Ezzie: A professor who wishes to remain anonymous has agreed to join SerandEz and contribute guest posts. He* is going by the pseudonym "Professor Justice". I will be doing only very slight editing, which he requested I do.
* Use of the word "he" by no means should be interpreted as Professor Justice being a male. It is just as likely Professor Justice is female.
Normally, this will appear on the bottom, but for today I am placing this on top: Professor Justice practices Criminal Law in New York, teaches trial advocacy, and is a Professor of Business Law.
I recently read about a member of the Auburn University Student Government Association, Laura Steele. Ms. Steele has grown tired of the relentless efforts of the PC Police to sanitize religious observance from society. Their latest manifestation? Use of the term “Christmas Tree” is deemed too offensive and “under‑inclusive.” In response to the lefties' latest demonstration of stupidity, Steele and other members of the SGA issued the following Resolution:
Whereas, a decorated tree is the traditional, historical symbol of Christmas;I applaud this resolution which is intended to protect the fabric of our great country: true political, religious and cultural diversity. I am an Orthodox Jew who lives in the unabashedly liberal city of New York. I shudder every time I either see or hear of liberals' pathetic attempts to sanitize our country from any participation or reference to G‑d, faith, morality, values, personal responsibility, and achievement. It leaves one to wonder whether their ostensible reliance on such “principles” as “inclusion,” “offensiveness,” and “insensitivity” are a subterfuge for their ulterior motive: Strict adherence and conformity to their religion of moral relativism which includes such righteous tenets as freedom of speech provided you think as they do; freedom of religious worship provided it is atheism; and personal responsibility for the consequences of your behavior - but not before all other possible sources to assign blame have been exhausted, and all excuses for not doing so have been invoked.
and Whereas, the Christmas tree is a decorated tree celebrating and symbolizing the historical Christmas season;
and Whereas, a tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree in the State of Alabama, the United States of America and around the world;
and Whereas, the tree has historically been known as a Christmas Tree on Auburn’s campus;
and Whereas, calling the tree a Christmas Tree preserves historical correctness and embraces religious diversity;
and Whereas, in pursuit of Auburn’s spirit of diversity and tolerance of differing ideals, the Student Government Association Student Senate maintains that traditional symbols, religious and otherwise should not be suppressed;
and Whereas, labeling a Christmas Tree as a “Holiday Tree” appears to be religiously intolerant toward those who celebrate Christmas;
and Whereas, the University Administration and the Student Government Association have promoted a spirit of diversity and religious tolerance on campus;
and Whereas, the name of the tree is not a legal issue rather an issue of preference and historicity;
and Whereas, even the display of a manger scene by a government body has been held to be constitutional to celebrate Christmas and its origins;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the Auburn University Student Government Association Student Senate recognizes the decorated tree on campus during the Christmas holiday season by its historical name of “Christmas Tree;”
and Therefore, Be it Further Resolved, that the decorated tree re‑labeled a “Holiday Tree” be properly reinstated with its original, historical, traditional, intended, and common title and identified for what it actually is, a “Christmas Tree.”
In my spare time (though I have very little of it after prosecuting criminals, teaching three classes per semester as an adjunct professor, and raising children), I have studied the concerns, motivations and intentions of the founding fathers. There is no doubt in my mind that everything they did, notwithstanding their disagreements, was with the same single objective in mind. They were terrified of a tyrannical government that would heavily tax them, prevent and intimidate their diversity of speech, and regulate or restrict religious observance. Hmm, I wonder what they would have thought about a “Holiday” Tree. My guess is probably the same thing that I think of a Chanukah “Bush.”
Wishing them continued success and support in accomplishing an arduous task. Though it often appears as though such efforts constitute the removal of a few drops of political correctness from a sea of liberalism, it's a start. Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy (healthy and peaceful as well) New Year to my gentile bretheren!
New York, NY
Technorati tags: Liberalism, Christman, Auburn, Laura Steele, Holiday Tree.
That was a very enjoyable post. Isn't it funny how we Jews seem to be more outraged over the de-Christmasization of Christmas than the goyim are?
ReplyDeleteDepends on which ones...
ReplyDeleteProbably this is very simply because we recognize that when religions get targeted, Jews are often targets within a short period of time. We don't want to not be allowed to wear yarmulkes or act in any other overtly "Jewish" way in the near future.
Great job Prof. J. If the PC crowd gets their way this is what we'll be looking at:
ReplyDeletePlease accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my wish for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, politically correct,non-addictive, low stress, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice
holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, as well as the secular practices of your choice,
but with full respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
And further, please accept my wish for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the
generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contribution to our diverse society has helped make this country great (not to imply that USA is necessarily greater than any other country, and without regard to the race,
creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, veteran status or sexual orientation of the wisher, wishee or their third party beneficiaries).
These wishes are limited to the customary and usual good tidings for a period of approximately one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first.
Use of the term "Holiday" herein is not intended to, nor shall it be considered to be, limited to Judeo-Christian celebrations or observances, nor to such activities of any organized or ad hoc religious community group,
individual or belief (or lack thereof). In particular, the word "holiday" is used herein without reference to its etymology.
Note: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal, and is revocable ab initio at the sole discretion of the wisher at any time, for any reason or
for no reason.
This greeting is freely transferable provided that there is no alteration to the original greeting text. Any transfer is to be at the risk of the transferor who, by making such transfer, thereby agrees to hold the wishee
harmless from any and all adverse consequences resulting from such transfer.
This greeting implies no promise by the wisher to actually take any action or fail to take any action to implement any of the wishes for the wishee her/himself or others, or responsibility for the consequences which may
arise from the implementation or non-implementation of same.
This greeting is void where prohibited by law, custom or policy and is offered irrespective of any card, hard copy greeting or embarrassing
self-indulgent letter summarizing achievements in 2005, however mendacious,which may or may not have been purveyed by myself or any member of my extended family.
Best (sorry, reasonably endeavored) Wishes.
Prof. Yis - LOL!!!
ReplyDelete