BS: Christmas? A rant

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 27 Nov 09 - 07:29 PM

I like that memo, Little Hawk.. :0)   

I feel like that about English folk music! ;0)


Moving on, rapidly.........LOL


"Mother Teresa wasn't a noisy one in terms of religion, she was noisy in terms of getting a better deal for the young of Calcutta. The fact her motivation came from her faith is neither here nor there...."


Oh, poo.... :0)

That 'fact' is everything, surely. How can you possibly say that her religious faith counted for nothing, when without that she may never have walked upon the path she did?   She questioned her own faith many a time, but she never gave in....never gave up..

This image....and lie...that all Christians are whacko and bordering on the evil really gets up my nose. It's one that's been cleverly weaved into current day society to the point of people wanting to now run away from the Church and all they stand for as fast as they can...

Yes, of course there ARE religious fanatics, but there are one helluva lot of great and good Christian people out there who've dedicated their lives, in their own quiet way, to helping others and to carrying out the belief of Jesus.

Religion used to create fear is wrong, no matter what that religion may be....and yes, it's been used that way for centuries, with much evil being done in it's name....but you can't just dismiss all Christians as complete nutters.   Yeesh! There'd be an outcry if that attitude was used against Muslims, let's face it..

I think children have never been more 'brainwashed' than they are nowadays, and the Corporate Bastards have simply taken the place of the old Religious Fanatics, using their power to create a new kind of 'fear' unless you belong to their 'Church'. The fear they preach is nothing to do with being a non-believer in God, but the fear of being unacceptd through not having the latest 'must have' toy, the latest article of named clothing, the right £4,000 handbag, the glitziest holiday, the perfect Christmas table......ad infinitum.

It srikes me that getting back to the simple teachings of a man who wanted to help others, might not be so bad.. :0)


For all the Tinsel & Turkey folks visiting Torquay there are many on the streets down here for whom Christmas will be 'just another day'..

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." - Mother Theresa

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 01:38 AM

I don't have any problem with people using the term, "Christmas", myself, but I do get tired of this endless bitching people engage in year after year about what other people call things and what other people do during the December holidays. Why can't people just do what they want and let other people do what they want?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: MikeL2
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 06:52 AM

hi carol

Couldn't put it better myself.......so I won't.
Very "unmudkatlike" I know.....but there you go....lol

regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 08:08 AM

I agree with Carol. I don't use the word Christmas. If there is one thing for certain the celebration around the turn of the year has nothing to do with the birth date of Jesus. So let's get that out of the way. Shepherds would not be in the fields at the time of the year - it is too cold. I am happy to have a celebration at any time. I and friends celebrate the turn of the year. The family come together on December 25th because it is convenient in terms of holidays and people not working.

Nothing to do with religion.

And I wouldn't go overboard about Mother Theresa. There are plenty of people to attest she was by no means perfect and that there was plenty of money in a variety of bank accounts whilst her orphanages were struggling for cash.

This paints a different picture.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 09:24 AM

It's always so easy to only see the bad, isn't it...

Well, listen to this....

First of all, Mother Theresa has been dead for 12 years, and she cannot be held responsible for what is happening in her homes today.

I agree that if that is what is happening, it needs to be addressed, but more than that, the nuns need help from around the world to look after the children in the correct way, to be taught nursing properly, social care etc....

When I had Toxicara, back when I was 19, I was in Neasden Eye Hospital for well over a month whilst they tried to work out what I had. In that time I grew very close to all the staff and the children too, whose ward I was in.   But....the discipline amongst the nursing staff was total shite. Some of those nurses should never have been there in the first place, they were damned lazy and I was doing their work for them, caring for the children, feeding those who were unable to sit up, changing nappies etc...or rather, using sanitary pads to do that, from the Ladies' Ward, as there were NO nappies on that ward, and one little toddler, who had just had surgery for congenital cataracts, was left all day long in the same nappy until I went a little nuts over it...and they eventually got some nappies on the ward...and spoke to her mother, who seemed not quite with it, to be honest...certainly not able to care too much for her little girl....

