On Phil Robertson, hate speech and Christian persecution

I'll be honest.  I've only ever watched Duck Dynasty once.  I thought the episode I saw was fairly amusing. I have some friends and family who adore it.  I'm not here to offer my criticism of the show itself, but I do have a few things to say about Dynasty patriarch, Phil Robertson, and his recent GQ interview where he likened homosexuality to bestiality and also implied that black people were happier under Jim Crow.

More accurately, I'm going to reiterate a few points that come up every time someone gets shit for saying something bigoted in the media and everyone and their grandma starts yelling about "FREEZE PEACH!" 

Let's make one thing clear.  No ones constitutional rights are being trampled here.  The government has not stepped in prevent Phil Robertson from expressing his views, through threat of punishment or sanction.  Free speech does not mean that he is free from consequence or criticism.

The ability to criticize is also a part of free speech.  In fact, there was a whole lot of free speech going on here:  

- Phil was fully within his rights to express his views to GQ, knowing that GQ would be publishing his words.

- People who disagreed and found his words hurtful and/or oppressive were within their rights to contact A&E and tell them that they would no longer support A&E should A&E continue to either implicitly or explicity support Phil Robertson

- A&E is within their rights to verbally distance themselves from Robertson (even if hypocritically so, since they've apparently been aware of his views for years, and only now seem to have a problem when it could potentially bite them in the ass) and they are within their rights to refuse to give him a platform

- Supporters of Robertson are also within their rights to tell A&E that they will no support A&E if they DON'T reinstate Robertson.  They are also free to, rather disingenuously, claim that they don't agree with his views but care more about their comfort zone and viewing habits than the people that Phil has figuratively shat on, so they will hereby be boycotting A&E until Phil is reinstated so they can return happily to their comfort zone of apathy.

- edited to add: people were also within their rights to continue to watch or not watch the show without comment, because freedom of speech also includes the freedom to withhold an opinion.

See? Free speech abounds.

As far as the claim is being persecuted for his Christian beliefs.. Well, no.  He's being called out on his shitty beliefs.  It is my understanding that the family on Duck Dynasty make no bones about being faithful Christians, right down to ending every meal with a prayer.   As far as I know, I don't recall too many people complaining about their Christian beliefs before this interview came out.  I've not read about people up in arms about the Robertson's dinner prayers or references to God and The Bible.  People got complainy when those beliefs started to shit on marginalized people.

Shoppers Drug Mart Agrees to Hold Off on Christmas Music, People Predictably Lose Their Shit, Act Like Total Assholes.

Holy crap, you guys.  A store actually listened to a customer complaint.  A CHAIN store, even.  And then, everything went to hell.  Because we can't have nice things.

I picked this up via fellow blogger Tom Megginson, who writes  at The Ethical Adman

So, I guess someone complained about Shoppers Drug Mart playing Christmas music in their stores the freaking day after Halloween and shockingly the store chain said, via their Facebook page "Okay, cool, we'll hold off"

Predictably, people are freaking out about political correctedness gone apeshit and the so-called "War On Christmas."

The store chain has stated that this is not a permanent ban -  they're just holding off citing that many people thought it was too soon.  There are a lot of Canadians who are pushing to have people and establishments hold off on putting up Christmas decorations and playing music until after November 11th, so as not to take attention away from Remembrance Day.

Can I reiterate?  NOT A PERMANENT BAN.

Holy shit, people.  I'm the first one to say that when I start hearing Christmas carols in stores when there are still dead babies on my lawn, it kind of takes some of the magic out of the season.  Give us a chance to breathe before throwing the general public into another harried holiday season.  I personally like a little chance to get excited about Christmas before I move onto being stressed as fuck about it.  So kudos to Shoppers Drug Mart for this move, says I.  If you can do something about your bloody make-up counters and their proximity to the front door, then we'll be on a roll.

Anyway, to no one's surprise, the thread has devolved into the ultimate game of War-on-Christmas bingo, complete with racist, go-back-where-you-came-from anti-immigrant sentiment.   Check out Tom's post for some of the worst offenders.  I'm thinking of getting a big old bottle of something alcoholic tonight and reading through the epic thread that has already reached over 3600 comments in the last three hours.

If you wanna take part, just take a drink everyone someone invokes the following:

• Allusion to people being 'too politically correct'
• References to a War on Christmas
• Telling non-christians to go back where they came from and ignoring the fact plenty of non-christians are born here.  Including the millions that lived here before Christians ever showed up.
• Anti-muslim comments
• Complaints about not being able to say "Merry Christmas" 
• References to "Holiday Trees"
• Putting the Christ back into Christmas
• The Grinch or Scrooge

Something tells me I'm going to be feeling rough tomorrow.

My boyfriend scares me sometimes.

This post is a short preamble to the longer post with pictures that I have planned, that i may or may not get around to writing, of our adventures in the Bruce Peninsula.  Now that Blogger's iPad page has an actual editor, I may get around to posting more.  Also, it's my birthday today, so feel free to fawn accordingly in the comments.

So, this weekend The Guy For Whom I Have Not Come Up With A Good Blog Alias™ who for the purposes of this post, I shall refer to as My Navigator and I took a trip up to Tobermory, Ontario.  One of the stops was to the Bruce Caves, just outside of Wiarton, Ontario.  This conversation happened.

Approximately 1.5 hours before getting to Wiarton, we're looking at the map.  Navigator claims he has never been to these caves before. I'm a little skeptical, since he is one who has Been Many Places, but he insists so I believe him.

Navigator:  So, we have to turn onto Grey Road 1, but since it's in town, it'll probably be called something different.  I dunno, something like "Frank Street".
Me:  It'd be funny if it was actually called Frank Street.

1.5 hours later, we are in Wiarton, driving around getting gas, food and Tim Hortons coffee.  We turn onto a side street.  It's Frank Street.

Me: Whoa, there actually is a Frank street here.
Navigator: weird.
Me:  Heh.  I wonder if that's the road we have to take? That'd be freaky.

We go get coffee and he goes to check the directions to Grey Road one.  He gets back in the car.

Navigator: Okay, so we have to take a right out of the parking lot and another right at the lights. 

So, following his instructions, I take a right out of the parking lot, and a right at the lights.  The street we turn onto, which we have been told is Grey Road 1, looks familiar.

Navigator:  Look.
Me:  Holy shit.  Frank Street? 

Navigator: yup.
Me:  *blinks*  You're fucking scary.

Christopher Titus, I am disappoint.

Some of you may remember a short-lived but hilarious (if you share my own sick sense of humour) sit-com a few years back by the name of Titus, based on the real life upbringing of comedian Christopher Titus.

So I'm a fan of his page on Facebook and I came across this post.  When I first read it, I honestly thought it was satire but as I read on I realized that it was written in seriousness.  I think.  I'm not sure, actually, the whole thing is kind of muddled and incoherent.  I don't even know where to start with the whole 'Negro Greetings' thing... I'm pretty sure I'd find it offensive if I could figure out what the fuck his point is on that one.

Anyway, I'll let you read the post for yourself.

Transcription:

This is a repost.
I'm getting tired of atheists bitching about Christmas, first of all you're an atheist, why do you care who believes what? How can someone who believes nothing believe in nothing so much that you want everyone else to believe in nothing or make fun of the non non-believers. Sounds like a cult. I believe that Jesus Christ walked the earth and he was a good man, like I believe that Ghandi walked the earth and Martin Luther King also. That's why it's called Martin Luther king day not "Negro greetings". Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ which is why it's called Christmas and a manger scene has people dressed in robes of the time and lambs and whatever.Theres no aliens. (I'm looking at you Scientology.) Guess what there is a ton of mythology about Ghandi and MLK too so step the hell off atheists and keep your believing in nothing to yourselves. I'm tired of you forcing your non beliefs on me. I love how people bitch about their civil rights until they start infringing on others. You think I'm pissed? Listen to blah blah blah shameless self-promotions etc etc etc...

Really what?

I read some of the comments but then stopped after I found that the stupid was beginning to burn, so I went on to post this response:

I've never heard an atheist bitch about Christmas. I've never heard a Muslim bitch about Christmas. I've never heard a jew bitch about Christmas. I've never heard a Hindu bitch about Christmas. I've never heard a Pagan bitch about Christmas. I've heard a lot of Christians bitch about a war on Christmas, which could be true if you consider war to mean 'the suggestion that one might acknowledge that there are other holidays in the month of December.' But myself, I've always thought 'war' involved a lot of guns and death and stuff. That I've yet to see, outside of Weird Al Yankovic's "The Night Santa Went Crazy."

Those who have been reading this blog for a while know that I have very little patience for the "War on Christmas" crowd and that personally I find the idea that by simply acknowledging the varying beliefs of people living in North America we're contributing to the downfall of Western Civilization to be at worst, a xenophobic and dangerously bigoted idea and at best, just fucking ridiculous.  Saying Happy Holidays to someone instead of Merry Christmas isn't a big slap in the face to Jesus Christ.. in fact, from what I know of him, he would have encouraged it.  It's my understanding that J.C. was very into all that "Goodwill toward man" and "Loving thy Neighbour" stuff.

Take a look around you... the only people waging a war on Christmas and it's true meaning are the advertisers, the corporations and the grinding gears in the machine of greed.  If anyone forgets the 'true' meaning of Christmas, it won't be because a few people say Happy Holidays.

As for the original rant, I think Titus needs to do some research on Atheism and what it entails.  It's not a belief in nothing.  It's a movement toward rational thought and critical thinking instead of blind faith.  A lot of Atheists still celebrate Christmas, but may center it around celebrating family.  Hell, I consider myself an Atheist but I still think that it's possible that Jesus Christ existed, and I celebrate Christmas because I have respect for the ideas that Jesus espoused (that stuff that I mentioned above.  Love, and such).  No, I don't believe in the Resurrection.  I don't believe he was the Son of God.  But I respect his ideas.

I wish more people would.

UPDATED: Yeah. Not impressed.

