CHRISTMAS vs Holiday

...we interrupt your Christmas music for the following news...

Headline.....Political Correctness runs amok....Atheists tell the vast majority of religious citizens that god and all religion are a myth perpetrated to enslave minds...political leaders, fearing for future votes, cave in to the demands of this "oppressed" minority...News at 11.......


...Extra! Extra! Read all about it!....Christmas is off! The yearly "Winter Holiday" is officially celebrated on December 25th!...Atheists now feel they are included in a society they claim was NOT founded on Christian principles...There is NO Christmas because Christ does NOT exist...Extra! Extra! Read all about it!...


...Dateline, Olympia, Washington...Governor Christine Gregoire, fearing that the Constitutional rights of a very small handful of people (most of whom aren't even in her constituency) are being denied, today allowed a Wisconsin Atheist group to place a sign next to a Nativity scene [in the Washington State Capital building] that did nothing but spit in the collective faces of all religious folks.
Predictably, the religious response was both swift and on the mark as they stated that Christmas was not just a religious holiday, but one of love, sharing, and giving as well; and anyone who opposed even these precepts had no right imposing their will on everyone else...

...Editorial...Since when does the Christmas Holiday offend anyone...I mean...really!? This reporter suspects that these so-called non-believers have celebrated Christmas for decades, and felt as much a part of society as they do every other day of the year.
In my humble opinion, if they want to enforce their will on 99.999999% of the population,let them try. In the last 10 years there has been a growing backlash against the supposed trampling of civil rights on a few who want to change both the Letter and the Spirit of the Constitution.
I say, boo hoo you poor wretches. No one makes you include religion in the annual holiday. Just share presents, eat good food, and let your friends warm your hearts with smiles and gifts.
Would that really be such a terrible thing? I think not...

...and now, back to more of everyone's favorite CHRISTMAS music...

Gross Advertising Misconduct: The Follow-Up

In my original post called "Gross Advertising Misconduct" I told you about a commercial from Arby's restaurants that was blantantly sexual in nature. There was absolutely no mistaking the message they were putting across.

Well, I'm writing this because I actually received a response from Arby's. The complete text follows:

"Dear Arby’s Friend,

We’re sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction with our current advertising.

Many times we choose to use tongue-in-cheek humor and satire in our commercials in an effort to communicate information about the Arby’s menu in an engaging and entertaining manner.

Your opinion is very important to us, and we thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone. We have shared your comments with our marketing and advertising teams so they can be considered in the development of future advertising.

Very truly yours,

Arby’s Customer Relations"


Tongue in cheek humor? Satire? No way. My response to their letter:

"I'm sorry, but this commercial was NOT about humor or satire. It was about sex; plain and simple. If it was merely satirical, why insinuate a sexual encounter in exchange for your food, or simulate the man getting an erection? The explanation I received just doesn't cut it."

Needless to say, but I have not yet received a response to that. How can they? Their position is indefensible.
You see, advertisers generally stick to to a few basic premises to get their message across.
One is Sex.
Two is Humor.
Three is Relevancy [to everyday life].
Four is a combination of any of the first three.

All advertising seeks to manipulate the viewer in some way through visual, audio, or narrative enticement--or again, a combination of all three.

The Arby's ad in question was supposedly intended to be humorous or satirical, but was instead unmistakenly and overtly sexual. I've spoken with other people about this ad, and every one of them said they didn't see any humor; but instead were offended by the sexual nature of the ad.

Arby's is missing the boat. Their flat denial and suggestion of intent is just another manipulatory ploy to get a dissatisfied customer on their side and once again purchasing from their businesses.

My response clearly states the ridiculousness of their claim because I see it (the commercial AND the response) for what it truly is...an attempt to sell me on their product. A sales pitch. One for which I will NOT fall.

Gross Advertising Misconduct

I saw something on tv tonight that I was completely astounded at...and I don't mean that in any positive sense.

During tonights' 7 pm Family Hour a commercial for Arby's restaurants came on. It featured a man, sitting on a bed looking quite anxious. He asks an unseen person if she's ready. Flash to a view of a doorway and a voice calling out, "I'm only doing this because it's your birthday." Flash to the man who looks even more anxious.

Flash to the doorway through which a woman (presumably the man's wife) suddenly appears dressed in an Arby's uniform, holding a tray of food. She starts sauntering towards the bed [while sexually suggestive music plays in the background] in a highly sexually suggestive manner. Flash to the man who has a huge grin on his face. Above him is an Arby's logo with a definitely limp look to it. Suddenly the hat straightens right up in an unmistakable representation and overt reference to the man having an erection.

