[Mr. Rational]

Let's get real. Jews make up 2% of US population. As a culture we pay zero attention to other Jewish holidays.

It is Christmas.

I used to say Happy Holidays so as not to offend any Jewish friends - but this political correctness is stupid.

It is Christmas. Christmas is the name of the Christmas celebration time. If you feel like saying Happy Holidays - go for it. But stores forcing employees to use politically correct speach is bull. Stores changing banners to remove reference to the correct name of the holiday is bull. If you want to have a Hannukah Parade - go for it. But don't steal the Christmas parade just because it is Christian. No other group in our society is forced/coerced to give up their traditions.

We live in a world with "Black History Month". With "Gay Pride" parades. The one thing it seems we can't have is a "Christmas Parade". That is wrong headed.

I buy Christmas presents from stores that aren't afraid to recognize that it is Christmas.

On the Fourth of July should we all say "Happy Freedom Day"? After all - it is so close to Bastille day that really the two holidays should be morphed into one.

[keats5]

There's no problem when you know people, and their beliefs. Before urban sprawl, we'd know exactly what to say to one another. We knew when someone was Methodist, or Orthodox, or Jewish. We would be able to great people on their own sacred days accordingly.

Generic greetings are OK when you have no way of knowing to whom you are speaking. I just wish retailers would allow their clerks to use common sense. When I go through the line to buy Christmas ornaments and Christmas cards, the clerk should feel free to say, "Merry Christmas." Likewise when I meet a clerk who attends my church. When people actually know you and your beliefs, it seems a step in the wrong direction to suddenly get generic.