Comments on Once again, one group's misinterpretation affects the tradition of another

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Exactly! 

posted by JimmyA on December 8, 2013 at 9:40 AM | link to this | reply

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posted by Kabu on December 7, 2013 at 4:47 PM | link to this | reply

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Sounds like quite an undertaking! My days of swimming off the Jersey coast ended years ago when it was discovered that a medical facility on Long Island had been dumping their refuse into the ocean, and the bulk of it was washing up onto our shores. Swimmers who thought they were being pricked by jellyfish were actually being stuck by used needles, and many, many people got sick, some terminally. That did it for me. They were stopped of course, and the beaches were eventually "cleaned," but my paranoia had always gotten the better of me . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 7, 2013 at 6:07 AM | link to this | reply

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Oh I know what you mean. I lived at Boni in Sydney...inner city beach before the harbour...sewage plant into it and one stopped swimming when they weren't Sure what...Well Bondi is very famous so they had to take the cleaned sewage 5 miles out to sea in a pipe and now it's much better.

posted by Kabu on December 6, 2013 at 5:32 PM | link to this | reply

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posted by JimmyA on December 6, 2013 at 5:28 AM | link to this | reply

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Well, Kabu, to be perfectly honest, I used to enjoy swimming in the ocean many, many years ago. But today, the beaches off the coast of my beloved state of New Jersey aren't the cleanest or the safest in the world, and I simply don't trust the water anymore. There probably are 'things' that could potentially reach out for my legs while I swim, and they may not necessarily belong to Mr. Squid! No thanks . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 6, 2013 at 5:28 AM | link to this | reply

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Unfortunately, lustor, that's all too true. That's why I say that some people have just too much time on their hands. And, if they are going to take the time to protest something, I believe there are far more important and far more critical things to protest against besides a simple Christmas festival that millions seem to enjoy! What a world . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 6, 2013 at 5:22 AM | link to this | reply

Re: You're Right

You're absolutely right, WhiteHat. And what probably fuels these people and their angst is the attention they get! I remember years ago seeing a news report about a woman somewhere who was actually protesting against people mowing their lawns ( yes, mowing their lawns ) because she felt that grass was a 'living creature,' and as such, should not be arbitrarily cut down. And after the report, my first thought was "Why am I even hearing about or seeing this on the news?" But, she got the attention she apparently craved! Hopefully the people of the Netherlands, who still retain a bit of common sense, will eventually silence these people, and get on with their seemingly wonderful celebration . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 6, 2013 at 5:18 AM | link to this | reply

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posted by Kabu on December 5, 2013 at 7:59 PM | link to this | reply

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So then dear friend...don't go swimming in the deep blue sea or you may not see Mr. Squid as he reaches out for your legs...LOL

posted by Kabu on December 5, 2013 at 7:59 PM | link to this | reply

there has to be someone or some group protesting one thing or another

posted by Lanetay on December 5, 2013 at 6:22 PM | link to this | reply

You're Right

Enough, is enough, is enough.  These protesters are like the child who discovers she can get her way by crying loudly.  They need to be simply ignored.  They'll stop their protests once something else comes along to catch their short lived attention.

WhiteHat

posted by WhiteHat_TroubleMaker on December 5, 2013 at 3:40 PM | link to this | reply

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As tempting as that offer sounds, C C T, I'm afraid I must respectfully decline, for one simple reason: my own personal list of grievances, that I would love to protest against, somehow does not include 'worm-pulling.' However, if you were to start a campaign against, say, those same birds crapping on my car, now I'll be on board . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 6:01 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Jimmy

No argument here, Naut. Sometimes you'll hear people say that they look forward to the day when racism, in any form, goes away forever. I have no problem with that. But at the same time, I very much look forward to the day political correctness goes away forever. Which do you think will happen first?  

