Once again

There are side effects to suggesting that THE HOLIDAY is bunk. Warning:should you start promoting the idea that gobbling up unnecessary goods and items in a consumerist frenzy is completely insane, you're bound to run into social conflicts.

The first is of the ordinary kind: people who already will disagree with you and participate wholeheartedly. "Oh, and what am I supposed to tell my kids?" They are much easier to stomach because of obvious mental defects.

The second is the nefarious kind. These are the people who will agree with you yet participate anyway. "You're absolutely right. Oh c'mon, open it!..."

The third is the religious kind. Yes, they will agree, then they will try to convert you once they discover that you don't care about baby jeebus either and aren't disagreeing based around theology. "You're right, it is a pagan holiday. Oh, you're not a Christian?..."

Now, of course, I'm a bad bad man because I see the thing for what it is and call it like I see it. Truth is noble but it doesn't always bring fanfare and ticker tape. Many see it as an attack on their basest paradigms. After all, the lie must continue. What shall we do if it doesn't? I mean that's time off, officially, that's when it's authorized to be merry. Children love Santa Claus. Everybody does it and that's the way it's been. How dare I not participate or even suggest that buying things does not lead to enlightenment,joy, or even salvation. How dare I suggest putting your kids in their place and fessing up. "Well Tommy that's because the Smiths lie to their kids and only give them really great things once a year...." Too harsh? Not in the long run. I hate the way children are manipulated in this the most. ... and on and on

If you feel me: 'tis the season to tell them to shove it.