It's Simple Part 2

I found this article today and it relates to the story I posted earlier today. Here is another photo of Trump on his Thank You Tour in Orlando, Florida. There was a poll asking people their opinion on "Merry Christmas -vs- Happy Holidays. The results are not surprising.

Republicans and Democrats are completely divided on how stores should greet customers during the holiday season.
Two-thirds of Democrats (66 percent) said stores or businesses should greet customers with “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” instead of “Merry Christmas” out of respect for people of different faiths. Two-thirds of Republicans (67 percent) said stores and businesses should not go with the religion-neutral sayings.

The divide also cuts across age groups and religious backgrounds. Two-thirds of young adults (ages 18-29) are in favor of “Happy Holidays,” while 54 percent of seniors favor “Merry Christmas.”

The poll found white evangelical Protestants (65 percent) and Catholics (58 percent) as the strongest proponents of businesses using “Merry Christmas.” Non-white Protestants (56 percent) and religiously unaffiliated (58 percent) favor stores using “Happy Holidays.”

Overall, Americans are split on the issue — with 47 percent saying stores should use “Happy Holidays” and 46 percent wanting “Merry Christmas.”
President-elect Donald Trump made saying “Merry Christmas” an issue in the 2016 election. At his latest post-election rally, Trump stood in front of 16 large Christmas trees and behind a sign that said “Merry Christmas USA.”
Trump’s 2015 holiday card said “Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,” according to Yahoo. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is Jewish.
President Barack Obama’s holiday greeting card never said “Merry Christmas,” according to the Washington Times, which reports this year’s version said “Happy holidays” and “we wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and wonderful new year.”

It's simple

Yes, it really is THAT simple. What do you notice about the photo below? It was taken during Trump's "Thank You Tour" in Mobile, Alabama. Front and center in the photo is the phrase, "Merry Christmas". This is why Trump won. You can talk all day about immigration, ISIS, the economy, and Supreme Court appointees, but it's really the simple things that caused middle America to elect the unconventional, anti-establishment Donald Trump. People grew tired of hearing that saying Merry Christmas was offensive and wrong. Think about it. Do you really believe Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton would give a speech with the words Merry Christmas prominently displayed on the podium? No way in heck! Trump tapped into something that rang true with the simple folk of heartland America. I have no idea what kind of President Donald Trump will turn out to be, but I feel like the tide is turning and I am hopeful for this great nation.

Merry Christmas one and all!

It's not stupid

It's not stupid if it works...

Placement

It's all about placement.

Christmas Cards

I have failed as a teacher. The evidence is in the Christmas card below. I received it from one of my students this morning. Keep in mind I have had this student for 4 months and she still can't spell my last name. You will also notice I obviously haven't taught her to spell "best". Apparently I am the "beast" teacher. Uhhhhh... thanks, I guess :-)

Sleep Clinic

I know it's in French, but the translation is:

Dr. Annie Vallieres- Director of the sleep laboratory at the University of Laval.

Ummm... Dr. Annie has either participated in too many sleep experiments or her laboratory isn't very good. Sheesh! The poor lady needs a solid eight, wouldn't ya say?

TV from my childhood

The TV characters of my youth are starting to die off quicker and quicker. First Carol Brady, and now Dr. Bombay. Although not nearly as well known as the iconic Carol Brady, Dr. Bombay (From Bewitched), was still a well known character of my TV viewing days of the 70's. Who could forget when Samantha's witchcraft went awry, and it was deemed some witchy ailment was causing it... "Calling Dr. Bombay! Dr. Bombay! Calling Dr. Bombay!" Hilarity ensued when Dr. Bombay tried to cure Samantha only to make the problem worse. You may not even remember Dr. Bombay, but when you see his photo below, I think you'll recognize him. I know these actors are just people, and people die. It sure does make me feel old when these 70's TV stars start passing away. Goodbye, Dr. Bombay!

Warm Drinks

Sooooooooooo......

Warm drinks for everybody!

Back to tradition

The war on Christmas has been well documented on this blog. Hearing people say, "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" drives me batty! Somewhere along the line, somebody decided that saying, "Merry Christmas" is offensive. That's kind of strange because I do not get offended if I hear someone say, "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanzaa". More power to ya and knock yourself out! If that's your holiday, shout your greetings from the rooftops. That's your right and your prerogative. You'll get no objection from me.

Given this war on wishing people "Merry Christmas", I was thrilled to see what President-Elect Trump had to say in Michigan last week. Here'a a snippet:

During his “Thank You Tour” stop in Michigan, President-elect Donald Trump didn’t skimp out on the little details in his plan to “make America great again.”
Along with the many things Trump has promised, he has added the old complaint that saying “Merry Christmas” is going to be the greeting you hear most during the holiday season.
“And Merry Christmas everybody! Merry Christmas. Right? Merry Christmas,” said Trump as the crowd cheered. “They reminded me. We’re going to start saying Merry Christmas again.”
The crowd let Trump know they approved of this very loudly.
“How about all those department stores?” Trump continued. “They have the bells, and they have the red walls, and they have the snow, but they don’t have “Merry Christmas.” I think they’re going to start putting up “Merry Christmas.”

Isn't that wonderful? It may seem like a minor detail, and it may seem like an issue far beneath the concern of the President of the United States, but it shows he is in touch with the frustrations of many Americans. This is just one of the issues that have irked Blue Collar Average Joe American for far too long. Yes, the economy, immigration and foreign policy are all important, and President Trump will deal with them in due time. But for now I just want to say, "Merry Christmas, President Trump!"

Get off the phone!

Pretty much sums it up, huh?