EXCUSE ME?!!!!! Are you kidding me?!!!!

I promptly went to my computer, looked up Arby's corporate, and wrote a very blunt and pointed letter informing them of how I feel about this commercial. Right afterwards, I got on my blog [here], and wrote this.

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm no prude, and I am definitely not sheltered. I am well aware of how advertisers go about selling the products of their clients. This particular ad however, surprised even me. This blatant, overt, and uninhibited use of sex to sell fast food was disgusting at best. And to have it during the Family Hour is simply irresponsible.

This commercial, aimed at our kids, should never have been approved. In my letter to Arby's, I stated that the advertisers should be fired, and the corporate manager who approved it should be, too. Further, I went on to suggest that the company fine itself, and donate the money to an appropriate charity. Lastly, I told them that I would never eat at any Arby's again for this gross misconduct. I meant every word.

If we, the viewing public do nothing about this type of advertising, the ad industry will assume that all is well, and will grow bolder with each successive ad campaign.

Please, if you see inappropriate advertising, write the company, the FCC, the TV stations, etc. Let your voices be heard so these people who so strongly influence our kids are not allowed to flood their innocent eyes with increasingly graphic sexual references. I for one, will not allow myself to stand by while this happens. I will speak out. You should too.

After all, if we don't do everything we can to care for the physical health and mental well-being of our kids, we are failing them.

The PC of "Going Green"

I've never been one to bend the way of the populist movement. Too much like a sheep following a herd. I prefer to actually use my brain, and to decide on my own whether or not I will do this or that, or if I will choose one thing over the other.


The latest movement in America that we are being told we should do is to "Go Green." Simply put, the politico's and private sector agenda pushers want everyone in the USA to blindly and obediently follow the philosophy that we should all be working hard to reduce our so-called 'Carbon Footprint' which we theoretically leave everywhere we go, and in everything we do. Supposedly, our efforts will, cumulatively, help reduce the harmful greenhouse gases we are told are besetting our planet.


Over the past decade we see story after story about how perilous our atmoshere is becoming--and hence, our safety. The news is regulary filled with stories relating the terrifying consequences to us all should our protective UV sheild [over the earth] fail. The polar ice caps are melting; the ozone layer is disintegrating; forests are dying; weather patterns are becoming unpredictable, etc. We are being fed fear en masse as to our fate should the global warming "predicament" go unchecked.


My point here, is that it seems to me that someone, or some group is pushing us all towards this frenzy of Going Green. Cities across this country are bowing to political pressure to reduce carbon emissions. Some counties are requiring new home building to incorporate reduce carbon off-gassing materials so as to further the cause of Green. Whole communities are being built (or rebuilt) to reflect this trend.


Hollywood actors are constantly pushing this agenda either privately, in interviews, or even as spokespersons for the effort. Media and advertisers immerse us with images and illustrations meant to convince everyone that the "Green Cause" is one we should all be actively concerned about, and working towards.


Study after study is released telling us what a trecherous position our home is in, and that we "must act right now to avert the impending environmental disaster." I have even seen an ad which stated that "you are un-American" if you don't do everything possible to reduce your 'Footprint.' (What the #@&%?!!)


Yet, there is another, viable side of this story; one that is quietly, and very quickly brushed under the proverbial rug; one that doesn't fit the push to "Go Green."


Over the past 5-6 years, there infrequently appear stories that relate a different view; a less doom & gloom outlook. A small (but growing) number of scientists are speaking up with serious doubts regarding the tenuous position of our planet. They are citing individual research (in other words, non-corporate interest, corporate subsidized research) which disputes the bandwagon of Greenies.


[Though I don't have the specific articles] The reasearch comes from several scientific disciplines. First, one scientist who studies oceanic currents has stated many times that the oceans are NOT heating up. The temperatures of the major ocean currents have not varied by more than (I believe) a half degree in the last 40 years. Since the ocean currents produce the weather patterns, this information tells us plainly that the supposed changes in the world-wide weather patterns are NOT happening. Instead, the weather is going through its normal patterns.


Secondly, a few years ago a leading researcher who studies the growth patterns of our forests published findings which state that the health of our trees has not changed in the last two hundred years. He reached this conclusion by studying the tree ring record. This is done by cutting down a tree, and examining the rings; looking for the number, color, and width of the rings, and so on.


