GA Lawmakers file bills to keep holiday merry

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/1205/09metxmas.html

Two Georgia lawmakers filed bills Wednesday that would expressly prohibit government agencies, including school systems, from barring their employees and students from saying "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," or any other expression relating to the celebration of a holiday. The bills probably will be debated in the 2006 legislative session.

State Sen. Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) said he pre-filed Senate Bill 369 partly because of reports about a public school principal in northeast Georgia who barred teachers from using the word "Christmas" in reference to their staff party.

"Our First Amendment right to free speech cannot be destroyed by political correctness run amok," Chance said. He added: "I don't believe government was created to be the speech police." State Rep. Clay Cox (R-Lilburn) filed a companion measure, House Bill 950, Wednesday.

Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, said that teachers and students are allowed to say Merry Christmas and other holiday greetings.

Last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue's office did a quick about-face after a staffer sent out a press release saying the governor would light Georgia's "holiday tree" at the Governor's Mansion. Thirty minutes later, the governor's office sent out a second release clarifying he would actually light a Christmas tree.

I'm sure this is an important religious issue. It's freezing cold in much of the country and the homeless are dying. Do you think Jesus cares about some commercial celebration of his birth to aid the corporate world or the freezing poor?

We all have responsibility for the poor.

I had a born again christian tell me we were killing xmas. It wouldn't be around for long because they can't say merry xmas. If that's the basis for their holiday, it shouldn't be around anyways.

on in their state than a matter of inclusive holiday greetings.

what in the **** is wrong with the xians that they are almost literally foaming at the mouth at the thought of people actually acknowledging that there are other beliefs and non-beliefs out there? are they truly so threatened? that would be pathetic if they weren't so damned annoying, vocal and hateful about it.

They are ready to raise the Confederate flag again to keep Christ in Christmas. Just like they kept Christ in slavery?

No such law banning those expressions exists, nor is it able to exist under the First Amendment.

It's grandstanding -- without the "grand".

--p!
Pettistanding?

Guess it keeps the kids from whining all day....easier to appease the demands of the child than it is to actually parent....or actually lead, in this case.

on somebody, but nobody has said "Merry Christmas" to me yet.

even though that's one of the last places on earth that this would actually be an issue.

My apologies. Some how the crazy people have gotten out of the asylum, we hope to round them up and lock them back up around November 2006!

so think the readers of "The Poor Man":
http://www.thepoorman.net/2005/12/08/kaye-grogan-saves-christmas/

We're just that dumb.

Without Atlanta, Georgia is Mississippi.

As a current resident of the Metro Atlanta area, I can whole heartily agree. Although with the cost of living in Atlanta sky rocketing, I may soon be a FORMER resident of Metro Atlanta.

and I may soon be a former resident of this state. If these nutcases make any gains next November, my husband and I are leaving the state. We've already narrowed down our search to two different states.

I can't believe how brazenly stupid these people are. It's like the revel in it.

GOP mindset - Oh whoa is me, I'm only the majority and I only get everything my way, but you terrible liberals are ruining Christmas because you want to be inclusive and not offend anyone. You're horrible people. What would Jesus do????

My rent is going up considerably. I got the notice last night. I am paying them a visit today. I can't afford to move. And with credit card payments, utilities, gas, car note, etc. I may not be able to make all of my financial obligations!

I may take a lower paying job and move back to South Bama. The cost of living is cheaper and I have a free place to live! *sigh* Nothing like being in your late 30's and moving BACKWARDS financially. And I gross more then I ever have!

Sorry, I am bummed about the rent increase. After a night of frivolity tomorrow night at the office Christmas party, I will probably feel more positive on Sunday. Or at least too hung over to care! haha

I'm a secular person myself, but I have had Christmas trees and so forth, and have never winced when greeted with a "merry Christmas." But with all this ridiculous hoopla, I'm simply soured on the whole thing. The right is undermining the basis of this being a truly national holiday.

Another Georgia person just checking in. Cheer up - WE are in Georgia too, so maybe it will get better someday!

Copying here my standard holiday email greeting that I have updated and sent for the last several years. I started doing this because I get multiple emails reminding me "they" are killing Christmas and I just got sick of it. It just makes me feel better to send this!

"To all my friends, best wishes during the holiday season. Again this year, I will be celebrating these winter holidays, honoring the freedoms guaranteed us in this nation by the sacrifices of our soldiers! Please feel free to join me in celebrating!

Dec 17th – Bill of Rights Day, honoring adoption of the US Bill of Rights, in 1791 – United States government
Dec. 17th – birth of Jelaluddin Mevlana Rumi – Sufi
Dec. 18rh – Adoption of the 13th Amendment, in 1865 – United States government
Dec. 21-15 – Pancha Ganapati Festival – Hindu
Dec. 21st – Winter Solstice
Dec. 21-27th – Saturnalia, or Brumalia – Julian calendar – Roman celebration of Winter Solstice
Dec. 23rd - Festivus – non-denominational celebration
Dec. 25th – birth of Jesus Christ – Christian (or Oct. 17th – Messianic Judaism)
December 25th – Christmas Holiday – United States government
Dec. 26th – first day of Hanakkuh – Judaism
Dec. 26th – first day of Kwanza – African

And, while the media continues to focus attention on the Christian conservative criticism about what they alone believe is simply “political correctness”, please note that only ONE of the above holidays is a federal holiday of the United States government. Three guesses which one, and the first two don’t count! So, compliments of the Bill of Rights, please feel free to have a Merry Christmas!