However, being that I seem to tic someone off dayily without even trying I'm probably the wrong spokesperson on the subject hehe. I keep seeing posts on Facebook suggesting someone is telling Americans they can no longer say "Merry Christmas" or call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree. Here's what you're missing, A new book from the author of ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ delves deeper into her KonMari Method of decluttering and organizing, Show the heart of your home some love for Valentine’s Day, What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? I hate seeing people bent out of shape over this "issue". People said it was offensive. if somebody says they will pray for you, you usually say thank you. A reader brought this to our attention, so we decided to look into whether Gingrich is right that "no federal official at any level is currently allowed to say ‘Merry Christmas.’" How horrible. . Businesses can do whatever they want, in my opinion, as long as they make a product that is useful and that adds some kind of societal value. I think it 's adorable and what a welcome distraction. Okay, there's judgement. "First, agencies shall permit employees to engage in personal religious expression (as they must permit other constitutionally valued expression) to the greatest extent possible, consistent with interests in workplace efficiency and requirements of law. Agreed auntj, very silly to attack each other over political sides whensomeday we might have to all band together for something horrificallylife threatening. In fact, we couldn’t even find a case that mentioned this as an issue. • "Merry Christmas to my constituents, as I’ve said, and Merry Christmas to our first family and all that they have done for America." They couldn't solve a problem if their life depended on it. If your boss says, “Merry Christmas. Newt Gingrich says the nation's obsession with being politically correct has come to this: Federal officials aren't allowed to say "Merry Christmas." Did they even once imagine their own mothers or sisters or children lying dead in a concert hall or blown apart in the street? The idea is that you are wishing someone something happy and joyful, or so I thought. 20036, Florida The secret to a very long, productive life? Fox News is speaking with Simone Rivera, daughter of Geraldo Rivera. There's a thread about Hot Topics that might interest you over on the KT. Upon being on tour one year in the Soulard French Quarter in a 3 story home in Saint Louis, MO, we had a tree on each floor and one upon the second floor deck and served chestnuts just roasted on an open fire for each person upon leaving. I think the War on Christmas thing is dumb and I don't care about Starbucks cups. (And Happy Solstice on the solstice, and Happy Christmas eve on the 24th.) In addition to the items it only takes 24 to 72 hours to complete; but the result is so magical. We’ve had this whole — in my mind — very destructive attitude in the last 50 years that we have to drive religion out of public life." … You may make reference to the season as a whole using language along the lines of, 'Have a safe and happy holiday season.' Obviously, if your job is department store Santa, you have to say it. Barack Obama: I want to … But did you see the Halloween photo of the two dressed as Mexicans in sombreros, ponchos, and holding maracas? I say what I want to say. Also told cannot say 'Happy New Year' but can say 'have a happy new year' – referencing the time period of a new year, but not the holiday." That's just my opinion. Vgkg is a very witty poster in Hot Topics who followed the link to this thread from a post there. One of the interns is pissed off that you said merry Christmas.’” So where did Gingrich’s falsehood come from? WHAT’S TRUE: Salem VA Medical Center sent an e-mail … (This from a co-worker). With the term of a pregnancy being nine months, Sextus Julius Africanus held that Jesus was born on 2… I'm quite happy to call yours whatever you want me to call yours, as you probably don't share my religion, and so yours is probably a Christmas Tree. For starters, it's important to note that "Happy Christmas" hasn't faded completely—it's still widely used in England. It's not always so much the differences of opinions but more to do with a lack of respect and the nonchalant way it's tossed about. The Gingrich campaign hasn't been responding to our inquiries, but it appears to be rooted in two things -- the White House tradition of using political parties to pay for the White House Christmas card, and the rules for congressional postage. Instead, political party committees foot the bill. One gentleman told me, "I will never forgive you for this!" Hug your families. Of course, the workplace is for work, and an agency may restrict any speech that truly interferes with its ability to perform public services. District of Columbia Pants on Fire! Maybe taking honesty too far? So, why do we say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Christmas"? But what about in the workplace? While I think most of us are capable of separating political opinion with which we disagree from the human being who holds the opinion, the feeling that we are devalued when our ideals are sharply criticized sometimes exists. For example, the right wing doesn't dislike companies that pay high wages because they don't believe the government manipulating markets to raise minimum wage is a good economic policy.). We found the rule was respectful of employees' rights to express their religious preference: Why wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ is politically incorrect and what to say instead 'This debate isn’t just about words: it’s about being politically correct and inclusive of diverse beliefs and traditions across the country,' a blog says But we did look up the House’s official franking rulebook at the committee’s website, and it closely follows the language of the memo obtained by the Examiner, saying that "birthday, anniversary, wedding, birth, retirement or condolence messages and holiday greetings are prohibited." In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. But hubby wanted to bring his tractor. Merry Christmas.’ Like just a formality, what you would say,” she went on. The closest Gingrich comes to accuracy is that Congress does bar taxpayer-funded official mailings of all types of cards. Wal-Mart Merry Christmas Ban Christian group calls for boycott of Wal-Mart after they instructed employees to say 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas. This is horrible. … It is hard to imagine a rule that applies to every ‘federal official at any level’ not appearing in the Code of Federal Regulations." On White House Christmas cards, Gingrich has a point. This one has 600 lights, 300 ornaments and 78,000 strands of tinsel each placed individually upon the limbs starting from the trunk outward, topped with a handmade angel. There is no religious litmus test as some of our politicians try to force on us. The allegation from religious conservatives is that the left has imposed a political correctness that requires all to say “happy holidays” instead of “merry Christmas.” Here's Crazy Joe's attempt at holiday cheer: I know how hard it is to forego holiday traditions — but it is so very important. (Or "Happy Hanukkah!") Apparently his wife and daughter fell in love with the tinsel tree and told her husband: "From now on it is a tinsel tree." Prophetic. We also checked the Senate guidelines, which are broadly similar. This was mid 1980's, Ronald Reagan was the president and all of the officers of the bank were graduates of BYU. " I have a plan is just dumb. . I know it doesnt from some on each side but everyone should have an opinion while at the same time being respectful. E-mail interview with Enid Doggett, communications director for the American Federation of Government Employees, Dec. 21, 2011 Big men these terrorists--NOT. And the religion stuff makes me sick. Yes, I said it. E-mail interview with John M. Palguta, vice president for policy at the Partnership for Public Service, Dec. 21, 2011 She spotted me and was eager to tell me about their tinsel tree. Mayflowers, It should mean the same thing for everyone. Most Loathed item you WANT to get rid of but can't? But that's just my opinion. William Brangham: But his critics say, Christmas never really went away. A: You can find “merry Christmas” and “happy Christmas” in both the US and the UK, though Christmas is more often “merry” in American English and “happy” in British English. Can your employer tell you that you are no longer allowed to say “Merry Christmas” to client? Biggest is time.. You have to in NYC refile with the building dept. I am certain of these two facts, because they are both computer-searchable. He still gets to use the riding mower and I still have to look after the huge gardens. Multiculturalism is a complete and utter failure in Canada when it is politically incorrect to say "Merry Christmas." Well, linguists can’t provide a solid explanation for this tendency except from the fact that “merry” is a much older world than “happy” and because of its early use on the Victorian Christma’s carols – the era that defined our Christmas customs. (not familiar with vgkg but thank you!). (I have run into one or two people who've returned my "Seasons Greetings" or whatever with a truly GRUMPY "Merry CHRISTmas" in supermarket checkout lines, hoping I'd make something of it. Can your boss tell you to stop even saying “happy holidays,” or “Have a Blessed Day”? This is believed to be because "happy" took on a higher class connotation than "merry," which was associated with the rowdiness of the lower classes. And lest we think he’s not really being serious, in this this audio interview, after claiming that Christians are having their power taken away, Mr. Trump says, “One of the things I always say, and I say it light-heartedly, but I mean it — it’s actually not supposed to be so light-hearted […] is we are going to start saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again. Yet, I think the "Merry Christmas" folks have a point. I know some folks claim there's a "war on Christmas" that includes saying, "Happy Holidays" instead of, "Merry Christmas." Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? The Grinch can’t steal our Christmas spirit, but he sure can deliver laughs. She is in Paris for her junior year abroad, and was in the stadium when the bomb when off nearby. Actually only scrolled down to see the rejuvenating post. (As an aside, I also think there's a fundamental misunderstanding of the right wing. Euwah. Have a Festive, Sun-Drenched White Christmas. If anything, the word Christmas may in fact be overused for about two months of the year. It sounds like you must now call it a Holiday tree. Starbucks is disliked because the CEO is a huge Obama supporter. Or I should say it could happen again only worse. After all, if Christians weren't celebrating the birth of Jesus, retailers would not be celebrating big … ( I know I said no politics, but this is not politics. . Surveys consistently show that at least 7 in 10 say “Merry Christmas” and that 95% of all people do NOT believe there is anything wrong with the word Christmas. We checked transcripts of speeches by federal officials and quickly found plenty of examples of Christmas wishes: Those were days of pacing life and a little more formal with traditions practiced annually) The daughter opened the sliding doors for the viewing. However, I will note if a shop clerk says "Merry Christmas" to me at checkout, I'll parrot back with the same. David Mikkelson POLL: What type of decorations do you prefer on a Christmas tree? But really, it's too early for pumpkin spice and definitely too early for the annual complaining about Christmas decorations and greetings. An Ohio couple says they've sold almost 15,000 "Just say Merry Christmas" bracelets. It could happen. But what if you want to say, “Hi! You have to cover everyone." I just figure it's their incipient heart attack, not mine.). Comedian Jerry Miner on why we can't say Merry Christmas any longer as well as the decline of God Bless You. Myth #2 — Nobody says Merry Christmas anymore. --- She told me that if he was going to do it, it was going to be the best possible; and, it was. Merry Christmas: If your boss forces you to use a religious greeting to customers, you have the right to say no, unless your job really does require you to do so. Support trusted, factual information with a tax deductible contribution to PolitiFact. I worked in a bank and was told we needed to say Happy Holidays so all of our customers backgrounds were respected. Some in the political arena claim that merchants are avoiding the use of the word Christmas in their advertisements so as not to offend non-Christian customers. And if I can ever keep track of the date Hannukah falls, I wish a Happy Hannukah on that date, too. If a federal worker wishes to say that to a colleague, do they get reprimanded? . The idea that one has to shove the most popular phrase into everyone’s face is rude, ignorant and not very inclusive. Others said they were being PC. We can't say Merry Christmas anymore and that's sad: your say. • "Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everybody." My fear is that there are other terrorist cells waiting to act. For me, those words embody a certain spirit and love that I want to share. --- I believe that meant I was being forgiven. • "Merry Christmas to everyone. I don't get offended if someone says NPR is liberal or Hillary can't be trusted. Yeah, some people are not problem solvers, they are eternal problem creators. The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine contains a Bluetooth microchip. Tell Us: What Made You Fall for Your Kitchen? But none of this crap is about how to get jobs, college, healthcare, taxes and terrorism. I was curious why this topic was posted now, and then saw how old it was Curiosity increased and I clicked. After touring all three floors they came out as a family and he turned to me and said, "Never, ever will I forgive you." 727-821-9494. stated on December 19, 2011 in a campaign event in Davenport, Iowa: "No federal official at any level is currently allowed to say ‘Merry Christmas.’". Newt Gingrich says the nation's obsession with being politically correct has come to this: Federal officials aren't allowed to say "Merry Christmas." Senate Ethics Regulations, 2003 And yes, those things I mail out early December I do inevitably call them Christmas cards (although I don't buy the religious ones), and I hope we are still able to mail them this coming December. President Joe Biden’s corporate tax rate increase would "put us in line with other industrial nations.". (Apparently he had them convinced their garland was nicer.) Most people mean no harm and they don't know what your religious affiliation is unless you wear a sign around your neck. Do you refuse to let the actions of a few radicals alter your life in defiance of them, or do you hold back and let the authorities further investigate? He has a storage container with farm stuff he'll never use again - and the tractor! That hasn't stopped Houzz followers though, if they want and need my help they can get it - send me a quick blurb, I'll give you a hand with your problem - summer time is normally a very busy time for designers, I post most of my design assistance during the winter months. Or abolish it. It may only be incidental to the piece rather than the primary purpose of the communication." beagle...it is not ok to stereotype anyone. So – we add a candle-light service to our list of parties, we put out a manger scene along with the other Christmas decorations and we insist everyone say “Merry Christmas” not “Happy Holidays.” Then, we sit back and feel so righteous because we have fitted Christ into our Christmas routines. Apparently if the president sends out Christmas cards, they are paid for the Democratic or Republican National Committees because no federal official at any level is currently allowed to say ‘Merry Christmas.’ And the idea, I think, is that the government should be neutral. Papa Johns and Whole Foods). If you know someone celebrates Christmas you can go with “Merry Christmas,” but ‘tis the season for interacting with strangers (selling to them, buying … I would be out of my mind with worry. Wait. Our rating Yes, people take it personally. I stand by my opinion, but apologize if I caused offense by making it known. Not Jewish, either, but it would be worthwhile, and I'd extend back the same sentiments. even if you don't believe in it, you should always say … Now, according to the cyber whispers and online cries, we should really say “Happy Holidays” otherwise we may – of course – “offend the Muslims”. I apologize, dsg2015, perhaps this wording is less disgusting than "Facebook idiots" and "rednecks": Some non high school educated people in the rural south (50% drop out rate) who tend to live out their lives on Facebook by posting the minute-est details of their daily existence and every stray thought that passes through their collective consciousness, post incendiary and unfounded accusations about imagined threats to a religion they profess but do not practice. Especially since saying “Merry Christmas” to someone is supposed to be a friendly way of greeting them this time of year. HR calls me and they’re like, ‘Hey, we need to talk to you. . I am singing it. (This rule was subsequently mocked by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly here.) -- Obama, Dec. 13, 2010 YES it's beautiful but is it worth the headache.? It's true that Christmas tends to get the most fanfare of all the holidays, at least in the United States. Does anyone say "Happy Christmas"?. Speaking of "spewing hate", all one has to do is read some of the comments on these threads to see hate, judgement and offensiveness at its best. Much like “Merry Christmas,” it turns out that “Happy Holidays” also has religious roots. E-mail interview with David Greenberg, historian at Rutgers University, Dec. 21, 2011 Instead he went a step further, he would not let them see the tree until it was finished and made them wait until Christmas Eve to see the final result upon their block party that evening. The question wasn’t audible on a video clip, but here's Gingrich's reply: stated on May 12, 2021 testimony before a House subcommittee: stated on May 9, 2021 an interview on CNN's "State of the Union": stated on May 2, 2021 remarks on ABC's "This Week": stated on May 2, 2021 an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": stated on April 23, 2021 on social media: stated on April 22, 2021 a press conference: stated on April 6, 2021 an interview with The Grio: stated on April 11, 2021 an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation": stated on April 7, 2021 remarks at the White House: stated on April 4, 2021 an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press": stated on April 4, 2021 remarks on "Fox News Sunday": stated on April 4, 2021 remarks on CNN's "State of the Union": stated on May 17, 2021 in a video on Facebook: stated on May 20, 2021 in an Instagram post: stated on May 17, 2021 in a Facebook post: stated on May 16, 2021 in an Instagram post: stated on May 19, 2021 in a Facebook post: stated on May 19, 2021 in an Instagram post: ©All Rights Reserved Poynter Institute 2020, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Memorandum on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace, “First time in 70 years the National Day Of Prayer was not observed in our nation’s capital!”, Gingrich: Federal officials aren’t allowed to say ‘Merry Christmas, Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace, Congressmen can't say 'Merry Christmas' in mail, No Merry Christmas,' U.S. House Members Told, Regulations Governing the Use of the Mailing Frank," by Members and Officers of The United States Senate, "There is no law that deals specifically with the term ‘partial-birth abortion.’”. Subject to this exception, an agency may not typically subject religious speech to greater restrictions than other speech entitled to full constitutional protection, and therefore should allow much of this speech to go forward." Just separate it from my government. First a little context. ...it's never too early to put the blame where it belongs. No one in this country should be that easily offended. It's just a bunch of gotcha junk. I wish you all love and peace. To explore this, we examined federal rules, spoke with labor unions that represent government workers and interviewed lawyers with expertise in federal rules. President Trump reignited the "war on Christmas” on Friday, telling a crowd of supporters that "we're saying merry Christmas again" now that he's president. Today, Palm Beach Post letter writer Larry Wingate of … In fact, we couldn’t even find a case that mentioned this as an issue. The postcard was kinda like receiving a statement with the only sentence written upon it saying, "Well, I accomplished the deed. And the present Republican speaker, John Boehner of Ohio, was on the committee that directly wrote the rules. We weren’t able to independently obtain the memo from the House Administration committee, nor speak to a spokesperson for the committee. "Now I am having to pass along the directions; and, some of my neighbors feel like I did during your tour." And I love getting any I get, no matter religious, spiritual, or just simply fun the impetus is behind your sending them to me... Oh, PS, I would love to hear Happy Hannukah when it's that season. I can't find the hate and offensiveness either. White House, "Memorandum on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace," Aug. 14, 1997 We have 60% more job openings today than we did the month before the pandemic hit the state of Texas.”, The Moderna vaccine contains an ingredient that is “for research use only, not meant for human or veterinary use.”, "Since 2010, student debt has increased by 102% and real wages have fallen by over 8%.”