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The unsaid thread

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by Sunny, Mar 25, 2009.

  1. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    I used this as a basis for putting up my tree and decorations too. It's a great time of year with such beautiful decorations... Why only enjoy for a month???!?!
     
  2. jdhauer

    jdhauer Active Member

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    Because to everything there is a season?

    I don't think those who celebrate Christmas get how pervasive the holiday has become and how long the "season" can be. I'm not anti-Christmas (used to work in development for the National Cathedral!) but as someone who does not celebrate, I'd be much happier if we didn't start hearing carols in August (yes, that's when I heard the first one on the radio this year) and I didn't have to explain to my kids why there's Breakfast with Santa at the public school even though not everyone celebrates Christmas. (Yes, I know what the Supreme Court has to say on this issue but if Santa has nothing to do with Christmas, why don't you see him out at the mall for photos in May?)

    The decorations are pretty, the lights are beautiful and the carols are gorgeous. I think that most of us who don't celebrate can agree on that! But they are prettier, more beautiful and more gorgeous when kept to their proper season. Just like buying pumpkins at Halloween, conversation hearts at Valentine's Day and the best corn on the cob and ripest tomatoes in August.

    Nobody's saying dump Christmas - especially me - just make it special by celebrating during the traditional season for the holiday.
     
  3. PowerPlay

    PowerPlay Member

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    I am making it special for myself and my young children. Christmas is their favorite time of year and if I want to prolong it for them while they are young, then that's my choice. I don't see how putting my decorations in my house affects everyone else's "traditional season for the holiday".

    That being said, I generally don't agree w/ Christmas popping up any earlier than November. It's all about commercialism. And perhaps this year (and last year come to think of it) due to the down economy, they are starting earlier with their advertisements, decorations, etc to allow folks to start saving sooner and/or spread out their spending for Christmas.
     
  4. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    This brings up a question: What is the proper etiquette for holiday things in public schools? Our elementary school PTA is holding a "Holiday Shoppe" where kids come in and shop for gifts. Let's face it, we all know they're Christmas gifts. But what is the vibe these days? Can the school have a Christmas tree and Christmas music playing while the kids shop? Is that offensive for non-Christians? I just don't know what is considered okay these days.

    And I do *NOT* mean this as an attack on non-Christians or anything like that. I wouldn't want our PTA to be offending anyone with a holiday shopping event so I'm trying to get a feel for what is acceptable.

    Any thoughts?
     
  5. olive

    olive New Member

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    Coming from a family of both Jewish and Christian faiths, we always considered it "sharing" our practices. I believe it made us more aware of the differences and likenesses and so more open to others beliefs. No one tried to persuade or put down the other. I think all faiths teach peace and acceptance – that’s a good thing. If you are raising your children to be good people, whatever the faith, they will be accepting that there are differing beliefs and be open to learning from each other. We can hold our beliefs dear to us and still listen and honor others rights to hold their own... including Santa.
     
  6. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Today's rant is inspired by an article in today's WaPo.

    Professional Certifications. Really? I thought we learned our lesson back in the 90s with all of the Paper MCSEs running amok that had never touched a computer in their lives? Now a four year Bachelor's + a two year (not accelerated) Master's in your actual field of work is evidently worthless without a string of letters and registration numbers behind your name. CISSP, PMP, SIx Sigma, EIEIO. :angryfire:

    Oh, and let's talk about "frameworks." ITIL, ETOM, COBIT. Right, does anyone work in a shop that is supposedly ITIL V3 compliant and REALLY follows the framework? Unless they have a room dedicated to the actual library - I think not!

    And here's the kicker - you have a MBA? Great, but are you a CERTIFIED MBA?????

    May I have a juice now? :happygrin:
     
  7. BellaRu

    BellaRu Member

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    Decorations and commercials are early - but so what. Is that really such a big issue in our lives? I am more concerned with economy, our troops coming home, and a number of other things that seem far more important. Its pretty easy to ignore all of it until I am ready to deal with the holidays.
    And, how about a bit of tolerance hm? Jewish, Christian or whatever else - I am not offended by displays of their version of the holidays. Nor am I freaked out by carols and Santa at a school function. The whole sensitive, political correctness business is frankly played out. Deal with it people! If you dont like some thing, then dont participate - but dont take your hangups and force them on other people.

