Every once in a while someone in the news states something that makes me want to crank up a song by one of my favourite groups, the Eagles, that states basically, "Get Over It".
You would understand the sentiment if you've heard the song; I'm summarizing, but in essence they say all the whining and moaning of the politically correct is getting to be really too much, and people are beginning to have the feeling of telling them to "get over it", or in other words, "suck it up, princess".
The latest thing I heard was from Saskatoon where some "activist" was apparently deeply offended that a city bus had the unwarranted temerity and audacity to wish people a "merry Christmas".
The "activist" was apparently speaking on behalf of all the atheists, agnostics and non-Christians in general out there who do not celebrate Christmas. (I believe "Scrooge" also fits that list )
I can understand if they don't want to believe in or celebrate Christmas - fine. Everyone has the right to decide if they do or do not celebrate this season.
This does not give people licence to restrict free speech, or freedom of worship or of expression, not to mention that the expression of "merry Christmas" is not in any a religious expression as this "activist" seems to feel that it is.
If this society we live in is indeed supposed to be tolerant, then they have to be tolerant of a Christian expression. After all, we are expected to be tolerant if they celebrate Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or Ramadan, or any of a number of other cultural or religious festivals or holidays.
Secondly, I would point out that the message of Christmas of "peace on earth" is a relevant one even if you don't believe in God, or are of a faith other than Christianity. Should I point out the need for love, acceptance and peace in Connecticut, where the families of 20 innocent, small tiny children are going to be in mourning this holiday season?
Then we were hearing that this "activist" wants to take this non-issue to the Human Rights Tribunal; this is where I have to say that this is an example of why "political correctness" is not only going too far, but it is way, way incorrect, and just plain wrong.
There are real actual issues that people should be talking about, such as whether there should be gun control, or what form of gun control should there be? Or how about countries where they will happily execute you for publicly admitting that you're a Christian? How's that for tolerance and acceptance?
We could all get along much better if there were a whole lot less whining, and just once in a while if we "get over it".
