RELIGIOUS, RIGHT?
Scott Harrell's piece "It's Christmas, For Christ's Sake" (Life Sentences, Dec. 21-27) did a good job of deconstructing the uproar over the presence or absence of "Merry Christmas," but his closing suggestion hints at the real problem we face: placing operatives in political positions to legitimize a religious agenda.
It is Constitutional policy to not favor any particular religion. Similarly, it is good marketing strategy for a merchant to appeal to all shoppers. Above all, it is a stable society that embraces all its cultural elements.
The "Founding Fathers" knew better than to mix religion and government. The demagogs that are stirring this "war on Christmas" should be ashamed for undermining the enlightened policy over 200 years wise.
Everybody needs to open their eyes and recognize that this is a false choice. It is not "defending Christmas" vs. "political correctness." We as a society can celebrate Christmas and Chanukah and Kwanzaa and Ramadan all at once. One holiday is not lessened by others celebrated at the same time of year.
A Christian church certainly has every right to be proud of "Merry Christmas," and no right-minded person would suggest they are wrong to put the saying on their marquee. But to organize boycotts to quash inclusiveness goes too far, and if Ronda Storms and her ilk can't tolerate anybody different than their subculture, they don't deserve to be in positions of authority.
Arlin Briley
St. Petersburg
BAND AID
Thanks again for the coverage (Music Feature, "Holiday with Heart," by Scott Harrell, Dec. 21-27)! We were at capacity by the time the second band started and we raised $4,000! It was amazing, and wouldn't have been possible without your help.
Susie Ulrey
Tampa
HAIGHT SPEECH
Poor Lisa Marzilli and Noelle Haight (Going Postal, Dec. 7-13 and Dec.14-20). They are offended and cannot tolerate Lance Goldenberg's film review of Paradise Now due to his political views. Ms. Marzilli even suggests that Mr. Goldenberg "recuse" himself from reviewing films that deal with Middle East politics. Now that's really interesting, because listeners of WMNF's news program, Free Speech Radio, have to endure her slanted, pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel newscasting. Ms. Marzilli do you see the irony of your suggestion in relation to the title of the program you work for? My visceral response might be for Ms. Marzilli and Ms. Haight to "recuse" themselves from their opinions, but unlike them, I really do believe in free speech (from a movie critic and other members of the press) and have tolerance for opinions that differ from mine.
Also, Memo to John Sugg: re: "Israel's expansionist ambitions" (Commentary, "Take a Memo," by John Sugg, Dec.14-20): Didn't Israel recently return the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority, and previously the Sinai peninsula to Egypt? Didn't Israel acquire the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Sinai peninsular as a result of wars with Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, not expansionist ideology? I await more revisionist history from you, Mr. Sugg.
Barry Silber
Lutz
I SCOTT
Just had to drop you a note and tell you [Scott Harrell] that I really enjoy your writing! Your ability of getting your point across without offending through the use of humor is enviable to say the least. Although the Weekly Planet has suffered these last couple years due to staff changes, the addition of you has caused me to continue my patronage.
Thank you for providing insightful observances and much mirth to my week.
Lisa G. Gallman
Tampa
CORRECTION:
In last week's Top 10 list by Mark Leib, he mentioned The Chairs was produced by Stageworks. It was actually a co-production of Stageworks and Gorilla Theatre.
This article appears in Jan 4-10, 2006.