Crap, the Irish weren't even white (in the U.S.) until the 19th century, and I've never seen a paler skinned people.
Hey! *looks in the mirror* Oh, yeah.
And of course it's not "Merry Christmas" but "Happy Holidays".
Hey, if I don't know which one of half a dozen closely packed holidays someone's going to celebrate, it's "Happy Holidays" from me. And I'll tear the head off anyone who corrects me with "You mean Merry Christmas" because I don't damn well mean "Merry Christmas" or I'd have said it in the first place.
Or I suppose a better rejoinder might be "Well, have a sh!!y New Year then and see if I care."
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No worries; I was a tad worried I might open a huge freaking mess with such a comment, but luckily most of the people here are quite level-headed. Technically, I'm not white, and neither is my son (we're Olive), but Italians do a swell job of passing. Crap, the Irish weren't even white (in the U.S.) until the 19th century, and I've never seen a paler skinned people.I sympathize; I'm German-Irish, but have a Jewish last name. So I'm a "white oppressor" until I introduce myself, then I'm a "dirty Jew;" if I people ask if I'm Jewish and I say no, I'm a "white Christian," unless I tell them I'm Buddhist. By that time, they love me or hate me just because I'm a sarcastic bastard, so it's all good.
I hate you and I have never met you, so there! :)
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No worries; I was a tad worried I might open a huge freaking mess with such a comment, but luckily most of the people here are quite level-headed. Technically, I'm not white, and neither is my son (we're Olive), but Italians do a swell job of passing. Crap, the Irish weren't even white (in the U.S.) until the 19th century, and I've never seen a paler skinned people.I sympathize; I'm German-Irish, but have a Jewish last name. So I'm a "white oppressor" until I introduce myself, then I'm a "dirty Jew;" if I people ask if I'm Jewish and I say no, I'm a "white Christian," unless I tell them I'm Buddhist. By that time, they love me or hate me just because I'm a sarcastic bastard, so it's all good.
as a 1/2 czech-irish, 1/2 sicilian pagan with a jewish last name, i feel your pain ;)
(but, please, stop yelling "mazel tov" when you're washing down the porkskins with the shiner at our game. it upsets the pets (puff is unitarian, stella is pentecostal...)).
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as a 1/2 czech-irish, 1/2 sicilian pagan with a jewish last name, i feel your pain ;)Wouldn't that mean you're a 1/4 irish and 1/4 Czech? ;-)
i dunno, my paternal grandparents are czech-irish, i have no idea what the proportions are. of course, i identify myself a sicilian anyway, as i was raised by my mother and my maternal grandparents. i really cannot identify with either irish or czech culture (other than liking jameson and pilsner urquel...), and readily identify with sicilian culture.
my mom should have just married an italian guy, would have been easier...
It became politically incorrect when someone realized that there might be some religious aspect to Halloween. My wife works for the Headstart program and the directives that came down to them is that since not everyone is Christian and because diversety must be respected Halloween is not celebrated in the Headstart program. Teachers may have a "costume day" or "pajama day," but they may not decorate for or celebrate Halloween.Wait, I think I inferred your post incorrectly. Are you saying they believed that Halloween is a Christian holiday?To be honest, I'm not sure what they meant, that is just the way the memo was worded. Which is weird because of the fact that a lot of the Christians around here celebrate "Bible Day" instead of Halloween.
Edit: However, as Andrew and Guy pointed out, Halloween is the Christian name for the holiday. Samhain was the original pagen name.
Wear whatever costume you like. Tell 'em it's a religious holiday for you and that they can't restrict your freedom!
BTW, my 1200 employee company usually closes at noon so we can get home to take our kids out for some old-fashioned good times. And we get candy too. And candy apples. Gotta love the Midwest!
Costumes are getting, ahem…hoochier…in the last decade, and it’s totally wrong to restrict that sort of thing to a single day. If my wife wants to wear a latex nurse’s outfit some other day of the year, I’m behind that 100%.As am I.
With his wife?
