By
Thomas Cloud
December 10, 2009
I love celebrating Christmas and the whole Christmas season. It’s probably the part of the year richest in tradition for families across America. I always look forward to going home and watching White Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life, drinking eggnog and warm apple cider with my family.
We have our own traditions. My dad always makes crepes with lincoln berries on Christmas morning, and that is almost always the only time of the year that he makes them. It’s something I anticipate and love.
I like Christmas because I like tradition. That doesn’t mean I like all traditions from all places at all times, or that I think we shouldn’t allow our traditions to change over time. It simply means that, unless there is a pressing need, why force change? Traditions give us glimpses of our heritage and history, and they always have fascinating stories behind them. In this, I may sound a little like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof.
I’m not sure our current president loves America’s traditions. He probably accepts what he has to for propriety’s sake and also the parts he likes, but I don’t think that extends very far. Everyone will celebrate something they like and something they feel they must, but our president seems just a little out of touch with America. Or, perhaps I should say he is out of touch with traditions associated with a very large proportion of Americans.
Now, it is very easy for me to criticize the president because, as I’m sure most of you are aware, I dislike him — strongly. But there still is something to the fact that he decided to have a state dinner for the Indian Prime Minister the week of Thanksgiving. Or, more recently, that he decided to interrupt A Charlie Brown Christmas with a press conference. Neither action was wrong per se, but they were disappointing because they demonstrated a certain lack of respect for these traditions.
Not everyone in the United States is a Christian or is involved in Christian culture. Hanukkah is celebrated this time of year as well and is itself one of the best examples of rich tradition. To remedy the fact that not everyone in the United States has the same background or beliefs — because for some reason, we feel it needs remedying — we use bland phrases like “happy holidays.” Political correctness, of course, is something of an antithesis to tradition. It has its own orthodoxy of either mixing every religious celebration from every major group into bland meaningless mass, or not acknowledging the religious reasons for those celebrations. I know the argument for political correctness comes from creating a neutral conversational ground, but neutral is always relative to the people involved.
Instead of being offended by the Christmas season and its traditions, try to enjoy them or, at the very least, the opportunities they present.
It really is a special time of year when so many families come together. This season is filled with so much more love, and that’s what makes it so wonderful. Parents get to see their children, lovers kiss under the mistletoe, and random acts of charity abound. All of this has been incorporated and preserved by celebrating Christmas and its traditions. For me, the season of giving and loving comes from God and from Christ giving himself out of love for us. Please try not to deprive those of the joy that this season provides.
Reach columnist Thomas Cloud at opinion@dailyuw.com.
26 Comments
#1 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
You are by far the most ignorant writer on the Daily staff, and I am continually amazed the editors allow your pathetic articles to e published. You use barely important incidents, president interrupts charlie brown on tv, in order to attack another mans values and traditions without any sensical logic or attempt at intelligent thought. You sound just like Beck, speaking of love and respect to mask your completely biased and ignorant hatred of a man you have never even met. Please go away, we don't need more bigots in Seattle. Daily Editors, please stop your bigotted column writers. I am appalled this newspaper has fallen so far.
#2 Kayla H.
on December 10, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.(UW Campus | UW Community)
I, on the other hand, think that Thanksgiving is a great time to conduct diplomacy- isn't the holiday (at least, in myth) supposed to be about sharing the blessings that you have with those around you? It's a day that's all about reaching out to others, something I'm sure Obama was actually trying to do.
Like the commenter above me, I have trouble reading this article, mostly because images of Glenn Beck are now floating through my head. It's okay to disagree with the President, and with Congress. But to take the timing of a state dinner, and a press conference that aired during a cartoon, and conclude that the President hates America? Ludicrous. If you're going to write THAT article, at least take the time to find worthwhile evidence, apart from your own bitterness.
#3 Erik
on December 10, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.(Renton, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Are the Opinion articles even edited anymore? This article has no clear focus; virtually every paragraph is unrelated to the previous excluding the use of the word "tradition"
Also, please use hard facts as a basis for your opinions, or at least be consistent with your use of half-baked ones. Would you really have us believe that A Charlie Brown Christmas gives us "glimpses of our heritage and history"?
Much more so than of Glenn Beck, for me this article is reminiscent of last year's same-sex marriage Opinion piece: unfounded criticisms that unveil nothing more than your own ignorance.
#4 FreedomFighter365
on December 10, 2009 at 11:31 a.m.(Renton, WA | Unverified Name)
Don't you see? He's a MUSLIM!!!!!!!!!
