Less horse poop at downtown parade

[RecycleMichael]

Not sure what "collective responsibility" and "cooperative economics" mean, but I cannot disagree with the others. But who knew RM was a Kwanzaa fan.

I am fascinated by different faiths and traditions. You really should branch out. A smart guy like you can find many good things in other faiths.

I think collective responsibility is meant to encompass the concept of building a community together and accepting that other's problems are also your problems and to work together to solve them.

I think cooperative economics is meant to explain the concept of building and owning businesses and encouraging buying locally.

[dsjeffries]

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe announced Tuesday that he will not participate in Tulsa's Parade of Lights until organizers put ""Christ'' back in the event's title. "Last year, the forces of political correctness removed the word 'Christmas' and replaced it with 'Holiday' instead,'' the Oklahoma Republican said. "I am deeply saddened and disappointed by this change.''

Inhofe, who served as Tulsa's mayor from 1978 to 1984, said he had participated in the parade annually, riding horseback as his children and grandchildren watched. "I did not do so last year, because I'm not going to ride in a Christmas parade that doesn't recognize Christmas,'' he said. "I am hopeful that the good people of Tulsa and the city's leadership will demand a correction to this shameful attempt to take Christ, the true reason for our celebration, out of the parade's title. Until the parade is again named the Christmas Parade of Lights, I will not participate.''

Wow, talk about Christian intolerance! I guess that's just the hallmark of every legislator from Oklahoma. Is intolerance really the message we want to send at this time of year, with all the "come-together" holidays? Is being known for their intolerance the legacy they want to leave?

A good portion of the Christian community in Tulsa seems particularly keen on the idea of "a la cart", whether it's applied to the Bible, tolerance, judgment, any form of morality, and apparently now, parades. They get to pick and choose what applies and when and where and under what circumstances things are appropriate, according to their own agenda. How about this: Christmas isn't even Christian. It's a pagan holiday. So let's take someone else's holiday, call it our own, change the story and then get mad to let other faiths be included. Real classy.
http://www.essortment.com/all/christmaspagan_rece.htm

The parade isn't held on Christmas. If it was, then by all means, call it a Christmas parade. If we held a Thanksgiving Day parade on November 12, it couldn't really be called a Thanksgiving Day parade.

December Holidays:
5 - Ashura
6 - St. Nicholas Day
8 - Bodhi Day - Buddha's Enlightenment
12 - Virgin of Guadalupe
13 - Santa Lucia Day
16-25 - Las Posadas
21-28 - Hanukkah
25 - Christmas
26 - Kwanzaa

Given that there are no fewer than 9 holidays in December, I think it's safe to say that it's not just all about Christmas.
Cities all across the world have parades throughout November and December, and a good number of them are called "Santa Claus Parade" or "Holiday Parade". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_holiday_parades

And frankly, I am actually more excited to go to the parade since Inhofe won't be there.

[Gaspar]

Funny thing. . .
I was at my daughter's Kindergarten a few days ago (Jenks) and I noticed that all of the classrooms have event calendars lining the top of the room (laminated strips with the days running across them, and images corresponding to events and holidays).  Hanukkah is depicted with the Torah.  Kwanzaa is highlighted by an African American family lighting candles.  Ramadan, Ashra, Budi, and Diwali are all highlighted with images.

Edit: St. Patrick's day was the only remotely Christian thing on the calendar, and it was signified by a leprechaun.

December 25 was just another number on the calendar.   No Christmas or Easter on any of the Calendars.  Don't really care, but it was a bit strange to me.  These were in all of the classrooms.  They were printed by some public school supply company, so I assume they are standard issue.

[guido911]

Wow, talk about Christian intolerance! I guess that's just the hallmark of every legislator from Oklahoma. Is intolerance really the message we want to send at this time of year, with all the "come-together" holidays? Is being known for their intolerance the legacy they want to leave?

Christian intolerance? What are you talking about. Inhofe is upset that the "Christmas" parade, which apparently has been a tradition for a very very long time in Tulsa, has been renamed for no other reason than PC and he is expressing his feelings in a manner he sees fit. He's not stopping you or anyone else from attending. Guaran-freakin-teed that if this had been the "Ramadan" parade that was renamed, fatwas and suicide bombings would be taking place.

