Someone posted the following meme saying that I should wish people "Happy Holidays", because there are many other religious holidays around Christmas. They said it was a matter of "respect" for their traditions, not a war on Christmas.

My reply below.

w.

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Nope. Not true on my planet.

I don't get offended by "Happy Hannukah" or whatever the Kwanzaa folks say. I'm happy they wished me well.

And so if someone gets offended by me saying "Merry Christmas", scru'em.

Seriously. Caving to their PC demands is not called "respect". It's called "weakness".

RESPECT IS NOT GETTING OFFENDED WHEN SOMEONE WISHES YOU WELL IN ANY FORM IN ANY LANGUAGE.

Lack of respect is demanding that I change my ways because you're afraid someone somewhere will be offended. Look, I've written about a thousand full-length scientific and autobiographica l posts for the web, and one thing I can guarantee you.

Every single one of them offended some snowflake somewhere, and while I wish that wasn't true, I truly don't care about their feelz. Can't be avoided.

Yes, it is in fact a war on Christmas, and sadly, folks have fallen for it. Sorry, my friends, but on my planet that dog won't hunt.

Sincerely

w.

1
The term "giving offense” is an exercise in idiocy. Such a thing does not exist, because no one controls another person’s mind.

What you say is what you say. Nothing more, nothing less. Me "becoming offended” is my response to what you say, and my response is my responsibility and my choice, not yours. You do not have the power to dictate how I respond.

Sure, you may be using loaded terms that are designed to make me "take offense.” You may be using "trigger words” and slurs on my ancestry. You may be insulting me, my family and my mother, but I do not have to "become offended” just because you want me to. If I am in possession of my own mind, I am able to choose the response that suits my own purpose.

If I am of sound mind, I will "become offended” in response to what you say only if it serves my purpose for me to do so, only if I have something to gain by doing so.

If your words cause me to "become offended” contrary to my own volition, then I am not in control of my own mind, you are. Why would I allow you to control my emotional condition, unless I have become insane?

2 Good points by all of you.

I choose not to be offended by what somebody else says, because I am now 80 years old and have heard just about everything anybody can say. And, being a professional musician, at this time of year I'm getting geared up to play -- yep -- Christmas music again; and most of it's wonderful (I have to admit I don't love that New Age-y "Mary, Did You Know" thing, and won't shed tears if I never have to hear "Frosty the Snowman" again).

3 Point well made Bill, and how everyone should think about it.

We control ourselves. If that is so we have no reason to be offended at ;mere words.

4 Dana, I get that. Cathy and I argue about it all the time. She likes that new-agey music or the entirely mindless drivel being put out as Christmas music these days. Me, I primarily want to hear the old traditional carols done with traditional arrangements. If Christmas isn't a time for tradition and faith I don't know what is.

If I have to listen to another pop arrangement of Santa Claus is Coming to Town I think I will vomit my eggnog all over whoever is playing it.

5 I introduce to everyone a lewdle dordle intellectual entertainment game. It was great

6 They said it was a matter of "respect" for their traditions, not a war on Christmas.