In today’s society, nothing screams the holiday season more than the ACLU opposing people who work in government agencies from saying “Merry Christmas.”  In the past, the ACLU has brought lawsuits to prevent such holiday expressions.  It is sad that a simple greeting must become a litigious event because some people want to control others.

And make no mistake about it, the attempt to prevent people from wishing others a holiday greeting is more about control than people being offended.  Ever notice people who scream they are offended by others words or actions are oblivious to the offensive nature of their actions?

I never understood the logic behind someone being offended at hearing “Merry Christmas” but not believe their attempts to prevent me from saying “Merry Christmas” is offensive to me.

To be fair to the ACLU, the organization does not oppose holiday expression by those in government agencies.  It opposes when a holiday expression comes across as an endorsement of a single religion.  I understand and agree with that position.  I do not want anyone to tell me what I can or cannot say to another individual at holiday time and I do not want to control what others can or cannot say.

In the summer, the Texas legislature passed a Merry Christmas bill.  Tennessee and Alabama have similar legislation pending and, in New Jersey, Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer, from Ocean County, just introduced such a bill.

The legislation offers guidelines to school districts about how to celebrate the holidays.  If passed, it would allow schools to “educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations” and let people offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations including “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Hanukkah” and “Happy Holidays’.”  Under the legislation, schools would be able to put up religious holiday displays, such as a menorah or a Christmas tree, but only if it includes more than one religion or a secular symbol.

Two things strike me about this legislation.  The first is good for those legislators for trying to put cheer back into the holiday cheer.  The second is the abject stupidity that such a law is required to avoid lawsuits.

The Grinch stole but returned Christmas.  Scrooge changed his “Bah Humbug” ways.  Those examples are fiction.  The reality of America today is some offended idiot will challenge the legislation.  When the inevitable happens, I suggest the rest of us get offended and take action.