#5 Rebecca_F
on December 10, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.(Denver, CO)
This may not be Cloud's best-written article, but neither is it the terrible piece that some of you seem to have made of it. I think some of you have a prejudice against Cloud's beliefs which causes you to exaggerate any imperfections which his piece may have and perhaps invent others which it does not.
Red - Listen to yourself: "Please go away, we don't need more bigots in Seattle." Are you talking to yourself? If you feel that way, why don't you do us all a favor and follow your own advice? Or better yet, try treating those holding different viewpoints with respect. You may find they aren't all that bad.
Kayla, Your comments regarding Thanksgiving and diplomacy show that you have given some thought to the holiday and what it should mean. I could sort of see your argument, but at the same time, there are lots of days on which a state dinner can be held and it seems to me maybe doing something special for Thanksgiving that we don't do on other days would be a better recognition of the holiday. I know Obama participated in other, distinct Thanksgiving traditions (e.g. pardoning a turkey), so maybe it's not an either/or. I personally didn't think too much one way or the other about when they scheduled the State Dinner. I had my turkey dinner with family and friends and it was a nice holiday. Can you point out anywhere where Cloud claimed this made Obama "hates America"? I don't see that conclusion in this piece. That someone "hates America" is a strong statement and you shouldn't put such words in Cloud's mouth.
Eric - "This article has no clear focus; virtually every paragraph is unrelated to the previous excluding the use of the word 'tradition'" Personally, I think he could have transitioned into paragraph three better, or simply left the president out of it. However, I don't think it is fair to say that "virtually every paragraph is unrelated", and the point seems to be that traditions (specifically Christmas) are something we should keep and enjoy. That theme runs through the entire piece.
#6 unPC
on December 10, 2009 at 1:11 p.m.(Stanwood, WA | Unverified Name)
Rebecca F,
How right you are. None of these three left wingers admitted it, but it's likely that all three of them are so PC that they think the word "Christmas" is obscene.
Same nonsense is even starting to creep into advertising for the retailiers: "Come to our store and buy gifts for your loved ones this holiday."
Bleech!!!
Merry Christmas Rebecca, and have a happy New Year too.
#7 Joe
on December 10, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.(Location Unknown | Unverified Name)
"Please try not to deprive those of the joy that this season provides."
What does this even mean?
#8 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Rebecca, I have nothing against his beliefs. I think using a holiday article as a method of attacking the president is disgraceful. Cloud preaches for acceptance of different cultures and traditions, while taking low blows against others. He has done this throughout all his articles, every one of them is simply his tool to attack the elected government. I would have no problem if he was writing political articles to discuss his opinions, but I detest his need to hide his arguments within off topic discussions. I am appalled that Cloud would use a holiday fluff piece as a platform for partisan attacks. Honestly Rebecca, do you believe Obama's address disrupting a Charlie Brown Christmas is an example of his administrations disrespect for peoples traditions? I am disgusted at the ignorance of that statement. His address was aired at the same time worldwide, it just so happened in our time zone it disrupted a movie. Yet cloud would word this as HE DECIDED to interrupt. Again, a disgustingly ignorant statement in an attempt to incite dislike for the president in his readers. I am APPALLED at the Daily's editors for allowing this trash to be printed.
#9 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
I'd like to also say, I think the use of holidays instead of Christmas, Hanukkah, etc is a disappointing turn of fate. I am also not some left winger, I find the current administrations handling of the economy beyond foolish and ignorant. I also disagree with many of their foreign and other domestic policies. I believe America should be more assertive, but that is not the argument I made in my comments or that was represented in this article. Cloud is a trash writer and it is writers like him who are ruining the reputation of intelligent and responsible Republicans.
#10 unPC
on December 10, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.(Stanwood, WA | Unverified Name)
Red, Red, Red,
It wasn't a "holilday" piece. It was a CHRISTMAS piece!!
Can't you even bring yourself to say the word?
#11 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 1:39 p.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Makes you feel good pointing that out huh unPC? That is your "intelligent" response? Fine, I agree. I should have said Christmas article, it clearly states that in the title. My mistake. Apologies comment readers, my previous comment should have referred to this poorly thought out literary trash as a "Christmas" article and not a holiday piece.
#12 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Forgive me again, I should have begun my last comment with;
ZING!!!! unPC really got me!
#13 Evan
on December 10, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name | UW Community)
So Obama deciding to interrupt A Charlie Brown Christmas (Really? it's more important to watch a cartoon than a press conference from the leader of our nation?) is disrespectful while ABC running the program and cutting out significant portions for the purpose of showing more ads is in the true spirit of Christmas tradition?
