Here are links to your questions about UU symbols. UUs are basically atheists and deists who have children.
Chalice: http://www.uua.org/beliefs/chalice/
Solstice: http://www.uua.org/worship/holidays/1745...
Jefferson Bible: http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetai...

My wife and I were UUs before we met but went to different congregations. In '05 we took off the afternoon on the Winter Solstice to exchange gifts and go to a Solstice service. I asked her on the Winter Solstice to merry me on the Summer Solstice. Now we always take off both Solstices.

We know people from different traditions, but the faith differences have never been an issue. I condemn people who try to use our different backgrounds as a wedge for their personal gain.

Also, if stores start using UU symbols to promote sales, it would hurt UU more than it would help.

this is kinda funny, but I have no idea what "celebrating the solstice" or "chalise" business is. can you give me a quick rundown?

exactly.

An embarrassing display of arrogance and ignorance... and he claims she has a "well established reputation as a world class idiot'... sounds like projection to me... In typical fashion the progressive deflects and avoids the point.

if only the Great Oz could have also provided a brain... :(

He had illustrations and everything.

Sorry I can't unwatch that clip now...

The first thing that made my skin crawl was this guy's failure to address the subject under discussion, and in usual liberal fashion, attacked the messenger.
My second issue, as a retired news journalist, was his complete lack of professionalism. You see it more and more, both print and TV, where the one who delivers the story does not even attempt to be objective, or even ethical . Of course, with most media outlets handmaidens to Bilderbergers, we cannot expect truth. Even Fox's Murdoch is a member of the CFR.
The debt is the issue, which was not discussed, but pushed under the rug once again, until yes, we will become, not independent producers, but servants to an oligarchy or worse, a dictator, Valerie Jarrett perhaps?

Sarah is correct in her analogy and Mr. Bashir is unworthy of the very air that he wastes breathing each day.

I don't accept the claim that some commentators can act like idiots while others cannot.

Regarding Christmas, I see it in all those places you mention. Our Capitol square has a tree and separate tributes to each religion's winter holidays. There is a winter solstice display with traditional solstice symbols, some of which are similar to Christmas b/c Pagans and Christians coexisted and shared symbols, for atheists.

"it's not at the mall"
Isn't shopping central to how must Americans, regardless of faith, celebrate the winter holidays? It's baffling to me that Christians find their holiday not use enough to promote products and services. I actually cannot imagine a religious holiday used any more broadly in advertising.

BTW, I'm not knowledgeable about Palin writing a book. I just read an article that Palin talked about slavery, which I said was not offensive, and Christmas. I don't know what she said and hadn't heard of a book but as soon as I hear Christians say Christmas _isn't_ used to sell stuff enough. If retailers used the Solstice, the UU Chalice, and the Jefferson Bible even a tenth as much as they used Christmas, I would be concerned about their overusing it.

Now that I think about it, I never remember retailers using the Cross or the Christian Bible. It was always trees and Santa. Maybe Christians want people using more Crosses and Ten Commandments.

We have a friend who is Jehovah's Witness. She doesn't believe in celebrating any holidays. The funny thing is she has never taken offense to things we do. She never expresses being upset about mainstream Christmas and Santa. I'm sure we could have some intense theological discussion, but we never have. It's amazing how people of very different faiths can get along so well focusing on common interests, while some people seem upset by the tiniest thing. The only hear about the easily-offended people from books and news. Most people I meet at least act like it's no big deal.

I understand Bashir apologized today. I think some things you can't apologize for. MSNBC needs to start taking a strong stance against these morons they have.

What I have seen of Palin is that she is very comfortable with her home, Alaska. She knows the history, the people, the environment, and the economical promise. She should have never left what she loves. Unfortunately, the ‘Barracuda’ as she was known, loves a challenge. She is not stupid at all but she lacks a natural ability to adjust to beltway politics. She is just a fish out of water. John McCain is the stupid one.

FOX is covering it. Aarrrgh. Although, they made a valid point today. This wasn’t an off-the-cuff remark. Bashir read a script from a teleprompter so this disgusting rant had already passed the smell test for the producers over at MSNBC. I’m smelling “squirrel”. Perhaps they are throwing the kitchen sink to try to change the national conversation from the failed rollout of Obamacare? I mean, the line-up tonight on FOX is covering the Bashir story, I think. So if MSNBC's aim was to be part of the conversation, it’s working. Even bad press is in the spotlight.

