The War in America

Is there a cultural war going on in America? You bet there is. And don't even get me started on the Boy Scouts vs the aclu. h/t to Hugh Hewitt for the first story.

As the Salvation Army kicks off its annual red-kettle program today, a growing number of retailers, from Best Buy to Target, are banning Salvation Army bell ringers from their doors -- to avoid having to choose between competing charities and out of concern for customers, they say.

And this in my own state - where they continue to remove any concept of spirituality from schools and replace same with ... metal detectors.

Don't expect the Columbia High School brass ensemble to belt out any jolly renditions of "Joy to World" at its holiday concert this year.

Nor will it play any songs about Santa Claus coming to town.

But there will be plenty of seasonal tunes, such as "Winter Wonderland" and "Frosty the Snowman" -- songs devoid of any reference to religion, religious symbols or holidays.

A long-standing policy banning the singing of Christmas songs with religious references in the South Orange/Maplewood School District has come under scrutiny after the administration clarified the policy recently, saying that it also includes instrumental concerts.

This means the 40-member brass ensemble, which in years past has played Christmas carols with references to Santa Claus, Jesus, or other religious symbols, will not be played this year.

Comments

[Ron]

Patience Dan. Their day is coming, and they ain't gonna like what happens. When Christ unleashes the beast, they'll cry out in his name but it will fall on deaf ears. Read "The Purpose Driven Life", by Rick Warren, you'll see just how meaningless this all becomes. Hope your kids are safe. I pray for them all every night.

[Crazy Chester]

Somehow I've become used to this sort of thing. Until very recently, here along the Connecticut River in Connecticut, Christmas Carols were still sung in all the schools.

They disappeared over the past couple of years, of course, and the end seemed to coincide with retirements of the old guard. This is a very lefty area, but the effect of the removal of Christmas (and Hollowe'en and Easter) ambience has been that it's risen elsewhere outside the schools.

I don't find widespread agreement with the secularization of the schools even among the lefties, which is surprising. The schools are a lost cause anyway, from a conservative point of view, and the entire public school system is eroding before our eyes. Let them continue this stupidity. It will only hasten the end of them, but not the end of our culture. That is being defended elsewhere.

[Kathy]

No better argument for vouchers ever existed. Go Dan.

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to Target today:

To Whom It May Concern:

I practically live at Target. Between my wife, three children, and I we must visit your store at least three to four times each week. I recently heard about your change in policy concerning the Salvation Army; refusing to allow them to collect outside your stores over the holiday season. The news of your decision to ban the red kettles of The Salvation Army seemed surreal. Over the years we have come to associate the ringing of the bells with the coming of the Christmas Season and the sharing of good will. When I bring my children shopping during the holidays I want them to experience the joy of helping the less fortunate; I want other people’s children to share in that too. This year is appears we will have to go shopping elsewhere to drop our coins in the red kettle.

We discussed this issue as family gathered around the dinner table this evening. We decided our response will be to avoid shopping at Target over the coming holiday season and to write this email to your cooperate office. What do you bet our family is not acting alone? My youngest son, Kyle (10 yrs old) reminded me of the scene out of A Miracle on 32nd Street when Santa was on trial. The judge ruling on the case (up for reelection) was pondering the News Headlines following the verdict- damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Today, you Target executives sit in the same seat as the judge, and your actions are being interpreted by a scrutinizing public. As bottom line thinking individuals, you must be aware that perception often overrides reality. The perception of Target as a caring company is in peril. It is not too late for a mid-course correction. I pray you make the best decision for everyone.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan and family

San Diego

I don't think it's religion driving the ban. By allowing the Salvation Army to solicit for donations, Target was opening the door for union organizers to solicit employees in front of the store.

Unions in this country are hurting because of the declining manufacturing base. Like ANY OTHER BUSINESS, they are trying to expand their markets. In this instance the market is the retail industry. The labor laws are slanted heavily toward organized labor. If a company allows charities to solicit, they can't refuse other organziations. Do a google search with the words Target union organization. You will find sites like this: http://www.targetunion.org/node/6018

If someone has REAL proof this is about religion, post it!

Until Target gives up any of it's own philantropic works, I'd say a boycott is the wrong way to go.

The SA isn't the only charity out there, and those red kettles aren't the only way they raise money.

And, if Target is doing this to avoid union organizers, I'd say they deserve MORE, not less of our business--and if you drop something into a red kettle that's not in front of a Target store, doesn't the SA still get it?

Support Target's anti-union policy ANd donate to the SA.

Sign The Petition and help boycott Target at:

www.dontshoptarget.com

Spread the Word!