows who else puts up trees, all derived from totally pagan sources, even the ones done for Christmas.

If requests that schools be sensitive to all their students, that others than those celebrating Christmas have 'holiday trees', or that some company tries and finds a way to make kids holiday experiences more pleasant 'takes a lot of the joy and significance' out of your own celebrations maybe you need to re-examine what you find joy and significance in this holiday season?

Happy Holidays.

BobVB this is America people should act like it is. we should be able to say and do at holidays like we were raised. why should we, or our children have to change? these other people came to our country uninvited where is the sensitivy to us
MERRY CHRISTMAS oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Cindy, native americans 'came to your country univited'? Don't you have things a bit turned around?

And which of those 3 examples prevent you from 'saying and doing' as you want on your holiday:

Acknowledging that for SOME students Thanksgiving might not see a very joyish historical event (even if it is for you)?

That some business puts up 'holiday trees' so that they will represent all of their customers - (even if they are Christmas trees to you)?

That some company employing santas in AUSTRALIA has them try and limit their 'ho ho ho's to a what they feel is a more pleasant ha ha ha in anyway prevents you from being able to 'say or do' anything at all here in the US?

And a Happy Thanksgiving, Joyish Solstice and Happy New Year to you too ;)

Merry Christmas, Happy Thanksgiving and if you don't like it, we should ship your stupid butt off to North Korea or any Communist, Islamist, Fascist liberal loving country of your chosing!

Political correctness has run Amuck for decades. Notice the Outrage over Haunaka, Kwanza, etc.

As a great man once said about the Native Americans.
"How dare we, Well how dare they, Bein on our land before we got here and all."

Lori - You ask how we should handle these issues you pointed out. ie: a day of mourning, holiday trees, Ho Ho Ho vs. ha ha ha. Our society has somehow turned from us us us to me me me. I'm not really sure why. How to handle it? Good question.

I think we need to promote a more "Togetherness" society again. Just like we did in the 60's. It wasn't just the Viet Nam war that all the "Flower Children" would gather for and write songs about. It was everything in life they were concerned about. They just wanted everybody to get along. We need a new form of that attitude.

What the white man did to the Native Americans was wrong. We all know that. I don't think many white men a proud of what our forefathers did to them. BUT, we cannot go back and change that. Nor can we change what happened to the African folks. (That of which was mostly procured by the Dutch, but still wrong) To call Thanksgiving a day of mourning? I think that is up to the Native Americans. They may call it whatever they wish. It is their right.

The tree? I will still put up my Christmas tree and decorate my house (now probably louder than ever for the statement - and I think everyone should do the same). That is MY right.

Ho Ho Ho??? Santa was saying ho ho ho long before women were ever called ho's. Why should Santa Claus have to stop what he invented? That's like telling Starbucks they can no longer sell coffee because it might offend the Lipton tea company. Let's get real here, please.

Lori,

Your poorly researched blog has done nothing but supported the stereotype of TV Anchor as all pretty face and no brains. Do you like that stereotype? Would you prefer that people try to have a little understanding and get to know you before they pass judgement on you based on the incorrectness of some of your statements? Would it be "political correctness" to ask people to first try to see things from your perspective.
Possibly a little awareness could be a good thing in the long run.

The only way to handle such lunacy, is by not doing business with any store promoting the destruction of the American way of life. When Santa can't give his joyful greeting of HO HO HO, without it becoming an issue, we can only reminisce about the free country we once called home.

It seems a certain segment of society has chose to create street slang by garbling the English language until it sounds foreign. If they can't except the proper usage of certain words, because it sounds like something of an entirely different nature used in their gutter talk, maybe they should consider speaking English properly.

Bah Humbug !

Hopefully this won't offend
any bugs or bug lovers!

This is ridiculous...it has gone way overboard...Christmas, People, is no more Christian than Hanukkah is...The celebration of Christmas is as pagan as it gets! I love Christmas, but I am also familiar with Hanukkah and I celebrate it with my Jewish friend. It is a beautiful celebration.

Also, there IS a Christmas Stamp...where have you been?!?

As for the Muslim thing, Ramadan was in September people! it has NOTHING to do with Christmas time. It's about the moon and it's phases...(if I am correct).

Political correctness has gone way and beyond what it was meant to do a long time ago. If you want tolerance, then BE tolerant. You don't have to get on the defense. Just politely say "thank you",. There is nothing wrong in someone wishing you JOY, even if you do not celebrate the same holiday!

