You're a Mean One, Grinch Alert

[paft.livejournal.com]

Robert Jeffress:

Well, you know every year people bemoan the War on Christmas and I thought, “Let’s do something positive about it,” so we created this website, Grinchalert.com, it allows people to go on our website and, uh, if they’ve encountered a business that shuns Christmas they can talk about it and put that business on the naughty list but if they find a business that celebrates Christmas, they can put that business on the nice list. It’s just a fun way to say to businesses and organizations, “You don’t have to bow to political correctness. It’s okay to say, “Merry Christmas…”

John Roberts: What if businesses who are on the naughty list lose customers?... Would it be a good idea to affect people’s business at this season, which can be make or break for some people, and in this economic climate?

Jeffress: John, let me make it clear, we have never even hinted at a boycott…

"Never even hinted at a boycott?" Really? Here’s what Jeffress said on Fox:

Jeffress: One great example in the Dallas area, there was a bank that took down a Christmas tree because they said it would offend customers. Well, there was another bank that got put on our nice list, the Providence Bank, because they put up a nativity scene. The CEO told me yesterday that there were customers changing from the bank that removed the Christmas tree, and they’re flocking to his bank.

Gretchen Carlson: You are not calling for a boycott of any of these businesses….

Jeffress: Oh, not at all, not in any way! You know, there’s a Mexican restaurant you mentioned that was saying Happy Holidays, but our family still goes there every week…

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

So it’s all about reassuring businesses. Honest! It’s all about making them feel nice and safe. He’s not advocating a boycott.

But he’s delighted to share as an example that little story of a bank losing customers because they took down a Christmas tree.

See, here's what mystifies me about this... Jeffress likes the idea of forcing other people and businesses to utter "Merry Christmas" and post signs saying "Merry Christmas" who are uncomfortable doing it. Do the people at "Grinch Alert" really imagine that businesses and retailers intimidated into towing Grinch Alert's line are acting in the spirit of the season?

And here's one more video, especially for the Reverend Mr. Jeffress:

Thanx to Juliebogen

Crossposted at Thoughtcrimes

Comments

[spaz-own-joo.livejournal.com]

This could backfire. I think it'd make more sense to exclusively patronize businesses on the Naughty List so that you can be assured of a Jingle-Bell-Rock-free retail experience.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

"War on Christmas". I'm still trying to grasp the fact that this is considered a real issue at your side of the Big Water. But every time my head goes asplode. Its really, i dunno, how was the word... stupid?

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

"Never even hinted at a boycott?" Really? Here’s what Jeffress said on Fox:

Where's the hint at a boycott? You seem to imply that he hinted at one, but I'm not seeing it.

What's the problem with people recommending businesses based on their practices?

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

Right, that's exactly what these people are doing.

[mijopo.livejournal.com]

I'm all for recommending businesses based on practices affecting the quality of good or services they offer. I'm not a big fan of pandering to irrationality. Why would anyone care whether or not a store uses "merry christmas" or "season's greeting" or even "hi, dude". What would you think of someone starting a website where people can track which stores have the clerk with the biggest boobs or the nicest smile or the furriest hats?

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

He should have just answered this question straight:
What if businesses who are on the naughty list lose customers?... Would it be a good idea to affect people’s business at this season, which can be make or break for some people, and in this economic climate?

Yes, it's a good idea. That's the point of a good list and a naughty list. Letting people know about the businesses they shop at so they can make a more informed decision.

See, here's what mystifies me about this... Jeffress likes the idea of forcing other people and businesses to utter "Merry Christmas" and post signs saying "Merry Christmas" who are uncomfortable doing it.

Here's why you're mystified. He's not forcing anyone to do anything. He's putting out information about businesses. You're free to use that information or not, along with everyone else. Your attempt to make him out to be evil based on your imaginings of his intentions is silly, although par for the course for you.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

If by "these people" you mean paft and people like her, then yes.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

More power to you. It's useful information whichever way you swing.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Where's the bullying?

