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Winning the Holidays
Author: BobR    Date: 12/27/2013 14:02:51

Christmas has come and gone for another year. It's another one "in the books" as the sportscasters like to say. The "holidays" are not over yet, with New Year's Eve just around the corner, but it does seem as though Christmas won the War On Christmas™.

When I was a kid, the notion of a war on Christmas was quite a bit different. Back then - according to the Peanuts gang - it meant the ever-increasing commercialism distracting from the religious roots of the holiday. As any historian will tell you, the secular trappings of Christmas (the tree, the wreath, the lights, the Yule log, etc.) are all part of the pagan celebrations at the time (most notably - Yule). The birth of Christ was artificially attached, and the name applied. Other legends and traditions became intertwined and eventually morphed into Santa Claus and the 12:00 midnight melees at Wal-Mart trying to get that special deal on a flatscreen TV.

According to a certain 24 hour "news" network, however, the REAL attack on Christmas is the replacement of "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays". Never mind that this time of the year we also have Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and of course New Years Eve. Although I have only celebrated the secular trappings of Christmas, I have never understood this mindset. I also don't understand the animosity around a wish for good times. Why would anyone feel put out by such a thing?

I am not Jewish, but if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not black, but if someone wished me a Happy Kwanzaa, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not pagan, but if someone wished me a Happy Yule, I would be happy and wish it right back to them.

I am not Christian, but when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I am indeed merry, and wish it right back to them.

In none of those cases would I feel the need to tell the wellwisher that I didn't celebrate their holiday. If someone tells me to "Have a nice day", I don't get angry and snarl "Don't tell ME what kind of day to have".

Perhaps for those who don't celebrate Christmas, all of the hubbub can be a bit overwhelming. Unless your religion expressly prohibits joining in the fun, though, I have to wonder - why not? I would love to participate in other celebrations of life, whatever their roots. Yes, the crass commercialism of Christmas is gross, but the basis of peace, love, goodwill, and reconnecting with family and friends seems like something that no one should disagree with... unless you're an asshole.

So whatever you do to enjoy and have a happy holiday, feel free to invite me along for the celebration, because whatever your religion (or lack thereof) and however you celebrate it, I will gladly join you.
 

48 comments (Latest Comment: 12/27/2013 20:38:54 by Mondobubba)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 14:12:07
Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 14:14:33
Morning

Comment by BobR on 12/27/2013 14:33:47
Quote by Mondobubba:
Good morning all. It isn't a Florida man for once.

although this one is - and in your backyard at that.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 14:37:15
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Good morning all. It isn't a Florida man for once.

although this one is - and in your backyard at that.



Oh yeah. I had an inside line on that one. I have a friend who works as 911 dispatcher for the Sheriff's Office. She posted something on Facebook along the lines of don't go by the River City Town Center.

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 14:39:04
Morning all....

Jehova's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas, because "it isn't in the Bible". Which seems a bit hardline to me, but who am I to argue?

(So says the recovering Catholic, moderate atheist and borderline Muslim that celebrates Christmas, but I digress.)

I spoke briefly to my friend last night - perhaps for the last time. He is still alive, and sounded OK for the moment I spoke to him.

Harshly, I might add. I have learned where and how he obtained those pills, and more of the *why* it may have happened this time.

I no longer know who he is. I'm disgusted by the entire affair.




Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 14:41:20
Quote by TriSec:
Morning all....

Jehova's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas, because "it isn't in the Bible". Which seems a bit hardline to me, but who am I to argue?

(So says the recovering Catholic, moderate atheist and borderline Muslim that celebrates Christmas, but I digress.)

I spoke briefly to my friend last night - perhaps for the last time. He is still alive, and sounded OK for the moment I spoke to him.

Harshly, I might add. I have learned where and how he obtained those pills, and more of the *why* it may have happened this time.

I no longer know who he is. I'm disgusted by the entire affair.





Tri, since he is a friend of mine would you PM me through BoF. I am worried about him.

Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 14:51:14
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 14:53:23
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 15:00:24
Aetna blows goats; don't do it. I used to have that account at athena. On the technical front, they were difficult to work with, it was hard finding a live person, and I got the impression that they 'weren't ready for prime time'. I can only imagine how they treat their customers and process claims. I also have a friend that works for United in NH (Aetna's parent company, or the other way 'round) and she hates the place. Petty, clicquey, and the management is truly incompetent. At least according to her.

Check athena's Payer View - there is some useful information out there about how well they process claims and pay things.



Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 15:10:44
Quote by TriSec:
Aetna blows goats; don't do it. I used to have that account at athena. On the technical front, they were difficult to work with, it was hard finding a live person, and I got the impression that they 'weren't ready for prime time'. I can only imagine how they treat their customers and process claims. I also have a friend that works for United in NH (Aetna's parent company, or the other way 'round) and she hates the place. Petty, clicquey, and the management is truly incompetent. At least according to her.

Check athena's Payer View - there is some useful information out there about how well they process claims and pay things.



is Athena the same as Aetna?


Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 15:13:34
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?

Comment by BobR on 12/27/2013 15:19:00
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?

I don't think Kaiser is, nor Blue Cross Blue Shield

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 15:20:38
Quote by wickedpam:

is Athena the same as Aetna?


No....Aetna is a payor, or insurance company. athenahealth is revenue-cycle management (a glorified billing agency that also does all the back-office work). I worked there for 5 years in Watertown, MA.


aren't all insurance company's for profit?


Many are, but in this Commonwealth it's actually illegal for them to be so. The major players here are all not-for-profit. We also have the for-profit guys that can sell insurance here, but their corporate headquarters are all out-of-state to get around the law.



Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 15:22:51
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?

I don't think Kaiser is, nor Blue Cross Blue Shield


hm, did not know that.


Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 15:25:16
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:

is Athena the same as Aetna?


No....Aetna is a payor, or insurance company. athenahealth is revenue-cycle management (a glorified billing agency that also does all the back-office work). I worked there for 5 years in Watertown, MA.


aren't all insurance company's for profit?


Many are, but in this Commonwealth it's actually illegal for them to be so. The major players here are all not-for-profit. We also have the for-profit guys that can sell insurance here, but their corporate headquarters are all out-of-state to get around the law.



okay, I see what you're saying now.

So, knowing what you know would you choose Aetna or Kaiser. Keep in mind Kaiser here is no longer affiliated with inNova which is pretty much all but 3 hospitals here.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 15:32:05
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?



You mean companies.

No, Kaiser is made of two pieces. Kaiser, which is the insurance part is not-for-profit. Pemenete, which is the clinic piece is for profit. Kaiser-Permenete is the oldest and most successful HMO in the country.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 15:34:12
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by wickedpam:

is Athena the same as Aetna?


No....Aetna is a payor, or insurance company. athenahealth is revenue-cycle management (a glorified billing agency that also does all the back-office work). I worked there for 5 years in Watertown, MA.


aren't all insurance company's for profit?


Many are, but in this Commonwealth it's actually illegal for them to be so. The major players here are all not-for-profit. We also have the for-profit guys that can sell insurance here, but their corporate headquarters are all out-of-state to get around the law.




Is that part of that commie Romneycare?

Comment by wickedpam on 12/27/2013 15:34:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?



You mean companies.

No, Kaiser is made of two pieces. Kaiser, which is the insurance part is not-for-profit. Pemenete, which is the clinic piece is for profit. Kaiser-Permenete is the oldest and most successful HMO in the country.



whateveh

Okay, didn't know that about Kaiser. Suck thing is its not part of innova anymore. So very few hospitals.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 15:40:29
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Does anyone know or have experience with Aetana health insurance? Their thinking of switching us from Kaiser to Aetana. I've never had Aetana so I can't compare the two.



You mean They're

Um no. But, since they are a for profit insurance company, they are nickel and dime douche bags.



hush you :p

aren't all insurance company's for profit?



You mean companies.

No, Kaiser is made of two pieces. Kaiser, which is the insurance part is not-for-profit. Pemenete, which is the clinic piece is for profit. Kaiser-Permenete is the oldest and most successful HMO in the country.



whateveh

Okay, didn't know that about Kaiser. Suck thing is its not part of innova anymore. So very few hospitals.



If they aren't affiliated with InNOVA anymore why bother being in NoVA.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/27/2013 15:48:02
Quote by TriSec:
Morning all....

Jehova's Witnesses don't celebrate Christmas, because "it isn't in the Bible". Which seems a bit hardline to me, but who am I to argue?

(So says the recovering Catholic, moderate atheist and borderline Muslim that celebrates Christmas, but I digress.)

I spoke briefly to my friend last night - perhaps for the last time. He is still alive, and sounded OK for the moment I spoke to him.

Harshly, I might add. I have learned where and how he obtained those pills, and more of the *why* it may have happened this time.

I no longer know who he is. I'm disgusted by the entire affair.




TriSec, my sympathies. I have a friend in Florida near Tampa who is in poor health, physically and psychologically, whose mother has Alzheimer's and will be committed eventually. He is afraid for his future and he sees no future for himself -- except to be institutionalized for his problems. This is unacceptable to him and he is already talking about suicide. As he does not trust his psychologist or local authorities, the prospects are grim.

