Yule Tide Greeting

Merry Christmas. . .or, is it Happy Holidays? What is considered "politically correct" these days? Do we now have evergreens be-decked with baubles this time of year, or is it still okay to call it a tree? Please clarify this for me.

The attack on Christmas and it's associated accoutrements is another way this country sterilizes its traditions. I am not a Christian, yet the greeting, "Merry Christmas," does not offend me. I know and appreciate the holiday for what it's supposed to mean - being charitable toward others and offering goodwill. Being greeted with Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Solstice are also greetings of the season, and they, like the saying from the tree-toting Christians, are words uttered with joy and happiness in the heart - not hatred.

Decorating trees in public places has been a long-standing tradition within this country; yes, the tree is used as a Christian symbol; however, decorated Christmas trees have become local and national symbols of goodwill, charity, love, and hope - it is a reminder for each of us to reach out to those who have fallen on hard times - to remember that all of us are part of a community, a national family. Symbols that stress tolerance and peace should never offend; they should be appreciated for what they bring.

From the cyber-space of Planet Shortbread, I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and Solstice - may the light of the new year bring peace to all.

Constitutional Alteration

Once upon a time there were two pieces of paper called the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These two documents served as a reminder to the people that they had rights and that their government was there to enforce them. These documents also served as the basis for limiting government power over the people so that it would not develop into a dictatorship. These outdated documents also outlined what the government could and could not do, including that it had the right to raise an army for the country's defense.

Decades past and the rights outlined in these pieces of parchment became increasingly eroded. Slowly at first, the people didn't seem to notice, or care, that their government gained ever-increasing control over them. Some voices cried out that leaving a state of isolationism would be this country's downfall. The government ignored those voices, embraced nuclear technology, became the first and only nation to employ weapons of mass destruction, and began its prowl for world domination and control. Still the people refused to see the monster beneath their beds.

September 11, 2001 brought the destruction of the World Trade Center. Fear and outrage erupted from the people. The government fanned those fears and plunged the nation into a war without just cause. Other nations became alarmed and suspicious of this nation's boldness. The people stood back and allowed the government to openly strip more rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The government openly sneered other worldly leaders. No longer are the people guaranteed legal access, fair trials, or torture-free treatment. The monster has crawled out from beneath the bed.

Besides the creation of the Patriot Act and CIA Blacksites, and condoning torture, the government blackmailed and coerced colleges and universities stating that if you want federal dollars then you must allow our military recruiters on your campuses. Colleges and universities protested stating that recruiters for other potential employers that employed discrimination policies were not allowed on campus; allowing the military would be hypocritical and undermine their policies. The governmental monster raised its ugly head and glared down at those that dared defy its power and simply said, "If you do not comply, then you will lose your funding." Colleges without funding are like businesses without customers; they go under. The "checks and balances" of the government abusing its power has been lost; the universities folded.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights from 1776 have been "lost" we are told. However, we the people have been assured that the new versions, reconstructed in 2012, are accurate. They simply state that the government has total control and that the people will comply. The masses will attend a Christian church every Sunday, on rotating shifts so that the production of weapons does not stop. Everything you say and do will be monitored. Those who do not yield will be incarcerated in a prison of unknown location. Those that are taken never return.

December. Seems like yesterday that Planet Shortbread became a blog reality...just last April. Unlike my attempts at journaling, I actually enjoy entering my mental gibberish on cyber-canvas. Then I pause about all the entries I've entered over the last 8 months. Mostly political commentary. Much of it rants. How can I change the tone a little? Doesn't everyone understand that the majority of politicians are crooked? They have, do, and will take bribes and vote for interests other than those pertinent to their constituents. The fall of Cunningham is nothing new. Senator McCain fell in the 90s...see...it apparently doesn't matter much to the American voter; McCain is still in office even though he "dirtied his hands." Corrupt politicians is as American as hot dogs and a baseball game. Surely every American can clearly see that politicians never answer questions directly, give different answers depending upon who their audience is, and waffle on all issues depending upon how close it is to re-election time. Not to mention, anyone directly associated with the White House is not responsible for illegal occurrences happening in lower levels of the bureaucracy....CEOs in the private sector are held accountable, but leaders of our country...heck no!