Anyway, I digree. The ward was being run by a Malaysian Sister. Really sweet lassie she was, but utterly hopeless at discipline and orders..and didn't those other nurses know it!

Two weeks later, when the Irish sister came back, that ward was a different place. Everything shone, bed corners were tucked in just so, patients gleamed and all was ticketyboo...She was a natural leader, stood for no crap whatsoever and ANY nurse...or indeed doctor or surgeon, who disobeyed her knew they had stepped over the mark, BIGTIME!

If you have a rotten captain at the helm, then your ship will start to sink...I'm sorry, I don't believe Mother Theresa was a rotten captain, nor that she ran a sinking ship.

Those who've followed her...well, who knows...?

But tell me Dave, WHY do you always choose to try and find the bad side of people? It mystifies me, it really does.

May the true Spirit of Christmas find it's way to you...

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 10:49 AM

But tell me Dave, WHY do you always choose to try and find the bad side of people? It mystifies me, it really does.

Since you have seen the bad side of countless people and organisations, and whose posts are littered with asterisks, I feel that is a bit rich coming from you.

Why have you mentioned the nationality of those nurses, unless you believe in stereotypes of course?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 10:56 AM

"It's never Muslims or Jews or Hindus or Buddhists who object to Christmas being called Christmas, and publicly celebrated."

Absolutely correct, its loony raving lefties getting offended on behalf of people who don't get offended anyway - usually idiots in local councils.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:26 AM

Absolutely correct, its loony raving lefties getting offended on behalf of people who don't get offended anyway - usually idiots in local councils.

Actually it's usually right-wing newspapers making the most of some trivial item and getting it wrong.

See this from 2008

And often the same story get repeated over and over again.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:38 AM

Hey, what a neat idea!
I rather like the inclusivity of 'Midwinter Light Festival' where the Christmas lights go 'hand in hand' with other Midwinter 'Light' festivals, occurring at approximately the same time.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 12:56 PM

Er..I mentioned that one Sister was Malaysian, because er...she was..and I could see her pretty face as I wrote...and that the other sister was Irish, because er...she was...

One was a dragon who got things done..and the other was so very sweet and kind to the patients, but no good at organising staff....

There was a Jamaican nurse there too, who was very racist as she only nursed the black kids...I watched her..and was stunned.

The doctor who saved my sight was Indian..Dr. Sethi...a wonderful man for whom I have the greatest respect...and the Complete Bastard who made racist comments to any staff who didn't have white skin was called Mr. Jackson, the surgeon in charge, who I think was probably of English origin...and a real bully if ever I came across one..The male staff nurse (also Indian) used to stand behind him when he was examining my eye, making me laugh, as he'd pull funny faces at me all the time, the naughty man, because he knew Mr. Jackson would tell me off, which made me splutter even more....It was our way of dealing with the prat and his nasty comments.

Neasden Eye Hospital was a real Blue Mink 'Melting Pot' of cultures and colours...and most of the kids, of all cultures and colours were to be found on my bed having stories read to them (with my good eye) and generally having loads of fun.

You gotta a problem wit that, Dave?

Do grow up, there's a dear..

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 02:41 PM

Mentioning "races" of people can equally well be a way of challenging stereotypes.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 05:22 PM

We were in Lancaster today; it was sunny, cold and I found Peter Maxwell Davies / Fires of London album in Oxfam (Renaissance & Baroque Realisations), and a 1930s guide to Blackpool Tower & Winter Garden from my favourite antiquarian bookstall; Subway are doing Turkey & Stuffing & cranberry, and as we wandered in the twinkling twilight I was freezing, sneezing & wheezing but I can't remember feeling so Christmassy in my life...

Tomorrow - it's off to Borders to pick over the liquidation sale! Ain't life grand??

Here's a thing - did you know Bernard Summer used to work for Cosgrove and Hall and assisted on the animation for such classics as Chorlton and the Wheelies, the opening titles of Rainbow add Jamie and the Magic Torch. Such wonders!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Stringsinger
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 07:49 PM

I think many people have had an idealized vision of Christmas maybe stemming from Charles Dickens or "It's a Wonderful Life". People who keep preaching about putting Christ back into Christmas probably are not terribly conversant with the bible.