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Great ideas.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

I understand. Well, here's a case. See, next week i'm going to a corporate party dedicated to Christmas. There'll be a Christmas tree, Christmas carols, Christmas presents, Santa Claus, elves, etc. The party is called The Firm's Christmas Party. Is that bad: Y/N? I'm trying to set my watch right, cos i aint American.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

if they’ve encountered a business that shuns Christmas they can talk about it and put that business on the naughty list but if they find a business that celebrates Christmas, they can put that business on the nice list

Jeff. If you cannot see a hint in this you're just being disingenuous.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Weird Americans.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Okay, but what about the dozens of Muslim people in that firm, as well as the atheists, agnostics (hi!), and the couple of Buddhists? Should they feel shunned? I dont feel shunned, but that may be just me.

[qnetter]

So, "religious freedom" fan, when I walk into a store and someone says, "Merry Christmas," it's OK if I express my feelings by saying, "Fuck you, how dare you assume I'm an idol-worshipper like you are? And why do you insult the memory of that nice Jewish boy by cult-worshipping him?"... I'm just avoiding being PC?

[qnetter]

So his encouraging people to shop at businesses that are assertively Christian... certainly legal, but pretty douchebaggy too, don't you think?

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

It's my favestest occupation!

[qnetter]

Is the assumption that I celebrate Christmas respectful?

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

I love it how we celebrate Christmas as "traditional American values" when it's nothing of the sort.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Thing is, the event is going to be specifically dedicated to Christmas. In fact they wanted to make it on Christmas Eve itself, but of course most people would like to spend it with their families, and so they figured it should be made on the previous Saturday. But its still specifically dedicated to Christmas.

Of course while in Turkey i was at a Ramazan Bayramı party. It was dedicated to Bayram. Specifically. There were also some Christians, couple of Jews, and probably atheists and agnostics (hi again!) and as far as i could notice, none of them had any issue with it being a Bayram party and not a "Festival of the autumn festivities" or some other such neutrally sounding thing.

[silver-chipmunk.livejournal.com]

So suppose a business owner wishes to avoid being on the "naughty" list, and informs his employees that they MUST wish customers a "Merry Christmas" regardless of the religious beliefs of the employee, or else. How do we feel about that?

I'm not real happy with the thought of people being forced to violate their personal beliefs in order to hold a job, as long as the keeping of those beliefs doesn't violate anyone else's rights. (And it's hard to think how not being wished a Merry Christmas violates anyone's rights.)

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

I loved their baklava. You need to drink a lot of boza after eating such a thing :S

No, my point is you dont have to feel excluded, or sorry, or guilty, for respecting others' traditions. The either-or dichotomy fails to make the complete way into my brain.

[rasilio.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, how can I put this.

Both sides of this issue are fucking morons who are going as far out of their way to be offended as possible.

If someone wishes you "Merry Christmas" and you ain't a Christian who cares, would you rather they were saying get the fuck out my my town you damn infidel?

On the flip side if you are a Christian and someone dares to include other perfectly legitimate end of the year holidays by saying "Happy Holidays" you got no business getting your panties in a wad just because they don't share your particular religious hallucinations.

Both sides need to grow up and accept the greetings in the way they are offered. When someone wishes you well accept the fact that they are being nice and don't be a dick because you don't like the particular way they did it.


Similarly, quit your friggin bitching and moaning because someone dares to show a religious symbol or a Christmas tree, or a Menorah, or any other symbol. The fact is this time of year is considered a time of celebration for pretty much every society on the face of the earth and has been fro thousands of years and people celebrating what is important to them doesn't impact you in any way shape or form. Grow up and recognize that as long as no one is shoving a gun in your face and telling you who to pray to you ain't being religiously oppressed so stop looking for reasons to feel that way.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I'm all for recommending businesses based on practices affecting the quality of good or services they offer.

Why is this practice any different than, say, Target giving money to a group that funded an anti-gay politician?

Why would anyone care whether or not a store uses "merry christmas" or "season's greeting" or even "hi, dude". What would you think of someone starting a website where people can track which stores have the clerk with the biggest boobs or the nicest smile or the furriest hats?

I'd feel the same way.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

There is no hint, especially when he explicitly turns down the idea of a boycott.