One last thought...this IS NOT a Christian country. If it were, then we would not be a Democracy...we would be a theocracy.

With all that being said...whatever holiday you do or don't celebrate, I celebrate Christmas...so, MERRY CRHISTMAS TO ALL AND A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

You're all crazed lunatics. Its really not that bad, King5 just reported on these things and magnified them to make you all angry. If anything, lets be angry at the sparse tree in Westlake!

btw you lose a lot of credibility when you can't spell.

Oh, and for all you Norman Rockwells out there, there isn't a more traditional Christmas than the Christmas that was celebrated among the few followers of Christ in an anti-Christian Rome-so, technically, today is more Christmas-esque than it has been in a long time!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

-Shane 22 y/o

The massive wave of persistent Political Correctness, particularly in Seattle isnt based in sensitivity or caring for "diversity." It is mostly based on people having the *image* of being correct. 9 times out of 10 the people being the most aggressive and vocal about a situation do not hold any credibility in the subject whatsoever.
Your not fooling anyone people....and your wasting a lot of effort that is better devoted elsewhere, towards more needy and dire causes. Equality must encompass all, not exclude the current just to salve some sort of pathetic guilt-complex. The sheer fact americans can spend so much time whining about things that dont matter shows how well off you are in this great country. Your time isnt being spent finding something to eat now is it?
Cheers and Happy/Safe Holidays
~ An Immigrant

The one thing I always find interesting in these discussions is how Christmas is the victim - not the many other traditions that get completely strangled by Christmas.

The other thing that is interesting is how these stories turn into some faceless "brown person" beating Santa with a club. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but to be fair look above.

Those were gross simplifications of those stories and it's just like last year when the Rabbi supposedly wanted to ax the tree at Sea-Tac. He actually just wanted a Chanukah symbol. Something else besides precious Christmas.

But that's right, Christmas fans. YOU are the victim. You who get the most time on the television as your celebration is "attacked." You who got your red and green in the mall to begin with. You that complain that the Grinch comes in a new form every year as I look at the two feet of space dedicated to anything besides Christmas in any store from 11/25 to 12/25.

The worst part is I actually liked Christmas until people genuinely started to believe this nonsense that it was "under attack." I don't want to be associated with those crazies that totally miss the point of the season.

And if kids in school have to have a holiday tree because some of them oh, I don't know, don't believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior and their parent's tax-payer dollars just maybe shouldn't go to celebrating his birth well get over it! Go to Crate and Barrel and sit in a whole floor of Christmas decor and feel better about your life.

That's it. This just killed my eggnog buzz.

To all parents of non-native american students in the Seattle school district: I would be very worried about what my child was learning besides Thanksgiving being a Day Of Mourning...May your children feel so guilty about what their ancestors did hundreds of years ago that they return the state of Washington to the natives when they are old enough to vote.When on Dec.4 1619,those who had just come ashore in Virginia and gave thanks to God for safely arriving (this being the 1st Thanksgiving)had known that their children would come to know this was to become a day of mourning...

I just found and read the "myths" of Thanksgiving promoted by the Seattle School District, and find it unbelievable that they were able to promote such an un-American bunch of Crap!!

I think it is an issue for society to wrestle with (along with several others) and figure out what went wrong when it is not politically correct for "Santa" to say "Ho Ho Ho". I would ask the question, "Is society today being to politically correct to actually speak 'correctly'"? It was OK for "Santa" to say "Ho Ho Ho" 20 years ago but not now. Times do change and sometimes change is good, but I think it really is to "politically correct". Does it not seem true that someone could argue that today everybody is too worried they will offend someone when no offense was even intended? Would you agree or disagree that it's getting more ridiculous each year, ie "Christmas" tree vs "Holiday" tree etc?

Everyone has their traditions on Thanksgiving, why must we shy away? Why must things change? Why must we make a big deal over one word? I do not get the idea of changing a word yet "holiday" really means "holy day" Either way, it does have roots. If people do not like it, then they can complain. After all, not everyone can be satisfied, you just try to satisfy the most.

Daler, I believe you got your thoughts right on track. Togetherness of society is what needs to be promoted. We should be thankful for those of us who have family to have people who care for us who we can share time with and share our thoughts with. It is a time of togetherness and I believe that would be a great theme. Other people can respect it in there own way, yet most have our own culture. Cautiousness has sent us into paranoia which makes these days of joy not as fun. For those that do not like the word. You can say it, however, we may not revolve around it.

