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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on December 18, 2002, at 20:32:01
I thought I would post this, so that most of us who think Christmas should be called "Shopping Season" are not alone!
'Santa is consumption' in North America, say Vancouver Island couple
>
> With reporting by Sylvia Yu
> canada.com
>
>
> Wednesday, December 11, 2002
>
>
> The billboard reads: Gluttony. Envy. Insincerity. Greed. Enjoy your
> Christmas!
>
>
>
> An anti-Christmas billboard sign is slowing traffic on the Pat Bay
Highway, near Vancouver.
>
> The bright red sign says: "Gluttony. Envy. Insincerity. Greed. Enjoy your
> Christmas!"
>
> A Victoria, B.C. couple paid for the $1,200 sign with the money they would
have
> spent on Christmas gifts.
>
> Valerie Williams and her husband Trevor say they came up with the idea to
> attack Christmas on a billboard because the onslaught of consumerism
> "horrified and disgusted" them.
>
> "A lot of people are capitalist sheep and I think our God is consumption.
> Santa is consumption," she says.
>
> The sign is just the tip of the iceberg.
>
> The couple wants to get rid of Christmas altogether -- and other holidays
> too.
>
> "I would say there should be no Christmas," Williams says.
>
> She says she doesn't want to participate in a "white, middle-class,
> heterosexual, patriarchial, Christian Christmas."
>
> Her humbug attitude toward the holidays started when she and her husband
> moved back from Europe to the tony Oak Bay neighbourhood on Vancouver
> Island.
>
> She says they were overwhelmed by the commercialization of Christmas and
the
> "obscene" amount of money spent.
>
> Williams says she and her husband also object to the "commodification of
> goodwill" and believe people shoul do acts of kindness on a daily basis.
>
> She says she gives to charities all year round.
>
> The sign went up last week and will stay up until the end of December, but
> that won't be the end of the anti-holidays message.
>
> Williams is cooking up more ideas to attack other holidays, starting with
> Valentine's Day.
>
> She says the February 14 message will address violence against women.
Posted by Tabitha on December 19, 2002, at 3:12:56
In reply to Xmas..It's all Greed; Envy; Gluttony , posted by jay on December 18, 2002, at 20:32:01
really, I think everyone acts like they've got PMS this time of year. you never know what to expect. grumpy, weepy, loony, high, low... overemotional, overeating, overshopping... just stressed!
Be careful out there... they're all PMS-ing. Ho ho ho. Ho.
Posted by Mikhail99 on December 19, 2002, at 17:50:56
In reply to Xmas..It's all Greed; Envy; Gluttony , posted by jay on December 18, 2002, at 20:32:01
What a GREAT story!! These are people after my own heart. My tolerance for all the Christmas commercials (BUY! BUY! BUY!) is so low right now, I want to scream!
Posted by gabbix2 on December 19, 2002, at 17:59:58
In reply to Re: Xmas..It's all PMS, posted by Tabitha on December 19, 2002, at 3:12:56
Okay disclaimer, not all women act that way when they have P.M.S. However I'm a walking p.m.s cliche..
You are so right though Tabitha.. thats exactly how it feels to me too. One wrong word and someone's in tears, or on the defensive... well you said it all.
well put and thanks for the chuckle
Posted by Dinah on December 19, 2002, at 21:01:24
In reply to Re: Xmas..It's all PMS Thats is so true » Tabitha, posted by gabbix2 on December 19, 2002, at 17:59:58
Watching the Grinch or Peanuts special or It's a Wonderful Life for the umpteenth time.
Tonight was my son's Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa concert. Hundreds of children all dressed up singing their little hearts out. Jewish and Christian, all honoring each other's traditions instead of insisting on no traditions at all. That was pretty darn nice.
Posted by gabbix2 on December 19, 2002, at 21:25:39
In reply to Re: Xmas..Some of it is darn nice, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2002, at 21:01:24
Some of it is beautiful
I don't like the shopping and material part of it, but I'm also tired of hearing people talk about the commercialism every year. Though its easy for me I don't have children to explain things to every time the t.v commercials are on
I love the lights, and the fact that people actually take the time to decorate bridges and cranes, its a feeling of people getting together to do something. and I love the cards. You can make it quiet and beautiful.
I think staying out of the Mall is half the battle.
Posted by BekkaH on December 19, 2002, at 21:51:59
In reply to Re: Xmas..Some of it is darn nice, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2002, at 21:01:24
Yes, I'll have to admit you're right. As Christmas approaches, my bah-humbuggishness is fading a wee bit each day. I like listening to Handel's "Messiah."
Posted by Tabitha on December 19, 2002, at 23:27:12
In reply to Re: Xmas..Some of it is darn nice, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2002, at 21:01:24
Awww, that's really sweet. It's the children who make the holiday worthwhile isn't it? I still remember the excitement of christmas morning, even though my mom projected an attitude of hating the whole ordeal of the season.
As a grownup, I can't seem to get that childhood spirit at christmas. I can for halloween. I think xmas is too laden with family issues, whereas halloween isn't.
Posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:39:36
In reply to Re: Xmas..Some of it is darn nice » Dinah, posted by Tabitha on December 19, 2002, at 23:27:12
Posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:53:42
In reply to tinsel shiny sparkli thingies all aglow ho he ho (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:39:36
Posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:56:24
In reply to chestnuts exploding on an open fire (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:53:42
Posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:57:42
In reply to easter eggs displayed in supermarket (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:56:24
Posted by dreamerz on December 20, 2002, at 0:04:32
In reply to everyone becomes scottish (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 19, 2002, at 23:57:42
Posted by dreamerz on December 20, 2002, at 0:07:56
In reply to folks so nice new years eve- mug you new years day (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 20, 2002, at 0:04:32
Posted by Tabitha on December 20, 2002, at 0:51:27
In reply to okeedowkey..i've calmed down now~happy hollydaze (nm), posted by dreamerz on December 20, 2002, at 0:07:56
with multiple posts, shiny sparklee, extra cheez-ee
This is the end of the thread.
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