OJ Simpson. Not a Jew.

You've probably heard about this by now, because nothing plays in Peoria like a good "culture wars" story.

The way I read it, the Port decided to remove their Christmas tree display, which they've been doing for 10 years, because the rabbi said, "Put up a menorah or I'll sue". Point number one, he can say all he wants about not trying to interfere with Christmas but the words, "I'll sue" are fighting words. If I'm in a disagreement with someone and they threaten a lawsuit, it's pretty clear we aren't going to be able to work the situation out like reasonable grownups. The Port's lawyers basically said, "Yeah. You have an obligation to be inclusive. And that means inclusive of all traditions". So, at the busiest travel time of the year the Port decided, screw it. They'd take down the trees so the rabbi wouldn't sue and take the time, when they had the time, to develop a display that would make everybody happy.

The situation has now gotten completely out of hand, with people saying hateful things about Jews stealing Christmas and the Jewish community being put on the defensive and all sorts of general nuttiness that is exactly the sort of thing I hate about this time of year. Have I mentioned that I think "political correctness" is a bunch of hooha? It seems to me that if everyone would just do unto others as they'd like it done unto them, we wouldn't need to walk on eggshells all the time. But there you go.

I generally try to ignore all this stuff. I understand why public schools don't have Christmas pagents anymore and why people who aren't Christian get annoyed by the constant onslaught of Christmas music and symbols and all. I really do. I don't get offended when a store clerk wishes me "Happy holidays". Heck, I say happy holidays myself, if I don't know a person. On the other hand, I'm a Christian. Christmas is my holiday. You don't have to celebrate it or acknowledge it in anyway as is your right.

But blah blah blah. That's not the point of this post. Here's what I've been wondering about since all this got started. My neighborhood has a lot of Orthodox Jews and one of the things I've learned from them is that Chanukah is a lesser holiday. It's a nice holiday, celebrating a miracle story about how a lamp burned without oil for 8 days. There are menorahs, gifts and delicious fried foods. But it still isn't anywhere near as big a deal as, say, Passover.

And here's the thing: I don't recall ever hearing a complaint about inclusiveness at Easter, which always hits 'round about the same time as Passover. There are Easter bunnies at malls, community Easter egg hunts. Heck, there's even an Easter egg hunt on the White House lawn, paid for no doubt by tax dollars. Which is hardly a seperation of church and state, even if it is privately funded. And Easter is a way bigger deal from a theological point of view. Christmas is lovely but without a resurrection, you don't have Christianity. So why the annual broohaha about Christmas?

I understand that people who don't celebrate Christmas feel like it is totally in their face. Geez, I feel that way. We try to keep the season of Advent, which means that the Christmas stuff doesn't happen until the 12 days. And let me tell you, when the Christmas starts appearing before Halloween, it's not easy to keep focused. But I try to shut it out as much as I can, until I'm ready. Just because everyone else is ceding to the frenzy doesn't mean I have to. But you don't see me bitching out store managers for putting the Christmas cards in the next aisle over from the Halloween masks. It is what it is, you know?

I just feel so blessed to be in a 'hood that really demonstrates the spirit of tolerance. My Jewish neighbors wish me Merry Christmas and I wish them Happy Chanukah. I put up my lights, they light their menorahs and no one complains. Christmas isn't going to go away. Stores are still going to decorate and have Santa. Choral ensembles are still going to perform Handal's "Messiah" in publicly funded concert halls. Most Americans celebrate Christmas. That's just the facts. It doesn't mean there is anything offensive about pubically lighting a Christmas tree downtown, nor for that matter, publically lighting the big menorah across the street from it. I'm not a culture warrior. I'm all for inclusiveness. I'm also a big fan of tolerance. And tolerance cuts both ways. That's all.

That said, everytime I hear this song I just want to whip up a big batch of latkes. (The recipe for which you can find over here. They rock).

Happy Chanukah/ Kwanza/Festivus/Solstice/Christmas. I apologize if I left anyone out.