So, I got a letter home from the school the other day letting us know that the Gideons have asked to come and speak to our fifth-graders (of which mine eldest spawn is one) and provide them each with a free Bible.  At the bottom of the letter is a disclaimer stating that this is not an initiative of the local school board.

I'm not real thrilled about this, so I sent the form back with a note that I did not wish for my child to participate.

I had very little religious education growing up, beyond what I sought out for myself over the years and what I have seen has not impressed me.  At this point in time I consider myself pretty much an Atheist, and my children have been taught a moral code based simply on the idea of being empathic to others' feelings and respecting their bodily autonomy.  Pretty simple.

I've had my kids enrolled, albeit reluctantly, in a few Bible camps due to the fact that church funded kids activities tend to be a hell of a lot cheaper than other kinds of day camps so I justified it using providing the kids with a social outlet.  But I always felt kid of squicky, especially when my daughter went to her dad's and told her stepsister that she wouldn't go to Heaven because she didn't believe in god.

The ex-hub and I had a little chat after that and came to the conclusion that we'd seek other social outlets for the kiddies.

So yeah, I'm not thrilled.  I wasn't going to even mention it here, but a friend of mine posted the question to Facebook and a discussion ensued.

I'm of the belief that one's spiritual and religious beliefs are a personal thing and are not suitable for the school environment.  One woman made the comment that this would provide a moral compass to kids.  I replied that one can teach children morals and ethics without relying on the Bible.

I think that what bugs me most is not the fact that if I wanted to indoctrinate my kids I'd be sending them to church, or at the very least a Catholic school (please don't get me started on the fact that we still have a Catholic school board) but it's that I have the feeling that in our rather white-bread community, I'm not sure I'd see it going over well if say, a Muslim group wanted to talk to the school and hand out copies of the Qu'ran - although, incidentally, the public library did recently hold a Question-Answer type period on Islam that I was tempted to check out and then I completely forgot about it...

Anyway, I digress.. I'm not sure that would go over so well.. or what if one of our many local members of the Pagan community wanted to come lecture the kids?  Or.. what if I wrote to the School board and asked if I could come in and lecture on Atheism and hand out copies of writings by Nieztche or Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion?"

Would they be as welcoming then?

I'm almost tempted to write a letter suggesting just that...

In other news, I have now have the school board to blame for the fact that I've had Rocky Racoon stuck in my bloody head all day long.

UPDATE:  Holy hell (*snicker*) I just remembered another reason why this pisses me off.  Because this is being hosted by the same school that has had 'Orange and Black day' in place of Halloween celebrations, so as not to offend the poor widdle Christian (and other) kids whose parents don't let them celebrate Halloween.

Hypocrisy at its finest.

With respect to the Vandals, "We'll have a drink and throw a parade, and greet the rapture screaming 'Hooray!'

I've started ignoring the news.

It's overwhelming.  For real.  For one, I have a lot to say in response to various things I see, but so much of seems like it's all be said or by the time I find myself with time on my hands, we're onto a new topic of the week.

I considered writing about the mom in San Fransisco who had boasted that she gave her 8-year-old regular Botox injections and had her... erm.. "waxed" so she 'can be a star!'  Children's services apparently got involved because holy shit what parent thinks injecting their kid's face with what is essentially botulism in order to paralyze face muscles is a good idea?

The answer to that is:  People who are only a bit dumber and more looks-obsessed than those who
think injecting their own face with a deadly toxin is a good idea.

Don't even get me started on the waxing thing.  I'm pretty sure I don't have to explain the procedure I'm referring to? If so, Google it.  Sorry, but waxing when there is no hair (which in the case of an eight-year-old, is likely) is basically the equivalent of putting duct tape on someone's bits and ripping off, just for a laugh.

Pretty sick, no? I mean, sick, like disgusting, abhorrent and the like.  Not 'sick' like all the kids are saying it these days.

Yeah, I'm old.  Get off my lawn.

Turns out that was a big fat hoax.

So instead of a looks-obsessed pageant mom, we have a fame-obsessed reality show/pageant mom wannabe.  Which still says a lot from a sociological stand-point about our skewed and ultimately mucked-up celebrity culture, especially in light of the fact that in another week, the world will have all but forgotten Botox mom.  I hope her kid gets the help she's going to need.  Sure, she's not shot all full of toxins or rendered pre-emptively hairless, but having a parent encourage you to lie on national television so they can fulfill some dream of fame, or more accurately, infamy is about as fucked as it gets.

In other news, in looking for an image to go with this post, I found this image and it made me giggle.

Source

It's funny, because it's true.

In other news, we're all gonna die. and I blame some particularly sketchy math.  Don't worry though, it's not going to be for a few months, after a period of torment and such, and let's not forget the dead bodies being strewn about the place.   Well, the good Xtians get a pass on all that and get to be vaporized this Saturday.

I'm wondering if there was any point to planning my daughter's birthday party for Sunday, since it's my understanding that kids get a free pass, being innocents and all?  Or is it one of those 'unbaptised babies spend eternity in Purgatory' things?  In which case, I guess the party is still on, we'll just have to keep an eye out for locusts on the cake.

