Opinions

US is divided on which holiday greeting is the most appropriate

‘Tis the season to declare war on Christmas. As the winter spirit rolls in this year, so does the ongoing debate between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays.”

Every year, the same questions arise about what to call the winter season in order to respect all December holidays.

Is it appropriate to say “Merry Christmas,” or is that too insensitive?

There are various religious holidays celebrated throughout December, to the point that “Happy Holidays” has become a cozy and respectful buffer.

On last Tuesday’s edition of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Stewart touched on the situation that has been dubbed, “The War on Christmas.”

“What is it like to live in that world of pure fear and despair, where every inconsequential change in what was becomes a harbinger of a dystopian post-America apocalypse … and the sense of persecution is always at its worse around this time of year,” Stewart said.

The post-America apocalypse he was referring to is the lost tradition of Christmas.

Before America shuts down in a panic, political figureheads are quickly on the move to fight for Christmas with new books and indisputable facts in tow.

Sarah Palin has been gracing interviews across the nation to publicly address the “War on Christmas” with the aid of her new book, “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas.”

Palin isn’t dismissing other religious holidays while promoting her book. She takes note that the Jewish faith is observed, somewhat, in her household.

Palin said that her family is respecting the Jewish faith and the Hanukah holiday by placing a menorah on her dining room table throughout the month of December.

By having a menorah in her home, Palin assures the public that her children will learn about the Jewish faith. This shows that Palin doesn’t show holiday bias.

Bill O’Reilly is notorious for being a controversial commentator, but in the spirit of the holidays, O’Reilly presented a few facts supporting  Christmas as the stand-alone holiday this December.

“This year, Hanukkah will be over on Thursday [in the first week of December] so there will be no more ‘holidays’ between then and Christmas day,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly might not consider other religious holidays of as much importance as Christmas, maybe because Santa Claus isn’t involved with Kwanzaa.

“This year [Macy’s] is touting Santa Claus, who will help you ‘with your holiday wish list,” O’Reilly said. “So here’s my question to Macy’s:

What holiday is Santa celebrating?”

O’Reilly points out that if Santa is involved, it must be Christmas.

As students are returning their books, finishing finals and turning home for their winter breaks, the impending question looms near: should we say“Happy holidays” or “Merry Christmas”?

Regardless of Palin and O’Reilly’s aggressive stance on “Merry Christmas,”  I say have a “Merry Holiday” or a “Happy Christmas.” In the spirit of the December air, fill your words with love and light.

Joann Row is a senior journalism major and an assistant news editor at the Daily 49er.

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