Secular Season's Greetings

Remember a few years ago when Bill O’Reilly got his festive knickers in a twist because our big, bad secular society had waged a war against Christmas? Bill O and the Fox brigade were miffed because many retailers had ditched the “Merry Christmas” salutation in favor of the more inclusive “Happy Holidays.” It seemed to me that practice had been going on for years, but apparently it was slow news cycle and the story took off like a tardy Santa making his rounds with the B-team reindeer in the middle of a blizzard. Now conservative religious groups actually rate stores based on their “Christmas friendly” quotient.

Anyway, while the embers of that Merry debate may continue to burn, it’s a little 2008. The latest warrior– Sarah Palin– chimed in with her chorus of “Jingo All the Way,” whinin’ on Fox News about the lack of “foundational American values” displayed in the Obamas Holiday card. The facts that most presidents have adorned their cards with secular pictures of the White House while the White House itself is always filled with several Christmas trees seem to have eluded the former half term Governor/VP candidate turned Facebook celebrity.

I’m not an atheist, but I have compassion for true non-believers deluged with religious messages and the not so subtle merry mandate ( which takes its toll on the morose and clinically depressed, too). Everywhere they turn they are bombarded with seasonal symbols and songs. And they have none of their own.

Until now. Maybe this Steve Martin song will cheer on our abandoned Atheist brethren. It’s witty and catchy enough to become an instant classic.

So I offer Secular Season’s Greetings to one and all. While our beliefs will, no doubt, continue to diverge, there is one thing all Atheists and believers can agree on: fruitcakes are to be used sparingly and only for strictly nostalgic and decorative purposes.

Happy Nothing. Merry Everything.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Wasilla Holidaze

Bah, Humbug! She's back. That half-term quitter chick from Alaska. Nope, Sarah Palin's not tossing her Moose hunting hat into the Presidential race. But she's tweetin' and facebookin.' And--when her gut gives her the go-ahead--she may even do a little endorsin.' And she's got a whole lot to say about the lack of "foundational American values" the Obamas put in their Holiday card.

But the really big news: Sarahcuda's pitching another season of her Reality TV show.

Oh, is Santa slipping another big lump of coal in John McCain's stocking this year? You betcha!!

Oh, and don't be afraid to hurl a little fruitcake in the right direction.


Drive safe. Play merry. Think peace.


aba

Jolly Follies: The 2011 GOP Edition

'Tis the season to revel and rejoice.
But if you're a red meat Republican you have little choice.
And you like it that way.
Ah, but for true blue Liberals, it's a new jingle every day.

Much can be said of Newt Gingrich.
His posture and pitch,
all ego and bombast.
We only hope his surging in the polls will last.

But should Romney rebound, have no no fear.
Mitt flips and flops like Grandma before she got run over by that infamous reindeer.

And Bachmann, too, continues to deliver.
Enough Malaprops and mistakes to make us quiver.
Her stand against gay marriage she makes such an ado
And always walks off with a face full of marshmallow goo.

'Live and let die!'
That's Ron Paul's cry.
He was Dickens model for Ebeneezer
Go ahead: take a close look: Neither man's eyebrows ever met a tweezer.

He can't name the Justices on the Supreme Court
And one or two he's willing to abort.
But filled with gay bashing and verbal blunders Rick Perry
remains oh, so misguided and merry.

Herman Cain's campaign may be on hold
But he's bound to hit the trail again once Gloria's scolds get old.

Hunstman may be smart,
but he'll never get the part.

Santorum's high school nickname was Rooster.
From Palin he hopes a campaign booster.
Still his numbers and attitude hover in a marginal fog.
He better spike that egg nog.

The Donald canceled his debate.
That's because everyone but Newt said the invitation came too late.
Both guys' heads are too big and their waistlines could be leaner.
Still, Hollywood's working on the movie: 'Mean & Meaner.'

With a lump of coal in every Republican's stocking,
it's almost no fun mocking.
Every day, every week, brings more zingers
for loyal fright wingers.

If that doesn't get on your Christmas cringe.
Then, my friend, you're not a real Republican, not even a twinge.

So there's hope for you yet.
And if I were as rich as a Romney I'd wager a bet.

Santa's a socialist and God's a Democrat,
Take a look at the GOP field and roll out Obama's second term Welcome mat.

Merry everything to all.
And to all a good fight.


Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

You're A Mean One, Newt Gingrich

Season’s Bleedings from Newt Gingrich and the Fright Wing Repubs.I doubt Dr. Seuss could conjure a villain as mean-spirited as Mr. Gingrich. While the Grinch’s heart swells to let in transformative love, the Gingrich’s head swells to accommodate grandiose delusions, historical re-writes and plots to reform America’s impoverished youth.

Dickens had Newt's number. It's like he fell out of Oliver Twist, and he can't get back in.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Lennon's Wisdom Still Shines On

"Society is run by maniacs for maniacal ends." John Lennon.

John Lennon, gunned down on December 8, 1980, is still a prophet. War is over if we want it. Sadly, the world is still not ready to embrace that simple, but profound concept. But for those who imagine peace, John Lennon's legacy will shine on. And on.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Hall of Fame Rolls in New Rockers

It took a few tries, but the late legendary singer-songwriter Laura Nyro finally got her ticket punched to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame today. Others who will receive the high honor on April 14 at the hallowed Hall in Cleveland:

Donovan


Beastie Boys


Guns N’ Roses



Red Hot Chili Peppers



The Small Faces/The Faces



The Ahmet Ertegun (non performer) Award goes to producer/rock impresario Don Kirshner; Freddie King gets the Early Influence Award; Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns will receive Awards for Musical Excellence.

The Moody Blues, America, Hall & Oates will have to wait until next year. Again! HBO will air the festivities in early May.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

The Mitt Has Two Faces

Mitt Romney: "He invented Obamacare before he was against it." - Jay Leno

As Mitt flips, the Romney campaign flops.

Everything old is Newt again? Bring it, Gingrich. Obama and the Dems need all the help we can get!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba