PC'ers At It Again

The Podium Built, Obama Set to "Alienate" and "Stigmatize"

The PC movement continued its attack on popular culture this week with the launching of a lawsuit against participants involved with President-Elect Obama's "Oath of Office", which contains the heinous phrase "... so help me God."


While most Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, and Skeptics chalk it up as a figure of speech, one group in particular lead by California doctor Michael Newdow feels that the speech will "alienate" and "stigmatise" him. He also contends that he is being "forced to countenance endorsements of purely religious notions". He feels he would be endorsing religion in sitting down and watching the show.


As I read this, some thoughts came to mind:


- the "so help me God" part is a traditional add-on, left up to the discretion of the oath-taker. It is a moment of personal expression. It is not part of the oath itself. What sanctions should be placed against the President if he utters a phrase that could be construed as religious? How do you police this?


- what about the "God bless the United States of America" that is tacked on to the end of many Presidential Addresses. Are these words equally "stigmatizing"?


- what about this Newdow fellow's first name? "Michael" is a Hebrew name meaning "One who is like God". Does he find his own business card to be "alienating"? I mean, so long as we're splitting hairs here, right?


- I'll betcha this guy takes a dim view of Canada, a country which has "God" in its National Anthem.


I can appreciate that this guy has a cause, but really? How much money and time is he pouring into this? Who really cares? If he's done anything at all, he's probably set his cause back 30 years. You really want your crosshairs on an American institution like the Inauguration? The Americans love that stuff.

Anyhow, just my opinion. I prefer the Bill Maher approach to get people talking and thinking about things.

Report: City Hall to Continue Recognizing "Christmas"

Christmas Tree and Wreath on Display in

City Hall Atrium

To me, the Holiday Season means not only a heaping helping of turkey, but a wide array of catch phrases: “Happy Holidays”, “Season’s Greetings”, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men”, and so on. There are also symbols such as Christmas lights on a house, a Christmas Tree, or a Nativity Scene.

However, around this time of year, there are also the Political Correctness groups who come out in full force, and they come out swinging. The cross hairs are usually honed in on anything considered “public“, such as a public building, or park.

We’ve heard the stories….In Olympia, Washington, the Atheist organization Freedom From Religion Foundation places a placard at the site of a popular Nativity Scene, the sign goads Nativity Scene audience with a message of “Religion is a myth and superstition”.

In Wisconsin, plans are underway to sue the Manitowoc County Courthouse to dismantle their nativity scene, which has been a town tradition since 1946.

In Orange County, Florida, there was no love for a Nativity Scene which was destroyed by some people who clearly are not fans of this sort of thing.

In Wales, a Nativity Scene was earmarked for some nastiness. Although the scene was left standing, virtually untouched, the porcelain baby Jesus was not so lucky. He was smashed into itty-bitty pieces. Apparently the vicar of the Church received warning, but did not back down (you know those stubborn Welsh, eh?).

In Calgary…. well…. nothing. City Hall insists on bucking the trend. On display in the main atrium is a garish, very obvious Nativity Scene. Elsewhere, there is a Menorah on display. And if this were not enough, the City continues to be provocative with a “Merry Christmas” window painting. Furthermore, I have personally heard Calgary’s Mayor, Dave Bronconnier, rebuff a reporter’s use of the term “Holiday Tree”. “No”, the Mayor sharply asserted, “it is not a Holiday Tree, it is a Christmas Tree”.

An Intact Nativity Scene at City Hall

No, it is not Vandalism. The City put that there.

Do not be fooled, Calgarians will rally if they feel a great wrong is being done. The recent budget debates are evidence of that. But political correctness protests, such as the Animal Rights groups organizing at the Calgary Stampede, get the same treatment of gum at the bottom of my shoe. No reciprocated anger. No returned taunts. It’s just business as usual. And blind devotion to the Calgary Stampeders.