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In Massachusetts, 'Tis Not Season To Be Jolly
Boston Herald ^ | November 15, 2007 | Michael Graham

Posted on 11/15/2007 1:32:32 AM PST by suspects

He’s white. He’s male. He eats trans fat, smokes tobacco and is married to a woman.

No wonder they hate Santa Claus in the Massachusetts public schools.

OK, I’m exaggerating. As of this writing, only McCall Middle School in Winchester has formally sanctioned Ol’ St. Nick. But the day is still young.

As the Herald reported yesterday, McCall’s seventh-grade field trip to see Stoneham Theatre’s stage production of “Miracle on 34th Street” was cancelled by Principal Evander French Jr. And the reason he intervened is “the objectionable nature of the content.”

Fans of the original Academy Award-winning film - ninth on the American Film Institute’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time - were puzzled by French’s pronouncement. “Objectionable”? What could possibly be objectionable about the story of a little girl and her single mom who rediscover their faith in (to quote the screenplay) “lovely intangibles”?

It’s not the “what” that is offensive, according to French. It’s the “who.” Santa. He’s too controversial. Too edgy. Too “out there.”

In Winchester, Santa is the Howard Stern of the holidays.

“The people who complained were concerned about the very narrow focus on Santa Claus,” French told disappointed parents Tuesday night. “Santa is a wonderful tradition, but it’s not shared by everybody.”

Then again, not everybody supports teaching Kwanzaa, Darwinian evolution or classroom productions of “Heather Has Two Mommies - The Musical!” But parent complaints about this “objectionable content” fall on deaf, P.C.-filled ears.

(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: christmas; mccallmiddleschool; santa; santaclause; schools
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1 posted on 11/15/2007 1:32:33 AM PST by suspects
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To: suspects

2 posted on 11/15/2007 1:42:20 AM PST by ari-freedom (I am for traditional moral values, a strong national defense, and free markets.)
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To: suspects

There are just some people who I could use a horsewhip on, without feeling guilty.


3 posted on 11/15/2007 1:53:57 AM PST by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT, A MATTER OF FACT, NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: suspects
In Massachusetts, 'Tis Not Season To Be Jolly

No, but in Massachusetts 'tis always the season to be gay.

4 posted on 11/15/2007 2:04:51 AM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: SWAMPSNIPER
There are just some people who I could use a horsewhip on, without feeling guilty.

Exactly, and I thought we had some bad self-righteous liberals over here in the UK.

Fancy attacking Miracle on 34th Street one my favourite films ever, I mean how dare he, how dare he!!........

5 posted on 11/15/2007 2:22:44 AM PST by snowman_returns (The Stone Roses - best band the world ever saw!!)
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To: suspects
Ahhhh...Christmas in New England!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

6 posted on 11/15/2007 2:41:43 AM PST by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: suspects
As a retired public school teacher, this is one of the most depressing trends in education imaginable. It is shameful that any Principal would find “Santa”, a wholly inspiring and legit model of generosity, OBJECTIONABLE?

The parents I’ve had would probably burn the school down if some dim witted Principal usurped their tax-paid right to determine what was “objectionable” for their kids! Of course, I live in the much maligned “Bible Belt”, but no Principal has that right, no matter where they live. Parents need to be, not just “disappointed”, but outraged! Parents are, after all, the real bosses in public schools.

7 posted on 11/15/2007 2:49:35 AM PST by singfreedom ("Victory at all costs,.....for without victory there is no survival." Winston Churchill)
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To: singfreedom

” Santa. He’s too controversial. Too edgy. Too “out there.”
I suggest that the principal is all of the above.
Time to find this imbecile’s email address and tell him whats what .


8 posted on 11/15/2007 2:56:03 AM PST by sonic109
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To: Caipirabob
That pic is just the most depressing ever!! Santa is one of my best buds.

The tv ad for Burlington Coat Factory, a local discount store, has a woman at a Christmas party asking a little girl if she believes in Santa. The child’s response is that she “believes in cashmere”. I get so pissed off every time I see that ad! There is just something so corrupt......

9 posted on 11/15/2007 2:58:06 AM PST by singfreedom ("Victory at all costs,.....for without victory there is no survival." Winston Churchill)
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To: suspects
He’s white. He’s male. He eats trans fat, smokes tobacco and is married to a woman.

And a C-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n.

10 posted on 11/15/2007 3:06:13 AM PST by Raycpa
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To: ari-freedom

The Target around here in NC has actual Merry Christmas banners hung.

We’ll shop there now after years of taking our Christmas dollars elsewhere.


11 posted on 11/15/2007 3:07:06 AM PST by Adder (hialb)
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To: singfreedom

We have the same ad in Alabama. I want to see the mom backhand that little girl!


12 posted on 11/15/2007 3:07:25 AM PST by Alas Babylon!
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To: suspects

Email contact: akerkorian@winchester.k12.ma.us


13 posted on 11/15/2007 3:07:59 AM PST by Beckwith (dhimmicrats and the liberal media have .chosen sides -- Islamofascism)
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To: singfreedom
think that's bad? it probably came from this:
"I do not believe in God. I believe in cashmere."
Fran Lebowitz US writer and humorist (1950 - )

14 posted on 11/15/2007 3:13:43 AM PST by ari-freedom (I am for traditional moral values, a strong national defense, and free markets.)
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To: suspects
”We’ll wait for someone who’ll just give us what we want, whether we’ve earned it or not.
They’re called “Democrats.”

Classic Michael! I miss reading your column in the Free Times, while eating at Andy's Deli in 5 Points. (You're column may still be there, but I moved.) Anywho, we old Columbians are sure proud of you Michael.
15 posted on 11/15/2007 3:18:59 AM PST by Edgar3 (Steve Spurrier for President!)
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To: ari-freedom

Fran Leibowitz would condemn what these overempowered educrats are doing to the children. She’s too much a free spirit not to.

Even now Fran may be suing the advertisers who stole her line.


16 posted on 11/15/2007 3:25:32 AM PST by elcid1970
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To: Raycpa
He’s white. He’s male. He eats trans fat, smokes tobacco and is married to a woman.

And a C-h-r-i-s-t-i-a-n.

< Massachusetts Mode >

Abuse Button! Abuse Button!

Somebody said the "C Word" and Offended Meeeee!

< / Massachusetts Mode >

17 posted on 11/15/2007 3:31:50 AM PST by Gorzaloon
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To: suspects
“Santa is a wonderful tradition, but it’s not shared by everybody.”

Diversity means only paying attention to traditions which ARE shared by everyone. I guess.

18 posted on 11/15/2007 3:38:46 AM PST by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
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To: ClearCase_guy

No, diversity means paying attention to traditions if they are celebrated by a minority and ignoring anything Christian.


19 posted on 11/15/2007 3:41:07 AM PST by anoldafvet (To liberals, building a wall across the Mexican border is a violation of the Voting Rights Act.)
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To: sonic109

vfrench@winchester.k12.ma.us


20 posted on 11/15/2007 3:49:29 AM PST by Andy'smom
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