And the dead bodies being strewn about.  Can't forget that.

Will it happen?  I'm betting not, just like the other times it was all supposed to come crashing to a halt and didn't.  I'm pretty sure the Mayans were just too busy to finish their calendar as well.

Still I will admit, a small part of me wonders if maybe I'm just totally wrong about this.  It's a very small, niggling part.  Logic would dictate that there's probably just as much of a chance of SkyNet becoming self-aware as Jesus returning to earth to zap up all the living and dead Xtians, while us heathens get to writhe and maybe with any luck, loot a bit, but...  it's an irrational fear I suppose.

In the meantime, I've been having fun creating a 'bring on the Apocalypse playlist, as I've been walking around with Blondie's Rapture in my head all week.

So, without further ado, Songs for the End of Days:

Rapture - Blondie
Heaven is a Better Place Today - The Tragically Hip
Running with the Devil - Van Halen
We'll all get Laid - The Vandals
It's the End of the World As We Know It - R.E.M.
Hell - Blind Melon
Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel
Devil in a Midnight Mass - Billy Talent
Electric Demons in Love - Electric Six
Alert Status Red - Matthew Good Band
Ain't No Rest for the Wicked - Cage the Elephant

Margaret Atwood can't roll in her grave, as she's not even dead yet.

In other news, but related on the war on reproductive rights front, I just read an article that almost made me spit pop all over my bloody computer screen.

Georgia anti-abortion bill would require investigations of miscarriages

I don't even know what to say about this.  I'm fucking fuming.  It's like these state governments are not even TRYING to hide their contempt for women's autonomy over their own body.

Like I said previously:  ProLife=Pro-Fetus=Anti-Choice=Fuck Women, Who Gives a Shit.

The bill was apparently introduced by Georgia State Rep. Bobby Franklin and would "...classify the removal of a fetus from a woman for any reason other than to produce a live birth or to remove a dead fetus as 'prenatal murder.'"and that it would "it would require miscarriages to be reported by hospitals and other medical institutions, and a fetal death certificate issued."

What.  The.  Hell.

Of course, this is the same genius that introduced a bill mandating that victims of rape, stalking, harassment, and family violence be re-classified as "accusers."

As others have pointed out, if your car gets stolen, or your house gets broken into, or you have the shit kicked out of you, or you're murdered, then you're a victim.  Get raped, and report it, and you're an accuser.

Georgia State Rep. Bobby Franklin

I'm curious to know if Bobby F's dear wife (assuming he's married) has ever suffered a miscarriage.  I haven't, but I know people who have, and that shit can be downright traumatizing.  Even without being investigated to make sure it really was a miscarriage and not "prenatal murder".  I can't even begin to imagine how invasive such an investigation would be.  It's mortifying.

Has Franklin any daughters, I wonder?  If something happened to one of them, would he be comfortable with them being referred to as accusers rather than victims?


I was being facetious the other day when I referred to Margaret Atwood and The Handmaid's Tale.  I'm not finding it quite so funny now.  If you've read it, you know what I mean.

This is downright scary.

On her Facebook page, Anne Rice posted this link for anyone who wants to contact this guy and tell him what-for.

I'm not sure I like the view from up on this soapbox...

I'm seeing a lot of stuff going down in the American media concerning the apparent war that the religious right seems to be waging on women's reproductive rights and all I can say is:

"What the fucking fuck, America?"

It's becoming pretty damn obvious to me that the term Pro-life is a misnomer and would be more correctly referred to as Pro-Fetus, since if you are a woman, or low-income, or both life suddenly becomes pretty friggin' neglible.

And this isn't one of those situations where I can sit back and feel smug in my Canadian-ness like I did when it came to the Social healthcare debate in the U.S. (and I did, I admit it).  Because, let's face it, as America's hat the stuff that's been going on could happen here too.  Think back a bit.. Our own PM, Steve Harper, cut funding to womens groups focused on women's health in developing nations who wouldn't "...shut the fuck up" on the abortion issue.  If old Steve-O is willing to cut funding to developing nations over a conservative ideology, well, it's just a small step before cuts start here in our own country, which is what basically happened in the U.S. today when the House voted to cut funding to Planned Parenthood because they provide abortion services, even though the funding provided cancer screening and access to contraceptives to thousands of low-income families.

As my brother-in-law, Frank, is usually quick to point out, what happens in the States stands a good chance of affecting Canada in the long run, which is why the House's decision has my panties in a bunch.

I'm sure Margaret Atwood never really thought she'd see this kind of Handmaid's Tale stuff played out in her lifetime.

First there was the issue of the nun getting ex-communicated for allowing a woman to receive a life-saving abortion in a catholic hospital, because clearly the merciful thing to do would have been to let the woman die on the off-chance the fetus might have been viable, which to my understanding, it likely would not have been.  Very Pro-Life indeed.  This story was disturbing enough, but because the situation was so entrenched in the inner workings of the Catholic church, the level of threat was not the same, because a simple solution to someone whose life hung in the balance would be don't go to a Catholic hospital.

