..........being PC.

I like to watch the Glenn Beck show on a semi-regular basis. Glenn often expresses views that I agree with; as well as, making me so mad I can't stand it. Glenn makes it no secret how he hates the politically correct atmosphere that our media puts us through on a daily basis. I have to agree with him on this one. We spend so much of our time attempting not to offend special interest groups, that we let the real issues pass right by us. This morning I was drinking my coffee and watching Headline News. The report came over the air about a college team having until 2010 to change the name of their mascot from the Fighting Souix, lest they pay fines to the NCAA and the Souix nation. This takes time on Headline News? There is no telling how much time was taken in courts, etc. just so someone got some attention. Heck, they should be honored that the Souix warrior is worthy as a school mascot. At any rate, what a ridiculous waste of time, and for what? Being politically correct is not about offending someone. It's about people drawing attention to themselves and seeking recognition.

Schools are often targets for the whole PC argument in many subject areas; one of which is the celebration of holidays. I'll always refer to the break we take from classes in December as "Christmas Break"; as well as, our annual "Easter Break". These holidays come at a time of the year that Ameriacan Christians celebrate the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In predominately Jewish communities, the Jewish holidays are celebrated and recognized as well. It doesn't bother me at all that religious symbols are displayed at these special times of the year. There's nothing wrong with the recognitions of these faiths in our public institutions; until someone wants to draw attention to themselves. Christmas trees have been banned in the school where I teach; and I never thought I would see that day! I directive was sent to that effect last year. Why? Was someone offended; or, are we beginning to run from the controversy before it becomes an issue?

Speaking of being offended by other religious celebration, I found this statement by actor, Ben Stein. I enjoyed what he had to say:

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning
Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing? Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

My Best Regards. Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein