Mornin' Doc.

What's elitist about the L.A. Times' piece?  Did you see this part?

"It was always a little silly for stores to shy away from having clerks say "Merry Christmas" to customers at this time of year, when they know full well the chances are better than 90% that they've said the appropriate thing to a customer."

It's basically agreeing with people who feel that stores shouldn't feel inhibited from mentioning Christmas.  The article is rightly focused on the political context alone -- and not only that, it downplays the real significance of the decision:

"Is this an important case of "religion creep" into public institutions? No. But it's laced with humbuggery, sending a message to certain children about where they stand in the board's estimation. "

Also, keep in mind that L.A. is an extremely diverse place.

I have a question for Christians on what their priority is.

Why is that calling it Christmas break is such a big issue, yet the airwaves are inundated with gypsy conmen whose only goal is to become wealthy?

People like Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker, Benny Hinn, Peter Popov, etc etc etc. Men who target the lonely, the aged, the fearful and the gullible.

Heres a reminder from the Bible....

"Beware of false profits who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves".

According to the George Barna institute, only 27% of Evangelicals tithe (i.e. give 10% of their income to a church or charitable activity.)

These conmen are now actually shifting modes, and saying that "God wants you to be wealthy". Forget about that whole "Camel throught the eye of the needle thing." There are exceptions to that rule, God told me so.

Are you telling me Christians are outraged by the fact that seculars don't want "in God we Trust" on their government walls, but they have no problem with these fleecers who are robbing the flock daily. Hey....I just caught onto that, maybe the fleece tag was brought on by 'fleecing sheep'.

Why is it okay for you to watch some holier than thou criminal, wearing a Rolex Watch and Armani suit on a gold adorned set, while millions of people are begging for a scrap of food?

The hypocrisy is mind boggling to me, and Jesus would be ashamed. Just WWJD??? Remember the merchants in the Temple??? That's what he would do.

Maybe Christians should work on their own house before they start demanding a theocracy.  

I think the term "Spring Break" will be awfully tough to extinguish, now that it has become an integral part of college parlance.

On the other hand, AuntieEx, if it's one of those years when Easter comes extra late -- and that can be as late as April 25 -- "Girls Gone Wild On Beltane" (April 30) would make a ton of sense.  :-)

Go ahead.  Google Beltane.  Then if you're good, watch for an invitation in your inbox.  [g]

I'm a Christian and I honestly don't see what the flap is about naming the breaks.  No one was complaining (that I heard from anyway) about them being called by the season.  Makes sense to me.  I think what irritates me most is the changing of names period.  It's usually for the "cause of the week."  Or month..or year.  Or for someones political gain.  It's nuts.

I've ranted ad nauseum about changing street names at will and changing the name of the breaks is just as irritating.  People can still call breaks whatever they want. 

What's next?  Changing Summer Break to some other name?  Or is it Summer Vacation?  Or Summer recess?  I don't know about you folks but I'm just gonna call it HOT.

What about non-Christian teachers' rights?  If they were to refer to the break as Hannukah Break (after all, they celebrate it a full 8 days compared to Christian 1 day of Christmas), would there be reprisals from the Christian Board?  Haven't Jewish leaders made important contributions to the American culture which should cause us to include their celebrations in our public celebration naming?  Why not call it "Shopping Break"; after all, most people seem to take a very materialistic approach to celebrating the "holy" day of Christmas.  Don't believe me?  How many Christians do you suppose went shopping during the season but did not attend church on Christmas? This is the slippery slope the Kern Board has set upon us. 

You say tomato I say tomayto, you say potato I say potayto, you say Christmas Break, I say who the hell cares, you say Boardmember Vegas, I say ex Boardmember Vegas. 

Audrey..my sentiments exactly.

Looks like everyone is off doing something for New Years...  I thought about going out to get food but decided it's too cold.  I'll just eat popcorn.  There's not a cotton picking thing on TV tonight either.   Grrrr.....

