Author Archive
Should True Christians Ditch The Tree?
First of all, Merry Christmas.
I say that as someone who does not, in fact, celebrate Christmas, at least not religiously. I have never been to Midnight Mass. I did, however, believe in Santa Claus until I was six years old, despite being Jewish.
Which brings me to this well-written opinion piece in the Green Bay Press Gazette: First Amendment column: Separate sacred, secular to end Christmas wars. Read the whole thing, it’s worth it.
Part of the essay points out that the “War on Christmas” is a load of crap. Here’s a key sentence for those who prefer to peruse:
So, why would faithful Christians insist on labeling the annual national blowout “Christmas”? Calling it “holiday” (though it’s clearly no “holy day”) doesn’t take Christ out of Christmas — it could help give Christ back to Christians.
See, shopping and trees have nothing to do with religion. They don’t. Really. Santa Claus isn’t in the Bible. “As Jon Stewart quipped, the bearded guy they’re defending is the wrong bearded guy.”
I enjoy Christmas — the parts that have nothing to do Christ. No offense meant, I respect all religions (I really do — ask me sometime). I happen not to be a Church-goer, so it’s not my thing. But Christmas trees? Sure. Christmas music? Love it. And I’m fine with anyone who wants to go to Church and also have a tree. But when someone starts with the “War on Christmas” garbage, it makes me nuts. How many businesses are closed on Hanukkah by government mandate? How many? Hm? Oh. That’s right. NONE. And how many Hanukkah specials are there on TV? Um… can’t think of any. So let’s be clear — there is no War on Christmas. At all.
There’s nothing wrong with believing in Jesus. There’s also nothing wrong with NOT believing in Jesus. (Ouch! Lightning bolt! Stop that!) There is something wrong with pretending that shopping is a religious experience. So let’s keep the peace on Earth, good will towards men, heck, keep Santa Claus. Just don’t try to tell me that Jolly Old Saint Nick is one of the Apostles. Because he’s not.
To sum up: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and read Charles C. Haynes essay.
First Amendment column: Separate sacred, secular to end Christmas wars [Green Bay Press Gazette]
Man Kills Shark With His Butt [Strange But True]
Here’s one to make the kids chuckle.
The New York Post is known for their great headlines, but they missed the boat on this one.
A Serbian man reportedly has become a hero in Egypt — by accidentally killing a shark with his butt while drunk.
Aside: Accidentally? Is this something one could manage to do on purpose?
Dragan Stevic was soused to the gills while partying at the Red Sea resort Sharm El Sheikh when he inadvertently felled the beast that had been terrorizing tourists for weeks.
Stevic cannonballed into the water from a high-diving board, according to a Macedonian news agency.
Instead of making a splash, he came down right on the shark’s head, killing the toothed terror instantly.
How is this not called Man Kills Shark With His Butt?
Michael Lohan Defends Daughter Lindsay [But He Should Just Shut Up]
Michael Lohan is speaking out about the accusations that his daughter Lindsay assaulted someone at rehab.
This is not a surprise. And it’s nice that he’s supporting his daughter. It is.
Here’s what I wonder, though. Why say anything at all? Is there a point when you decide that you have to speak to the press about your life and the lives of your children, and once you’ve made that decision, there’s no turning back?
Look at someone like Howard Stern. He makes his living talking. (Unlike Michael Lohan, who must make a living somehow, but we don’t know what he does.) He seems able to restrain himself from talking about his children’s private lives, and he almost never mentions his ex-wife Alison. (I imagine this was part of their divorce agreement, although I don’t know this for a fact.)
That’s only one of the many differences between Michael Lohan and Howard Stern, of course. The main one is that Howard is incredibly talented and is the most successful radio personality of all time, arguably the most successful media personality of all time. (Go ahead. Debate me on this topic. You will lose.)
Back to père Lohan. If I were talking to him, I would ask the following:
Dude. What’s up with the press conferences? The talk show appearances? Did it ever occur to you that maybe you should just be there for your daughter? What’s that? You don’t know what to say to reporters when they bombard you with questions? Here’s an idea. Are you ready? You might want to write this down. Got a pen? Okay. Here you go:
“No comment.”
Lindsay Lohan`s father Michael defends his daughter [MonstersAndCritics.com]
Lindsay Lohan a Suspect in Assault Case at Rehab [Blame The Parents?]
I’m not the fan of celebrity news that some folks are, but I admit to having an above average interest in the train-wreck that is Lindsay Lohan. She went to rehab, which is usually a good thing. But according to People.com, Lohan is now a suspect in an assault case.
At what point do you do some kind of major league intervention? Or lock up her parents? Michael Lohan will probably be on any talk show who will have him, talking about his daughter. And Dina. Is she any better? Didn’t she try to turn Lindsay’s younger sister into a star, despite the fact that things were going less than well for her older daughter?
It can’t be JUST the pressures of celebrityhood that turns someone into a kook. Look at Mel Gibson. No, really. Look at him. He’s holding a beaver.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOSOWNS3jts]
In August it was reported that Mel Gibson’s father thinks the Pope is gay. And then there’s that whole “the Holocaust didn’t happen” thing. We can safely imagine that Mel probably grew up hearing that kind of stuff all the time. (We weren’t there, hence the “probably.”)
Having crazy parents has to be a contributing factor when an adult turns out nutty. Right?
Lindsay Lohan Named a Suspect in Assault Case at Rehab – Crime & Courts, Lindsay Lohan : People.com.
Sling Shot Under Five Bucks [DaddyShop]
Looking for something to get the kids for Christmas that will drive your wife nuts? How about this sling shot for under five bucks?
The SE Wrist-Sling Shot is currently selling for $4.90 at Amazon. Gina Trapani at Smarterware suggests pairing it with some plush Angry Birds. Which we admit sounds like fun. But, you know. Rocks. Those are fun too. But don’t tell mom.
SE Wrist-Sling Shot, $4.90 at Amazon
Father Sues To Block NYC Schools Chancellor Pick
From NY1, the story of a dad who decided to use his lawyering powers for good:
Eric Snyder is a lawyer with two kids in the public school system. In his lawsuit, he says the waiver granted to Black by State Education Commissioner David Steiner was illegal because the law states the chancellor must have a master’s degree.
Black needed the waiver because she has no educational background.
Black (who is white, which isn’t relevant but we couldn’t resist) was appointed by Mayor Mike Bloomberg. You remember him. He’s still the mayor of New York, despite the fact that he wasn’t legally able to run for a third term because the people of New York voted for term limits. Twice. But he convinced the City Council to make an exception. Sound familiar?
Snyder sued New York over that one too. He lost. He’ll probably lose this time as well, although maybe not. I like that Snyder is doing this. I wouldn’t, because I don’t do stuff like that and even if I did, it feels like tilting at windmills. Even if that’s true, part of me is glad that there are still some modern day Don Quixotes out there.
Father Launches First Legal Battle Against Schools Chancellor Pick – NY1.com
Coraline Blu-Ray Gift Set on Sale at Amazon
If you’re looking for a nice gift for an animation fan, you could do worse than the Coraline Blu-Ray Gift Set, currently on sale at Amazon.
The regular price is $44.99, the limited time Gold Box price is $28.99.
I know the last night of Chanukah is December 8, but still — such a deal!
Click here to buy the Coraline Blu-Ray Gift Set at Amazon.
To buy more stuff, check out DaddyShop.