Fortunately, the Yule Season has little to do with religion in spite of the fact that religious people attempted to co-opt the holiday for the promotion of their religious zeal.

I believe in a secular Christmas to be celebrated by anyone who wants to keep the tradition.
The absurdity of the abuse of this practice is highlighted by a Christmas pageant that I saw in Rockport, Mass. in the dead of winter. A camel rebelled against the freezing cold and showed his disdain for the procedure by bawling, loudly.

So put up your lights so that you won't have to burn down any trees to bring the sun back.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 08:29 PM

Several houses in the neighborhood are already lighting up. The sun has gone south, and cloud is frequent; unfortunately sacrifices to bring the sun back seem ineffectual.
A few parties and some single malt do serve to help drive dull care away.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ed T
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 08:31 PM

Just relax, and try this recipe....things will look up:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=36128

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: GUEST,Goose Gander (sweet potato pie on the way)
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:28 PM

I have never met a human being who claimed to be offended by Christmas.

But I believe that going on and on about whether anyone is offended by Christmas has become a Christmas tradition in and of itself.

But only if it happens in a Designated Folkish Hand-Wringing Context.

So there.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:37 PM

Oh Hell. Let's put the X back in Xmas!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ref
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 05:41 PM

Some of you Mother Theresa worshipers should read Christopher Hitchens on the old girl. Those orphanages and hospitals were hell-holes while she was in charge, and collecting awards and huge sums of money all over the world.

As for Christmas, I love the season, though I abandoned Christianity a long time ago. Most of the traditions, as others have correctly pointed out, come from pre-Christian spiritual practices. As for being offended, You might be offended, too, if you had a belief in another religion and everyone kept assuming you were Christian. Neither Ramadan nor Hannukah is an equivalency to Christmas in their religions. Our (Christians and Christian-heritage people) ability to "ignore" those two celebrations is made a lot easier by the fact that they make so little a dent in media and marketing.

I said years ago that I'd believe the old bigot's saw about Jews controlling the media as soon as I saw "It's Hannukah, Charlie Brown!"

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 05:47 PM

It's mostly driven by money, Ref. The mass media in the western world publicize whatever causes people to run out and spend the most money, and that means they will publicize Christmas, not Ramadan or Hanukah. Do they care about the religious or spiritual aspect of Christmas? No! But they do care about how much time people will spend at the mall frantically buying presents and stuff.

Why be so worried about Christianity when it's really just the trimming on the tree? The real religion these days is gross materialism, driven by conspicuous consumption. Consumerism, it's called. They have the gall to label us "consumers". What a dehumanizing term that is.

So what did you choose to do on Buy Nothing Day? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ed T
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 06:19 PM

Oh, the fire's burning slow
Now where's that mistletoe
Dear, it's getting kind of hot in here
I need a taste of Christmas cheer
I hope he gets here quick, I need a St. Nick fix
Oooo-eee, I just want him to be all wrapped up for me
Santa's never been this hard to resist
But Santa never used to look like this

He's traded in his reindeer for a limosine
He's wearing purple trousers instead of red and green
This Christmas I want something I never had
Cause Santa's got a brand new bag

Now, I got to got to find out how
To make him want to settle down
I've got a big fat kiss right at the top of my list
So we can build a little candy home
And have a few elves of our own
I want to sneak a peek at my surprise
And see tradition metamorphasize

He's given up the cookies and he's slimming down
He bought a little bungalow in Tinsel Town
This Christmas I want something I never had
Cause Santa's got a brand new bag

As he finds his Zen down on the kitchen floor
He lights a fat Cohiba from his humidor
This Christmas I want something I never had

Cause Santa's got a brand new bag

He's got a Richenbacher and he's bleached his hair
He's rockin to the rythm with a Latin flair
This Christmas I want something I've never had
Cause Santa's got a brand new bag

He's reading Socrates and cooking French cuisine
He's pictured on the front of money magazine
This Christmas I want something I've never had
Cause Santa's got a brand new
Santa's got, Santa's got a brand new bag

"Santa's Got A Brand New Bag" lyrics

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:22 AM

We're getting more and Cathedrals of Consumerism in this country, as every city gets more and more new shopping 'malls'....No-one has any money to spend in them anymore, but that doesn't seem to stop them being built....or worshipped in..

