War on Christmas” conspiracy rhetoric has a very nasty history

[G_j]

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/05/christmas-conspiracy

Anti-Semitism, U.N.-Bashing Color History of “War on Christmas” Conspiracy The right-wing’s “War on Christmas” conspiracy rhetoric isn’t at all new, though the scapegoats have changed some.

In the 1921 screed “The International Jew: The World’s Foremost Problem,” automaker and notorious anti-Semite Henry Ford observed that “most people had a hard time finding Christmas cards that indicated in any way that Christmas commemorated Someone’s Birth.” He noted menacingly, “Now, all this begins with the designers of the cards.”

Later, the Soviet Union and the United Nations were fingered for plotting to undermine Christmas. A 1959 John Birch Society pamphlet stated, “One of the techniques now being applied by the Reds to weaken the pillar of religion in our country is the drive to take Christ out of Christmas — to denude the event of its religious meaning.” The writer sounded the alarm: “Department stores throughout the country are to utilize UN symbols and emblems as Christmas decorations.”
..more..

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. It is, and has been since ancient times, simply a straw man argument

Scapegoating, nationalism etc are some of the golden oldies of techniques used by men who desire power and will do anything to get it.

[G_j]

2. Yep, & if it wasn't Christmas

it would be some other concoction to stir up hate.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. It is amazing how all of this is coming back

and I say it again, now I fully undersand how the German people allowed the Nazis to take over. I now fully understand it, and that is the kind of knowledge I wish I did not have

[G_j]

6. oh boy

ain't that the truth! :-(

[TahitiNut]

4. "Peace On Earth" ... "Purity Of Essence"

They're sapping our vital juices! Beware! :crazy:

[G_j]

5. ~~