We're getting a lot of email newsletters from Minnesota state representatives, wishing us a Merry Christmas, safe travels, and for the most thoughtful, a reminder of those serving in the armed forces who will be away from their families during the holidays.
Other thoughtful members also urge those who can afford it to contribute to one or two charitable causes in their communities that help those going through hard times. Some speak of the holidays, without specifically singling out Christmas. We take no offense with anyone's cheerful season's greetings and don't much fret about the specifics.
Glenn could be happier about the glad tidings.
We're not signed up for every lawmaker's emails, but of those we've received, no one lays down the ban hammer on the War on Christmas, than Glencoe Republican Glenn Gruenhagen:
"I wanted to send you a brief note wishing you the happiest of Holiday seasons, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I hope you're looking forward to good food and time spent with family to celebrate the holiday season, and are able to reflect on the blessings of the past year.
"Remember, Christmas is a federal holiday and is an appropriate greeting in our schools, public institutions and culture. It is a liberal lie that Merry Christmas cannot be spoken in our society."
As a Methodist friend from rural Blue Earth County said today, he grew up saying "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas." If someone didn't exchange a holiday or Christmas greeting, we were told not be churlish about it.
We're not sure who Gruenhagen's liberal liars are, but we've discovered on twitter it's not the Minnesota liberal whom his opponent in the 2018 Minnesota Attorney General race, Doug Wardlow, called "one of the most dangerous men in America" who "doesn't share the American values you and I do. He's in bed with in bed with radicals and terrorists, hangs out with . .. .anti-Semites..."
Nope, in a video tweeted on December 23, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is a Muslim, not only wishes Minnesotans "Happy Holidays," but "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year":
It's been a wonderful year as your Attorney General. I'm grateful to work with my colleagues to come together and ensure that you can afford your lives and live with dignity and respect. From all of us to you, Happy Holidays. pic.twitter.com/uyqXw7eED9
— Attorney General Keith Ellison (@AGEllison) December 23, 2019
Bluestem Prairie's editor was first wished "Merry Christmas" this year by a complete stranger in the HyVee in Watertown, South Dakota on the day after Thanksgiving. Since Advent was a couple of days off, we hesitated to reply Merry Christmas and thought about saying "Happy Holidays"--but worried we might offend the fellow if he were a Christmas Warrior.
It was much too early to respond, "And a Happy New Year," so we replied with a soft "Merry Christmas." The stranger beamed--and that happiness was reward in itself.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa, Season's Greeting, Happy Yule, Wonderful Waniyetu from Bluestem Prairie. Be excellent to each other.
Photo: A silly picture about the War on Christmas.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. Those wishing to make a small ongoing monthly contribution should click on the paypal subscription button.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email [email protected] as recipient.
Comments