Comments on: The Real Enemies of Christmas http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:13:10 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: OMGF http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29460 OMGF Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:01:12 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29460 It appears that one needs to register in order to hear it. It appears that one needs to register in order to hear it.

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29459 Eric Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:54:19 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29459 I am going to guess it was about 45 minutes into the show (and it should be with the guest host Sam Seder, not Randi Whodes. If I got the link wrong, I'll try ot dig around again." I am going to guess it was about 45 minutes into the show (and it should be with the guest host Sam Seder, not Randi Whodes. If I got the link wrong, I'll try ot dig around again."

]]> By: OMGF http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29458 OMGF Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:15:37 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29458 Eric, Do you know the time on the clip that you show up? Eric,
Do you know the time on the clip that you show up?

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29456 Eric Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:59:31 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29456 And here is a link to the Dec 21, 2007 Air America Randi Rhodes show I was one regarding the cross issue. If it doesn't work, I'll try again. http://www.airamerica.com/premium/broadcast.php?bid=5264 (you are going to have to listen through the whole show to get to my part.) And here is a link to the Dec 21, 2007 Air America Randi Rhodes show I was one regarding the cross issue. If it doesn't work, I'll try again.

http://www.airamerica.com/premium/broadcast.php?bid=5264

(you are going to have to listen through the whole show to get to my part.)

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29455 Eric Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:39:23 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29455 And in a quick little update, I was in our local grocery store a couple days ago and had a woman i have known for quite some time come up to me and out of the blue YELL at me, inf front of a few others, "Are you the horse's ass who is trying to remove OUR cross?" She then proceeded to berate me. I was shocked a bit and finally said, "Cary, you are a christian correct? So forgive me." She just tore into me further. And in a quick little update, I was in our local grocery store a couple days ago and had a woman i have known for quite some time come up to me and out of the blue YELL at me, inf front of a few others, "Are you the horse's ass who is trying to remove OUR cross?" She then proceeded to berate me. I was shocked a bit and finally said, "Cary, you are a christian correct? So forgive me."

She just tore into me further.

]]> By: DamienSansBlog http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29419 DamienSansBlog Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:34:24 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29419 Ditto on the bravo for...um...Eric-o? Ditto on the bravo for...um...Eric-o?

]]> By: KShep http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29414 KShep Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:27:55 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29414 Eric-----You're a brave man, and I congratulate you for standing up for what is right. That cross shouldn't be there, period. There is a similar cross (although NOT lit up) near my town of Jackson, Mi, on top of a hill called Sackrider Hill. This situation is a bit different, though, as the site used to be a privately owned site and was something of a mecca destination for some believers. To this day, there are occasional pilgrimages to the site. I have heard that there have been challenges to it's constitutionality but those were struck down since the cross cannot be seen from the nearby roadway or some such thing. Or maybe the fact that the land had been originally established for this use and the court upheld that tradition. At any rate, I'm not too upset about it since no one has to look at it. PS----you're way closer to Ansel Adams than I'll ever be!! Eric-----You're a brave man, and I congratulate you for standing up for what is right. That cross shouldn't be there, period.

There is a similar cross (although NOT lit up) near my town of Jackson, Mi, on top of a hill called Sackrider Hill. This situation is a bit different, though, as the site used to be a privately owned site and was something of a mecca destination for some believers. To this day, there are occasional pilgrimages to the site. I have heard that there have been challenges to it's constitutionality but those were struck down since the cross cannot be seen from the nearby roadway or some such thing. Or maybe the fact that the land had been originally established for this use and the court upheld that tradition.

At any rate, I'm not too upset about it since no one has to look at it.

PS----you're way closer to Ansel Adams than I'll ever be!!

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29411 Eric Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:39:41 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29411 Now, I am NOT Ansel Adams, but here is a link to some photos of the cross on the Mountain side. They are the first three photos. You can click on the photos and then go to "All Sizes" to see larger versions. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ejcalaska/ Understand that when this is lit up, it can be seen like a beacon all over the valley and on the opposite mountain/hillside (where I live) I'll keep you updated. Now, I am NOT Ansel Adams, but here is a link to some photos of the cross on the Mountain side. They are the first three photos. You can click on the photos and then go to "All Sizes" to see larger versions.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ejcalaska/

Understand that when this is lit up, it can be seen like a beacon all over the valley and on the opposite mountain/hillside (where I live)

I'll keep you updated.

