The Times Are Changing

Hello there. I am writing this because I am aggravated, I mean really aggravated.

We have probably all heard the big news this week about the Bellingham school that wanted to change the lyrics in the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA." I don't know about you, but I believe this is a sign of things to come.

I can't understand why everything now has to be sterilized so as not to possibly be offensive to someone or someone's traditions. What about our traditions? What about our feelings?

I am offended that so many people are offended. In other words: Their being offended offends me! Does that count? Why doesn't someone do it MY way to keep me from being offended?

A classic example: The Woburn Common at Christmas time is about as politically correct and sterile as it can get. Every single "Holiday" light is white! (except Rudolph's nose). Come on! Where's the color? I think kids from every culture must say WOW! when they see hundreds of colored lights. I also think they don't even notice the bland white "Holiday" lights. How did that start by the way? And whose idea was it? I wonder if other countries have this problem. Does Canada think every single thing through so as not to offend anyone? I wonder about that.

Why can't we just do what we have been doing for years and years? When I was in school we incorporated all cultures in our plays and holiday shows. And if we missed anyone, they were included the next time. No one ever got upset or offended. Now everyone seems to have a problem.

At this rate, in 50 years we will just be a group of people living day to day without ever celebrating anything. The Farmers Market at Spence Farm will only sell what is in season for vegetables—no Santa cookies, no Halloween cakes, no Thanksgiving muffins with turkeys on the frosting, no Fourth of July T-shirts. And as for Santa? GONE! The Easter Bunny? GONE! Flag Day? You guessed it—GONE!

What's wrong here? What am I missing? Why must the simple things now be agonized over so as not to offend? Funny how no one notices such things until someone points it out, then it's an issue that must be changed.

We can get back to enjoying things for what they are, it's not too late. But the time is ticking away fast. I think every culture has some kind of God, and if you are living here and you hear a song like Lee Greenwood's song, it's about your God as well, not just my God blessing the USA.

Let's stop the offense madness while we can.