I generally send non-religious, non-secular christmas, holiday cards.

I usually send out enough that I can send a secular and religious one. that is, if I find a religious one that I like.

I'm too lazy to send cards. For just about anything.

I'm in Cashmere's corner.

I just don't get what the snub is here.

I'm not saying I'm agreeing with it -- just playing devil's advocate, in that that's what I assume the AFA thinks the snub is.

By the same token, though, Trudy's example of Columbus Day is a little different. Columbus Day is not, as far as I know, a traditionally gift-giving holiday. So the stores' decision to throw sales that weekend is up to them, and I don't think any consumers care why they're getting 50 to 75% off or whatever.

Not ALL shopping in December is holiday/gift related.

Of course. But it's also true that a huge portion of the retail economy now revolves around holiday spending. Toys 'R Us is having trouble staying afloat (the brick and mortar stores, that is) even *with* holiday/Christmas shopping. Take that away, and they're probably gone. (And that might be partly due to the increase in web shopping, too -- I don't know.)

And that's our fault, really. Somewhere along the way, people (by values of people equalling those who shop for Christmas or other holiday gifts) made Christmas all about the gifts, and retailers decided to help them do more of that. It's their business to make money, after all. I guess maybe it does seem a little hypocritical to me for retailers to then worry about possibly offending the people who *aren't* shopping for Christmas gifts, when a huge portion of their annual bottom line is courtesy of the people who *are*.

And again, I don't really care if they say Happy Holidays or Festive Festivus or Groovy New Year, or whatever. If I choose to get gifts for friends and family, I don't expect my shopping experience to be anything but me handing over hard-earned money to underpaid clerks. I'm not looking for meaning in my trip to the mall.

Ok, I'm back, coverage to start one month from today. It appears that the medical insurance is with the outfit that has a deal with the local rec center - they'll cover $20 of the $30 monthly dues if you actually show up 8 times in a month.

True. It remains a booty call, rather than a booty extradition.

Hahahah! Can I just say how glad I am to see this phrase/distinction being used? Hehehehe. Ah, Sarameg, how you have shaped our concept of "booty call" forever...

Y'all and your old-book-recommending are making me feel FRIGHTFULLY ignorant.

Also, I am online at this time of day because I decided I felt like crap, and could do my most urgent work from home, damnit. I had a coworker email me the forms. Note, however, that I am not actually working on the forms, yet...

This morning I had my first mammogram ever. Yes at 51 a bit late, but I did it. Twas easy

Go Laura go!

I guess maybe it does seem a little hypocritical to me for retailers to then worry about possibly offending the people who *aren't* shopping for Christmas gifts, when a huge portion of their annual bottom line is courtesy of the people who *are*.

It might not be the most financially savvy thing to do, but I still don't see where hypocrisy comes into it.

From the horse's mouth:

Tim Wildmon, head of the American Family Association, based in Tupelo, Miss., weighs in on what he sees as the war on Christmas.

Q. What do you hope to gain with a boycott of Target?

A. That you diminish the importance of Christmas when you censor the word "Christmas" out of your promotions. What does Target think people are buying? They're buying Christmas gifts, not holiday gifts. We're not trying to hurt American companies, but something needs to be done.

Q. For many years, Christians have been decrying the commercialism of Christmas. Yet you have chosen to make retailing your battleground. Why?

A. It's about the secularization of Christmas and of our entire culture. It's political correctness run amok.

Q. Given the fact that "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World" play endlessly in every store and that Santa Claus and trim-a-tree shops are everywhere, do you really believe that the holiday is endangered?

A. Yes, because it's about exchanging our traditions for a more generic December. These changes don't happen in a vacuum. It represents an anti-Christian bias. To equate the importance of Christmas with Hanukkah or Kwanzaa makes absolutely no sense to me. About 95 percent of the people who are in your store are there for the birth of you-know-who.

Q. If you are true people of faith, rather than stage a boycott why not use that same energy volunteering at a shelter or a soup kitchen?

A. Not everyone is as passionate as we are. Certainly, you can participate in charity work and speak out on the culture wars at the same time.

[link]

About 95 percent of the people who are in your store are there for the birth of you-know-who.

Voldemort?

Voldemort?

That's exactly what I thought. But, he probably doesn't know about that whole thing, 'cause he probably boycotts the Harry Potter books.