Last week I heard a story that a law is on the table in South Dakota that would allow killing in the defense of a fetus to be considered justifiable homocide.  Now, unless it is worded very carefully this could leave a lot of holes for the killing of doctors and nurses who perform abortions.  It's my understanding that the idea is that it would protect pregnant women from being attacked in domestic disputes, but let's be realistic and admit that this law would have more than likely been used in the former situation rather than the latter.  For now, it looks as though the law has been shelved, thankfully.

This latest news about the defunding of Planned Parenthood is upsetting at best, as it presents a huge step backwards in reproductive rights and in access to healthcare for low-income people.  Jill at Feministe puts it well in saying that this goes well beyond just being about abortion and has become an all out war on our reproductive rights, as well as a war on the working class and those below the poverty line:

This isn’t about abortion — it’s about cutting access to health care for women. One in five American women has used Planned Parenthood’s services. The vast majority of care — more than 90% — offered at Planned Parenthood health centers is preventative. Every year, Planned Parenthood carries out nearly one million screenings for cervical cancer — screenings which save lives. Every year, Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses give more than 830,000 breast exams — exams which save lives. Every year, nearly 2.5 million patients receive contraception from Planned Parenthood — a service which prevents enormous numbers of unintended pregnancies and, by extension, an enormous number of abortions. Every year, Planned Parenthood administers nearly 4 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV — tests and treatments which save lives, extend lives, preserve fertility, and maintain reproductive health.

What the anti-choicer's are not realizing here (or perhaps they are fully aware of) is that cutting funding to Planned Parenthood is not going to save any significant number of lives, even those of the unborn.  This will not reduce the number of abortions being performed - it could even increase the number, when you consider the fallout is reduced access to contraceptives and family planning information.  What it will reduce is the number of safe abortions being perfomed.  But of course, as we touched on earlier, Pro-Life is really just Pro-Fetus, and the life of the evil, bad, dirty secks-lovin' woman is neglible, as is the rape victim, or the married couple whose condom broke.

In a rather moving speech given to the House, Rep. Jackie Speier made a bold move and spoke about her own experience in having an abortion for health-related reasons.



Speier hits the nail on the head. Most times, this is not a decision that anyone takes lightly.  And for the few who do, that is unfortunate, but the idea of choice is that we have choice, whether or not we use that choice responsibly.   I used to rail against women that used abortion as a form of birth control, and you know, it still bugs me.  But it is not my body.

I'm going to get a little personal here.  I've always maintained that being Pro-choice is not the same as being pro-abortion.   The idea of being Pro-choice is that a woman has a right to decide what happens to her body, under any circumstances.  It is our right to decide whether we are physically and emotionally ready, willing and capable to carry a child to term.  And this is something close to my heart because I've been there.  My ex left when I was six-weeks pregnant with my youngest daughter.  And I faced that choice.  In my heart of hearts I know I made the right choice and I wouldn't trade my baby girl for anything in the world, but the point is that is the choice I made was my own and what was good for me, is not always good for others.

It's also close to me because I know there's a possibility down the road that I could face that decision again.  After I had Reegs (and I might add I will always be glad to be able to look her in the eye and tell her she is here because I WANTED to have her..) my OB told me that carrying another child could and would likely kill me.  On that warning I took the precaution of having my tubes tied because A) dying is bullshit and B) Two kids is more than enough for the less-than-maternal type.  But even though tubal ligation is considered 99% effective against pregnancy, well, simple math states that 99% is not 100%.  There is a chance, albeit ridiculous slim, that down the road I could find myself in the position of having to choose between terminating a pregnancy or trying to carry to term and possibly leaving my children motherless.

I cannot fathom what I would do if a lack of resources, or my beliefs, or a piece of legislation were to force my hand in such a situation.

I've been frustrated as hell over the last day or two because I've been seeing all these calls-to-action to support Planned Parenthood, but being in Canada I generally have been unable to sign petitions, so all I can do is talk about it.  Access to family planning is important to everyone.  If you are able, please show your support.

More Exclusionist Xmas B.S. Hooray.

We can't say Merry Christmas, we have to say Happy Holidays. We can't call it a Christmas tree, it's now called a Holiday tree??? Because it might offend someone! If you don't like our "Canadian Customs" and it offends you so much then LEAVE!! They are called Canadian customs because we live in Canada and WE HAVE OUR OWN TRADITIONS!! If you agree with this, please post this as your status and MERRY CHRISTMAS EH!!!

 So, this is one of the recent 'put this as your status if you agree' Facebook tropes going around at the moment.  Putting aside my general annoyance at the bandwagon-hoppingness (yes, I make my own words) of the copy/paste status and its illustration of the herd mentality (seriously, try having an original thought, folks.. even if you are just putting the same thought into your own words), this one I find both offensive and and innacurate.

• We can't say Merry Christmas, we have to say Happy Holidays. 

