Merry Christmas

The fog of the culture war has descended over Christmas this year. Every blogger seems to be firing salvos, though it's hard to believe that it's come to this - a bitter fight over whether uttering "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas" is an insult to Christians or an inclusive gesture to those of other faiths. Here's a quick look at the forces entrenched on the battlefield: True believers: "Many of the anti-Christmas Scrooges are the same people who have problems with any notion that this is the greatest nation God ever created on this earth.

The cancellation of school by most local districts Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after last Saturday's snow fostered a spirited debate on the Second Opinion blog about whether the region over-reacted to the storm. Let's err on the side of safety. These are children people - I don't give a flake if you've lived in Siberia and have dealt with running from polar bears while walking in pure "whiteouts." It's not you that is attending school. Being a parent, I'm annoyed at how quickly they close schools.

Happy Boxing Day ! If you haven't tipped your coachman, be sure to pull a few shillings from behind your ascot, then send him off to spend the day with his brood. With most people still out of the office, online trends are leaning toward what movie to see while spending an extra day with relatives. Also of interest today are a bidding war in the English Premiere League for Spanish player David Villa and gossip about what celebrities did over Christmas. || ONLINE TRENDS || Boxing Day ( Kwanzaa , Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Christmas)

IF PRO BASKETBALL could only be as made of Teflon as pro football is. If only the world was as forgiving of the NBA as it is of major league baseball. However, you know what they say about "ifs" and "buts." Suffice it to say the NBA won't be having a merry Christmas - not even with the must-see doubleheader of the millennium airing on that festive day. In fact, the reason fans all over America will be digging through the wrapping paper for the remote two Saturdays from now is the same reason the NBA is in for a season's worth of hurt.

With Christmas about a week away, you still may have a few loose ends to tie up. You probably have to make a last-minute trip (or two) to the mall. The traffic, the crowds, the snippy clerks at the overpriced boutiques will grate your nerves before it's all over. But this is the season to be jolly. And what better way to lift your spirits than with merry music? Here, we listen to new Christmas albums - some fly; some falter. From heavy metal interpretations to gospel-soul renditions, there's a CD here to suit varied tastes and moods.

A nother holiday season is upon us, and the battle is joined. For most of our young nation's life December has been all about Christmas, the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. In my youth, I was not aware of other holidays sharing the same space - and only vaguely aware of other religions. It was a time to think of others less fortunate, giving our time to those in need and being kinder to my brothers as well as strangers. I lived in a country that welcomed everyone seeking a better life than the one they had in their country.

Eight-year-old Christopher Deal knows how to play Santa Claus.Dressed in a red sweat suit and a Christmas cap, he smiled broadly and handed out stockings full of Christmas treats to children at the Westminster soup kitchen yesterday."

ONE OF MY favorite holiday stories is the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." For those who don't remember, the fable goes like this: The dastardly Grinch hates happiness so much that he decides to ruin Christmas for the people of the valley by dressing up like Santa Claus and stealing their presents. On Christmas morning, however, he has a change of heart and, infused with the holiday spirit, returns the stolen presents to the children.This year, Congress is playing the part of the Grinch.