People who read me enough know I'm not the most politically correct guy in the world, and don't much care whose feet I step on. Probably why I'll never run for public office. I also don't like being taken out of context or misquoted, which unfortunately has happened to me, and plenty of others.

I read a story recently that I thought was great - mixing music with Christmas and our local firefighters. A local music store, Guitars Etc., a place we frequent (as always I recommend shopping locally when possible) donated some guitars to some firefighters for their down time entertainment. They weren't Kwanza guitars, or Fall Harvest guitars, they were CHRISTMAS presents. Just want to make sure that's clear.

That last part was left a little fuzzy in the story that ran, but was clearly stated by Guitars Etc owner, Todd Skaw. I've no doubt that was a last minute editorial decision to leave CHRISTMAS out of the story as to not offend the much too easily offended in the city. So let me offend. I'm assuming " live and let live" is dead is this PC environment of ours. If it's not a certain type of people's way, it's not THE way, period. To them I say cram it, sideways, left.

Just because these people have been getting their way with complaining about anything and everything they deem inappropriate, doesn't make them the authority on anything, except complaining. What I find odd and inconsistent and probably hypocritical (they sure don't mind the holiday pay, or the day off, or using it to sell stuff at their own business) is how CHRISTMAS is singled out more than any of the other "holidays" at this time of year. It's obviously a slam on the first syllable, which people are free to express, and others are free to tell them to stuff it.

A friend of mine told me he was "respectfully declining" to celebrate Christmas. What was refreshing was that there was no condescension, no judging, and no preaching on how anyone else should do it. But some others just can't hold back telling you how it should be, can they?

It's one thing in a government institution, another entirely in a private business such as this. " You people" was heard being used towards workers at the store who celebrate CHRISTMAS! These are the same people who claim to be soooo tolerant, but continually expose themselves for the most hateful, intolerant, and often bigoted amongst us.

I want to congratulate and thank Todd and his son for thinking of this and following up on that thought. It's nice to know there are still people out there that put others, especially our great first responders, before themselves. It's a nice change from the others among us who can't think of enough ways to get rid of anything CHRISTMAS related, or the self-centered need to get into everyone else's business uninvited.

Merry Christmas and have a great 2008!

©2007 Chris Rodriguez/Wrongmont.Com
(Chris Rodriguez is a Longmont resident, and the editor and publisher of Wrongmont.Com, a community website that raises local issues to increase public awareness and interest)