Bullshit.  You're more than welcome to say Merry Christmas.  It's not like a law was passed, outlawing the term.  But as I talked about last week, Happy Holidays is a nice way to acknowledge that A) there's more than one holiday this time of year and B) not everyone celebrates Christmas.  But no one is putting a gun to your head.

•  We can't call it a Christmas tree, it's now called a Holiday tree???

As far as Holiday trees go, do I think it's silly that Toronto City hall or whoever decided to call the tree out front a Holiday tree rather than a Christmas tree?  Oh heck yes.  Dumb.  But that's their choice, in a (admittedly lame) attempt to be inclusionary.  Incidentally though, the only references online to the City Hall Holiday Tree were blogs that were complaining about it.   One article I found (and I did not know this) gave me the impression that former Mayor Mel "Bad Boy" Lastman, reversed that decision, back in 2002.  So, yes, Virginia, you can say Christmas Tree.

•  If you don't like our "Canadian Customs" and it offends you so much then LEAVE! 

Ohh, this reeks of 'why don'tcha come back where you came from??' mentality.  This makes the assumption that the people who don't celebrate and who are 'getting offended' are immigrants.   What about Jewish people whose families have been here for generations?  Pagans?  Atheists?  Where exactly do these people go?  As Canadians, do their own customs not fall under the umbrella as 'Canadian customs?'  Does one have to subscribe to Christianity to be Canadian?  Not according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

• They are called Canadian customs because we live in Canada and WE HAVE OUR OWN TRADITIONS

I've always operated with the understanding that another one of our Canadian customs was.. oh.. hrm.. what's it called again?  Oh yeah, I remember...

MULTICULTURALISM. 

Canadians are not of any one cultural background, race or heritage. Instead, Canadians today reflect a vast diversity of cultural heritages and racial groups. This multicultural diversity is a result of centuries of immigration. - About Canada - Multiculturalism in Canada

 So yeah.. my point?  Christmas is a tradition enjoyed by many Canadians, but is not inherent to being Canadian.  There are many Canadians who do not celebrate, yet still remain Canadians, whether they are first, second, third, fourth or 23rd generation Canadians.  Say Merry Christmas if you like, Say Happy Holidays if you like.  No one is stopping you.  But to tell others if they don't like it, leave, just makes you sound like a racist asshole, mmkay?  Because seriously, when was the last time someone came up to YOU and gave you shit for saying Merry Christmas?

• MERRY CHRISTMAS EH!!!

 And Happy Holidays to you too. 

Like, really guys??

The Problem with "Happy Holidays"

.. what is it?

Really?  I heard a radio program this morning bemoaning the growing acceptance and tendencies towards acknowledging the 'holiday season' instead of just Christmas.   Later, I was struck by a couple of articles relating to the backlash against the use of the greeting "Happy Holidays".  The first from Vicki at Glitterfrog tells of her experience of witnessing a woman at a local store berating the cashier for wishing a 'Happy Holidays' instead of a 'Merry Christmas'.

She berated this cashier for attempting to "take Christ out of Christmas so she wouldn't offend some Muslim". Notice the quotation marks. That means it's a QUOTE. 

First, I'm not sure Jesus would have had such an issue with making an effort to include others.

Now as you may know from my Halloween rant, I'm not a fan of taking away from people's right to celebrate holidays and I don't think we should take away from traditions for the sake of a level playing field.  But the thing is, saying "Happy Holidays" or having it said to me, does NOTHING to take away from my ability to enjoy Christmas.

The truth of the matter is that there is more than just one holiday this time of year.  There's a veritable shmorgasbord of different celebrations in and around the month of December and personally, I think Happy Holidays is more than appropriate.  Why get all up in arms about it?  Are folks afraid that we're going to lose our precious white judeo-christian privelidge by utilizing a more generic greeting that allows everyone to take part in the warm fuzzies of the season?"

I've been asked before "Doesn't it make you mad that you have to say Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings?"

First off, I don't have to.  I'm totally within my rights to operate on the assumption that everyone operates on the same belief systems.. but I don't.  Because people don't.  And yeah, a lot of people would be fine with me saying Merry Christmas even if Hannukah or Kwanzaa or Yule was more their thing.   I myself have never been berated by anyone for wishing a Merry Christmas, not knowing that they may not celebrate.  A few years ago, however, have an incident where I enthusiastically told one of my University profs to have a great Christmas, with a response of a raised eyebrow and a 'Uh.. yeah.. you too.' and a vague air of awkwardness.  This prof had made mention in class a number of times of his Jewish heritage, so irritation towards my faux pas was understandable.  As he walked away I remember slapping my forehead and calling myself a jackass.  That was when I changed my mind on the 'Happy Holidays' thing.

So no, it doesn't make me mad at all.  Why fuss over something that's still essentially just a nice thing to say to people?

I think Simple Dude puts it pretty well:

Vicki was saying that we've gone too far when we rip someone for saying Happy Holidays and I absolutely agree.  I may be wrong, but isn't that person saying something NICE to you?  It's not like they are telling you to "Have a Shitty Day and Go Fuck Yourself!" 

