Leave it to right-wing evangelicals to take the Holiday Season, a time for celebrating, giving, and spending time with our families and neighbors, and turn it into a
cynical excuse for a divisive cultural conflict. Jesus would be so proud of this flock. Stupid flockers. (Note to liberals in Washington, there's your talking point. Minus the "flocking" thing. Git 'em!)
Rather than engage in these incredibly important, bitter cultural disputes, I suggest instead that we of all faiths (as well as deists, naturalists, Buddhists and other monks more focused on practice than faith, and of course the happy faithless) get out to the local Kwikee-Mart and pick up a few
phone cards for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital.
Also, consider making an automatic monthly donation to the charity of your favorite flavor. If you need suggestions, Save The Children does great work around the world (including war-torn Sudan), Oxfam does excellent work for the poor domestically and internationally, as well as doing great policy work, and of course, consider making a recurring donation to the liberal policy institute or political cause of your choice. Small recurring donations are easier to make than large one-time gifts, and they help the organization budget farther into the future.
And for those purchases of baubles you absolutely must buy for the sweethearts, moms and dads, and little kiddies, check out where your dollars are going at BuyBlue.org. This list, new but being frequently updated, will show you who gave to which parties, and how much they threw into the fight. No surprise, but WalMart made over 2 million dollars in political contributions in 2004, with 80% going to Republicans, whereas CostCo/PriceClub threw down over $200,000, 98% of it to Democratic political organizations and campaigns. Merry New Year! Up Yours, WalMart, you union crushing, wage busting bastiches!
Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakuh, Merry Kwanzaa, and a Happy Festivus to everyone!
(shameless self-promotion department: cross-posted at 2071.org. I'm not any prouder than Click or Clack. But, at their behest, I drive better than either.)