Category Archives for war on Christmas nonsense

The Reason for the Season?

We suppose nothing says “Jesus is the reason for the season” better than a photo of … uh … Santa Claus. It’s amusing how the Austin-based, religious-right group Texas Values is promoting the so-called “Merry Christmas Law” it helped pass last year. The group says the law protects religious freedom. And this month it held a press conference to highlight the […]

Also posted in TFNEF | 5 Comments

This Is How Bigotry Works

So here’s a story about how bigotry works — and how religious-right groups feed off it. Schools across America typically close for important Christian holidays like Christmas. Some also close for major Jewish holy days like Yom Kippur. Muslims in Maryland’s Montgomery County asked officials to consider closing local schools in recognition of major Islamic days of observance like Eid al-Adha as well. […]

Also posted in church and state, religious freedom, TFNEF | 3 Comments

Santa’s Lawyer

Question: Did you do nothing today other than sit on the couch and watch TV? Congratulations, your day was far more productive than the folks over at the far-right group Texas Values, who spent the day at the Capitol fighting an imaginary opponent alongside state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, and others in the latest round […]

Also posted in Liberty Institute, Texas Values, TFNEF | 3 Comments

The Mythical ‘War on Christmas’ in Texas Schools

We thought it was revealing that Texas Values, the lobby arm of the Plano-based religious-right group Liberty Institute, was mostly AWOL during the science textbook battle at the State Board of Education (SBOE) this year. It turns out that the group prefers to scare its members with myths and fantasies rather than work on serious […]

Also posted in Liberty Institute, Texas Values, TFNEF | 17 Comments

Reason for the Season

With Christmas celebrations on the brink of extinction in Texas, the Texas House intervened yesterday by passing the “Merry Christmas bill” to ensure public schools remain a welcome place for Jesus Santa. Santa’s attorney — and lobbyist for the religious-right group Texas Values — was at the Capitol to whip votes and remind us all of the […]

Also posted in 2013 Texas Legislature, Jonathan Saenz, Texas Freedom Network, Texas Values, TFN | 6 Comments

This Is a Big Week in the Texas Legislature

The Texas Freedom Network will be busy, busy, busy at the Legislature this week. Sex education, religious freedom, LGBT rights, and family planning funding are on legislative calendars. Click on the links in the Take Action box on the right to help our efforts at the Capitol. Sex Education The Texas House Committee on Public […]

Also posted in birth control, Islam, LGBT issues, religious freedom, sex education, Texas Legislature, TFN, vouchers | 2 Comments

Are You a ‘Snarling Hound’?

Liberty Institute, a religious-right group based in Plano near Dallas, is still screeching about the mythical “war on Christmas.” Here’s an excerpt from a fundraising email the group sent out on Friday: I hope your Christmas was merry & joyful, because the hounds are snarling again. … The sad truth is that while you and […]

Also posted in TFNEF | 4 Comments

Jon Stewart Skewers ‘War on Christmas’ Hysteria

The right’s absurd “War on Christmas” hysteria is upon us again. Check out Jon Stewart’s classic takedown of Fox and its coverage of the WOC last night. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c The War on Christmas: Friendly Fire Edition www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire […]

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The Right’s ‘Plastic Indignation’ over Christmas

We’re not the only ones, of course, who see through the political manipulation behind the right’s phony “war on Christmas” hysteria. John Young, former head of the editorial page at the Waco Tribune-Herald, offers his take on the “plastic indignation” over “Happy Holidays” and other alleged anti-Christmas outrages: Outraged over a holiday greeting? Get real. […]

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‘Tis the ‘War on Christmas’ Silly Season

Twinkle lights, harried shoppers, excited kids and special church pageants aren’t the only signs that Christmas is just around the corner. ‘Tis the season also for the religious right’s silly and hyperbolic fundraising appeals warning of a mythical “War on Christmas.” Every year at this time we see a virtual avalanche of emails designed to […]

Also posted in Liberty Institute | 13 Comments