And isn't it actually more appropriate to say Happy Holidays now in early December than Merry Christmas anyway?  We're still nearly three weeks out.  People don't start wishing me a Happy Birthday a month before my birth date. 

As well, the people such as the woman in Vicki's store who are up in arms about the Happy Holidays thing 'taking the Christ out of Christmas'.. well, I think you may be better served getting up in arms at Corporate (North) America who have long been taking focus away from the (chronologically innacurate) birth of Christ and placing it solely at the altar of mass consumerism.  Let's not even get started on the decidedly non-Christian and very Pagan symbols and rites that were long ago appropriated for the season.

I'm no theologian, but based on what little I do know about Jesus' teachings and the 'true meaning' of Christmas, I think Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings or any such thing that takes into consideration the reality that not everyone celebrates Christmas is in and of itself a way, through simple consideration of the feelings of others,  of promoting Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Your Fellow Man.

All Hallow's Rant - Follow-up.

For those who didn't read it, last week I posted a rant about my childrens' school's "Orange-and-black" day policy.

So last night after trick-or-treating, my older daughter informed me that she had a math homework assignment that involved her counting out her treats and creating graphs and such based on her candy haul.

hmm.. interesting.  I wonder what those poor kids who don't trick or treat are supposed to do?

Hypocrisy, indeed.

Best Halloween Week Moments and Quotes 2010 Part 2

Before the Halloween party, trying to find said halloween party.  

"You can be 'Guy with Slippers'"


We're at a house with a similar address to the party.
Knock on door.  A guy answers.  There's beer bottles and a bong in the backround, so it looks like there might be a party there.

Me:  "Is this Jade's house?"
Stoned Guy: "Jay's?"
Me: "No, Jades.  Jades house."
Stoned Guy: "Jane?"
Me: "JAY-DUH"
Stone Guy: "No, I don't think so."

"At least he'll have a good story tomorrow.  'Some chick showed up at my door in a prom dress and blood.'"


Halloween Party

"Things you should never title a children's book:  'So you've been molested'"

Tessa: "I remember you having bigger boobs."
Me: "Is that like, a pick-up line?"

"Your face is falling off"

"Touch me, I'm gay."

"If I cock-blocked you by saying 'hi' then dude, you need to step up your game."

Trick or Treating

My friend has just asked for kleenex while her kids trick or treat at her baby-daddy's place.  She's given a half-roll of toilet paper.
Me:  We should go toilet paper someone's house.
Her:  *pause*  *giggles*
Me:  I know what you're thinking!
Her:  We can leave a note saying "Thanks!"

"Hallowe'en is like night-Christmas, but without all the Jesus."

My kid:  "No More Oh Henry's please!"
Friend:  "Don't be picky!"
Me:  Yeah! Candy is candy.. there are starving kids in Africa with no Candy!
Friend's oldest kid: "So?  I'm not going to donate my candy."

Happy International Blasphemy Day!

For those who are unaware today is International Blasphemy Day.  The origins go back to September 2005 when a number of cartoons were printed that depicted the prophet Mohammed, which inflamed a good chunk of the Muslim population.

Wikipedia - Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

I just want to say that for me, this is not about making fun of people who hold certain religious beliefs. I know that some people take their beliefs very seriously, but that does not mean they should never be questioned, especially when those beliefs hurt others (such as this asshat here - Severe Trigger Warning. more on him later) It is about bringing awareness to the idea that no religion should be allowed to punish people (even those who are not of said faith) from questioning, critiquing and yes even mocking said teachings.  Arguments can be strengthened by being challenged - any argument than can be torn down through subjection to critical thought, probably deserves to be torn down.

In the name of blasphemy, here's a few clips I posted to my Facebook, ranging from amusing to thought provoking, and all involving some of my favorite movies, actors and writers.


Kids in the Hall - God is Dead


Dogma - Bartleby and Loki at the Airport


'Almost the Truth' about Monty Python's Life of Brian

My favorite part of this clip is John's anectdote during the Tim Rice interview:


"I remember a gentlemen coming and telling us about how very difficult it had proved to get the Bible into Tibet.  You know?  They'd had seven occasions: the first time there'd been landslides; the second time there was rain, the pages got stuck together; the third time... the third time the mules had fallen off the mountain; the fourth time there were thunderbolts.   'The seventh time,' he said 'God helped us, and we got the Bibles into Tibet.'  The obvious conclusion is that he was trying like Hell to stop the Bibles getting into Tibet."



I'll end this off with an awesome quote I heard the other day:

Morality is doing what is right, no matter what you are told.  Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right. - Unknown

No Make Up week - Follow up.

Three days so far.. one to go. No, I'm not including the weekend. I figure four business days is enough to prove myself.

I have a confession though. I did cheat a little. I admit that I've used a tiny bit of concealer on the giant nasty pimple that's been sitting right between my eyes, mocking me.

Honestly, it's all in the name of avoiding confusion, lest people think I've converted to Hinduism.

I'm sure it's a lovely system of beliefs, really, but I have enough trouble reconciling myself with the idea of one god, let alone many.

