A FOX Christmas

From CHARLIE REINA, former Fox News Channel producer:12-14-05 --


As with many conflicts, particularly the manufactured kind, dishonesty, greed and ignorance are the culprits behind Fox News Channel's so-called “War on Christmas.” But their enabler, as Dr. Phil might call it, is that well-intended but wholly misguided scourge of society -- political correctness. Rather than promoting tolerance, inclusion and understanding, as advertised, p/c has had the opposite effect. It has made us not a freer society, but one of timid, tongue-tied slaves to convention who substitute glib code words for the more difficult task of actually treating each other with respect. It’s the kind of shortcut that sooner or later circles back to bite you.But first let’s look at what political correctness is, and is not, in this context. Wishing your customers or co-workers, “Happy holidays,” isn’t p/c; it’s common sense. Try saying, “Merry Christmas, happy Hannukah, a joyous Kwanzaa and a prosperous New Year” every time you leave the office, and before long they won’t let you back in. But taking something that’s recognized everywhere – by people of all religious beliefs -- as a Christmas tree and renaming it a “holiday tree” is political correctness, pure and simple.It adds nothing, reaches out to no one. It’s as offensive as it would be to call a Menorah a “festive candelabra,” or Santa Claus “Jolly old Good-guy Nick.” Granted, as a cause for war, this holiday p/c is no Pearl Harbor. But in its own naïve way, it provides the warmongers with just the ammunition they want.It’s no surprise, of course, that this phony call to arms, this “Christmas (ergo, Christians) Under Attack” hysteria, emanates from the bowels of Fox News Channel. The network is, after all, ground zero in the culture wars that polarize so much of America these days. Make no mistake about it: Fox is on a mission. Its slogans say, “Fair and Balanced” and “We Report, You Decide

Out of Context

So I swear that I am a crazy person or something......I do not know how to go a week without getting myself into some sort of sticky situation. I am horrible with money..... I wish I could just sit down with someone and figure out where it all goes.... I do make alright money, and I have seriously very little bills. So where does it go.... I am not a drug addict, I don't buy expensive clothing..... I don't drive an expensive car. SO where does all the money i make go.... I always feel l.ike I am broke... I do have to admit since I started dating this guy things have got a little more expensive. I love to spoil and pamper him.... I think he deserves it after the way the last girl treated him.....but I think i went a little over board. I hope he won't get mad at me for not conintuing down the path of spoildom, is that a word. I dont' think he would but I do think he got a little used to it.... My goal in the coming year is to learn how to budget and not to blow my checks on stuff I don't need ....maybe if I create a goal, like a vacation to save for that will help. Well I am sure this is full of spelling and gramatical errors....oh well

The sun is shining.....

Well not that I could ask for anymore drama in my life......well i guess that isn't fair because my life has been failry drama free for months now.....Which is always nice but I have this theory....nothing good lasts for long....and I think I am about to go into another period of crap....maybe it is my own fault but I feel like I constatly am waiting for the other shoe to drop and if it doesn't on it's own then I will creat a situation where it does.

I have been dating this great guy for awhile now.....and when I say great I just don't mean I think he is great...everyone thinks he is great. All his friends love him to death.....his family thinks he is amazing....he is smart , funny, caring,and he loves me.....I don't know how I got so lucky.....but once again....just like always I start to doubt his feelings and wonder when he is going to leave me or figure out that I am just not good enough for him ir that I am not pretty enough or he will go back to his ex....I just get the worst senerioes in my mind that usually come back unfounded but they do a great job of causing strife within our relationship because I am constantly doubting his feelings....Why do I do trhis you may ask......If I knew i would do my best to stop. This something that in the next year I wuold like to change about myself....and am even thinking about going and seeking some professional help.....Which can never be bad thing.

Other then that the usually bullshit is going on i was doing fine then do soemthing stupid like hit a freaking 7-11 ...Which i think i got really lucky and dealt with the two nicest police men in portland and will not be getting in as much trouble as it could have been...thank god for that....anyway i am beginning to ramble....I guess as my final thought....i love my boyfriend and I feel extreemly happy to have someone so understanding and loving in my life.