The American Spectator

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p> SEASON'S GREETINGS br> Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Happy Days : /p>

Well-meaning locals in this part of the world have added a new wrinkle to Mr. Tyrrell's lament over the loss of Merry Christmas and (potentially) Happy New Year as person to person greetings in this time of year. In an apparent attempt to be the most sensitive and inclusive human life forms on the planet, local newscasters and more than one co-worker have wished me a Happy AND SAFE Holiday. Exactly where safety figures into the Christmas/New Year scheme of things, I haven't a clue.

Is it possible that they mean that I should celebrate the season by avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, fast driving, tobacco smoke, domestic abuse, crass commercialism, fossil fuel use, foods high in trans-fats, fireworks, live Christmas trees, DDT, conservative thoughts, red meat, processed white sugar, non-fair trade coffees, religious symbols, sweatshop produced apparel, lead based paints, handguns and jogging along I-95 at night wearing dark clothing?

p>Well OK, I'm adult enough to avoid most of these and my Momma has already warned me about some of this stuff, too. I do not need to be reminded to follow the safety prescriptions of those self-anointed busybodies among us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year will continue to do nicely for me, thanks. br> -- Deane Fish br> Altamont, New York /p>

Mr. Tyrrell should get on a plane that doesn't "fly over" this part of the country and spend a few days here next Christmas season. It seems to my wife and me that "Merry Christmas" has made a small but noticeable resurgence in our locale. To be sure, there are still many commanding a "Happy Holidays" as we are about to leave the checkout stations, but try greeting some of these people first with "Merry Christmas" and you will be surprised at the reaction (here at least). I have personally made it my mission to reply to a "Happy Holidays" greeting with a "Merry Christmas" and now "Happy New Year to you too!" and if that labels me a bigot or racist or whatever, OK, no skin off my nose, and from reading Mr. Tyrrell over the years I suspect he could deal with the few that think that way.

p>I'll admit to spending as little time on either coast as possible, so perhaps Mr. Tyrrell's commentary is perfectly correct for where he is, but the pendulum appears to be headed back, or part way back, to where "Merry Christmas" is indeed a greeting that extends the very best of thoughts and intentions to whomever it is directed at. Sincerely Mr. Tyrrell, come and spend some time here.

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