Karmic Retribution at it's finest.

Koran-Burning Pastor Hit With Giant Security Bill

This, folks, poetic justice.


Haw. Haw.


I should add, I not-so-secretly hope this guy gets hit with a defamation of character suit from another, far more awesome Terry Jones.

Burn a Koran day = Bad idea.

Over at Laughing In Purgatory, Andy's been discussing the Burn the Koran Day.

Basically, the Dove World Church is planning to burn Korans to commemorate the ninth anniversary of September 11th, just to make a point. I'm not going to start on my confusion with choosing such an arbitrary number to commemorate.

My first reaction? Go ahead. Books are inanimate objects. They are not sacred. The Koran? Not Sacred. The Bible? Not Sacred. Hugh MacLennan's "The Watch That Ends the Night..?

well...

Okay, fine. Not sacred. Pretty fantastic read, but not sacred.

From what I understand, the church isn't seeking to wipe out the ideas found in the Koran. It's not burn ALL Korans, just burn A Koran. Just to make a point. Basically, it's baiting.

Good job guys. As Andy in Purgatory pointed out, this will likely succeed in pushing more moderate Muslims to extremism. The act of a few whackjobs will probably result in greater widespread hatred of an entire group of people who were otherwise minding their own business.

Sound familiar?

I'd laugh at the irony, if it wasn't so friggin' terrifying.

Say what you mean, don't say it mean.

A friend of mine brought an interesting story to my attention today. It seems a professor of religion at the University of Illinois was fired over comments regarding the Catholic Church's view on homosexuality being immoral, after a student complained on behalf of an anonymous friend. The comments were labeled as 'hate speech'.

The first reaction many people had to my friend's post was along the lines of 'Erm.. you're taking a course on Catholicism, why are you surprised at being taught as Catholic doctrine??' However, I asked.. was the professor in question teaching doctrine, or stating his own opinion? As it turns out according to the article above, he did state that this was an opinion he shared.

What we have here, is a political hot potato (at least, for the University of Illinois). A situation vague enough that it can be easily manipulated by a number of factions.. the uber-PC folks who use terms like 'hate speech' to quell opinions that don't match their own, and the ultra-right-wing conservatives who use the concept of free speech to perpetuate hate and ignorance.

Either way, it doesn't do anything constructive for the case of critical thinking.

The way I see it, the difference between 'personal opinion' and 'hate speech' is this:

Opinion: "I don't agree with or like {marginalized group of people}"
Hate Speech: "I don't agree with or like {marginalized group of people}. They should be wiped out/imprisoned/beat up/poked with sticks/otherwise tormented and degraded"

The funny thing is, in both the liberal and conservative media I have seen on this story, there's a lack of any direct quote or context. Was this dude going off on a diatribe about 'the gays' and fire and brimstone in the middle of a lecture? Was perhaps the complainant a gay student who felt that this may be held against him? Did the prof know this? Then yeah, I would say disciplinary action would be in order (even if he didn't know).

However, suppose he was teaching the Catholic view (as is his prerogative in a class on Catholicism - durr) and a student inquired "What do you think, sir? Do you agree?" As a professor in a post-secondary institution, should he be bound by political correctness to keep his mouth shut? or would he be compelled to be open with his students by giving his honest opinion? Should a professor be maligned and disciplined for giving his honest opinion (even if others, this author included, may find them to be ignorant and archaic?)

No, that's silly, of course not. Right?

Let's play a little devils advocate here. What if this was a history professor.. or specifically a 20th century history professor.. even more specifically, a 20th Century European History professor, teaching on WWII and the Holocaust. The professor states that to this day, some people still do not believe that the Holocaust really occurred. A student asks 'Do you agree with this belief?' and the professor honestly states that no, he does NOT believe the Holocaust occurred.

THIS professor is now a holocaust denier, and guilty of hate crimes under our laws*. Kind of muddies the waters there, doesn't it?

So this begs the question.. in an post-secondary setting, should professors have complete academic freedom in their lectures? It's not so much a black and white answer.

On one hand, no student should feel maligned in a lecture or that their religion/race/gender/orientation etc may be held against them in regards to their academic performance.

On the other hand, academic professors have been known to express controversial opinions and arguments on a variety of topics. One of the major tenets of academia is the ability to think critically, and form cohesive arguments. How do you learn to think and argue critically when you agree with everything you're been told? In my first year of schooling, I'd come out of some of my classes almost in tears in anger and confusion, because I was forced to face ideas that I was less-than-comfortable with. However, as time rolled on, these were the classes that taught me to really look at all sides of an argument, until I either A) was able to rebut with a cohesive argument or B) was more open to views that I hadn't considered before.

In one article on the subject the Alliance Defense Fund, which is looking into the situation stated:

"A university cannot censor professors' speech – including classroom speech related to the topic of the class – merely because some students find that speech 'offensive.' Professors have the freedom to challenge students and to educate them by exposing them to different views"

Do you agree?

*Yes, I suck. Holocaust Denial is not covered under Canadian Hate Speech laws. Oops.