What is seen tells a trained scientist about the health of a tree, years of drought, years of healthy rainfall, etc. It's a very complicated science. Anyway, this researcher stated publicly that the weather over the last 20 years is no more severe than in the previous 200. According to the tree ring record, there is no catostrophic weather event that has taken place. The ring evidence shows that the growth patterns are going through a normal cycle. Just like the weather, there are years of abundance, and years of lean [ecologically speaking, of course].

Lastly, I have read several different articles which collectively state that the earth itself puts out nearly as much pollution into our air as man does. How? Forest fires, red tide blooms, volcanic activity, etc. True, the influence man has on the environment is unmistakably obvious; but the overall condition is no solely the fault of industry and cars, etc. The earth has been polluting its air, and scrubbing it clean again for millions of years. Why does anyone think this has changed in the last 20 years?

My question or point to this entire article is who is behind this message of the dire straits the earth is in? Why is this whole green movement or agenda moving forward with such rapidity? Who benefits financially from the sudden fear and paranoia about the environment?

Over the course of history there has always been some mover behind the great changes that have ocurred--Democracy spread by the conquests of Alexander of Macedon; the consolidation of Catholocism by a relative handful of scholars culminating in the Nicean Creed; the exploration and colonization of the New World by greedy, self-serving nations whose two interests were domination and wealth; etc.

I suspect that such motivators are in play regarding the call to save our environment. Corporations are already lined up to provide the goods and services to help us all do our part; our monies doled out thoughtlessly to powers which have no real interest beyond the almighty dollar, but which profess to care about us and our world leading us to give again, and again, and again--all the while increasing the coffers of whatever corporations are the ultimate benefactors of our good will to help the environment.

About six months ago I read a report which stated that for every pound of carbon we save (offset), there are approximately 2-3 pounds of additionally used carbon. In other words, our very efforts to offset the carbon emmissions are doubling or even tripling the problem. Does that make sense to anyone? I guess my infinitely inferior brain just can't grasp the nuances of this environmental "disaster."

For me there are too many questions...too much doubt as to the validity of this whole movement to "Save the Environment." Yes, I care for the environment, and am extremely concerned about the waste we pump into the atmosphere. But when we are told to be a good sheep and follow the leader because it's "the right thing to do," then I must take a step back and examine the how's, why's, where's, and what's of the issue.

I may not be PC for doing so, but I would be remiss if I blindly, sheepishly, and unquestioningly followed the proponents of Going Green.

Governor Schwarznegger--What Gives?

You know, one thing the voting public in this country really hate is an elected leader not following the will of the people. This happened with Lynden Johnson (ramping up the Vietnam War), George W. Bush ("read my lips...No New Taxes!"), and George H.W. Bush (lingering wars, horrible economic policies, etc), to name a few.

In California, the recent passage of Proposition 8 which [the State of California] Constitutionally defines marriage as between a man and a woman has created many eye-opening events. Homophobia (against backers of Prop 8), bigotry, and defacement of religious properties were the starting point. National Media outcry for homosexual equality quickly followed. Celebrities from Hollywood to MoTown jumped aboard the Frenzy Express to denounce all those who actually voted their conscience and favorably voted for Prop 8.

Politicians were no exception. California AG Jerry Brown, who first made news by re-writing the language of the Proposition after it was submitted, has encouraged the gay community to fight the election results in Court. From what I've read, all the major politicians in the State are either speaking out against the establishment of the law, or are saying nothing, which basically says that they support those who are in an uproar.

By a very FAT 4% margin, the voters of California chose to pass Proposition 8. Now, given that the victory was so wide politically, you'd think that a Governor would stand up and defend the will of the people. After all, a Governor is elected by the People, and should (ideologically at least) have the best interest of the people in mind.

In Sacramento, this thinking does not hold sway. Governor Arnold Schwarznegger, in breaking from the will of the people, has himself called on the California Supreme Court to overturn the newly established law that was, again, passed by a majority of the voters of the State of California. This simple definition has speared the very heart of California, and its Governor is failing in his responsibility to lead the people.

Not once has he raised his voice above the din of protest and ask for calm and reason. He has not denounced the hate crimes being perpetrated by the losing side of the election. He has stood idly by as mobs assailed places of worship; as they accosted backers of Prop 8 with verbal, emotional, and physical attacks; as businesses, whose owners contributed to the passage of 8, became targets of hate and retribution; as members of the gay community angrily did everything they could to harass and intimidate anyone, or any organization that backed or voted for the establishment of a simple definition.

