salvatori. wrote:
Maybe I am stupid, but I can't really understand a thing you are saying.

That's unfortunate.

salvatori. wrote:
If I ask you a question and you dismiss it as irrelevant, where's the 'discussion' you were talking about?

You would certainly be entitled to ask why the question was dismissed, and that subsequent question could either be dismissed or answered, and so on.

That's a discussion.

kickfight wrote:

salvatori. wrote:
Maybe I am stupid, but I can't really understand a thing you are saying.

That's unfortunate.


You would certainly be entitled to ask why the question was dismissed, and that subsequent question could either be dismissed or answered, and so on.

That's a discussion.

Sorry, not going to play this game. Do want to thank you for reminding me why the MM fora is a more frustrating experience than talking to my ex-wife.

salvatori. wrote:
Maybe I am stupid, but I can't really understand a thing you are saying.

kickfight wrote:
That's unfortunate.


You would certainly be entitled to ask why the question was dismissed, and that subsequent question could either be dismissed or answered, and so on.

That's a discussion.

salvatori. wrote:
Sorry, not going to play this game. Do want to thank you for reminding me why the MM fora is a more frustrating experience than talking to my ex-wife.

If that's how you feel, that's fine. Nobody's putting a gun up to your head and forcing you to "play this game".

Oh, and I'm sorry about the ex-wife thing. That sounds unpleasant.

Good Egg Productions wrote:
What's wrong with this picture.
[snip]

Jesus rode a dinosaur.

Lawrence Guy wrote:

Jesus rode a dinosaur.

A T-Rex, to be precise. 

Farenell Photography wrote:
Jon Stewart tackles this very topic & hits the nail on the head.

Part 1:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-d … re-edition

Part 2:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-d … philosophy

Too many people trying to watch it... I don't get beyond 1:30 and then it's buffering again...

MS Foto wrote:
There is most definently a concerted and sustained effort by many to marginalize the Christmas holiday. Each year you hear of things like some school banning Christmas Carols and Nativity displays or some municipality referring to their public Christmas Tree as a “Holiday Tree” The Christmas songs I hear on the radio are always "Jingle Bells" and "Winter Wonderland" ( holiday neutral ) but never "Silent Night" or "Little Drummer Boy" ( songs that reffer to the birth of Jesus ) Heck, a couple years ago many stores even tried banning their employees from wishing customers “Merry Christmas” in the name of political correctness until the backlash raised such an uproar the reversed the policy.
  20, 30, 40 years ago there was no such occurrences, so if there’s no “War on Christmas” why do such things happen now?
   Christmas is a federal holiday. Can you just imagine the uproar if there was any effort to marginalize MLK day...?

What you are calling a marginalization is the opposite. It is an effort to INCLUDE as many people as possible into the celebrations of the season. There are situations where limiting celebrations to one belief discludes many other individuals and groups. That itself goes against the spirit of Christmas.

Just like marriage, Christmas does not belong to one group to decide how others must celebrate it.

R A V E N D R I V E wrote:
a) she is wearing mistletoe in her hair

b) dino is a rug

Doesn't mistletoe have white berries?
She is wearing Holly...look at the leaves.

Poor Dino!

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Sorry -- I can't believe that there is a "War on Christmas" -- I have the right to live a Christian-free life, and I can stand to have less Christmas shoved down my throat.

Thoughts?

Well, LOL! 

You can always move to Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia?

America is supposed to be about "Tolerance" of others...not control...IMHO.

Wildcat

Good Egg Productions wrote:
What's wrong with this picture.

The earliest recorded instance of a candy cane dates forward to the 17th century.

Brian T Rickey wrote:
No there is not, I love Saturnalia and all are free to enjoy it.

If anyone hasn't already heard Diane Robert's version of Roman adjustment, check it out:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlaye … &m=5060357

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I have the right to live a Christian-free life, ...

Interesting 'right' you believe you have.

Guss W wrote:
If anyone hasn't already heard Diane Robert's version of Roman adjustment, check it out:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlaye … &m=5060357

"Yo Saturnalia!

If you don't like it leave! It's Rome after all... "

Love it!

Ronin_LLC wrote:
Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdLMWsB … K8f9VkWSLQ

Excellent analysis and presentation of the actual facts as completely being omitted by Fox!

Thanks for that link Ronin!

udor wrote:

Excellent analysis and presentation of the actual facts as completely being omitted by Fox!

Thanks for that link Ronin!

Anytime man.

Ronin_LLC wrote:
Christmas ads started this year the week BEFORE Halloween. Christmas specials and episodes of shows started the week of thanksgiving.

No there is no "war" on Christmas, those are just lies made up Bill O'reilly and FOXNEWS to scare their ignorance fan base into blindly following whatever they say.

Examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdLMWsB … K8f9VkWSLQ

DISCLAIMER: ignore the user name the videos are still solid and the message is dead on.

Awesome link.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Every time I hear an uber-right pundit claim that there is a war on Christmas, I cringe.

Thoughts?

Well, Ebenezer....

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Every time I hear an uber-right pundit claim that there is a war on Christmas, I cringe.

Thoughts?

What Fun Productions wrote:
Well, Ebenezer....

Yes, Jacob?

MS Foto wrote:
20, 30, 40 years ago there was no such occurrences, so if there’s no “War on Christmas” why do such things happen now?

