White House Holiday Cards Flare Tempers (moved from ATSNN)

George W. Bush's strongest supporters, the conservative Christian portion of the US population have gotten upset about the lack of the word "Christmas" in George W. Bush's annual holiday card mailings. Supporters say that GWB is pulling a "Clinton" in his choice to send cards stating "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."



The article goes on to state that even though George W. Bush is a devout Christian, he rarely ever uses wholly Christian terms in public speech. He almost never uses the words "Jesus" or "Christ" in public speaking. One of the few exceptions to this occured during an interview when he was asked who his favorite philosopher was, and he replied, "Christ — because he changed my heart."

Personally, I think this just goes to show how small-minded this portion of the population really can be. I've never been a GWB supporter, but I do applaud him for taking a non-denominational stance with his holiday cards.

I found it also interesting to note that as much as the extremists within the Conservative Christian movement complain about GWB's choice to not specifically state "Christmas" in his cards, he's not alone among prior presidents. In addition to President Clinton, both Presidents Carter and Regan often refrained from stating "Merry Christmas" in their holiday cards.

Finally, a sentiment quoted in the end of the article that really amazes me as to the ignorance of this one man:

In fact, when asked if a Jewish president should send out cards saying "Merry Christmas" every year, Donohue said, "Absolutely."

That speaks for itself.

with all of my banter against a "holiday tree" vs a christmas tree, i have to agree with you on this one. the american president, regardless of his religious beliefs, should remain as nuetral as possible on the issue of religion. what he does or believes in his private life is his business, and he should not use his office to push his ideals, however rightous they may be.

but dont lump all christians together on this one. make sure you differentiate between the extremists who are offended and mainstream christians, who understand the need for a sitting president to show no bias.

You should feel fortunate that you even recieved a holiday card from the White House or the President, regardless of what it says.

That would be like winning a million dollars then whining and crying because the amount to be paid to you will be spread over 20 years.






seekerof

[edit on 7-12-2005 by Seekerof]

Seekerof,

I actually did recieve holiday cards every year from President Clinton, and even one from Regan. I consider that an honor in and of itself. Apparently, the extremists quoted in this article don't understand the honor that it is to get one.

Snafu,

I don't lump all Christians in with those few that are complaining. In the text of the article, it is the representative being interviewed, this Donohue guy, that is lumping everyone together. I fully understand that not all Christians are like this. I know it's a select few that are apparently out to give all Christians a bad name. This article is about the select few extremists that fall into that category.

Can there be anything of less importance than the President's choice of Christmas cards? Surely, those who are upset can understand that the President could not send a card that would not offend someone. In fact, the President cannot do anything without offending someone. This is the cheapest of shots from those who should know better.

This is the cheapest of shots from those who should know better.

As is the whole manufactured "war on Christmas" crap...

Maybe he was just avoiding the HOOPLA that would have surrounded him, had he said "CHRISTMAS" on his card.

Contrary to popular belief, it appears he ISN"T pushing his "right wing christian" agenda anymore eh?

Perhaps Mr. Donahue would be in a somewhat better mood if he were to watch the Barney and Miss Beazley Christmas video. You'll find it here:

Video

This is the second year in a row that I have received a card from the President and First Lady. It's a lovely card, in the spirit of the season. Why someone would analyze it is beyond me.

see,

Now I am upset. I didn't get a card.
Not even a simple phone call..nada


dern keybroad!

[edit on 7-12-2005 by spacedoubt]

I have to give it to some but everybody seems to be missing the point here, the fight about "Christmas" is coming from religious groups that wants to take Christmas back to what they think is its religious meaning and take away the commercialized part of it.

But for some reason it has been turned around to make it look like somebody wants to eliminated Christmas and holidays altogether.

From the controversy of the "Christmas Tree" to the take over by commercialized Santa and forgetting baby Jesus it has been a fight that religious groups has been to wagging for quite sometime.

Do not get confused.

[bushapologistmode]
Many people of various faiths send cards on many diverse occasions, unlike a Christmas tree, where only one surviving tradition uses that as a holiday symbol. As there are several different holidays celebrated by Bush's broad political base this season, I think a more secular holiday card is completely appropriate.
[/bushapologistmode]

PS: I'm going to ritually burn my card when I get it

I gave this a "yes" vote. Guy can't even send out a card without someone getting their knickers in a knot. He's not trying to offend anybody. But the mere act of trying to not be offensive will offend somebody.

