After reading the letter "Tech should not try and influence the way we celebrate this holiday season" (CT, Dec. 1), I had an opinion of my own. Look beyond that, Virginia Tech says to foster "a welcoming environment during the holiday season" and focus on what we actually do about it. There's not a huge menorah being lit in Rockefeller Center by Britney Spears, nor do we hear songs from Burl Ives about Umoja, Kujichagulia or Ujima (Principles of Kwanzaa) playing non-stop from November onward.
Stores and businesses aren't closed on Yom Kippur for a day of prayer and reflection. Star of David and Kwanzaa Candle Holder holiday lawn ornaments are few and far between, especially in southwestern Virginia. You're more likely to find a restaurant that sells pulled pork than a kosher section in a grocery store. What I'm trying to say is that there's a lot of people who are Christians and a lot of people who celebrate Christmas, and it's been this way for a long time and it's not changing any time soon.
Should you wish someone you see on the street "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"? Absolutely, but it should not detract you from having a happy holiday of your own, whatever it may be. Tech's not going to bust you for singing along to Christmas carols, nor will they bust me for laughing along to Adam Sandler's "8 Crazy Nights;" all they want is to instill a greater sense of community in our campus for the holiday season. Tech asked the students to foster a Unitarian view of the holidays, with no coercion of any kind. Franklin Roosevelt said it best in his famous quote, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." The university forcing us to diminish the joy of the holiday season is just as likely as borrowing money from Scrooge -- it's not going to happen.
Jacob Eberhart
junior, industrial design
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Stop using my quotes randomly to make yourself sound smart, Jacob. You made a fine point, and didn't need my clout to wrap it up; muster some self-confidence and write more often.
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I agree with your letter, but I still think it was unnecessary for the university to send the email.
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Shut your hole Roosevelt.
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Inflatable Kwanzaa Candle Holders Now 50% Off Original Price!
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Hey jerk! Why did you have to bring me into this!? That quote is irrelevant!
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Or as I famously said, "You have nothing to fear but fear itself. And zombie Roosevelt. You should probably fear zombie Roosevelt."
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I think I said it best in my (famous) quote, "Don't borrow money from Scrooge."
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Or as I famously quipped, "We have nothing to fear but SYNTAX ERROR: DATA REDUNDANCY/>cmdSYSTEMREBOOT.exe/runlnPRGM/FAMOUSQUOTE.exe"
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Hehe celebrate the holidays however you see fit. "Dad, why are we putting ravioli on the bushes?" "Because it's Christmas and it's our right as Americans."
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It's not fair! Christmas is stealing all of the good retail sales! Why is there never a day after Hanukkah sale? or a Hanukkah in July special? How come Hanukkah only gets eight nights but Christmas gets 25 days!! The world is so unjust!
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Saying Happy Holidays! offends me far less than saying Merry Christmas because then I know my holiday is included in that, even if there are trees and lights and nativity scenes on the front of the card too.
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Why can't we all just get along?
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