Bah Humbug to Political Correctness

It's that time of year again when liberals who worship at the altar of diversity and political correctness attack Christmas. They do it by convincing retailers to reject terms like "Merry Christmas," "Christmas trees," "Christmas shopping," "Christmas gifts," etc. Instead, everything should be generic, such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings." The reason for the season is to be avoided at all costs.

The latest example is at St. John's Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Instead of a "Christmas tree," they lit "The Great Tree." Funny, it's decorated like a Christmas tree, but evidently Druids manage this shopping mall owned by Simon Management Group.

Now, the St. John's Town Center is one of my favorite places to shop and dine. I was really looking forward to spending a day there in the next month now that I have my electric wheelchair. I was going to explore from one end to the other and end with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.

However, I have a strict policy that my Christmas dollars do not go to malls and retailers where Christmas is not acknowledged or is disguised. Let them rely on non-Christians and pagans to move them into the black at the end of their financial year. So, instead of St. John's Town Center, I will go to the Jacksonville Landing where they still have a "Christmas" tree.

Here's the complaint I sent to Simon Property Group from their website's feedback form: http://www.simon.com/about_simon/contact_spg/default.aspx

St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida has fallen victim to the silliness of political correctness. Instead of having a "Christmas" tree, someone decided to call it "The "Great Tree." I can only guess this person was afraid to offend believers of other religions by calling what is clearly a Christmas tree by its proper name.

However, as a Christian, I am offended when people refuse to acknowledge with its correct name the Christmas holiday I am celebrating and for which I am shopping for presents and decorations. I am not celebrating just any holiday or season. I am buying Christmas presents, I am putting up Christmas decorations, I am sending Christmas cards, etc.

This silliness and discrimination against Christians needs to stop. If you had a Hanukkah Menorah, would you call it "The Great Candle Display"? I doubt it.

I was looking forward to going out to St. Johns Town Center to do some Christmas shopping and enjoy dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in the next few weeks. However, I refuse to spend my Christmas shopping dollars at malls or stores that refuse to recognize the season for which I am shopping. I will go where I hear and see "Merry Christmas," not just the generic "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings." You can keep your "Great Tree." I plan to shop where they still have Christmas trees.

Another way to contact Simon Property Group, owner of St. John's Town Center, is:

Corporate Headquarters
Simon Property Group, Inc.
225 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 636-1600

Garden Ridge Sells Signs "Carolers Will Be Shot"

A church friend advised me on Sunday, November 30, 2008, that she had gone shopping at a local Garden Ridge store on "Black Friday." As she was about to leave, she saw a yard decoration for Christmas on sale that stunned her. It was a sign with lights and caroler figures with the warning "Carolers Will Be Shot." She promptly asked a to see the manager. She asked the manager, "What are we teaching our children? Why would you have a sign like this on sale in a city with a high murder rate?" The manager's response, "I only work here," showed a cowardly refusal to take responsibility for her store.

The Garden Ridge store in question is located at:
201 Monument Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Phone: (904) 721-6226

Some buyer thought the signs were cute or funny. However, this crosses the line from humor to threat. It is especially inappropriate during the Christmas season. Carolers are Christian people trying to spread some good cheer and joy in our neighborhoods. In fact, this sign could be interpreted as anti-Christian and bigoted. Can you imagine the uproar if a store sold yard signs that warned "Blacks Will Be Shot" or "Homosexual Couples Will Be Shot"?

Here in Jacksonville, Florida, we are struggling to reduce a murder rate that is the highest in the state. The mayor's program, the Jacksonville Journey, is a joint effort of government leaders, businessmen, educators, ministers, and law enforcement to come together to solve this problem. We do not need a store selling signs that threaten more violence against anyone. If you find this as objectionable as I do, please call the store's manager and complain.

Most likely, these signs are available at other Garden Ridge stores. Stop by or call your local store to see if they are selling them. Let the manager know that you cannot shop at a store that sells items that threaten violence, especially during the season of peace and good will towards all.

Another action strongly recommended is to write Garden Ridge's corporate headquarters as well. Online, they invite email comments and questions to: customercareline@gardenridge.com .

Then, let their President and CEO Albert J. Neupaver know that you do not approve of his company promoting violence. The toll-free phone number is (888) 621-3814 and the Houston headquarters' number is (281) 579-7901. The FAX number is (412) 825-1019. The mailing address is:
Garden Ridge Corporation
19411 Atrium Place, Ste. 170
Houston, TX 77084