All in the name of inclusiveness!? Part 1

This is going to be an ongoing topic over the next few days. There are a few topics I have in regards to political correctness. In the interest of not posting a one million word essay, I'm going to break it up into a few parts.

Warning: I will not pretend to be politically correct in writting on this topic, I will write with respect for my fellow man, but that's it.

The idea of being politically correct during the holidays has become more than absurd.

You had better not have a Christmas Parade!

Denver found that out. I have no problem what-so-ever calling it a Holiday Parade, afterall, it is the Holidays for Christians, Jews, Non-Believers and Africans, (even though Kwanzaa is more about separating Blacks from Whites, but I'll still respect the holiday, more power to you). But when a church in Denver wanted to enter the Denver Parade of Lights and sing Christmas caroles, they of course, were rejected.

"Our policy, which we have applied consistently for years, is to not include religious or political messages in the parade --in the interest of not excluding any group," said Jim Basey, the president of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

I'm fine with no political messages, but why exclude to include? That just sounds stupid, did you hear yourself say that? Did you cringe as that left your lips? Did you hide under you desk the next day when you read it? Of course you did. You're not actually stupid, you just said something stupid.

Susan Rogers, with the partnership said that no overtly religious symbols are allowed in the parade and that means participants can't carry "Merry Christmas" signs and can't sing traditional Christmas hymns. However Basey seemed to contradict her in a later statement when he said, "The parade includes performances of Christmas songs, and parade participants saying 'Merry Christmas,' 'Happy Hanukkah,' and other holiday greetings."

Maybe Basey is just stupid, or these poor spokespeople don't even know what's going on, gotta be politically correct, gotta include all, but we can only do that by excluding everybody, ohhh, confussion...

See, absurd!

I have a way you can include all and exclude none!

Don't talk to eachother, and cancel all celebrations!

Otherwise, get over it! Join in, learn something about another faith. I had a Jewish freind when I was a young boy, my family spent one night at his house to learn a little about Hanukkah. Unfortunately, I was young, Catholic, and didn't care about either religion. Today, I'd be much more willing to learn.


Governor Schwarzenegger got it right.



Update from the Governor's Office
November 30, 2004

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Note the word Christmas. He decided he would not call it a Holiday tree, it's a Christmas Tree!

Why does any faith have an issue with the Christmas Tree?

What does the Tree have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ? Nothing! Christians just adopted this idea as part of a celebration. Santa Clause? Same thing!

Frankly, everything Christmas has become, is far removed from Christianity!

So everybody is free to do as the Christians have done,(or don't, if you prefer), adopt this idea--

Buy a Christmas tree, pretend there is a Santa Clause (to ensure your children are not naughty), buy a bunch of presents, have an excuse to get the whole family together for a feast, so you can celebrate a Christmas that has nothing to do Christianity, the birth of Jesus, or anything religious! Unless shopping is a religous expirience for you.

If you must still celebrate the Christian part, or the Jewish part, great, you are a better person than I. I love the idea of having all religions represented in any holiday celebration, parade, tree lighting ceremony, or whatever.

Do it all at once, one celebration, include all religions, you know, actually embrace them. Imagine that, inclusivenes, by including, not excluding.

Seriously, how hard is this!!!