Most of you know there's a war on Christmas. Here's three reasons why they're firing duds.
Many people have chosen to point out the hypocrisy with Bill O'Reilly and others who wish others "Happy Holidays" as they simultaneously sell cheap plastic crap with "Happy Holidays" printed on them. O'Reilly may have recanted (in his own way), but his troops probably aren't up with current events and will probably ignore the cease-fire. Here's a few reasons why their war isn't a war at all.
"Happy Holidays" includes New Year's Day, which the majority of Americans observe also.
I used to have a job where I didn't work weekends, but some of my customers did. I would often wish them a good weekend on a Friday. Doing so, even though rote as an American tradition, also signaled to them that I wouldn't be seeing them until the following week. If I was taking Friday off, I would wish them a good weekend on a Thursday.
The point was that I was wishing them goodwill over a time period where I would not see them. The holiday season traditionally runs until New Year's, which is why all the kids get off of school the week after Christmas. People wish others goodwill ("happy") over a period of time ("holidays"). If I'm not going to see somebody until after New Year's, that's one of the reasons for using "Happy Holidays".
The alleged double meaning of "Happy Holidays" depends on when you say it.
If you say "Happy Holidays" to someone, you are afraid of offending those that do not celebrate the Judeo Christian values that represent the majority of Americans in this country. However, if you say "Happy Holidays" before Thanksgiving, then, umm, you're wishing people Happy Holidays.
Christians say that they drive the economic boon of the fourth quarter* and should be rewarded with large, polypropylene "Merry Christmas" banners dispalyed in retail stores.
Whoa, whoa, now! Isn't Jesus the reason for the season? This was made clear by the heavy bombardment over the past few years that criticized retailers for making Christmas the centerpoint of the seasonal shopping frenzy. Now Christians brag that they are the majority of people involved in this gluttony of shopping. Which is it?
So there you have it. Put down the gun, Jesus, the war is over.
*Note that even though the majority of secular Americans observe Christmas to show appreciation to their family and friends, they are not considered to be part of this drive.