Ahhhhh Barack Obama. Much has been made of his church, pastor and pastor's racist and hateful words.
As I thought about it this morning of "Will this cost Barack and the Democrats another chance at becoming president?"
The failed attempts of 2000 with Gore, oh so close.
Then Heinz Kerry, Ohio, oh rats.

Barack in 08?
Some of the news outlets continue to play the hateful video/audio of the pastor. Others (biased) dont. NBC. CNN. MSNBC. ABC. CBS.
This is a HUGE issue. Ignoring it like an ostrich and sand wont work for Obama.

Gladly, he  finally came about and personally denounced the pastor, words, and hate. Personally I wish we would have done this on day #1, not day #7?
How his campaign advisers did not see this as something that needed to be acted upon IMMEDIATELY I do not know.

His denouncement satisfies me. I give all candidates the benefit of the doubt on issues like this where you act as a fool if you make more of something than it really is.

In the end will it matter? Doubtful.
Obama literally should have the D nomination in the bag. Only if something catastrophic happens like.... having video footage of your church pastor of twenty years using words and phrases like God Damn America! and US of KKK A, genocide via Aids....
Oh.... wait, sorry.

Only if something ELSE comes out should it be possible for him to lose the nomination.
So, in November of 08, you have Obama vs McCain.
The left will vote for Obama. The right will vote for McCain.
Independents (myself included) will split.
If this happens, Obama will be president in 08 due to record voter turnout on both sides.

I for one am still on the fence. I was disturbed with this church hate episode. Me being the Traditionalist that I am does  like ANYONE spouting derogatory words about my country, the United States of America.
Especially, so blatantly obvious un-truthful words.

Till next time....

Defined: The C word is Christmas.
'Christmas', 'Merry Christmas'.
Do you see any of these holiday terms on any of our retailers websites? Hardly. In fact, my quick scan of about a dozen sites was very disappointing. Not surprising, but disappointing.
Yet these are the same retailers who gladly step up to the money train called the Christmas shopping season.
Before we look at the analysis, one counterpoint. A good friend, bless him, would first respond with "the holidays arent just about the Christian Christmas holiday, we also have Hanukkah!"
As of the last census, Jews make up 2.1 percent of the USA's population.
So out of the two "holidays", that make up the gift-giving holidays, you have 2.1% celebrating Hanukkah and potentially 80+% celebrating Christmas. 
Oh yes friends, the "Holidays" are all about CHRISTMAS.

Let's get started:

Best Buy has a small quip about 'delivery by Christmas Eve' on the bottom of their main page. Otherwise, the "Holidays" term abounds.
Grade: D- for Best Buy. Obviously they want to feast on the Christmas shopping but are cowardly to not market (and gasp, show their support) with the Christian terms.

Target has a link called Christmas Decor. Many "holiday" references and "gift" references. A Christmas tree appears advertising a 'holiday desktop widget' but no mention of Christmas. They kicked Salvation Army off their property a few years ago costing the kettles millions annually to help the needy.
Grade: D-
They want to fill their coffers with Christmas cash but will not boldly stand and support the holiday that provides the majority of that cash.

Lowes advertises fresh cut Christmas trees, has some Christmas lights around their logo, but that's it. They must have learned their lesson from calling Christmas trees, "Family trees" this year.
Grade: D

Kmart/Sears. I expected better from this retailer but was disappointed. They advertise 'Martha Stewart Pre-Lit Trees'. What kind of trees are those Kmart? Hanukkah trees? Nope. They are Christmas trees. Cowardly.
Links to 'Holiday Shop' and 'Holiday Toys' dont help. Again, lots of pictures of Christmas trees, Christmas decorations (not Hanukkah deco) but no use of the C word.
'Holidays', 'the Season' abound.
Sears is Kmart, their website was even worse.
Grade: D-

Walmart. I expected better here as well. The "safe" Christmas Decor link was present like Target but otherwise like the others, lots of Christmas pictures, trees, gifts, ornaments but no use of the C word. They did have a Salvation Army "Donate Here" link so...
Grade: D+

Amazing so far since for most of these retailers, their sales and profits in the next six weeks will determine their success for the entire year.
Want the bountiful Christmas shopping cash but won't support the holiday. Either that or they are afraid of offending 2.1% of the population and/or others who will say "I'm offended at your use of the Christmas word on your website."

Costco. I expected this and Costco delivered. No mention of Christmas anywhere but lots of "Holiday Gift" ideas. Again, Christmas decorations are used on the website but no mention of the dreaded C word.
Grade: F
Dont mention the hand that feeds you on your entire website, earn an F Costco.

ShopKo was interesting. They didn't even really get after the Christmas commerce. Their website is quite bland and other than a few well placed "Gift" links, they don't seem too concerned about the Christmas season. Either that or they are being super-boringly politically correct. Since all corps want the cash, I am assuming the latter. No C word on entire website garners an F.
Grade: F

JcPenney. Surprise! Santa even makes an appearance on JcPenney's website! The term "Christmas List" is proudly displayed! No use of the generic term 'Holiday' and JcPenney earns a B+.
Grade: B+

Montgomery Ward. Ugghh "Holidays" used in a big face/font, but Sierra Prelit Christmas Trees advertised front and center. Pic of Santa, good.
Grade: B

Dillards. Obviously Dillards does not need any Christmas/Hanukkah commerce this year. Other than a 'Holiday Shipping Notice' there is NOTHING on their website that even resembles the "Season".
Grade: F

Kohls did well. They are even able to admit they are having a "Christmas Sale!". Big Flash animation front and center on their website. Most of the other retailers are not having "Christmas Sales!" this year apparently.
Grade: B

What do I expect? I expect these retailers to show their support for the "holidays" i.e. Christmas, Hannukah, etc that give them billions in cash every year.
Show it. Do not hide the term 'Christmas' like the famous F word on your website. Imagine the horror of using an image of Jesus Christ on their website even though without Him, Christmas would be non-existent.
By not using the words Christmas, Merry Christmas and traditional images of Christmas i.e. Santa Claus, Jesus Christ, they are bluntly stating that they want the cash for their corporation but fear openly supporting the meanings and reasons for the holiday.
A good analogy would be your neighbor sneaking over to your place before dawn, jumping your fence, milking your cow and then openly stating that he doesn't drink milk.
He says he drinks soymilk. Yeah, soymilk.


Link to contact Costco
https://costco.egain.net/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1000&PARTITION_ID=1&CMD=STARTPAGE&USERTYPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY=us