Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanza!
Happy Winter Solstice!

Let's be clear. It's okay to say any one of these AND exclude the others if you wish -- to anyone, regardless of yours or other's preferred celebration or beliefs. Really, it is. I promise.

It's true. Everyone has to lighten up -- just a bit. That's the only way we're all going to live in peace and harmony. For example, if someone says Happy Kwanza to me -- and I barely know what Kwanza is -- I'm not about to get upset or indignant because the person was 'insensitive' to my personal set of beliefs. Instead, I will thank them handily and wish them back, 'Happy Kwanza!'

It drives me nuts (and I'm probably not the only one) when some people get soooooo uptight about various seasons greetings. They think that being culturally sensitive means being culturally neutral. That is NOT true.

Instead, the way to cultural sensitivity is through cultural acceptance. That means that we embrace different cultures and revel in the brilliance of diversity they offer. It does not mean that we ignore those differences and treat others as though their cultural make-up is some ambiguous hodge-podge of innocuous thoughts worthy only of the most generic well-wishing. Nor does it mean that we should be fearful of expressing the joys of our own preferred celebration.

I wanted to take a quick moment here to wish everyone a very merry one. To Tom, SusanG, Georgia10, Frederick Clarkson, mcjoan, Devilstower, Btyarbro, S.M. Dixon, sdf, Hermod, Coldfusion04, Bob Kendall, Bill Hare and Drew Johnston....here's wishing a very blogging New Year.

And to all the new Cortexians, my best to you and your families.

Let's use this as a Christmas Day open thread. What  was under the tree for you and how are you spending the day?

In keeping with the holiday spirit, I'm posting an updated version of my piece from last year.  The original is here, at our previous site, for all you revisionists who like to keep track of these things.

You may have noticed that we're taking a little time off here at the Cortex for the holidays, but that doesn't mean we aren't thinking of you and all the issues currently being digested over the Congressional recess.

Without further delay, then, for your reading pleasure:

'Twas the night before a holiday, when all through the House
Not a creature was stirring, not even a louse;
Moral values were hung by the chimney with care,
To defend the Patiot Act, lest obstructionists be there;

The bloggers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of indictments danced in their heads;
And the Senate minority, finally at rest,
Had just settled down for delayed winter's recess.

My contribution to the War on Christmas:

"What's offensive here is not the imperfect balancing of minority and majority. What's offensive -- also surreal and absurd -- is the notion that Christianity, a faith claimed by 76 percent of all Americans, is somehow being intimidated into nonexistence. Some of the earliest Christians were stoned for their beliefs. In some parts of the world today, Christianity is a crime punishable by death. And the AFA is feeling persecuted because a sales clerk says 'Happy holidays?'

"That's not persecution. It's a persecution complex.

"And it trivializes what Christians claim to uphold: the baby born of a virgin's womb."

All too often I hear people complaining about how commercialized Christmas has become, and how the holiday season is now a time of buying expensive gifts and that it has lost it's original meaning.  I agree, and I support those who want to bring the original spirit of the holidays back.  So, with that in mind, let's take a look at the origins of Christmas.

Dennis Hastert is right. It should be called a Christmas Tree.

Because what says "Jesus" better than a cut down Douglas Fir with electric plastic lights all over it?

Liberals, with their elitist political correctness, have got this issue all wrong. Face it, libs -- from November 1st to December 25th, you're on Jesus Time. It doesn't matter if your Jewish or Muslim or aetheist. The sooner you stop fighting it, the better off you'll be.

So put away your copy of Mother Jones, turn off your Dixie Chicks and get with the program.

Jesus wants you to shop.