Since it's "Amature Night", I've decided that it's much safer to stay off the roads. Some drunk may decide to borrow the side of my car to try and kill himself. I'd rather not participate.

No, we're all in the Coop tonight.

That's about where I am dg, only I prefer 18 year old Single Malt Scotch on ice. I've got a 43 lb. Poodle at my feet. Liza always keeps me company. She's my third kid.

Here in Tennessee, they sell Fireworks for New Years. About an hour ago, I supervised my 12 year old Son, so he could shoot a bunch of Bottle Rockets over the field (our Soybeans are cut and the Winter Wheat is short and green). Since it's so damp and cold out, it's time to settle in and stay warm. I've got too many responsibilities these days, to take a chance anymore. Too many reasons to stay healthy.........

Nancy,

A wireless network is a great thing. It works all over the house, including the front or back porch.......

I'll never make it to midnight.

Someone in my neighborhood has fireworks too.  I hear them from time to time.  My guess is it will be wild around here come 2007.

You're right about the cold.  My washer and dryer are in the detached garage and I left a load in the washer..too durned cold to be running back and forth outside

My dog's about three years old and when I'm in the Study at my desk, she lays at my feet, under the desk. If I'm in my Recilner, she gets into the chair with me. She also sleeps on the bed. She's a big dog and it's like having two Wives. (LoL)

Both of mine are in the house with me.  Allie (lab) is a pain..and like your Vizla, is never in the house alone.  I've taken to putting the gate up and penning her in the kitchen at night since it's so cold.  Odd..for 3 past winters she's been outside all the time but this year I felt bad.  It's a new place and she's never known any other yard but my old one.  Or maybe I'm just getting soft.  Zack starts out on my bed but prefers his nights on the couch or in the bay window.  He comes back early in the mornings and crashes on the foot of the bed again.  Weird little hairball.

I do all my banking on line too..and bill paying.  I'd be lost without a computer now.  I keep google hopping with research or just plain curiousity about most anything.  I check ebay before buying anything..talk to family or friends on IM..get maps..reverse directory..and a gazillion other things.  

dg, Nancy,

Ladies, since its New Years Eve, I'd like to say that I've really enjoyed our conversations over this last year. They’ve been most delightful. Living in West Tennessee for several years has shown me that I think differently and have different values than the locals. It’s nice to visit with people who think a lot like I do, and have the same values. As my Father-in-law used to say “Tony’s OK, he just has his own ways”. I’m sure that you both know where my “ways” came from.

One example is the local mentality of lying around, not doing anything productive (just marking time) and waiting for Parents to die, so assets can be inherited. My personal attitude is “I’ll earn it myself, or I’ll do without”. I guess when you come from people who don’t have much to leave, you don’t waist your time waiting around. You get busy and go to work.

Thanks for reminding me that there’s no shame in having roots in South Taft. I hope that 2007 brings you both, smooth sailing and much laughter. When we laugh often and hard, life is more fun…………

We've become as crazy about our pets as we are about our kids.  My sister has a vet coming to her house once a week to draw blood from her corgi.  He has low platelets. But all her kids are gone and her boys have yet to bless her with grandchildren, so Shorty is her baby. 

That's so sweet, Tony.  I have family in Taft and  lived there for a month in the third grade.  Pop actually left the dairy and moved to Taft to work in the oilfields  He worked 9 days that month.  We nearly starved.  I went to Conley Elementary School and had the worst teacher I've ever had in my life.  There were 5 Debbie's in the class and she decided to call me Gale, my middle name.  A few days into it she told me she could no longer call me Gale because all the  Gales she'd ever known had been intelligent and the name didn't suit me.  I had an IQ of 140.  It wasn't difficult for me to figure out what she was saying. 

No Tony, a person should never be ashamed of his roots.  The starting point is a major factor when you're figuring out how far you've come.