    And before yall freak out - these are very generalized statements.
     
  8. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    [RANT ON]

    To the gentleman in a white Mustang convertible on Route 28 south this morning: Racing off 28 and going 60mph through the off-ramp/on-ramp and getting back onto 28 is asinine and illegal. Additionally, in case you didn't notice, doing this didn't help you one bit since you always ended up in the center lane next to me in the left lane.

    It's idiots like this 'gentleman' which slow down everyone else on 28 and cause accidents.

    You sir are an idiot.

    [RANT OFF]
     
  9. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I've seen someone do this at the Old Ox (or the next one down) intersection.

     
  10. olive

    olive New Member

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    Agreed, Bellaru!!! I don't believe anyone is forcing anyone to celebrate a holiday they don't believe in. By removing Santa, carols, etc. you end up taking away the rights of many people to freely express/practice their beliefs and traditions. We need to be tolerant and enjoy our differences. I'm quite sure this country was founded on freedom, including the freedom of religion.

    btw... To everything, there is a season - Ecclesiastes 3:1
     
  11. jdhauer

    jdhauer Active Member

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    No one is taking away Santa. Those who celebrate Christmas have *plenty* of opportunities to see Santa between every shopping mall in the country and the HOA and churches and private parties as well as other places.

    I see no need to also bring Santa into the public school system. That is an EXCLUSIONARY action, rather than an INCLUSIONARY one. The schools should be a place where everyone feels comfortable and included, rather than left out.
     
  12. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    So would a school hosting a gift buying, holiday shoppe be a bad thing?

     
  13. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i find it hilarious that Santa has become synonymous with Christmas. when i was a kid presents and Santa was secondary to Jesus' birth and church. guess not being able to afford many gifts had something to do with our focus being the actual "Reason for the Season" instead the commercial "Santa-fication" of it.

    maybe it's a blessing in disguise and kids- I mean the PARENTS- who celebrate Christmas can think about something other than what Santa will bring them....
     
  14. CToft

    CToft New Member

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    In our previous county - my kids always had a holiday shop at their elementary school. The items that were sold there were not "holiday" specific. Just small items that were afordable for the kids to buy. $.25- $3.00. jewlery, key chains, pencils, pens. lots of stuff that said " Worlds Best Mom/Dad/Grandma/Grandpa"
    My children were excited to be able to make a purchase for a loved one, by themself.
     
  15. hero

    hero New Member

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    I think the Dutch actually separate St. Nicholas day (earlier in December - more commercial gift focused) from Christmas (religious holiday).
     
  16. sri_n

    sri_n Member

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    Loved this post. Do we have a like button in here somewhere? Apparently me spending $xx,xxx at a college isnt worth it... but spending $200 to prove that I read some book, is.
     
  17. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    The distinction is simple to me...

    Universities teach theory so you are smart enough to evaluation, reapply, and build your own things.

    Certifications teach practice and a specific design.

    Certifications won't train you to build new designs and Universities won't teach you a specific design.

    It's why an electrical engineer doesn't know how to wire a house - and an electrician can't design a transformer.
     
  18. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Oh, I agree. HOWEVER... University degree + 25 years experience trumps any schmoe that can read a book, attend a class and take a test. :angryfire:
     
  19. hokie'81

    hokie'81 Member

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    I'll second that! Oh, the stories I could tell of those who simply read brain dumps and took tests... arrrrgh....
     
  20. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    Seriously people, slow the **** down in the neighborhood. While I can whine about the teenagers flying past at 45 mph, it's the women on the cell phones driving SUVs that are the worst. Get off the phone, slow your giant bimbo box down and look for the kids and dogs that are playing next to the street. There is no reason I should hear you accelerating as your driving down the hill and you don't need momentum to get up it either.

    And to the chick that nearly clipped me while I was scooping leaves into a bag on the side of the road, I'm going to shove my rake through your windshield next time.

    That is all.
     

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