Hey, if I don't know which one of half a dozen closely packed holidays someone's going to celebrate, it's "Happy Holidays" from me. And I'll tear the head off anyone who corrects me with "You mean Merry Christmas" because I don't damn well mean "Merry Christmas" or I'd have said it in the first place.
Yeah, don't remind me. It's less than two months before the joyous Texas holiday season of goodwill towards men and peace on Earth, expemplified by well-wishing statments like, "Merry Christmas! And, by the way, I said MERRY CHRISTMAS, not happy holidays, so you better say Merry Christmas back, or I'll shoot you, because revisionist liberals who say "happy holidays" hate America and are in league with the terrorists trying to take away our freedom!"
With his wife?Costumes are getting, ahem…hoochier…in the last decade, and it’s totally wrong to restrict that sort of thing to a single day. If my wife wants to wear a latex nurse’s outfit some other day of the year, I’m behind that 100%.As am I.
No, he meant he's getting hoochier, too. Like the costumes.
Halloween is the best holiday of the entire year, and I take serious offense with anyone screwing me out of it it.
Devil’s night (night before Halloween) used to be a big problem in Detroit (hello….arson), but they’ve really cracked down on that.
Yeah, we're running out of houses down there. Arson. What a dumbass tradition.
MW - if you're in Troy, we're neighbors. If Dearborn, close but a ways away.
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as a 1/2 czech-irish, 1/2 sicilian pagan with a jewish last name, i feel your pain ;)Wouldn't that mean you're a 1/4 irish and 1/4 Czech? ;-)i dunno, my paternal grandparents are czech-irish, i have no idea what the proportions are. of course, i identify myself a sicilian anyway, as i was raised by my mother and my maternal grandparents. i really cannot identify with either irish or czech culture (other than liking jameson and pilsner urquel...), and readily identify with sicilian culture.
my mom should have just married an italian guy, would have been easier...
Ah, goddamn Ellis Island naturalization... My family's Black Irish (Fir Bolg, I think), and our name, O'Meallain, got "Americanized" into Mallon. Now, everyone asks if I'm French. My great-great-grandparents should have just given their clan name, O'Neill. Would have made things a hell of a lot easier...
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No, he meant he's getting hoochier, too. Like the costumes.With his wife?Costumes are getting, ahem…hoochier…in the last decade, and it’s totally wrong to restrict that sort of thing to a single day. If my wife wants to wear a latex nurse’s outfit some other day of the year, I’m behind that 100%.As am I.
Behind his opinion 100%. Stupid English language, for making everything I say into double entendres.
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Hey, if I don't know which one of half a dozen closely packed holidays someone's going to celebrate, it's "Happy Holidays" from me.
Why be so close-minded as to assume they recognize any holiday? And even if they do, why would you assume they would prefer it to be "happy"? Maybe to them it's just a sad Friday. ;)
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Hey, if I don't know which one of half a dozen closely packed holidays someone's going to celebrate, it's "Happy Holidays" from me. And I'll tear the head off anyone who corrects me with "You mean Merry Christmas" because I don't damn well mean "Merry Christmas" or I'd have said it in the first place.Yeah, don't remind me. It's less than two months before the joyous Texas holiday season of goodwill towards men and peace on Earth, expemplified by well-wishing statments like, "Merry Christmas! And, by the way, I said MERRY CHRISTMAS, not happy holidays, so you better say Merry Christmas back, or I'll shoot you, because revisionist liberals who say "happy holidays" hate America and are in league with the terrorists trying to take away our freedom!"
you seriously need to move to my neighborhood.
No idea, but I'm with mwbeeler with the "don't screw me out of it" attitude. Halloween (and Thanksgiving) are one of the few holidays I actually celebrate.
Which reminds me, I need to send out my Halloween cards. :)
No idea, but I'm with mwbeeler with the "don't screw me out of it" attitude. Halloween (and Thanksgiving) are one of the few holidays I actually celebrate.
Which reminds me, I need to send out my Halloween cards. :)
And cookies?
You know, when I moved out here to the sticks, I didn't realize that Oakland County is still considered Metro Detroit.
Chicago has something similar too, only they call it “Chicagoland.”