Funny ol' world, eh?

I'm just intrigued, Ref, as to why no-one ever noticed that Mother Theresa was 'apparently' running hell holes of children's homes whilst she was alive. ?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:52 AM

Oh Heck, Lizzie...

I reckon you and I started this Mother Teresa thing when you noted she was a Christian and I noted that her work was the children, not her faith. Now it seems everybody is on the angel or otherwise bandwagon. Even some clown quoting Christopher Hitchens, which proves nothing other than the quality of the newspaper they get their opinions from. (Did you know that Hitchens claims to want the British Empire back and that is was a good thing? )

Quite obviously, everybody has a different view of what Xmas should be about, and equally, everybody has a personal memory of what Xmas means to them.

I think the issue here is that if somebody, take myself for example, points out that I am not a Christian, am not superstitious and don't believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden BUT enjoy my Xmas... You get people popping up saying that if you miss out the little baby Jesus, it isn't Xmas. Well it is! It's my Xmas. So there! to the lot of 'em.

Sadly, if you point out that you don't believe in supernatural nonsense, you are immediately taken as somebody who picks on Christianity and "You wouldn't upset a Muslim."

Err... no. I for one don't pick on Christians, I leave that to Romans and large felines.

I do however jump down the throat of anybody who tries telling me how to live my life, and make a point of knocking on my door or pontificating from The House of Lords.

So, HUMBUG to them, and hurrah! for consumerism, the (fairly) new religion.....

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:54 AM

Christopher Hitchens' book about the conditions in Mother Theresa's care homes was published in 1995, two years before her death. Apparently, little has changed:

New Statesman article, 2005

Fa la la la la.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 10:34 AM

"pontificating from The House of Lords"

Seems an appropriate place to do it, as the Pontiff was the Roman Emperor in his role as High Priest of the pagan state reilion.

I don't think I've ever had Christians knocking on my door, just Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 11:03 AM

Hitchens claims to want the British Empire back and that is was a good thing >>>

Don't you think so then, Willie? You poor young man. Try going to sub-Saharan Africa & find someone old enough to remember pre-independence days [but hurry: there are fewer left every day] & ask them whether they liked it better then or now. You might be surprised at the answers you get — they'll be the same ones as I got in Sierra Leone in 1991-92, I'll give you 9-5 odds any day of the week. But you won't. & you won't believe me. & you'll pity me as a poor old fart. OK then - please yourself & Steam·On...

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 11:09 AM

Thanks for that MT link, Ruth.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: pdq
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 11:27 AM

...I don't think I've ever had Christians knocking on my door, just Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses

Both the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons (the followers of the LDS) are Christian groups.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 01:28 PM

They might think they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 01:44 PM

as every city gets more and more new shopping 'malls'....No-one has any money to spend in them anymore, but that doesn't seem to stop them being built....or worshipped in..

We have one of these in Sheffield. I call it Meadowhell (really Meadowhall), and I am delighted to say I have never been there. I often pass two more Trafford Centre and Metro Centre Gateshead.

For No-one has any money to spend in them anymore they seem remarkably busy. Despite my absence from all of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 02:37 PM

Mother Theresa has lots of critics not just Christopher Hitchens. These include distinguished doctors. And again in 1994 before she died.

A "google" would tell you more. When Civil Liberties were suspended in India she supported this. And just to put things in perspective Christopher Hitchens both wrote a book and made a Channel Four Film, niot a newpaper article. As have lots of other people.

You can read another view of Mother Theresa here.

You can make your own mind up.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 02:47 PM

Who gives a shit....holidays suck no matter what denomination....