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29410 Eric Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:32:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29410 I was on Air America yesterday Ebon. Sam Seder, in for Rhandi Rhodes this past week, spoke with me on air for about 2 1/2 minutes about the cross issue here in Skagway. There was a large number of callers after that to discuss this issue. The nice thinsg was that this was a nationally syndicated radio show, so it got national attention. Our local paper is owned by a man who is not exactly a pit bull reporter or a bastion of journalistic integrity. The new paper came out today and I was made to look like the town kook, you know "the idiot atheist" trying to take away tradition and such...That said, the attorney from the Alaska ACLU was informed on the new updates, and the city council had a session and voted to "keep the cross lit up." Regardless of the consitutional issues, they are leaving it up. It is in the hands of the ACLU now and I am incredibly glad they are taking the case. The attorneys are volunteer, so I am making a donation to them for my holiday charity donation (and a micro-loan at kiva.org) The thing that sucks, and I am sure I am not the first to encounter this, is I have received a bit of "silent support" from those who agree with me but are too timid to speak out against the main stream. That hurts. And, like said before, I am now having to try to explain why I did this to people I have known for years as friends who are now tossing me aside and acting like I was satan his-own-bad-self. Makes it tough in a small little town like this, but it came down to having to speak up. Anyway, I will post the newspapers link when the new edition is online (he usually takes about a week lag time to get the online updates after the new paper comes out) so when it does, I will post the link. I will keep you all informed. I was on Air America yesterday Ebon. Sam Seder, in for Rhandi Rhodes this past week, spoke with me on air for about 2 1/2 minutes about the cross issue here in Skagway. There was a large number of callers after that to discuss this issue. The nice thinsg was that this was a nationally syndicated radio show, so it got national attention.

Our local paper is owned by a man who is not exactly a pit bull reporter or a bastion of journalistic integrity. The new paper came out today and I was made to look like the town kook, you know "the idiot atheist" trying to take away tradition and such...That said, the attorney from the Alaska ACLU was informed on the new updates, and the city council had a session and voted to "keep the cross lit up." Regardless of the consitutional issues, they are leaving it up. It is in the hands of the ACLU now and I am incredibly glad they are taking the case. The attorneys are volunteer, so I am making a donation to them for my holiday charity donation (and a micro-loan at kiva.org)

The thing that sucks, and I am sure I am not the first to encounter this, is I have received a bit of "silent support" from those who agree with me but are too timid to speak out against the main stream. That hurts. And, like said before, I am now having to try to explain why I did this to people I have known for years as friends who are now tossing me aside and acting like I was satan his-own-bad-self. Makes it tough in a small little town like this, but it came down to having to speak up.

Anyway, I will post the newspapers link when the new edition is online (he usually takes about a week lag time to get the online updates after the new paper comes out) so when it does, I will post the link. I will keep you all informed.

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29408 Ebonmuse Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:22:22 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29408 That's a horrifying story, Eric. I applaud your contacting the ACLU (and I hope you'll keep us posted), but it doesn't sound like the cross is the root problem here. From your description, it seems like the chief of police has been especially willing to abuse his power and tyrannize people to achieve his own ends. Has there been any media coverage of any of this? Are there local newspapers that you could get interested in past abuses as they relate to this case? That's a horrifying story, Eric. I applaud your contacting the ACLU (and I hope you'll keep us posted), but it doesn't sound like the cross is the root problem here. From your description, it seems like the chief of police has been especially willing to abuse his power and tyrannize people to achieve his own ends. Has there been any media coverage of any of this? Are there local newspapers that you could get interested in past abuses as they relate to this case?

]]> By: velkyn http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29392 velkyn Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:07:56 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29392 My support to you, Eric. I'm not suprised at all that a supposed Christian is treating you so badly. Thank humanity for the ACLU! To dream the impossible dream To fight the unbeatable foe To bear with unbearable sorrow To run where the brave dare not go To right the unrightable wrong To love pure and chaste from afar To try when your arms are too weary To reach the unreachable star This is my quest To follow that star No matter how hopeless No matter how far To fight for the right Without question or pause To be willing to march into Hell For a heavenly cause And I know if I'll only be true To this glorious quest That my heart will lie peaceful and calm When I'm laid to my rest And the world will be better for this That one man, scorned and covered with scars Still strove with his last ounce of courage To reach the unreachable star http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O'Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.htm My support to you, Eric. I'm not suprised at all that a supposed Christian is treating you so badly. Thank humanity for the ACLU!

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O'Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.htm

]]> By: Alex Weaver http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29382 Alex Weaver Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:42:34 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/12/the-real-enemies-of-christmas.html#comment-29382 <blockquote>and do schools forbid any drugs or do they just want to know what kids are bringing to school and if you arranged for it before hand, would they have a problem with it?</blockquote> Certain prescription medications can be left at the office for the student to take at lunch time, though I gather that this isn't easy to arrange. Asthma medication can be carried with the student during PE, though sharing an inhaler with another student experiencing an asthma attack is considered grounds for suspension. Students who need ibuprofen for menstrual cramps or something in that vein are SOL as I understand it. Any student actually carrying a medication would be subject to suspension and review for possible expulsion; in some schools this is extended to anything that looks like a pill and cannot be positively identified as a non-drug. The whole thing is patently ridiculous, and unfortunately seems to be par for the course for American public school administrators.

and do schools forbid any drugs or do they just want to know what kids are bringing to school and if you arranged for it before hand, would they have a problem with it?

Certain prescription medications can be left at the office for the student to take at lunch time, though I gather that this isn't easy to arrange. Asthma medication can be carried with the student during PE, though sharing an inhaler with another student experiencing an asthma attack is considered grounds for suspension. Students who need ibuprofen for menstrual cramps or something in that vein are SOL as I understand it. Any student actually carrying a medication would be subject to suspension and review for possible expulsion; in some schools this is extended to anything that looks like a pill and cannot be positively identified as a non-drug. The whole thing is patently ridiculous, and unfortunately seems to be par for the course for American public school administrators.

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