My gosh, since when is standing up for one's faith, belief, and tradition considered intolerance?

[guido911]

I am fascinated by different faiths and traditions. You really should branch out. A smart guy like you can find many good things in other faiths.

Back in undergrad I took a religious history course. Spent a lot of time on Asian and middle eastern religions. It was interesting. In the real world, I shopped around many different religions (Southern Baptist, charismatics), but settled in finally with Roman Catholicism.

[dsjeffries]

Christian intolerance? What are you talking about. Inhofe is upset that the "Christmas" parade, which apparently has been a tradition for a very very long time in Tulsa, has been renamed for no other reason than PC and he is expressing his feelings in a manner he sees fit. He's not stopping you or anyone else from attending. Guaran-freakin-teed that if this had been the "Ramadan" parade that was renamed, fatwas and suicide bombings would be taking place.

My gosh, since when is standing up for one's faith, belief, and tradition considered intolerance?

It's not a religious parade, so why pick one religion to name it after? And since when is it part of Christianity to adorn floats with lights, put fat people in red suits pulled in a sleigh by magical creatures, all to sell toys and gadgets and gizmos?

And it's outrageous statements like the ones you just made about suicide bombings that turns it into intolerance.
Stand up for your own religion all you want, but when that involves slamming others, you've crossed a threshold.

[guido911]

It's not a religious parade, so why pick one religion to name it after? And since when is it part of Christianity to adorn floats with lights, put fat people in red suits pulled in a sleigh by magical creatures, all to sell toys and gadgets and gizmos?

And it's outrageous statements like the ones you just made about suicide bombings that turns it into intolerance.
Stand up for your own religion all you want, but when that involves slamming others, you've crossed a threshold.

So now I guess I too am intolerant. And what am I slamming by the way. Draw a cartoon of Mohammad, get death threats; write a book showing the negative side to Islam, get death threats; announce "draw Mohammad day, get death threats, or be a Christian in a Muslim land, get sentenced to death. We won't talk about what happens to "adulterers" and homosexuals in those lands. This is FACT whether you like it or not. But if it makes you feel better calling me intolerant for pointing that out, fire away.

Now, depict the virgin Mary with elephant dung on her, or place a crucifix in a jar of urine, or most recently make a video showing ants crawling over Jesus, well I guess that just okay in your world. And the fact that I am offended? Well I guess that makes me more intolerant.

[Townsend]

Now, depict the virgin Mary with elephant dung on her, or place a crucifix in a jar of urine, or most recently make a video showing ants crawling over Jesus, well I guess that just okay in your world. And the fact that I am offended? Well I guess that makes me more intolerant.

So you're saying that all of these were taken in stride by people of Christian faith as opposed to the other faith's reactions to being offended?

[guido911]

So you're saying that all of these were taken in stride by people of Christian faith as opposed to the other faith's reactions to being offended?

I forgot about "Burn a Koran" day.

To your point, I heard there were a few death threats called in over the piss Jesus exhibit. But I do not recall our government issuing a fatwa or calling for the death of someone that disagreed with Christianity. Like it or not, in this country a massive majority of Americans (according to wiki 76% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States) call themselves "Christian". And I dare say most are very tolerant people and quietly put up with attacks on their faith by "artists" or others. Some like me, though, find more intolerance from the PC elitists out there that just want to ignore those facts.

On the topic, what is the freakin big deal over calling this parade the "Christmas" parade? I mean seriously, are there people out there that distraught that their faith is not in the title of the parade? You know what, just cancel the thing. That way, no one gets offended.

[PonderInc]

Ooooh.... and all this time, I thought he didn't like it that they got rid of the word "PSO"...

Tangent: Since this is the "Parade of Lights," and Haunukkah is the "Festival of Lights," perhaps we should call it the "Haunukkah Parade/Festival of Lights."  Would Inhofe ride in that one?  Afterall, Christ was a Jew...