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 03:25 PM

I never have holidays. I do have periods when I leave my own environment and gather with friends and family.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 03:28 PM

Who gives a shit...holidays are wonderful as long as one can enjoy family, friends, single malt (and Pumpkin pies at this season).
A gift or two wouldn't be refused.

Mormons welcome, and I don't have to worry about them drinking up my single malt!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 03:59 PM

We have one of these in Sheffield. I call it Meadowhell (really Meadowhall), and I am delighted to say I have never been there. I often pass two more Trafford Centre and Metro Centre Gateshead.

I love Meadowhall & The Trafford Centre; less keen on the Metro Centre which isn't as inspiring architecturally. The post-modern excesses of The Trafford Centre I find especially thrilling - nothing like eating Subway in that huge ocean liner food-hall beneath that painted sky. And I like it at night, all lit up, looks like some heavenly Bethlehem.

Another Bernard Sumner reference: the older he gets, the more he comes to resemble Phil Mitchell...

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 04:43 PM

Sweeney, we really need to wean you off Subway... :)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:06 PM

Had a Subway the other day- fresh brown bread, roast chicken, fresh tomato, lettuce and sliced pickles. Very good!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 06:07 PM

Forgot, some pieces of of Anaheim chili

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 07:31 PM

I love Meadowhall & The Trafford Centre; less keen on the Metro Centre which isn't as inspiring architecturally.

I think discriminating between the architectural niceties of shopping centres shows a certain elegance that distinguishes Mudcat from other message boards.

Well done!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 07:32 PM

I guess it depends on how you define "good" - Subway's staple ingredients are heavily processed meats and cheeses full of salt and other additives, and various other "portion-controlled" items that come packed in brine, or water, or tinned...it's horrible, processed junk - it's just pretending not to be.

Eat Fresh? Hmmmm....

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Stringsinger
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 07:33 PM

I think the best part of Christmas is the chance to establish a sense of community with family and friends. Any excuse for a good party is OK by me. The carols are fun to sing.
They are musically quite interesting. (I don't believe a word of the religious part though).

Why pour cold water on a fun holiday? Just forget about Walfart and the stores and have a good time.

I like the Winter Solstice idea and the Yule log that burns for days. I think it can be a lot of fun for kids and that is what is really important.

And the lights. It beats burning down trees to bring back the sun. They are lovely to
look at.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Ref
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 08:17 PM

Well put, Stringsinger!

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 10:00 PM

'Forgot, some pieces of of Anaheim chili' - Q

What that, precisely? I mean, I have been to Anaheim but didn't notice anything special about the chili: tho I am still, 6 years later, using up a bottle of mouthwash I bought at a 7-11 store there [not that it was partic different from same mouthwash bought anywhere else — why I should so specifically recall having bought it in Anaheim, I have no idea].

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Amos
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 10:51 PM

Jeeze, guys. It seems clear to me that a lot of the discussion is precipitated by bot recognizing that one word has two definitions, and people talk at cross purposes when they don't make it clear which one they intend.

Christmas is a shortened form of "Christ Mass" which is by doctrine the recognition of the Christian prophet's birth day. It was not his actual birthday, as far as I know, but it s the decreed celebration.

It is also a national civil holiday denoted by gift exchange, weird lighting effects, a mad rush for pine trees, and the worship of an overweight animal-abuser with a whip who hides out in the North Pole.

Happy Holidays to you, too.

And by the way, it is faintly ridiculous to insist on parsing the word "holiday" to its original meaning of "holy day". These days it means a spot the painter missed or a long week in the Canaries.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 08:06 AM

I've just opened the first door on my Advent Calendar; it tells of certain shepherds, keeping watch. I was thinking of a musical advent calendar this year, but I doubt I'm going to have time. Meanwhile, here's a piece I did yesterday by way of closure to Blod-Monath:

30 Days Hath November

The drum-loop comes from Sned, who used to play in Generic, a band we played with in Newcastle 25 years ago - I even played viola on their first EP! Back then, in Rhombus ov Dooom, I played electric viola (both la gamba and a braccio!) so it's nice getting back into some of that spirit on the new violin, which I play over the elbow - a la Jim Eldon, Michael Hurley & Indian folk musicians.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 11:51 AM

Well, he sounds a pretty nasty piece of work to me...sarcastic, bitter and bitchy.

