The War on the Jews...

[Memekiller]

What gets me about this "war on Christmas" malarky is that it's really anger at an attempt to bring other holidays, particularly Hannukah, into the fold. So when these guys get so irrate about saying "holiday tree", isn't this kind of like saying, "Christians only!"

[wixomblues]

1. Yes, and it's about creating a bullshit issue for ratings and fundies.

By the way, love the name, memekiller.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. Meme meme meme.... or was the meemy meemy meemy...def.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

[DemFromMem]

10. Manufactured outrage

I'm Jewish and I happen to follow 1st Amendment issues pretty closely. I also read many of the major left wing blogs regularly. I was totally blindsided by this. I don't recall hearing any discussions anywhere in either the Jewish community or the left wing community about this issue. There are just so many issues that are more important. And suddenly we're told that we've launched a war on Christmas?

Just about every issue of large or small importance seems to be discussed at DU. Does anyone recall our ever talking about this before this little phony war started?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

11. No, it's total bullshit

these wackjobs make shit up to start controversy where nonr exists just to further devide the least educated amonghst us. There is no "war" on christianity, although if I had my way, there would be.

I find the same dynamic at work regarding racisim. I have talked to black people and Mexican people who feel that they have been discriminated against because of their race. When I (a honkey) explain to them that it's not about race, it's about class ie:as long as we are argueing with each other, we are not paying attention to what the people in power are doing to us. enevitabally, they all agree. The big problem is that we never talk to each other about it because we are all afraid of talking about race!

[DemFromMem]

17. What about the commercialization of Christmas?

Aren't these the same people who regularly gripe that Christmas has become all about the shopping and the religious aspects of the holiday have been lost. Now when stores have tried to get away from focusing on Christmas, we're told that they need to be more about linking shopping and Christmas. Which is it? This Jewish guy is confused.

[radio4progressives]

18. Canard generated by Big Business with Unholy Alliance with the Fundies

I was actually thinking that this canard was generated by Big Business - the goal is to boost xmas sales - of course - and since the yown the media, all they really needed was to actualize this goal with an unholy alliance with the rw extremists fundies. voila..

[ducque]

2. yes. so what is new?

It's actually much worse, because we now have the strong (but insinuated) antisemitism of the wingnuts added to the overt antisemitism / anti-Israelism of many on the left.

Pretty potent. I'm very, very much a progressive, but I find some of my bedfellows on "the left" to be "a little strange", to say the least.

It "couldn't happen here", could it?

I'm afraid, though, that the role we Jews are to play now will only be as the canary in the mine.

[OilemFirchen]

4. Anti-Likud isn't antisemitism,

anymore than anti-neocon is anti-American.

Get it yet?

[KharmaTrain]

14. What Does Likud Have To Do With Christmas?

Sadly, for some they can't differentiate Likud from Jew. It's very difficult to be supportive of Israel and its people without being called out on every Likud attrocity on here.

But that has nothing to do with this issue. As one whose long been the "lone Jew" in some very fundamentalist towns, this time of the year can be real lonely and bring out some of the goofiest people and questions. I always felt I had to "justify" my faith...which I refuse to do...or put up with a lot of condescending bullshit like I was some wayfarer...a lost soul.

The good thing about being a Jew during Christmas...lots of time and a half and double time spelling the goys on xmas day.

[pinto]

3. Humdinger of a piece by Joel Stein, LA Times. Funny and pointed.

http://www.latimes.com/news/columnists/la-oe-stein6dec06,1,6645975,print.column?coll=la-news-columns

no snips, it reads better as a whole

[TallahasseeGrannie]

6. As a Christian in public schools in a heavily Jewish area

I looked forward to the Hannukah season and much as Christmas. It is all part of the season to me. I know the songs, the history, the works.

Joy is joy.

These folks need to get a life.

[LibDemAlways]

7. I live in an area that is about 50/50 in terms of

Christians and Jews. Everyone here is very sensitive to keeping with the generic spirit of the "holidays." It's common sense to wish others "a happy holiday" since any given family may celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or, in many cases, both. Shopkeepers are sensitive to both traditions and split their window displays equally. One of the most beautifully decorated homes in the area for many years was owned by a Jewish family who went all out with a beautiful snowscene. They even had a Toys for Tots collection bin. People came from many miles to see the display. That family has moved on now, but people still talk about what a magnificent gift they gave to the community each year. What ought to count first and foremost is the spirit of goodwill toward all.

[OilemFirchen]

8. I especially love the twisty bit

that Christmas is part of this country's "Judeo-Christian" heritage.

So wiggly on so many levels...

[Deja Q]

12. Judeo-nonsense. Even the christmas tree was invented by pagans...

who saw a profit in the marketing of cut pine trees and lit up... before being lit on fire by what was used to light them up...

[HockeyMom]

9. I agree

As I have stated before, I can remember saying Happy Holidays around 40 years ago in NYC. So, OK, all you Christian Fundies, and the media, blame us here in NY for the start of it all because we didn't want to embarrass/offend our fellow Jewish neighbors by slighting them on their holiday. Living in a city of 8 million people, why should I even assume that a person on the street, in a store, etc, is a CHRISTIAN? I certainly would never ASK them what their religion, or lack thereof, was.

These people need to get a grip. The term Happy Holidays was coined out of RESPECT for ALL people, something that is severely lacking in this country today. It seems lately you MUST be the "preferred" race, religion, ethnicity, etc., etc.

This is supposed to be a season of Love, not HATE.

[laureloak]

13. It's an attempt to solidify the base by doing what they do best

...spreading HATE.

[Neil Lisst]

15. And the angels brought for a CHRISTMAS TREE.

It says so, right there in the Bible.

And they brought forth a tree, and decorated it with shiney objects, and put presents under it, and the angel of the Lord said 'let there be discount stores, and let them say MERRY CHRISTMAS, not HAPPY HOLIDAYS.'
---the 22nd chapter of Macy's, verse 17

[janx]

16. I have a deep disrespect for the right wing factions and how

they use Jews.

That is all that I can say.