Respect.... back on my soapbox!

You may have heard or read in the news that a particular church group has been protesting Military funerals. This has disturbed me for some time but I've kinda put it into the back of my mind. I try to go about life with a "live and let live" kind of attitude, but today I was appalled when I read an article about this group of church goers who are now planning on protesting a CHILD'S funeral! You can read the article here from Fox news.

This really makes me sad. No, not sad, it makes me sick to my stomach! To think that it is appropriate to interrupt the laying to rest of anyone is a travesty but to believe it is ok to picket at the funeral of a 9 year old little girl is an outrage in my opinion! Regardless of how you feel about the deceased or the reasons for their death it is just wrong to put their family through more pain in order to excel your political/religious agendas. I am heart broken for this family due to their loss. I am enraged for this family because rather than mourning their loss they must be concerned with heartless individuals trampling the ground where she will be layed to rest.

Lawmakers in Arizona are trying to push a law through that will prohibit picketers from being within 300 ft of the ceremony.... Bless them! Groups of bikers are planning on being there in order to keep peace and a distance between the mourners and picketers... Bless them! There are petitions going around asking for others to come and make a human chain around those who are mourning the loss of their loved one at this funeral... Bess them!

Some may say that the law that has been proposed is the first step in taking away our freedom of speech. Well, I think it is a monumental step in promoting RESPECT to those who have passed and those who are mourning. Where I come from you show respect to the departed. When I drive down the road and see a funeral procession I make a point to pull over and turn off the radio out of respect.

I just cannot understand how picketing at a 9 year old girls funeral is appropriate in any way. They hide behind their God (who I'm pretty sure is not the same God the majority of American's acknowledge) and justify their actions as bringing awareness or whatever to the American people. Who are they kidding? No God I've ever heard of would appreciate picketing at such a delicate moment to so many. Although I would not condone it, I might be able to understand the rational if the picketing were say... at the funeral of a serial killer or rapist, but it still would not accomplish anything. I just cannot seem to wrap my head around this way of thinking. Bless those helping out and pray for those who are hurting so many.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now, what do you think about this? Maybe someone can help me understand.

Politically Incorrect

Happy Holidays! I hear so much ranting and raving this time of year about the correct way to wish someone a pleasant time during this season. So many people get bent out of shape when someone says "Happy Holiday's". Meanwhile others get upset when someone tells them "Merry Christmas" because they do not believe in Christ. Well, I say to each their own! Darnit! I usually say "Happy Holiday's". It's not in A-N-Y-W-A-Y because I'm afraid I am going to offend someone who does not believe in Christ. I say it because I like having a quick short and sweet way of saying "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year". So if I wish you a happy holiday, I truly hope it doesn't offend you, but if it does, that is your own fault for allowing yourself to be upset about it. That being said, if I was speaking to someone who I knew didn't celebrate Christmas but instead celebrated only Hanukkah, I might be inclined to say "Happy Hanukkah", although I do believe Hanukkah is over now. Really is it wrong of me to change my greeting to be accommodate someone else? I defiantly do not say it to try to be politically correct. I believe it is a nice gesture.

It is necessary to co-exists no matter what your religious beliefs. These days many people who are not Christians celebrate the Santa side of Christmas with a tree and decorations. Did you know that he Christmas tree was used in Pagan celebrations before Christianity decided that Christ's Birthday should be celebrated on December 25th? Yep. The Christmas tree and Santa have a way of bringing together many different "religious" people as well as those who lack a religion all together. Rather than fussing about who celebrates what and how they wish others merriment maybe we can all just come together and celebrate life, love, family, friendships and our own personal beliefs all together. Believe it or not Santa doesn't care what your religious background is. For one day out of the year, everyone can together celebrate good will toward men, family and friends.

Now, I am in no way condoning taking "Christ" out of Christmas... but I also don't want the fight to keep the name intact to take kindness toward our fellow man out of Christmas either. Each of us have a special reason for celebrating Christmas or other winter Holidays this December, for some it is the birth of Jesus Christ, for other's it is simply a time to celebrate Family, Santa, love, joy, kindness ect. Why should we burst other people's bubbles? Happy whatever you celebrate. Let’s all just get along and enjoy the Winter Holidays. We have a Christmas tree and celebrate Christmas, in my house. If you have a Holiday Tree and Celebrate Santa that's fine with me too.

I think I'll step off my  soapbox now.

Merry Christmas, Happy (Belated) Hanukkah, Pleasant Yule, Happy Kwanzaa, Ho! Ho! Ho!, Happy New Year and please forgive me if I left out your holiday greeting.