He obviously loathes Roman Catholicism...and Mother Teresa's views on abortion, so he's hardly going to be painting her in a good light..

Sorry, but I'd rather be nursed by her than by him...


Hell's Angel - Christopher Hitchens on Mother Teresa - Youtube

Hell's Angel - Part 2

Hell's Angel - Part 3

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:17 PM

S O'P
Sorry I could not hear a cello or a gamba or a viola in the electronic storm/music.


((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

Now that the ancient holiday of the harvest is behind us, the archaic celebration of the solstice and the return of longer days is before us.

Every culture and civilization has tacked on whatever version of those celebrations in thier own name. C'est la vie.





I have noticed that there is no longer a regularly scheduled televised rant on FOX regarding the Horrendous WAR ON CHRISTMAS.

I think this is because there is no longer a Rove policy to hype a religious controversy that the Bush administration ignited time and again, in order to equate the President with the voice of God.
To question Bush was to question personal faith and was considered the supream insult to religion itself.

Ginning up the evangelicals to support such a President helped to distract the masses from the misguided, violent and greedy theft of America which has caused more damage to this country than any and all enemies, foreign and domestic since WW II.

It made me sad to see the true believers soil their own holiday with such fear and loathing. Whatchagonnado

Some of those same people have now lost their homes and jobs to the Bush policies,YET THEY STILL scream their town hall rant to give America to The Insurance Companies, for the Corporations and by International Banksters so that regular people will persih from the Earth.

Its like the religious base are in a coma from which they refuse to wake. IF one or two wake up they are beaten back to unconsciousness.


)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:28 PM

I had the viola hooked up through all sorts of pedals & FX so the sound was a pure noise wash along with everything else. By gamba I meant I often played it between my legs (as in the picture on the Rhombus page) & braccio, under my chin. These days, I play it over my elbow, as I say.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 12:30 PM

In 1994, Robin Fox, editor of the prestigious medical journal Lancet, in a commentary on the catastrophic conditions prevailing in Mother Teresa's homes, shocked the professional world by saying that any systematic operation was foreign to the running of the homes in India: TB patients were not isolated, and syringes were washed in lukewarm water before being used again. Even patients in unbearable pain were refused strong painkillers, not because the order did not have them, but on principle. "The most beautiful gift for a person is that he can participate in the suffering of Christ," said Mother Teresa. Once she had tried to comfort a screaming sufferer, "You are suffering, that means Jesus is kissing you." The sufferer screamed back, furious, "Then tell your Jesus to stop kissing me."

Lizzie you used to work in a hospital. Do you approve of this? And do you still say you would like to be nursed by her?

Simple yes or no will do.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 01:00 PM

MtheGM-
Some light Green chili peppers, on the medium hot to mild side, marketed across Canada and much of the U. S., are called Anaheim chili peppers, but I suspect that they are grown in many areas now. Just a pleasent addition to eggs, or stew. Those used in sandwiches are canned, and quite mild.
The name is used as a marketing tool for 'California' green chili. Supposedly the name was applied by a farmer named Emilio Ortega (I remember the canned ones marketed under his name in the States but not in Canada) and grown in the Anaheim area.

Those really serious about chili know the virtues of Hatch, Chimayo, smoked medium hot or hot chilis in cooking (several types with different flavors), but Anaheims are milder.

Anaheims are rather thick skinned and have to be steamed or charred before peeling.

Somewhere above, Subway is trashed for its ingredients, but the ones here use fresh tomatoes and lettuce, bake their bread in house, and use quality processed or frozen meats. Not the best of eating places, but they serve a good cheap meal for the hurried.
(If I was served a sandwich without salted ingredients, I would certainly add salt).

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas? A rant
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Dec 09 - 01:06 PM

Thanks Q