MW - if you're in Troy, we're neighbors. If Dearborn, close but a ways away.
Live in Westland, work in Ann Arbor.
my mom should have just married an italian guy, would have been easier...
While I’m sure you father was a fine, upstanding person, I can’t argue with that opinion.
As am I.
Looks over his wife’s shoulder.
Do they still burn the city when the Pistons win the NBA championship?
No, we removed “winning sports team” as a requirement.
… My family's Black Irish, (Fir Bolg, I think), and our name, O'Meallain, got "Americanized" into Mallon.
My wife too (it’s a good look), and before my father’s adopted family came over, they were Beohler.
This came up on the previous page but didn't get a full answer. I'll try.
There are three days of celebration in places where the Catholic Church has had a lasting influence:
No worries; I was a tad worried I might open a huge freaking mess with such a comment, but luckily most of the people here are quite level-headed. Technically, I'm not white, and neither is my son (we're Olive), but Italians do a swell job of passing. Crap, the Irish weren't even white (in the U.S.) until the 19th century, and I've never seen a paler skinned people.I sympathize; I'm German-Irish, but have a Jewish last name. So I'm a "white oppressor" until I introduce myself, then I'm a "dirty Jew;" if I people ask if I'm Jewish and I say no, I'm a "white Christian," unless I tell them I'm Buddhist. By that time, they love me or hate me just because I'm a sarcastic bastard, so it's all good.
I just knew you were one of them. Gosh...they'll let anyone post here these days. ;p
I just knew you were one of them. Gosh...they'll let anyone post here these days. ;p
We'll all be one once the Great Old Ones awaken!
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It became politically incorrect when someone realized that there might be some religious aspect to Halloween. My wife works for the Headstart program and the directives that came down to them is that since not everyone is Christian and because diversety must be respected Halloween is not celebrated in the Headstart program. Teachers may have a "costume day" or "pajama day," but they may not decorate for or celebrate Halloween.
When lawyers were given power over the masses, the minority became empowered to decide what is best for the majority. Politically correct is now bent to whatever your agenda is. Halloween is ripe for the taking. It is a Pagan thing that superstition keeps afloat. I am sure many religions would happily wipe it off the face of the earth. The major obstacle is our Candy Vendors who would definitely object to its being suppressed. Aside from that, it is a shame that our culture is being stripped away bit by bit till we forget what was special about being alive. I remember making witches and ghosts from cut paper and decorating the classroom. I rememeber all the cool scary mystique that transformed my world into something wonderfully atmospheric. I am ashamed of this correct world that we live in. It hurts more than it fixes.
Cheers,
Zuxius
It became politically incorrect when someone realized that there might be some religious aspect to Halloween. My wife works for the Headstart program and the directives that came down to them is that since not everyone is Christian and because diversety must be respected Halloween is not celebrated in the Headstart program. Teachers may have a "costume day" or "pajama day," but they may not decorate for or celebrate Halloween.
Seems like an odd ruling, its not a Christian holiday having some pretty clear pagan roots. Seems like the perfect candidate for a holiday - one whose religious background is essentially meaningless because the practitioners of that religion are long gone. Some Neo-pagans love the day but they are such a minuscule group and don't practise by old traditions in any case - mainly because what little we know about the old traditions were passed down to us more for their titillation factor then for any other reason.
No worries; I was a tad worried I might open a huge freaking mess with such a comment, but luckily most of the people here are quite level-headed. Technically, I'm not white, and neither is my son (we're Olive), but Italians do a swell job of passing. Crap, the Irish weren't even white (in the U.S.) until the 19th century, and I've never seen a paler skinned people.I sympathize; I'm German-Irish, but have a Jewish last name. So I'm a "white oppressor" until I introduce myself, then I'm a "dirty Jew;" if I people ask if I'm Jewish and I say no, I'm a "white Christian," unless I tell them I'm Buddhist. By that time, they love me or hate me just because I'm a sarcastic bastard, so it's all good.
In what towns do people consider you a dirty jew (even if by name alone)? I've been meaning to road trip with my spike-filled ball bat from the set of Escape from New York.