Our aged senator is a dinosaur and an incurable embarrasment to our state.  This is a "news item" b/c it's fun and easy to poke fun at Oklahoma...especially since the recent passage of decidedly useless and bizarre state questions.  Though this stunt mostly makes Inhofe look like a dork, it also reinforces the concept of OK as a backwoods haven for the intolerant and ignorant.

Although we can joke about this all day, the truth is that I'm glad that Tulsa is finally starting to think about the value of inclusiveness and respect for diversity.  Why not have a parade that makes all feel welcome?

Unfortunately, since Inhofe's brand of stupidity inspires the radically ignorant to take action, McNellies is apparently being bombarded by hate calls from right wing wackos...most of whom have probably never been downtown for a parade or anything else...certainly not a fine dark beer.  

You may remember that there wouldn't even be a Parade of Lights if the McNellies Group and some of their partners had not stepped up to the plate to sponsor the thing (to the tune of several thousand dollars).  Trivia: How much did Inhofe donate to the parade?  Answer: none.

Hopefully all the sane people in town will step up and show their appreciation and support to the donors for their generosity and desire to preserve a community tradition--and welcoming all Tulsans to come enjoy the parade.

[custosnox]

I forgot about "Burn a Koran" day.

To your point, I heard there were a few death threats called in over the piss Jesus exhibit. But I do not recall our government issuing a fatwa or calling for the death of someone that disagreed with Christianity. Like it or not, in this country a massive majority of Americans (according to wiki 76% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States) call themselves "Christian". And I dare say most are very tolerant people and quietly put up with attacks on their faith by "artists" or others. Some like me, though, find more intolerance from the PC elitists out there that just want to ignore those facts.

On the topic, what is the freakin big deal over calling this parade the "Christmas" parade? I mean seriously, are there people out there that distraught that their faith is not in the title of the parade? You know what, just cancel the thing. That way, no one gets offended.

And what about those that would complain about seeing a hannakah float in a christmas parage?

[guido911]

And what about those that would complain about seeing a hannakah float in a christmas parage?

I wouldn't be one of them. But no worries now since we are having "holiday" parades.

[RecycleMichael]

My gosh, since when is standing up for one's faith, belief, and tradition considered intolerance?

It is not just standing up for your faith, belief and tradition. It is saying that we must use the word Christ and only Christ in naming things is what makes you intolerant on this topic.

No one is attacking Christianity. I wish Senator Inhofe participated and greeted every person with the words of his choice. He is free to say Merry Christmas over and over again at this parade or on the floor of the Senate if he feels so strongly about it.

But why the insistance that if anyone doesn't add Christmas to every event in December they have attacked Jesus?

If anything, saying Happy Holidays probably says faith better. Instead of just wishing people have a merry December 25th, you are saying we hope you are happy on the Holy Days.  

[guido911]

It is not just standing up for your faith, belief and tradition. It is saying that we must use the word Christ and only Christ in naming things is what makes you intolerant on this topic.

No one is attacking Christianity. I wish Senator Inhofe participated and greeted every person with the words of his choice. He is free to say Merry Christmas over and over again at this parade or on the floor of the Senate if he feels so strongly about it.

But why the insistance that if anyone doesn't add Christmas to every event in December they have attacked Jesus?

If anything, saying Happy Holidays probably says faith better. Instead of just wishing people have a merry December 25th, you are saying we hope you are happy on the Holy Days.  

I do not think that you or anyone is attacking Jesus by supporting the name change of the parade. But attacking Inhofe (and you should know I am not very pleased with him over his recent earmark vote) because he does not share your take on the name change is what I am bothered by.

As for the insistence of adding "Christmas" to every event this time of the year, again, as I wrote earlier, if I am doing something specifically for Christmas (like buying gifts), then I will attach the word "Christmas" to that. What would you call buying Christmas presents or preparing Christmas dinner?

[RecycleMichael]

What would you call buying Christmas presents...?

My sister's birthday is December 18th. When I am shopping for her next week Senator Inhofe would probably insist it be called Christmas shopping. I mean, the stores are all decorated for Christmas, the background music in every store would be Christmas tunes, and it would be hard to find wrapping paper in anything but Christmas patterns.

But it wouldn't be Christmas shopping.