#14 Red
on December 10, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Hear Hear Evan!
#15 Rebecca_F
on December 10, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.(Denver, CO)
I don't watch much TV and I honestly wasn't even aware of Charlie Brown v. Press Conference until I read Cloud's piece. I think I leave you guys to debate the merits of this case.
#16 Rebecca_F
on December 10, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.(Denver, CO)
Red, I appreciate the level of courtesy with which you responded to me after my initial critique of your first comment. It was more than I expected.
However, I still think your original comment was rather harsh. I've been on the receiving end of you-are-a-bigot-so-get-lost type "arguments" (if you can even call them that) myself and they can be very hurtful. Regardless of whether or not you agreed with his conclusions and whether or not you thought his argument was sound . . . does this really make him a "bigot"? Was that sort of comment really necessary? As I see it, he didn't say anything really hateful, didn't call anyone any names, he just made an argument which could agree or disagree with or critique.
#17 Joe
on December 10, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.(Location Unknown | Unverified Name | UW Community)
The Republicans better get their act together if this is the best it can do to criticize the President. People don't vote based on whether or not Charlie Brown is on TV.
Here, I'll give you some ideas. Instead of trying to convince independent voters that Obama is a Muslim from Kenya, why don't you talk about:
1. Fiscal Conservatism
Many Americans are increasingly concerned with the growing national debt.
2. Smaller Government
Argue the merits of laissez-faire economics, counter to the Obama administration's push for greater regulatory oversight.
The good news for the Democrats is that conservative spin-meisters choose to focus on who the President ate turkey with on Thanksgiving. Keep up the bad work Mr. Cloud.
#18 Kayla H.
on December 10, 2009 at 9:32 p.m.(UW Campus | UW Community)
You're right, I was out of line for the "hates America" comment; rather I was going for the general tone of the arguement, but did it in a rather blunt manner and incorrect manner.
To address another comment, I'm not even sure if I want to consider myself left or right anymore, and this article exemplifies why. Being 'left' or 'right' usually means that you set out deface the other side, and not even consider what's the best legislative option.
I may have liberal leanings, but my strong reaction to this artcle comes not from a desire to beat down conservatives, but from frustration at a poor opinion collumn.
And to unPC, I have no qualms saying Christmas, or Holiday. Because, frankly, Christmas is a holiday. That makes me curious, actually. The whole Christmas/Holiday debate gets some people all in a tizzy, but growing up it never fussed me either way. I'm pretty sure we even had a banner in my church that read "Happy Holidays!", in recognition of the holiday season that we were in. Does anybody else feel that way?
#19 Kayla H.
on December 10, 2009 at 9:40 p.m.(UW Campus | UW Community)
And, just because I'm prone to doing things out of order- comments #8 and #9, Red, make some good points. First, I know some incredibly intelligent Republicans who need to speak out and save face for their party. Secondly, I think the feelings against this article are created by the fact that the title and timing lead the unsuspecting reader to think it is a fluff piece and not commentary.
#20 Matthew Z.
on December 11, 2009 at 1:11 a.m.(Seattle, WA | UW Community)
I'm assuming that the impending finals week is at least partly responsible for the astounding lack of quality in this article.
"[President Obama] is out of touch with traditions associated with a very large proportion of Americans." Your evidence is a state dinner and a Charlie Brown Christmas special. As for the dinner, isn't Thanksgiving a pretty good time for an event that has a significant focus on food? And regarding the Charlie Brown 'incident', we're closing in of Christmas. Pick a timeslot, there will be some channel playing a Christmas special. I really hope that you at least realized while writing this that your claim is pathetically weak and disturbingly petty.
"To remedy the fact that not everyone in the United States has the same background or beliefs." Remedy is an odd word to chose here. One remedies an illness; they set a wrong to right with a remedy. You then attempt to cast the amorphous, politically correct collective as seeking to "rememdy" America's plurality. It's a transparent and sad effort. The government *should* say "happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," given that the government has no place in promoting any one religion by acknowledging it rather than others. As individuals any official is free to observe as they see fit, but as government agents they must remain separate from religion. Regardless of one's personal beliefs it's a Constitutional matter. As for stores that do so, they also chose to advertise generically for business reasons.
You'll never hear a FOX News commentator ranting about the war on Passover. It's only once Christmas is taken out of the holiday lexicon for any reason that they get up in arms, and it's disingenuous to claim that you are in support of all tradition while knowing that Christmas traditions are the only ones that we would see publicly without some sense of political correctness. Remember the furor over the menorah in SeaTac? It started because only Christmas was supported for public display, despite the rabbi offering to pay all expenses for a menorah.