I have to wonder who is in the Governor's back pocket; who is pulling his strings; who is garnering political favor by manipulating a Governor of the United States of America into allowing the trampling of civil rights by those who so forcefully advocate love and tolerance, yet are themselves participating in these heinous actions against their fellow citizens.

Governor Schwarznegger, you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing a small minority of your states' population to dictate hatred against those who think and feel differently. Those who perpetrate these acts are criminals by definition. Yet you, for whatever inexplicable reason, are allowing the bigorty and acts of hate and violence to commence unabated.

This inaction, by an elected official is just shameful at the very least. Your calls for a Court of Law to overturn the Will of the People is reprehensible. You have not risen to the challenge in this matter, and should face an impeachment by the citizenry of your State. Your stance to wilfully ignore the civil unrest and trampling of civil rights constitutes a negligence I have not seen since the days of former Mississippi Governor George Wallace.

I for one hope that even the liberal Supreme Court of California will recognize what is happening, and enforce the Will of the People and strike down the legal maneauverings of a small minority group. Upholding the law that is Proposition 8 is indeed the Will of the People. Anything less, and we have yet another example of a very small minority literally forcing their will upon the vast majority. Haven't we seen enough of this already?

Misplaced Anger

Alright. Time to speak up.

On November Fourth of this year, the Voters of California passed (endorsed) a State Constitutional Amendment which strictly defined marriage as between one man and one woman. That's it. There was nothing about trampling civil rights, discriminatory endorsement, homophobic prevarications, etc. The amendment very simply states that a recognized marriage was between a man and a woman.

Instead of taking the defeat in stride and planning a new approach which might steer them towards acceptance, the gay community decided that they would stomp their feet and act like little children who didn't get their way. They started throwing a collective temper tantrum. They looked to blame everybody and everything for the defeat, and began inciting the very things which they themselves are fighting against--hate, violence, misinformation, disinformation, intolerance, bigotry, prejudice, etc.

While not everyone in the gay community participated in these events, nor did they endorse them, the fact is that calls for tolerance and peace were ignored by a majority of their community in favor of slander, bigoted rhetoric, verbal and written vilification against those who choose to feel differently, verbal and written harassment, physical harassment, defacement of places of worship, etc. Where is the "tolerance" the gay community so desperately advocates? Where is the love they espouse and have forced others to recognize? Where is the respect for the democratic process which they have been properly using to make the changes they seek?

Yes, the failure of proposition 8 was a stinging blow to those who seek equality. But to react to the defeat with the very hate they have been fighting against will do nothing but impair the gay communities' ability to finally achieve the acceptance they seek.

Additionally, two things rankle me about this whole thing. First, critics of the defeat rail on about how the Mormon Church took away their rights. What the #@&%!!!
This disinformation is pathetic at best. The Mormon Church did no such thing. The Church Leadership asked its members in California to donate time and money to defeating the measure. As far as I am aware, the Church itself donated NOTHING to that end.

However, a grass-roots effort by church members throughout the state of California heeded that call, donating many personal hours, and millions of California dollars to see that Proposition 8 was passed. Why? Because these registered California voters feel strongly in the millenia old tradition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Plain, and very simple. Beyond Church leadership saying, We'd like you to get involved in this issue, they played no role. Again, only registered voters in the State of California took an active role, as is their Federally Constitutionally mandated right to do so.

Members of the gay community completely misrepresent the facts regarding the involvement of the Mormon Church, choosing instead to spread the disinformation of lies, hate, claims of homophobia, etc, and turned the heart of Proposition 8 from one of a simple definition to one of an attack of civil rights against gays.

Wow. That just boggles my mind. But again, the worst part of this is the very hate they are fighting they are themselves using as a tool against anyone who voted against their wishes.

I've got news for you folks. This is nothing but hypocritical, and will only lead to more adversity in your fight. You used the democratic process and lost. So what? Do it again, and again, and again until you DO win.

Secondly, the national media is jumping on the bandwagon of this wave of hate and intolerance against the "terrible" heterosexual voters and the Mormon Church (and anyone else who supported passage of Proposition 8). Instead of using the proper journalistic morals and writing fair, balanced stories, the media (print, tv, radio, internet, etc) are acting like little sheep and following the shepherd (in this case, the gay community) along the trail like little obedient sheep.

They concentrate on telling the nation (and the world) what a terrible thing the passage of Proposition 8 is, and that some 18,000 "couples" are now denied their rights and freedoms, is irresponsible at best.

Where is the media outcry for those whose businesses and lives have been targets of hate because they chose to participate in the democratic process and voted with their conscience?