These are two idiots talking. I can't imagine knowing Palin personally, assuming she acts that stupid in real life, which I doubt. The same thing goes for the news commentator. They're both paid to get morons fired up.

I don't find the slavery thing racist b/c people say things like "my PhD program is like slavery, without meaning it literally. Even if you are talking about real slavery, as in "debtor's prison created a slave class in this area" it doesn't mean that all the worst horrors of slavery were present.

here's the difference. A commentator at a network has certain journalistic standards that should be upheld. and a bully pulpit. He is inciting his audience by suggesting the use of force. Do we take him seriously? NO, but do we rally a bunch of hate mongers? probably. Imagine the hue and cry (where is johnrobert when you need him?) if Neil Cavuto said the same regarding Michelle Obama or Nancy Pelosi. He would be fired. Why did Bashir think he was immune from such sensationalism? I do not consider Palin an idiot and when I asked you to give an example, you only came up with her Christmas book. Even though Christmas is not important to me, it has been a hot bed issue for some time for those who like the thought of celebrating the season with their traditions. You can't do it at school, it's not at the mall, it's not in the library, it's not on the town square. Traditional religious displays were in all those places when I was growing up.What gives? I'll tell you what gives. Officious governmental busybodies who relish making rules that marginalize people they perceive to be against them. That's who. Go read up on what Ayn Rand thought about traditional religious displays at Christmas-you might be surprised. That said, I think she has more important things to write about if she is thinking of being elected to Congress or running for higher office. But she needs money to do those things and this Xmas book will probably have wide appeal and bring in sales. I submit you're thinking Palin an idiot has more to do with how she is portrayed in the media than any one thing she said.
Let me list all the idiotic things Obama has said. How many states are there Mr. President? let's start there? I bet you don't call President Obama an idiot.

And I'm saying that simply knowing the words that encompass the tenants of faith does not make one knowledgeable about faith. The result is that you are speaking about a subject that you have failed to comprehend. A fact that I'm truly sorry about. You seem to be very well educated, knowledgeable and well spoken. All traits that are sometimes missed in the circles that I find myself.

Where is the value then, if not in learning about things and how they informed the modern world? I'm not saying we shouldn't learn about religion. I'm saying when people talk about the importance of pluralism, it's hard for me to understand b/c I'm not from a background of a faith with a creed.

Keep in mind this discussion it takes every interpretation to say Palin was talking about the need for pluralism. I think there was no meaning to what she was saying.

Yes! And this is related to khalling's comment below about it being threatening. It's such a circus that I can't take any of it seriously. No one I do business with behaves that way. Most people want to be remembered for what they can offer, not for their bizarre behavior. If you're into politics, news, or car sales ad production, though, you're trying to reach out to be remembered by people who really aren't paying attention who happen to hear you while they're waiting in the coffee shop.

I usually don't make glib insults as I did above about this being two idiots talking to each other. But imagine these were two suppliers you knew personally. Maybe they do printed circuit board fab or plastic enclosures. I'd stay away from them. They're nuts. No one acts like that in my world except my kids when they misbehave to get attention. They're not making threats or policy commentary. They're acting like idiots and I can't believe in 12 years they're going to want my car keys.

Soros?

LS, here is another definition, "The man who produces while others dispose of his product, is a slave." Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness. Don't think it gets any simpler than that. Sarah was absolutely right !

I used to watch him when he was more contained. He is seriously off the ranch. who pays him, really? with no viewers...

yes, he is the only President whose college records are sealed

slav·ery
noun \ˈslā-v(ə-)rē\

: the state of being a slave

: the practice of owning slaves
Full Definition of SLAVERY
1
: drudgery, toil
2
: submission to a dominating influence
3
a : the state of a person who is a chattel of another
b : the practice of slaveholding
See slavery defined for English-language learners »
See slavery defined for kids »
Examples of SLAVERY

She was sold into slavery.
<a child born into slavery was considered simply another addition to the master's wealth and property>

First Known Use of SLAVERY
1551
Related to SLAVERY

Synonyms
bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, thrall, thralldom (or thraldom), yoke

Antonyms
freedom, liberty

(Look at those antonyms...Bershire missed the point and changed the subject. He's trying to use fear to stop voices of reason. I think they realize the word racist is getting ragged so they're trying a new approach. How nasty will they get?)

Lame. It doesn’t even address the premise of his argument. Should white people now add the word slavery to the list of words they can’t use? I can’t stomach that guy. I’ve watched maybe five minutes of him ever. No value.

and here's the apology:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/...