In the Las Vegas Review Journal, a letter to the editor got my BS radar to perk up.
It's one of those How the awful PC Liberals won't let us celebrate Christmas anymore BS letters."
To the editor:
On Thursday evening I attended the winter concert at a Las Vegas middle school. I am both a professional musician and a proud grandparent; my grandson was among those performing.
I found it curious that the selections included both "Hanukkah Celebration" and "Kwanzaa Celebration," but Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," was retitled "Joyful Joyful."
Have we ventured so stupidly into the concept of "diversity?" Years ago, this time of year was the "Christmas Break." I understand the mind-set that dictates that we must now designate it "Winter Vacation." I am an atheist, but I am embarrassed that we can now celebrate Hanukkah, a real Jewish holiday with thousands of years of history, and Kwanzaa, an event manufactured about 30 years ago by Ron Karenga, complete with Swahili euphemisms, but a piece composed specifically about the birth of Jesus Christ must now be labeled, anonymously, "Joyful Joyful."
Have we gone so far into political correctness that we're afraid to identify, lest we offend some faceless litigant, the reason that we actually celebrate this season? Some 80 percent of Americans are Christians, and the celebration of Christmas is a very benign expression of that belief.
"Peace On Earth" is not a concept with which anyone, other than professional jihadists, can reasonably argue. The rest of us should enjoy good will toward men and shut up.
BOB ASHMAN
LAS VEGAS
First of all, I note his complaint about an unidentified LV middle school. Just the right touch so he can complain without being able to confirm it.
Also, there's a real possibility that it's a mistake with "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" based on Beethoven's "Hymn to Joy."
But I smell astroturf here. Anyone else see this in their Letters to the Editor? Keep an eye out.
Chris / Henderson, NV