Where has the media spoken out against the defacement of sacred religious properties, which acts should clearly be labeled as religious intolerance and hate crimes?

I read report after report about how "wronged" the gays are. But not once have I read any opinion or perspective on why the majority of California voters stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. No one has asked them. Why? Why is THEIR opinion unimportant? Why is their viewpoint irrelevant?

Why is the media NOT vilifying those who are acting hatefully against the proponents of Proposition 8? Why are they defending those who would strip the Constitutional rights of the citizens of California that had the audacity to vote in favor of the definition?

This whole thing is beyond unconscionable. It shows me that this nation is on a VERY slippery slope which, if allowed to continue, will eventually lead to the stripping away of rights, and the establishment of religious intolerance and bigotry. How can we, as a people, allow this to happen? How can the media (as a whole) perpetuate this problem by condoning irresponsible journalism and allowing themselves to be manipulated by a small group, turning a simple wording into a national tragedy?

Personally, I think that the approval of gay marriage is an inevitability. In the mean time, why do those who fight for it spread the same hate and fear that they themselves have battled all their lives for? Why must they wrongly target individuals, business and religions that don't agree with with the choices of a small minority?

The United States of America was founded as a refuge; as a place where differing viewpoints could live side by side; as a place where people could speak their minds and vote their conscience without fear of intimidation or retribution.

It would seem that the gay community would, in their fight for acceptance and equality, turn their backs on the history which has given them the ability to speak out and defend that what they hold dear. They are even now inciting the very same intimidation and retribution which the Founding Fathers sought to eliminate with the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

Yes, we are on a VERY, VERY slippery slope, and are quickly approaching the edge of the proverbial cliff. What will happen now? Will we fall? Or will we survive?

Airlines Going Too Far

It looks like all the major air carriers are looking to completely screw their customers. Last Spring when I was traveling to Upstate NY, the airlines announced a $25 fee for checking a second bag; $50 for a third; and $75 for a fourth checked bag. (gulp!) Of course, their First Class passengers, Mileage ticket holders, and special "Sky" class passengers didn't have to pony up the fees. Nope, these ridiculous check-in fees are reserved for the greatest number of passengers (of course!), the Coach Class ticketholders.

Now comes news of an even better way to financially abuse their customers...Today, Delta announced that it is now charging $15 for the FIRST CHECKED BAG. Yep, now any passenger flying to see family, go on vacation, go on a business trip, etc and who actually has the temerity to want to take clothing along with them,...well, they are now penalized for not wanting to wear the same dirty underwear for days at a time.

I know that some of you are screaming about carry-on bags. On that note, most airlines are now extremely restrictive on what you can take on a plane. It is no coincidence that an air traveler who cannot take a large carry-on must check the bag, thereby paying the airline not only for the seat (and ONLY the seat--forget about any snacks nowadays), but also for actually having the guts to tell an air carrier they are taking a single piece of checked luggage! (Gasp!!!!)

Does anyone besides me think this whole thing stinks of a pungent, monopolistic odor? And I mean this REEKS!

The whole thing on these cutbacks (no more meals--except First Class of course, snacks, pillows--in some cases, etc) was 'justified' by rising fuel costs. Routes and numbers of flights were decreased across the board, planes became over-booked, and new fees suddenly began rearing their ugly heads.

Next thing you know we'll be charged for having the gall to use the restroom on a cross country flight; or for asking for a cup of water (I've heard a few airlines are already charging for ice water!), or for getting the bag you paid to have checked off the luggage pickup.

When airline ridership drops to historic lows, or revenues bankrupt most carriers, maybe then (and this is a pretty big maybe) someone will get the brilliant idea that passengers actually want to be treated like their purchase means something more to the company than a warm spot left on the seat when all the passengers have unstuffed themselves from the cramped hollow tube that has been passing for a pleasant flying experience.

...but I doubt it.

Election Day!

Tomorrow, November 4th is Election day! I hope that everybody reading this is registered, and knows exactly when they are getting out to cast their votes. Me, I'm going before work. I will proudly wear my "I Voted" sticker all day.
My kids are both having their first voting experiences. They are excited to actually be participating; and they absolutely SHOULD be! Every time I cast my vote, I leave the polling place feeling happy, grateful, excited, and thankful that I live in a country where my voice is heard through my vote. I never get tired of that feeling, and I hope I never do!

Please! Cast your vote tomorrow! Make your voice heard! No excuses...Just Do It!!!!!