All we can do is to try to be there for friends and family in crisis, but it is not always easy. We are limited in our ability to help others.

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 15:56:27
[In a stew] <-- it's plainly labelled.

You all realize that what I did to Mr. Bentz last night renders me no longer "Your Loyal TriSec", right?

For over 30 years, through everything, I've always stood by him. I can't do it anymore.

This saddens me.



Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:07:15
Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 16:13:10
Good morning -- I got some much needed sleep to recover from a nasy thing that almost sucked me into serious cold-land.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:24:10
Quote by Raine:
Good morning -- I got some much needed sleep to recover from a nasy thing that almost sucked me into serious cold-land.



That is always a good thing.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:31:28
I watched the rebroadcast of the Liverpool Man City game last night. Liverpool was robbed of goal by bad officiating. Should have been a 2-2 draw. :

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:38:32
A Death In St. Augustine

This woman's boyfriend, a cop, got away with her murder.

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 16:39:08
Well, at leat bad officiating is universal and crosses all sports and continents.




Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:49:22
Quote by TriSec:
Well, at leat bad officiating is universal and crosses all sports and continents.





If I may quote Omar Little, "Oh indeed!"

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 16:55:45
Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 16:56:34
Quote by Mondobubba:
Yes, that is the Secretary of State, John Kerry giving a fist pound to Snoop Dogg (Lion, whatever). Yes that is the sound of conservative heads exploding.

Cool!

Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 16:59:05
That can't be John Kerry.

Somebody as wooden and mechanical as him doesn't do things like that.



Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 17:01:28
Quote by TriSec:
That can't be John Kerry.

Somebody as wooden and mechanical as him doesn't do things like that.


http://25.media.tumblr.com/7b625b2a585a74cb7fa0ab71020457c6/tumblr_myfrj41RQx1qzlc1ro2_500.gif


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 17:03:29
Quote by Raine:
Quote by TriSec:
That can't be John Kerry.

Somebody as wooden and mechanical as him doesn't do things like that.


http://25.media.tumblr.com/7b625b2a585a74cb7fa0ab71020457c6/tumblr_myfrj41RQx1qzlc1ro2_500.gif





Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 17:05:57
The salon article where I found out about the epic fist pound.

V.P. Joe Biden, “Ooh, he gave you the pound!




Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 17:24:51
Quote by Mondobubba:
The salon article where I found out about the epic fist pound.

V.P. Joe Biden, “Ooh, he gave you the pound!


I could totally see Uncle Joe say that.


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 17:31:16
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
The salon article where I found out about the epic fist pound.

V.P. Joe Biden, “Ooh, he gave you the pound!


I could totally see Uncle Joe say that.


I know, right! We Joe Biden!


Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 17:46:45
Comment by livingonli on 12/27/2013 17:48:52
Good day, folks. So, how's tricks? Tonight it's back to work with back-to-back Knicks games and then the Sabres on Sunday. It should be a weekend of suck.

Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 17:55:17
Quote by livingonli:
Good day, folks. So, how's tricks? Tonight it's back to work with back-to-back Knicks games and then the Sabres on Sunday. It should be a weekend of suck.

Will it be like this?

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19altlarxgklwjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg


Comment by livingonli on 12/27/2013 18:00:41
Quote by Raine:
Quote by livingonli:
Good day, folks. So, how's tricks? Tonight it's back to work with back-to-back Knicks games and then the Sabres on Sunday. It should be a weekend of suck.

Will it be like this?

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19altlarxgklwjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg


The way the team is playing this season, yep!

Comment by livingonli on 12/27/2013 18:01:40
At least the Brooklyn Nets have something that resembles the team even if it's aging Celtics who have passed their peak.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 18:03:34
Comment by TriSec on 12/27/2013 19:07:24
Here is TriSec's Day:

http://www.iliad.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5727000209_1622eabb87_z.jpg


Thank You. Drive Safely.



Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 19:12:14
Quote by TriSec:
Here is TriSec's Day:

http://www.iliad.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5727000209_1622eabb87_z.jpg


Thank You. Drive Safely.




I guess that is better than this:

http://tncdonson.com/images/trainwreck2.jpg


Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 20:04:57
So I went to Old Navy -- as they have amazing sales right now and lemme tell you, that store was a mess.

I saw piles of unfolded clothes about 3-4 feet high.

Comment by Raine on 12/27/2013 20:08:35
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 20:23:48



You will look resplendent splendiferous wearing such a shirt.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/27/2013 20:38:54
The shirt has been described as "...so majestic!!"