Aside from some English, Scottish and Irish blood, I'm also descended from Dutch Prussian nobility and wealthy Russian Jews (WTF happened to 'trickling down'?). Growing up, no matter which state I lived in, and I lived in quite a few, no ever said anything about me racially. Guess I dodged a bullet there, or they did, because my mother, usually a pacifist, said that if anyone ever called me a kyke I not only had permission, but rather she expected me to hammer at them until they stopped moving. Jews always seem to have a hard time believing I'm Jewish on my mother's side until I rattle off a bit of Hebrew in my silly accent (they all say I sound cute--I must sound like Latka Gravas from Taxi). Why would anyone think I was making that up?
Italians think I'm Italian. Irish think I'm Irish. Black people who see a photo negative of me naked think I'm black. I'm a chameleon! ;)
Anyway, Halloween isn't PC anymore?
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It became politically incorrect when someone realized that there might be some religious aspect to Halloween. My wife works for the Headstart program and the directives that came down to them is that since not everyone is Christian and because diversety must be respected Halloween is not celebrated in the Headstart program. Teachers may have a "costume day" or "pajama day," but they may not decorate for or celebrate Halloween.When lawyers were given power over the masses, the minority became empowered to decide what is best for the majority. Politically correct is now bent to whatever your agenda is. Halloween is ripe for the taking. It is a Pagan thing that superstition keeps afloat. I am sure many religions would happily wipe it off the face of the earth. The major obstacle is our Candy Vendors who would definitely object to its being suppressed. Aside from that, it is a shame that our culture is being stripped away bit by bit till we forget what was special about being alive. I remember making witches and ghosts from cut paper and decorating the classroom. I rememeber all the cool scary mystique that transformed my world into something wonderfully atmospheric. I am ashamed of this correct world that we live in. It hurts more than it fixes.
Cheers,
Zuxius
THANK YOU. Now I don't have to post my opinion, you've got it down perfectly.
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mmmmm
[rant]
I get so sick and tired of religious organizations in the US. They have been screaming anti this and anti that for decades now. They get a free ride in this country and have yet to step up to their own so called moral values.
So many people complain about the social programs in this country. If the churches would step up and do their duties we wouldn't need those social programs. But, instead of helping the needy and helpless it is more important to build multi-million dollar churches, buy expensive ornaments for decoration and expensive organs.
So many church-goers complained about Clinton having an affair- while they laid in bed with their own mistresses. The hypocrisy of the church reeks.
Don't get me wrong. I am a deeply spiritual person. I would love to go to church. If I could find one worthy of the name.
[/rant]
I sympathize; I'm German-Irish, but have a Jewish last name. So I'm a "white oppressor" until I introduce myself, then I'm a "dirty Jew;" if I people ask if I'm Jewish and I say no, I'm a "white Christian," unless I tell them I'm Buddhist. By that time, they love me or hate me just because I'm a sarcastic bastard, so it's all good.
...hehee, somehow this talk about white oppressors is indeed a bit weird, as Finns too were not particularly big on oppressing anyone except occasionally each others and Sami. And in US were also second-class together with Irish and Native Americans. And yeah, I am pale.
...but anyway, weird. Halloween appears to be closest to pagan roots of celebrations in Anglo-American world, I guess rest of the Europe tend to favor Carneval for this, or St Walburg in Northern Europe (first of May, in case you were wondering). So Christian angle is not really justified...
One of the nice things about being in the US Army--all our training calendars list Hallowe'en, our Garrison Commanders go out of their way to schedule Trick-or-Treating with MP support and road closures; we have Post Christmas Tree Lighting events every first week of December--it's always been this way, and I don't think it'll ever change.
The US Army is one of the most diverse communities in the world--my office alone has representatives from several ethnic and cultural backgrounds, yet no-one gets excited over Hallowe'en, Christmas or Easter, and on the 31st everyone will be more than happy to get off at noon and head home to their families and the night's festivities.
I'm glad I don't work in the corporate world.