Personally, I think a good number of people should just

[Automatic ATS censors kick in to delete remainder of post]

]That would be like winning a million dollars then whining and crying because the amount to be paid to you will be spread over 20 years.

Which, of course, people do now.
I agree, this issue over a frikin card is silly. The office of the president shoudlnt' be wasting time sending them out in the first place, and certainly shouldn't be sending out christmas cards to christians who celebrate christmas, hanukkah cards to jews, eid to muslims, diwali to hindus, god-knows-what to zoroasterians, or even 'non holiday cuze you don't do that' cards to Jehovah's Witnesses and the like.

Hell, how is the office supposed to even know what this mooks religion is? I mean, is he that stupid that he actually thinks it was written by the president himself, that its a personalized card? Its sent out by a machine!

see,

Now I am upset. I didn't get a card.
Not even a simple phone call..nada

Seriously. He doesn't even call all year. I know he's busy and all but how hard is it to pic up a phone! All i get from him is 'forwards' that have recylced email jokes, thats just not gonna cut it as keeping in touch. And now this. *huff*

[edit on 9-12-2005 by Nygdan]

that wants to take Christmas back to what they think is its religious meaning and take away the commercialized part of it.

except that the 'fight' revolves around.....stores not having christmas banners and adds. Ironic. Christmas is a holiday about buying stuff. Period. End of story. There's allways a winter holliday. For the jesus worshippers its christmas. In scandanavia, its some chick with a candelabra on her head. For odin worshippers, you light up a yule tree by setting it on fire. And now for us money worshippers, its sales and drama at the stores on our holy day.

I think most of you are kind of seeing one of the points of this article: it's senseless to make a big deal out of a holiday card. I think there's a bigger issue behind it, though.... and that issue is that the man who is screaming so loudly about this is a representative from one of the groups that make up GWB's biggest supporters. It's people like this that hang on every word that GWB says, and hold him as a saint who can do no wrong. It is this group, as small a minority as it is, that has been yelling the loudest through GWB's presidency, and been getting placated as a result. It's people like this who are making the political differences.

This isn't just an issue about holiday cards. This is about American politics. This is the group that GWB caters to the most, and several members of this segment of the American population are in high positions in the government, making choices that affect all of us.

Yes, holiday cards are a minor issue, and really a rather asinine thing to make a stink about, yet they do. Why? Because the cards don't inherently support Christianity as the prevailing religion in the US. Many people that fall within this small minority of people refuse to admit that people are free to choose their own religion (as protected by the first Amendment to the Bill of Rights: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"), and that Christianity isn't the only religion practiced by Americans (Census data showing the religious diversity of the American population between 1999 and 2001 can be found here: www.census.gov... [towards the bottom of the document]). As much publicly available information as there is to prove they aren't the only ones in the US, they don't seem to care, and they still squawk like they're the only ones that live here.

Take a look at the people running and supporting the government, and in this article, you'll find an illustration of what is really happening in America.

I received a White House 'holiday' card.
My husband received one too.

The only thing that irked me was that money was being
wasted on sending out cards and stamps. The card was
nice.

As far as changing Christmas to 'holidays' -
I don't like changing Christmas to 'holidays'. Why do it?
If you aren't celebrating the Christian or Jewish holiday
then allow those who are to celebrate ... show some
tolerance for the Christian and Jewish celebrations.

(Kwanza isn't a real holiday, so don't try to throw that
into the mix. It's a sham pulled off on black America.)

Originally posted by Nygdan
In scandanavia, its some chick with a candelabra on her head.

In Sweden, the oldest daughter of the house puts on a white
robe and wears a crown of candles. She gets up early in the morning
and brings sweet cakes to her family while they are still in bed. This
is done on December 14th (I'm pretty sure) - and is the Feast of St. Lucy.

This is a rather charming custom. It has family and
religion together in the celebration. Very nice.

Originally posted by marg6043
to make it look like somebody wants to eliminated Christmas
and holidays altogether.

There sure is a vast conspiracy by someone somewhere
to make Christmas nothing more than a secular capitalist 'holiday'.
When people demand that the name of CHRISTmas be changed to
'holiday' ... then there is more than just 'making it look like' ...
it is definately happening.