In my wildest dreams I never imagined anyone would be offended by Christmas. But, to be fair, in the United States we tolerate both of those who are offended. Even if it is just to be fake offended so they can file a lawsuit. Its ugly head is called political correctness.

In the Middle East they celebrate Ramadan. Now if you want to be whiney and speak up and ask them to stop Ramadan go right ahead. Of course you will end up dead. That has proven to be a strong deterrent over the years.

Do you see the difference in the two? In the first example, one whiner causes tens of thousands to not enjoy their celebration. In the second example, one whiner doesn’t stop tens of thousand from enjoying their celebration.

So, I agree with all of the other bloggers. If someone doesn’t like what we do here in this Christian country, go back where you came from. It is time you stop ruining our lives with your twisted logic, if you can even call it logic.

Good riddance.

Larry,
Celebrating Christmas does not make one a Christian, nor does it make this a Christian country. While the majority of the population may claim a Christian denomination, I would be willing to bet that only a small percentage even attend church...or have ever really been "Christian".

There is nothing wrong with Christmas or saying "Merry Christmas"...if someone takes issue with it, ask them if they have a job...if they do, ask them if they take Christmas off...and if they do, tell them to stop complaining or stop taking the day off!

Jeeeeeeeeeeez!

Those that do not celebrate Christmas for whatever reason, is an infringment on my right to have a happy family and life. We celebrate numerous things because it is part of our history. If you don't like our history, go back to your country of origin and celebrate with them. Don't infringe on my right to have a happly family and life. Politically correctness if a violation of my right to free speech. I should be able to say what I want, when I want to whom I want without fear of retribution from anyone.

Next they'll be asking us to change the dollar bill to say "In a great power we trust". Good grief!

In my family, Christmas is huge. We decorate our entire house with red and green, place a beautifully lit tree in our front picture window, adorn our outside trees and bushes with twinkling white lights, and there is always a book of Christmas carol music sitting open on our piano. Our freezer is full of cookies that my mom bakes at an annual neighbor cookie bake with all of the mothers. There seems to always be a stack of coffee cups in the sink after having guests over to drink a glass of hot apple cider, coffee, or creamy hot chocolate. Closets become “off limits” as they turn into hiding places for the presents that will be given on Christmas Eve. We hang all of the cards we receive on the side of our refrigerator and we ourselves send about 300 Christmas cards out every year. (Not exaggerating.) Most importantly, because we are religious, Christmas is a celebration of life and thankfulness. Yes, we do participate in the traditions of giving gifts and putting up a tree, but for us this is only to enhance the true experience of Christmas, and not the focus of our attention.
I think that Christmas had become way too commercialized, especially in the United States. The focus of the holiday is not where it should be and the true meaning has disappeared. My intent isn’t to criticize those who are not religious or those who don’t attend church. Instead, I’m simply attempting to express my view that Christmas has become a “politically correct holiday.” Saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” has become offensive and the words “Winter Break” are being required to replace “Christmas Break.” In no way am I insensitive to other religions and I do agree that if someone is offended by something with a religious connotation it should be changed. Still, I think our society is getting a little bit extreme.
Stores that sell fake Christmas trees are changing their signs and advertisements to instead include the words “family trees.” I’m sorry, but are you serious? If someone if truly offended by the Christmas holiday why would they buy a “family” tree in the first place? Even Santa, who in no way is a part of the biblical story of Bethlehem, has become taboo in some places. Because the Santa tradition formed out from the historical Saint Nicholas, the religious connotations are apparently inappropriate. Something else that I find remarkable is that more people seem to be offended by this holiday than Halloween, where little children dress up like ghosts, villains, and devils. But, since it’s all in “good fun,” there is no opposition.
There are now CDs with the “top Christmas songs,” that don’t even mention Mary, Joseph, or even sheep and donkeys. Instead the songs are filled with sleighs, reindeer, presents, candy canes, stockings, and trees. Now that Santa is off limits, the use of the name “Jesus” has become a political issue, and even a simple star is too closely related to the stories of the gospels, I think a snowman is our society’s safest bet. Who could be offended by ”a jolly soul with a corncob pipe and a button nose
 and two eyes made out of coal?” Well after all, he it a snowman, so maybe we’ll being hearing from some strong feminists in the next few years.