I think that kennington in south london might disagree on this one. What with dozens of ethnicities , economic classes, cultures and nationalities all crowded into less than a quarter of a mile. Flats which are worth 1/4 million pounds 200 yards from squats ;). No one does diversity quiet like london.
I am glad to say that my job is having a halloween party for the members of the program(psychosocial club specializing in Axis 1 disorders, although we do have a small handful of developmentally disabled and personality disorders). It's going to be held the day before halloween, as many of our members will be staying home the day of due to hooligans(I ride my bike on halloween and have never been hit by anything, mainly because of the aura of menace I exhude when riding), but we are encouraging costumes, so long as they are sane(work joke. Get it? hahahahaha...), and I myself am going to the parade in manhattan, planning to get completely and totally blized and scared out of my wits watching either the haunting of (insert girl's name here) or quarentine. Don't let people's political correctness or whatever take away your love of halloween(or whatever holiday) away from you. Just keep it real, and in the case of this particular holiday, real scary. I can't wait to scare the crap out of any kids who come by with the fake blood dripping out of my mouth and other orifices. And candy. Lots of candy. I can't believe I'm saying this, but we're the adults now- it's up to US to be the reason for the season. Sorry Jesus, but we got this one.
In what towns do people consider you a dirty jew (even if by name alone)? I've been meaning to road trip with my spike-filled ball bat from the set of Escape from New York.
Most notably, I was called that on a daily basis in New Canaan, Connecticut (as I later learned, the hometown of Ann Coulter, whose mom is on the Town Board of Selectmen, I believe -- also, it's the subject of Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm"). Some wonderful, warm-hearted, well-meaning people who "represented the decent, Christian folk of the community" used to call every day when the phone book came out with our name in it, telling us to get out of town. I got to learn all kinds of epithets. Good times!
They finally skipped a day. When our usual call came the next day, my father picked up and said, "Oh, we were so worried about you when you didn't call yesterday! We were praying that you were alright!" They stopped calling after that.
In what towns do people consider you a dirty jew (even if by name alone)? I've been meaning to road trip with my spike-filled ball bat from the set of Escape from New York.Most notably, I was called that on a daily basis in New Canaan, Connecticut (as I later learned, the hometown of Ann Coulter, whose mom is on the Town Board of Selectmen, I believe). Some wonderful, warm-hearted, well-meaning people who "represented the decent, Christian folk of the community" used to call every day when the phone book came out with our name in it, telling us to get out of town. I got to learn all kinds of epithets. Good times! They finally skipped a day. When our usual call came the next day, my father picked up and said, "Oh, we were so worried about you when you didn't call yesterday! We were praying that you were alright!" They stopped calling after that.Awright Jade, lemme bring the car around. ROAD TRIP! I hope they have a Pizza Hut there...I need to eat before I raze.
Awright Jade, lemme bring the car around. ROAD TRIP! I hope they have a Pizza Hut there...I need to eat before I raze.
Funny you should say that -- the town successfully blocked the opening of a McDonald's for years, claiming an establishment "with no purpose other than to cater to bums and low-class hoodlums" would irreparably damage the place.
They did end up with a Subway shop, though.
Awright Jade, lemme bring the car around. ROAD TRIP! I hope they have a Pizza Hut there...I need to eat before I raze.Funny you should say that -- the town successfully blocked the opening of a McDonald's for years, claiming an establishment "with no purpose other than to cater to bums and low-class hoodlums" would irreparably damage the place.
They did end up with a Subway shop, though.
Oh god. Where is this again? Because I've got to bring a few of my more..ah..unsavory friends with me when I visit. I hope you like Coolio, cuz that's what we'll be blasting when we roll through town at 20 mph!
I hope you like Coolio, cuz that's what we'll be blasting when we roll through town at 20 mph!
My friends and I used to play Public Enemy, when they were first out in record stores. Not all of us liked this "new kind of music," but we all admired the effect it had on the locals.
It was a relief to get back to NY after a couple of years there.
Ah, goddamn Ellis Island naturalization... My family's Black Irish (Fir Bolg, I think), and our name, O'Meallain, got "Americanized" into Mallon. Now, everyone asks if I'm French. My great-great-grandparents should have just given their clan name, O'Neill. Would have made things a hell of a lot easier...
