Ted Rall for January 04, 2010

Even tho I understand all that’s going on at the village well chats of today’s society, I am truly thankful I was born earlier when it was OK for Santa to bring me a train when I was 9, in 1946. It was a magic time back then and I have no scars today from all that…actually, what I have is a better understanding of my mom and dad’s love for me to not take the credit for what “Santa” brought.

I agree, Kreole. I was a kid in the 70’s and 80’s and I loved the idea of Santa. I know it’s for kids but I can tell you I was happier than my friends who had parents who felt it wasn’t right to “lie” to thier kids and told them early that Santa was a fable. Life’s crappy enough as it is, why not let little kids enjoy the fantasy while they can.

Some people go through their whole lives believing in talking snakes, virgin births, and even faces on pieces of toast. Others think that there are 72 virgins waiting for them if they blow themselves up on airplanes. At what point do we get beyond childhood magical thinking and let reason take over, or is it even possible for those who are taught at an early age to believe that these fairy tales are reality? Can you draw a line and say that it’s just a matter of degree? It’s a timeless question, and there’s never been an easy answer.

There is nothing wrong with indulging in fantasy, as a child or an adult. But as an adult, I expect you to know the difference.

Santa is a good example of something you believe in completely as a child, but slowly understand to be something else.

Heheh . Pervert burglar .

You people that refuse to believe in Santa have no sense of fun.

A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men…

Wait… there is no Santa?

To me, the best characterization of what Santa is really like, was done by Dan Aykroyd in “Trading Places.”

Let’s face it, he looks like a hobo with a red furcoat (donated by the Salvation Army).

On a report about American special forces in Afghanistan, years ago, they were shown handing out true examples of western culture: muffins and barbie dolls!

He must be real. The “committee” investigated him as a possible communist in the 50’s.

I’m surprised we don’t see more of these toons were Santa gets shot for home invasion.

Alas, Radish, if only Mongolia were a part of the Middle East.

Hmmm, Mongols also didn’t do well in Afghanistan. Are they still ticked off about that? Incidentally, the “middle east”- like Israel, Iraq, into Afghanistan ARE in ASIA! I think Santa would still actually be safer entering a yurt than getting caught in a “gated community” in the U.S.

I’d be quite glad if Santa’s image became passé. Santa’s iconic image was specifically created to eclipse the remembrance of Jesus of Nazareth.

In “South Park,” Santa is no wimp, but a Rambo who mows down both Iraqi insurgents and Satan-worshipping woodland critters. That’s something today’s kids could probably relate to better. Ted’s Santa looks scrawny and wears glasses – hardly a “Symbol of Fat Acceptance Movement.”

IM in my 50’s and santa will always be real in my heart because of the love of my parents, and I feel sorry for those of you who have either never felt it or worse yet lost it .

Deploy the drones, now…this is war.

R.I.P. Santa. Reminds me of that painting that ticked some people off with the easter bunny and santa going at each other with knives.

http://tinyurl.com/yk8sb7v

Its supposed to represent commercialism or something along those lines but some people took it the wrong way. To them I gotta say: grow up.

Imagination and fantasy are fine. I object to this system of indoctrinating children from the start that materialism is an indicator of virtue.

Case in point: my son and my wife were out shopping for a local “Angel Tree” child. My son asked if they were buying the toys and clothes for him and his brother. My wife said, “No, these are for kids who might not get to have Santa over to their house this year.” My son logically deduced that the kids must not be very good kids, if Santa isn’t coming to their house…

This is where I believe this “harmless fantasy” actually does harm, breeding class prejudice.

My wife might have handled it differently, maybe try to concoct some convoluted self-contradicting epic, but why go to the trouble when the truth is right there in front of him? Why raise a hypocrite being good for a few weeks in the year trying to impress some Big Brother figure who “knows if you’ve been bad or good,” when maybe we should teach kids to be good “for goodness’s sake?”

I guess goodness has very little force on its own unless it’s wielding the hammer of eternal damnation – or a stocking full of coal.

Christmas is a pagan holiday and “Santa” proves it.

R.I.P. Santa

Santa is based on Saint Nicolas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas) who was known for giving gifts to children to commemorate the gifts the three kings brought to the baby Jesus. The timing and some of the symbols of Christmas were taken from earlier religions, but all religions use symbols from earlier religions and give them new meanings. I don’t see anyone celebrating Saturnalia any more, so I think we can safely assume that the Christmas tree now belongs to Christianity. If you don’t think there’s something of value in all of this, watch Miracle on 34th Street.

shine on ted and keep up the good work …had another good laugh at this!!

I think the Krampus should be incorporated into our American festivities: good ol’ Black Nick.

^ I think you’re confusing the Southern German/Austrian Krampus with the Dutch Black Peter. They’re not one and the same although essentially represent/perform the same task.

Well, if you’re going to split hairs…

I hate ugly, fat people, since being ugly and fat, they “essentially represent/perform the same task”.

Don’t understand why Mongolians took the hit here. Of course, the Mongolian government has sent troops to participate in the US military adventure in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the friendly and hospitable chaps that still live in yurts ? Unless Ted is reminding us that not every cultural element («meme», anyone ?) travels well in these days of so-called «globalisation»….

Henri

“I don’t see anyone celebrating Saturnalia any more, so I think we can safely assume that the Christmas tree now belongs to Christianity.”

Guess you aren’t aware of the many neopagans who celebrate Yule and put up a Yule tree? But yes, the Christians have co-opted the symbol for themselves.

Actually, read up on what Yule is all about and see if it sounds like more was borrowed than just the symbols.