Scott Lloyd Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I covered the First Presidency Christmas Devotional for the Deseret News.I was amused to see a couple of the reader comments."Midwest Mom" is twitting the newspaper for using the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas" in the headline. (I didn't write the headline, by the way.)As it turns out, Midwest Mom seems to be tweaking the nose of what she perceives as the typical Deseret News reader for "perceived persecutions" that are merely "unintended oversight."But "CVgal," apparently missing the sarcasm in Midwest Mom's tone, expresses agreement with her and scolds the newspaper for leaving the word Christmas out of the headline.As it turns out, both readers betray some ignorance regarding the production process.For whatever reason, the headline on the website version is identical to the one that appears in the print version. And as an experienced headline writer for newspapers, I know that one is compelled to choose wording that will fit the space that is allotted in the page layout. If that means using a reasonably accurate synonym for a particular word, so be it. My educated guess is that the headline writer in this instance used the word holiday merely because he/she couldn't make Christmas fit the space, that it was neither an intentional slight nor an unintentional "oversight." Holiday in the context of this article is a perfectly acceptable synonym used for what I am surmising is a justifiable purpose.I'm as opposed as the next fellow to the cultural war on Christmas, but in this instance I think both Midwest Mom and CVgal are raising much ado about nothing.
The Nehor Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I think participating in the "culture war" about Christmas in any way is a waste of time. There are thousands of causes worth spending time and money on. This is not one of them. Plus most people involved in it are morons and you do not want to pick up that taint by association.Reminds me of last year when Christians protested the Holiday Tree. They interrupted a children's choir to loudly sing "oh Christmas Tree" in protest and then congratulated themselves in their defense of Jesus. These brave Christians interrupted children to sing a secular song about a pagan symbol coopted to the holiday and imagine they are defending Christ. Like I said: morons.
bluebell Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Makes sense to me Scott.On a more personal but related note, i'm so tired of all the hoopla about holiday vs. Christmas. Of course i'm in favor of using the term Christmas (and don't even get me started on elementary schools not doing Christmas programs anymore-last week i sat through a music program for my 2nd grader that was all about bugs), but if someone wants to use the term holidays, I can live with that. I'm guessing that Jesus cares a whole lot more about how I feel and treat the person giving me the greeting, then He does about which greeting the other person used (just my opinion, i know).Let's not start a holy war over two nouns that are, supposedly, exchanged as a sign of friendship.
Duncan Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Makes sense to me Scott.On a more personal but related note, i'm so tired of all the hoopla about holiday vs. Christmas. Of course i'm in favor of using the term Christmas (and don't even get me started on elementary schools not doing Christmas programs anymore-last week i sat through a music program for my 2nd grader that was all about bugs), but if someone wants to use the term holidays, I can live with that.I'm guessing that Jesus cares a whole lot more about how I feel and treat the person giving me the greeting, then He does about which greeting the other person used (just my opinion, i know).Let's not start a holy war over two nouns that are, supposedly, exchanged as a sign of friendship.bugs? My kid in Grade 4 gets to be tweedle dee for their Alice in Wonderland production!
thesometimesaint Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 The expression on "in the thick of thin things" comes to mind.
Nathair/|\ Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 The word "holiday" drives me nuts when it's an attempt to not offend people by avoiding the word "Christ." When it's purpose is to acknowledge that there are many holidays of many different cultures celebrated at this time of year, then I appreciate it.
Duncan Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Reminds me of this nutcasehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CljBXeiegZQprobably fake but still funny!
bluebell Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 bugs? My kid in Grade 4 gets to be tweedle dee for their Alice in Wonderland production!It was a very nice program, but just, well, dumb, on so many levels.It was at the high school at night-we had to drive through streets lined with Christmas tree lights to get there. Then, the high school jazz band played Christmas carols on the stage wearing santa hats while draped in Christmas lights while all the parents were getting seated before the program began. And then the grand finale of the evening was a grand musical presentation (complete with kids wearing their very best clothes) on........ grasshoppers, ladybugs, butterflies, worms, bats, and mosquitoes.It's not something a person is really in the mood for this time of year, you know, and it's annoying because it seems contrived to be as antithetical to Christmas as possible.
Duncan Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 It was a very nice program, but just, well, dumb, on so many levels.It was at the high school at night-we had to drive through streets lined with Christmas tree lights to get there. Then, the high school jazz band played Christmas carols on the stage wearing santa hats while draped in Christmas lights while all the parents were getting seated before the program began. And then the grand finale of the evening was a grand musical presentation (complete with kids wearing their very best clothes) on........ grasshoppers, ladybugs, butterflies, worms, bats, and mosquitoes.It's not something a person is really in the mood for this time of year, you know, and it's annoying because it seems contrived to be as antithetical to Christmas as possible.Sounds like an interesting night! Winter is the one time you don't have to think of bugs for sure! especially mosquitos! it seems SO dumb though that PC has gone so almost to the extreme yet you wonder if anyone would mind if they did a Christmas thing, Santa Claus and all
thesometimesaint Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 http://americablog.com/2012/12/john-stewart-on-the-annual-war-on-christmas-from-fox.html
blackstrap Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Did the word ' holiday ' not come from Holy Day and as such also have a religious tone? There are quite a few holidays each year that have little or no connection to a 'holy day' now. We need a new word!!! Let's see, a word that means a day off for many people but for quite a few a day where they get time and a half for working so as to serve those who are not working. How about " Rumpelstiltzday" ?
blackstrap Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 For some reason I pictured him on a black Friesian..... a la Ladyhawke!
Calm Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 The Prose Edda contains extended information regarding the circumstances of Sleipnir's birth, and details that he is grey in color.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleipnir
Scott Lloyd Posted December 5, 2012 Author Posted December 5, 2012 Reminds me of this nutcaseprobably fake but still funny!Judging by the accents, this probably took place in Great Britain somewhere. Maybe the guy was upset that the group was singing an American Christmas song.
volgadon Posted December 7, 2012 Posted December 7, 2012 Well, in all fairness, if one is going to get all in a huff over the word holidays, one should wait patiently while I finish wishing them ALL of the Christian holidays in the months of December-January.
Nathair/|\ Posted December 7, 2012 Posted December 7, 2012 Well, in all fairness, if one is going to get all in a huff over the word holidays, one should wait patiently while I finish wishing them ALL of the Christian holidays in the months of December-January.Go for it.
The Nehor Posted December 8, 2012 Posted December 8, 2012 I move we celebrate every holiday of every faith and make them all national holidays. Anyone willing to second?
Nathair/|\ Posted December 8, 2012 Posted December 8, 2012 I move we celebrate every holiday of every faith and make them all national holidays. Anyone willing to second?I second.
blackstrap Posted December 8, 2012 Posted December 8, 2012 I move we celebrate every holiday of every faith and make them all national holidays. Anyone willing to second?If that makes them paid holidays,then I second that emotion. I will add that ,should such a motion pass, I will start a new faith in which we hold as sacred every month that has an "r" in it.
The Nehor Posted December 8, 2012 Posted December 8, 2012 If that makes them paid holidays,then I second that emotion. I will add that ,should such a motion pass, I will start a new faith in which we hold as sacred every month that has an "r" in it.Why do you hate summer so much?
Calm Posted December 8, 2012 Posted December 8, 2012 Why do you hate summer so much?Summer has an 'r' in it, that makes all summer months holidays.
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