Hey the Brits turned my fine Irish family name of MacCuirtin (son of a hunchback in Gaelic) into something everyone is bound to spell like the window coverings ... :(
Bloody Sassenach ...
I hope you like Coolio, cuz that's what we'll be blasting when we roll through town at 20 mph!My friends and I used to play Public Enemy, when they were first out in record stores. Not all of us liked this "new kind of music," but we all admired the effect it had on the locals.
It was a relief to get back to NY after a couple of years there.
Public Enemy...*sniff* Those were the days when rap was real, not the pre-packaged wannabe pimp/gangsta crap that's out now. That and the american dad joke had me rolling(and still does, whenever my old roommate asks me what time it is).
Public Enemy...*sniff* Those were the days when rap was real, not the pre-packaged wannabe pimp/gangsta crap that's out now. That and the american dad joke had me rolling(and still does, whenever my old roommate asks me what time it is).
Yep. To most of the people recording now, I always want to say, "Reality check... you're a millionaire, not a gangster. Sorry."
My friends and I used to play Public Enemy, when they were first out in record stores.
Mmmm, Anthrax + Public Enemy. If I get one use of a time machine, that's where I'm going. Oh, and your father rules.
Oh god. Where is this again? Because I've got to bring a few of my more..ah..unsavory friends with me when I visit.
Count me in! I've officially put it on my list of "places most in need of Trinitite" once I become President, after Abu Dhabi.
My friends and I used to play Public Enemy, when they were first out in record stores.Mmmm, Anthrax + Public Enemy. If I get one use of a time machine, that's where I'm going. Oh, and your father rules.
Oh god. Where is this again? Because I've got to bring a few of my more..ah..unsavory friends with me when I visit.Count me in! I've officially put it on my list of "places most in need of Trinitite" once I become President, after Abu Dhabi.
But what about the overly-cute kittens of Abu Dhabi?!?!
Mmmm, Anthrax + Public Enemy. If I get one use of a time machine, that's where I'm going. Oh, and your father rules.
Bring the Noise was a big hit in my crowd as well. So much fun annoying - well everyone more then five years older then me really.
I actually kind of pity the kids these days. There really is no music they can listen too thats likely to really annoy their parents. I mean they can listen to some preteen idol type crap pop but, while annoying, its not exactly grating the way something like mixing Anthrax and Public Enemy was to our parents.
Ah, goddamn Ellis Island naturalization... My family's Black Irish (Fir Bolg, I think), and our name, O'Meallain, got "Americanized" into Mallon. Now, everyone asks if I'm French. My great-great-grandparents should have just given their clan name, O'Neill. Would have made things a hell of a lot easier...
Hey the Brits turned my fine Irish family name of MacCuirtin (son of a hunchback in Gaelic) into something everyone is bound to spell like the window coverings ... :(
Bloody Sassenach ...
Chased my ancestors out of their country - rotten bastards, I always did hate the English.
Most notably, I was called that on a daily basis in New Canaan, Connecticut (as I later learned, the hometown of Ann Coulter, whose mom is on the Town Board of Selectmen, I believe -- also, it's the subject of Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm"). Some wonderful, warm-hearted, well-meaning people who "represented the decent, Christian folk of the community" used to call every day when the phone book came out with our name in it, telling us to get out of town. I got to learn all kinds of epithets. Good times!
They finally skipped a day. When our usual call came the next day, my father picked up and said, "Oh, we were so worried about you when you didn't call yesterday! We were praying that you were alright!" They stopped calling after that.
I had no idea. Those people should be caned. New Caaned even.
I don't understand why people are so afraid of difference, but I'm different I'll beat them for being that way. <--see what I did there?
Awright Jade, lemme bring the car around. ROAD TRIP! I hope they have a Pizza Hut there...I need to eat before I raze.
We'll add it into our Mapquest search.
Considering the price of gas, which though much lower than it was is still high, we should probably figure out everyone who needs a visit and then plot the most economical path to visit them all. And we also need a 'just in case it gets messy' kit for the trunk.