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:53 AM | link to this | reply

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Well that's why, Sir Wiley, I said that it was part of a Santa and Christmas tradition, and not a minstrel show. I don't believe black people were being poked fun at in any way, shape or form! All you have to do is watch and listen to what's going on, and it pretty much explains itself. And I have seen scenes of African tribesmen dancing around their bonfires wearing white makeup on their faces! Do I or should I feel any offense? Of course not! Again, people just love to misinterpret things, and make a mountain out of a  molehill . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:51 AM | link to this | reply

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I'm glad I guessed right, Kabu! I saw the blue figure, I saw the big eye, I saw the tentacles. But as you know, as we age, our eyes sometimes play tricks on us! Believe me, your painting was wonderful, and difficult to do on such a surface I'm sure. But there are times when I really, really have to 'look' at something before I'm sure exactly what it is. Yes, I'm well-overdue for my next eye exam . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:46 AM | link to this | reply

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I think I would like to see it too, lovelylady, and I'm glad we're in agreement. And you're right . . . the people who are going to have the most difficult time with this particular situation are the parents who now have to explain to their children why such turmoil exists in the first place over something so trivial. I too hope the Dutch people stand their ground, and don't give in to such ridiculous political correct persuasions. Talk about ruining something that was meant to be fun . . .  

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:40 AM | link to this | reply

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I used to think, FSI, that it was out-of-control years ago when I saw the names and titles of dozens and dozens of 'things' being arbitrarily changed for what I saw as no good reason ( too many to list here ) especially when their original title was fine ( for example, I still say stewardess, and refuse to say flight attendant ). Sometimes certain people think that by having this politically correct attitude towards these things, they're making them better for others, and that's almost never the case! I think this particular article proves that . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:36 AM | link to this | reply

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I too saw that video, Kabu, and the subsequent news report about Santa and his fighter jet escort. I didn't see it as "military influence" as much as someone running out of ideas of how to bring Santa to the masses. Perhaps if they simply left the "old traditions" alone, they wouldn't feel the need to go to such extremes! I think Santa does just fine on his own. As far as the people of the Netherlands are concerned, I stand by my assessment: some people have just too much time on their hands, and will look for any underlining negativity just to make a stink about something. Ridiculous . . .

posted by JimmyA on December 5, 2013 at 5:30 AM | link to this | reply

Well we used to have the Black and White Minstrels, they have gone. It does not matter what the protest is about Jimmy it can be heard by the masses and some will  agree to anything that might stir up a bit of latent anger. I don't agree with birds pulling worms out of the wet ground, but I have not much of a following. You could be second in command? 

posted by C_C_T on December 5, 2013 at 12:40 AM | link to this | reply

Jimmy

Just more PC idiocy...

posted by Nautikos on December 4, 2013 at 7:54 PM | link to this | reply

Interesting post. 'And I also think that race has absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever!' I think when white people portray black men is always racist somehow. My opinion of course, the Dutch have some German traits perhaps.

posted by WileyJohn on December 4, 2013 at 7:23 PM | link to this | reply

re my post....yes, it is a whimsical glimpse of the deep Atlantic, and for sure that is a giant squid....

posted by Kabu on December 4, 2013 at 2:26 PM | link to this | reply

My Dutch friends are appalled by this I'm sure, Jimmy.  And so, frankly, am I!  I see nothing wrong or offensive-racially or otherwise-with this wonderful tradition!

I can't understand people.  If the traditon offends you, DON'T attend the festival!  But then, what do they teach their children by not doing so?  To be fearful of others, to judge others by their race, religion, and other differences.  How sad!  I'm glad to hear that a good majority of the Dutch people are standing together in defence of the traditon.  Good for them!

Personally, this is something I would LOVE to see!

posted by lovelyladymonk on December 4, 2013 at 1:23 PM | link to this | reply

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jimmy. It is amazing what political correctness is causing and how people are continually trying to make issues out of things.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on December 4, 2013 at 11:09 AM | link to this | reply

Good post friend Jim... I did not know about this tradition but the soot from the CHimney reason makes sense, and you are right. No matter what one does, someone is going to take offense these days. Today thereis a big fuss going on in the media because there is video of Santa and his sleigh being escorted by fighter pilots and an airforce watch. People say it is Military influencing the Santa joy. P-Lease!!!!!

posted by Kabu on December 4, 2013 at 10:35 AM | link to this | reply