"This season is filled with so much more love..." There would be even more if you didn't go out of your way and out on a limb to make political attacks. Don't abuse the holiday that I love to try to score political points.
#21 netropic
on December 11, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.(Seattle, WA | UW Community)
Christ you are an idiot. I think perhaps you mean "lingonberry"? You are not even clear on your own "tradition" a word you have used in so many different ways that you have nearly destroyed it's meaning.
#22 Thomas Cloud is an Idiot
on December 12, 2009 at 11:22 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
What a piece of crap article.
#23 Jake C
on December 12, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.(Lynnwood, WA | Unverified Name | UW Community)
The last two paragraphs are pretty awful too:
Instead of being offended by the Christmas season and its traditions, try to enjoy them or, at the very least, the opportunities they present.[Am I already offended by the Christmas season because I read this article?]
It really is a special time of year when so many families come together. This season is filled with so much more love,[so much more love than..?] and that’s what makes it so wonderful. Parents get to see their children, lovers kiss under the mistletoe, and random acts of charity abound. All of this has been incorporated and preserved by celebrating Christmas and its traditions. [..All of this because of Christmas? Didn't you just say: "Not everyone in the United States is a Christian or is involved in Christian culture?"] For me, the season of giving and loving comes from God and from Christ giving himself out of love for us. Please try not to deprive those of the joy that this season provides.
#24 DixieMix
on December 17, 2009 at 6:17 p.m.(Location Unknown | Unverified Name | UW Community)
Another paranoid mind fart from the boy wonder Thomas Cloud...
Clearly the words and life of Jesus Christ nor the true Spirit of Christmas can prevent Thomas Cloud from yet another baseless partisan attack on Obama.
Does this newspaper have editors??
#25 Anya Alvarez
on December 24, 2009 at 10:38 p.m.(Tulsa, OK | Unverified Name | UW Community)
I remember the feeling before going to bed on Christmas Eve, the anticipation of the following day. I would have to be calmed with a warm glass of milk, a good story, and my mother rubbing my back. My dreams, filled with the joy and excitement of what I would receive the next day, caused a restless a sleep. Christmas day was the most important day of the year for me.
Flash forward to now. I am sitting in my bed at almost midnight typing on my new Macbook. I am texting on my new iPhone, and looking to my right to see my suitcase filled with designer clothes. It’s been Christmas all year for me. Tomorrow I will receive gifts from family, which means it will be more stuff that I have to tote back to Seattle. Stuff I may not even like.
In the past couple of years Christmas has lost its allure for me. I can’t go to the mall, turn on the radio or TV no later than the day after Thanksgiving without being bombarded with ads telling me to buy stuff. It’s like corporate America fears that I’ll forget Christmas is just around the corner.
The first thing I don’t like about Christmas is that it’s a religious holiday, and I’m not religious. Everywhere I go I see little Nativity scenes and hear Christmas songs about the day our savior was born. I already get enough indoctrination during the year without Christmas.
Secondly, I don’t like how I am forced to buy gifts for a mass group of people. I really like the idea of people buying me gifts me randomly because they thought of me, like say on June 11. It’s just a day and someone thought of me and cared about me enough because they saw something that they thought I would like. Random acts of thoughtfulness are the best gifts. Not gifts with a big pretty bow on it because someone felt they had to buy me something.
Thirdly, why can’t everyone be joyful during the whole year? Why does it take some holiday, celebrating the birth of some kid thousands of years ago to be nice? Why can’t we give to Salvation Army because we know it’s the right thing to do? Why do these acts of kindness only have to be during a time when we are also receiving things? I have found that the people I enjoy the most are those whose spirit doesn’t change because of Christmas. They are joyful day in and day out just because they are alive.
And lastly, Christmas is a corporate holiday and you’re making rich people even richer. Did you know the last Saturday before Christmas is the busiest shopping day in the whole year? Corporate has made you feel that you have to buy stuff for people to be happy and to love you. Last time I checked, if we were really celebrating the true meaning of Christmas we’d be giving stuff to Jesus, but that’s kind of impossible so we just give each other a bunch of stuff we don’t need.
From now on, please don’t buy me gifts on Christmas. The anticipation of of just getting stuff no longer appeals to me. I’m content without it. And chances are I’ll probably return it.
#26 Rebecca_F
on December 26, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.(Denver, CO)
Anya, I don't entirely agree with you, but that was a thoughtful piece. You should have written a letter to the editor instead of just posting it on a blog (except that the quarter's over and the Daily's not publishing over the break).
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