In defense of Santa Claus

A recent story depicts the efforts of one man to do away with Santa Claus. It seems that he was offended.

I am sick of the squeaky wheels in America who want to do away with anything and everything with which they disagree. Why should we do away with something because someone is offended? People are offended every day! I'm offended by the way a lot of people drive, but I support their right to do so. I don't like the way some of my neighbors raise their children. They may not like the way I raise mine. Yet we live in peace. Side by side.

Since when did anyone promise the populace of America that they would never be offended? There are many facets of life that are offensive.

But Santa Claus? Please.

This gentleman holds that Santa Claus is a religious figure and as such should not be promoted in any kind of a public way. He should not be in the schools, the government or anyplace else where someone might be offended. So, let's take a look at it.

We have Uncle Sam. We have the Easter Bunny. We have Johnny Appleseed. We have a long list of American and worldwide folk heroes. Should we do away with them? What harm to they cause? Do they offend the masses or only a few sensitive souls who have nothing better to do with their lives than interfere with others.

We too often offend the sensibility of many in deference to the sensitivity of a few. And that's wrong.

There is nothing wrong with Santa Claus. There is nothing wrong with being a Christian, or at least Godly, nation that stands its ground and says we have certain traditions here that will be observed. Santa Claus happens to be one of them. We also believe that the Constitution was inspired by God and that the Founding Fathers were a bunch of great men. We believe that George Washington was a wonderful guy who helped get this nation started. We believe that Adams, Madison, Lincoln, Roosevelt, John Wayne, Einstein, Madam Curie, Golda Meir, and a bunch of other people were bigger than life. We like Mel Gibson, John Denver, Kate Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, Crazy Legs Hirsch, and anyone who played on the 1927 Yankees. We like the girl who lived next door to us when we were ten who had red pig-tails and could throw a mean snowball.

We like 57 Chevys. Drive ins. Hamburger stands. Kids. Baseball. Hot summer days. Swimming pools. And best friends.

We cry at weddings, funerals, sad movies and home runs hit by our very own 10 year old.

We love summer vacations. Superbowls. The Jazz. Starry nights. And anything else that touches us.

Which brings me back to Santa Claus. Yes I love Santa. He touches me. I love that he comes every year. I love that young and old eyes alike sparkle at the very thought of him. I love the joy he brings. Do I worship him? No. Do I believe in him? Absolutely.

And if you're offended by that, it's your problem. You have the right to turn the other way. To refuse to see and hear and, most of all, feel. That's your choice. But don't take away my right to enjoy the spirit of Christmas the way it has been enjoyed for generations.