. Trust me. White House, "Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace," Aug. 14, 1997 Or when we're accused of being PC and of threatening the Christian social fabric because we try to respect all people? "Elvis didn't … Whatever people wish me, I accept in the spirit of their holiday or holidays. Really important stuff like that . I am told that this is actually a 20- or 30-year-old law, which I have to say I find strange, and I would advocate repealing the law. Misinformation isn't going away just because it's a new year. PS, for those who celebrated it, I hope you have had a happy Diwali. “Biden is currently sending more military equipment to our neighborhoods than Trump did.”, “70% of Americans don't believe a word the mainstream media puts out,” so “everyone who thinks Biden won are only 30% of the population.”, “You didn't see Republicans when we had control of the Senate try to rig the game.”, “There is racism physically built into some of our highways.”, “Something less than 6% ... of this proposal that President Biden has put forward is actually focused on infrastructure.”, “A new, independent study put out last week found that at least 55 of our largest corporations used various loopholes to pay zero federal income tax in 2020.”, “You go to a gun show, you can buy whatever you want, and no background check. I wanted them and was told no by my Archtect. People are saying merry Christmas again. Businesses can do whatever they want. I do say Merry Christmas on the date of that specific holiday. Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House? We started with "Memorandum on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace," issued Aug. 14, 1997, by President Bill Clinton. No one’s infringing on anyone’s rights here. Why can we stereotype some groups of people but not others? Has anyone ever been told this? (Although I wasn't offended by that either... but I could see how it could be viewed as offensive). When a news station that represents a certain party or when a public person is attacked that represents a certain party or when a strong belief is more associated with a certain party...people get offended. We also checked with the American Federation of Government Employees, a labor union for federal workers. So the next time someone who knows you are Jewish says “Merry Christmas” just … Hi there, Languages evolve over time, and where some countries have a more traditional sense of talking, other countries are more easily (read: open) to accept changes in the languages. It could happen. Were not talking materials too.. A simple Charlie Brown Style, a live one outdoors with only white lights and red bows, a tree with Horse Carousels which move up and down with flashing lights and music playing, a ceramic tree and the a live 12 foot Balsam Fir pine imported from Nova Scotia (branches are further apart for larger ornaments and tinsel plus some 100-200 year old fragile glass ornaments from Europe and the USA.) and yet for some, there's never a wakeup call to the preciousness of every moment, no matter how many tragedies they experience. I don't think it is a conservative-complaint only. That’s offensive. How can they be so INhumane? Call it what you want. You’re also likely to express holiday wishes to folks you might not know very well, like a colleague or your child’s teacher. And this self-appointed adage applies just as much to the ever persistent rumour that claims we are no longer allowed to say “Merry Christmas”. I bet Ben regrets calling himself pathological in his own book and telling the world about the stab a friend incident (also in his book). It is madness.). Of course, context is everything. . Here are 6 ways to make things merry and bright. E-mail interview with Richard W. Garnett, University of Notre Dame law professor, Dec. 20, 2011 While there is some gray area in that passage, there’s nothing as sweeping as Gingrich claims, said Douglas Laycock, a law professor at the University of Virginia who specializes in church-state issues. The Senate "prohibits the use of the frank for ‘any card expressing holiday greetings from (a Senator).’ This prohibition extends to acknowledgments of holiday greetings sent to a Senator, but does not preclude an expression of holiday greetings at the commencement or conclusion of otherwise frankable correspondence." Pretending that those things happen with the same frequency as “Merry Christmas” is disingenuous and patronizing. Political correctness knows no distinguishing features on either side of an often-imaginary aisle. … I'm going to go back and find out how was this law written, when was it passed. If it is December 25th, I say Merry Christmas. Washington Examiner, "Congressmen can't say 'Merry Christmas' in mail," Dec. 16, 2011 -- Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas, Dec. 16, 2009 I don't really care what the political beliefs are of companies I do business with, personally. Love the "thank you" addition - quick blurb on houzz vs. referrals - I equally get from both - I've got clients that keep coming back to me time and time again - even passing my name onto their kids who now design with me. My thoughts go out to all Parisians. “I come back, like, June 6th. I get that. It is truly incomprehensible. Actually, these are the type of comments I find offensive and disgusting and childish: "what these foolish, self-serving loudmouths ", " loudest redneck "Christmas" supporters", And, yes, to this from Beagles: " I just don't think it's nice to attribute bad motives to people with different political beliefs.

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