This is in reply to an article in the Something Cool News (to who I owe that most interesting title), www.somethingcool.ca, aticle found at the link below.

Fred, Fred, Fred…

An old apocalyptican like yourself does not recognize the appearance of Psycho Killer Racoons and that story being reported loudly on the ABC website as a sign of the approaching apocalypse?

Alternatively I suppose that you could take it as a genetic consequence of years of mistreating the environment. No – not the racoons, who are only acting naturally, but human beings. What else besides genetic and brain damage as a result of environmental excesses could explain this taking place. Yes I know we are speaking of Americans, but not even Americans can be that stupid without factoring in genetic and mental damages inflicted by environmental poisonning.

I suppose it does not really matter. Approaching Apocalypse or brain damage the result will be the same since, in a Universe set in motion to evolve intelligent live, even if it is only genetics and brain damage the Universe would have no other option but extinction of the humans to permit evolution to take another shot at evolving an intelligent species. In either case the effect, and thus from the view of humanity, is the same.

Like so may people, on many social issues, Ms Bjarnason demonstrates a failure to see beyond the headlines and make the effort to understand the underlying facts and issues.

The “safe ink in jail” program was about “other issues that needed addressing”. I would like to suggest that Ms Bjarnason, and any others who agreed with her statements, acquaint themselves with the reasons behind this pilot program.

While I may like the idea of “safe ink” and tattooing in prison, the success of this approach in addressing the problems caused by unsafe ink in prisons, means that I do support keeping and expanding this program. No doubt part of this support is because I have no false expectations that unsafe ink and tattooing are preventable, except at prohibitive costs to the taxpayer and society.

To make decisions on issues and actions based on thoughtless reactions to superficial headlines or catch phrases, paying no heed to the actual facts, leads not only to bad policy but so often to significantly increased hidden costs – in terms of dollars and (common) sense.

This public preference for making decisions, forming opinions or voting on the basis of this sounds terrible (good), this agrees with what I believe and/or don’t confuse me with the facts approach “is ridiculous”.

I got a chuckle from the reports on the Christmas tree kafuffle at Seattle airport. The chuckle arose from annoyance at all the e-mails and newspaper letters from people demanding we keep Christ in Christmas and suggesting I (we) are un-Canadian of un-Spiritual if we do not support their exclusionary demands.

OK, I admit to a little smugness over these self-labelled Christians being reminded that this season “belongs” in part to an earlier faith in Judaism. Lest others feel the need to stake their religions claim to this season, I concede that this Season traces it roots back to early pagan Winter Solstice celebrations. In fact the timing of Christmas is a result of the early christian church feeling the need to have a celebration at year’s end/turning to allow them to compete against the pagan faiths for followers.

The “it is OUR season” ranting has reached a level of annoyance such that I cannot help being amused at anything that serves to hoist these self-labelled Christians on their own petard by establishing earlier claims to the season for other Faiths and belief systems. I have grown tired of this holier than thou, this is OUR celebration, exclude those who do not believe exactly what we do attitude of these self-labelled Christians.

The point of my rant, ahem – scolding, and the reason I refer to these people as self-labelled Christians is that their behaviour shows a total lack of understanding of what the season is truly about. The fact is that the Seattle Rabbi who set the kafuffle off shows more understanding of the Season in urging the return of the trees – without his demand being fulfilled.

The Christ who comes at Christmas is about and for others, bringing a spirit of renewal and love. This season is about forgiveness; new beginnings; love for our fellow man; about the lesson of the Good Samaritan; treating others as we would want to be treated; about sacrifice for others; above alleles it is Inclusive.

Christmas is about OTHERS! It is not about or belonging to ME, as the “it belongs to us Christians” as the attitudes of these mistaken, self-labelled Christians suggests. Actions have consequences. In their self-centered beliefs and actions these theologues miss the raison d’être of the Season.

In behaving this way they, like Lewis Carroll’s Marley and Scrooge, “labour upon the chains they forge and of their own free will gird about themselves”. For in truth their Spirits do not go forth among their fellow man but are locked within the confines of their personal religious beliefs and their money-changing (hands) temples. To them Marley’s lament “Mankind was my business!” is nothing but a line from an old story.

Christ was and is about caring for others, sacrificing so that mankind could lead Full, Happy, Loving and Free lives. Mankind was Christ’s business.

Take a moment to reflect and meditate upon yourself and the season. Should you find that you have forgot about your fellow man, forgetting the design behind the season, you may want to take a look for the chains you have forged and meditate upon what Christ would have you do to break your chains and set your Spirit free to walk among your fellow man.

May the love and Spirit of the season fill your Soul, spill over and call blessings upon yourself, family, friends and your fellow man throughout the New Year.