Because there are more and more people who don't celebrate Christmas. Remember the time you could smoke everywhere? Well, as soon as the percentage of smokers dropped below 50% smoking was outlawed.

Like 60-70% of people in this country are Christians so there is like 15-20 years before public Christmas celebrations get outlawed.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Sorry -- I can't believe that there is a "War on Christmas" -- I have the right to live a Christian-free life, and I can stand to have less Christmas shoved down my throat.

Thoughts?

Wildcat Photography wrote:
Well, LOL! 

You can always move to Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia?

America is supposed to be about "Tolerance" of others...not control...IMHO.

Wildcat

Love it or leave it, eh?  Those our only choices?

It seems to me that when conservatives complain about the "War on Christmas", it's usually after some hardcore zealots get denied the right to celebrate their particular religion on public lands using public money.  That's just not right.  I got no problem with a nativity scene on church grounds; I got a big problem with a nativity scene on public school grounds.  When the religious right get's denied the usage of public funds/grounds -- that isn't a "War On Christmas", that's American.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I have the right to live a Christian-free life, ...

Kevin Connery wrote:
Interesting 'right' you believe you have.

Commonly known as Freedom Of Religion.  Why do you imply that I don't have that right?  What's the problem?

twoharts wrote:
i did enjoy watching rudolph the other night although the show is kind of oddly disturbing when you see it as an adult.

Not as disturbing as this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaQ6ODrQg0g

Digital Photo PLUS wrote:
Because there are more and more people who don't celebrate Christmas. Remember the time you could smoke everywhere? Well, as soon as the percentage of smokers dropped below 50% smoking was outlawed.

Like 60-70% of people in this country are Christians so there is like 15-20 years before public Christmas celebrations get outlawed.

Soooo, you agree. More people seeking to waterdown/eliminate the traditional holiday experience = War on Christmas...

(BTW, there's a war on smoking, too. Probably has something to do with the fact that it actually kills people, but I think people should be free to make their own choice )

Designit - Edward Olson wrote:
What you are calling a marginalization is the opposite. It is an effort to INCLUDE as many people as possible into the celebrations of the season. There are situations where limiting celebrations to one belief discludes many other individuals and groups. That itself goes against the spirit of Christmas.

With that kind of double-talk you must also be a salesperson besides a photographer, right? Or maybe a lawyer? Politician? I guess it depends on what your meaning of the word "is" is...

Looknsee Photography wrote:

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I have the right to live a Christian-free life, ...

Kevin Connery wrote:
Interesting 'right' you believe you have.

Commonly known as Freedom Of Religion.  Why do you imply that I don't have that right?  What's the problem?

What word does the first amendment start with?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

The government does not have the right to impose any religion on others, nor can they prevent those who have it from practicing it. (Absent edge cases, such as human sacrifice.)

I can do so; a private company can do so. I can tell you you can't practice your religion in my house, and they can tell you that you must tolerate their religious display on their private property--just as you can do that to/for me or on property you own.

If I choose to have a creche scene on my front lawn, you do not have the right to tell me to remove it on religious grounds, nor can the government do so.  That pretty much obviates your "right to live a Christian-free life, ...", as your "right" is based on the removal of a right they are guaranteed.

Heck, even the link you cite contradicts your claim:

Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance;

Unless you remove Christians' rights, you don't have a "right to live a Christian-free life"--just as Christians don't have the 'right' to live an atheist-free life, a Buddhist-free life, a Jewish-free life, etc.

Kevin Connery wrote:
Heck, even the link you cite contradicts your claim:

Unless you remove Christians' rights, you don't "right to live a Christian-free life"--just as Christians don't have the 'right' to live an atheist-free life, a Buddhist-free life, a Jewish-free life, etc.

You are splitting hairs.

I've been clear:  I don't want public lands and/or public funds used to promote any particular religion.  I don't care if other people want to celebrate whatever religion, as long as the participants are willing & no one gets hurt.  But if I choose not to be Christian, no government and no individual may force me to become one.

I can even choose to avoid becoming friends with Christians if I want.  I can go out of my way to avoid walking past a church.  I can program my DVR to avoid Christian or Christmas-based programming.  No one can stop me, now!  Bwah ha ha ha!!!

K E E L I N G wrote:
Maybe I'm weird, but I'm able to go through the xmas season happy and enjoying the fun and giving and cocktails and Santa and the music and... everything.... without thinking about religion one single time.

Santa doesn't preach nor carry a bible.

Oh man, we're agreeing!

I don't believe in god and I LOVE Christmas for those reasons.

Looknsee Photography wrote:

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I have the right to live a Christian-free life, ...

Commonly known as Freedom Of Religion.  Why do you imply that I don't have that right?  What's the problem?

And this. I technically don't celebrate Christmas btw. It's Winter Solstice in my home

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I don't mind the advertising.  I don't mind the specials.  I'm not a parent, so I don't even mind the propaganda directed towards children. 

What I find offensive is the uber-right people claiming that there is a "war against Christmas".  Seems to me that Christmas is not under attack at all.

I have found it rather easy to avoid the uber-right people myself, and have yet to hear/read anything about the 'war on xmas' this year...
Perhaps you need you watch different channels, visit different websites or associate with different people?