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February 9, 2012
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Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
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Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Nov. 27, 2009
/ 10 Kislev 5770
America for the Holidays
By
Greg Crosby
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Our country is a melting pot of cultures that has, up until recently, melded together to form a common American culture. Because America was and continues to be populated primarily by Christians of course, the values and principles of Judaeo-Christian teachings have formed the basis of what America was founded on. This is not to say that Americans who happen not to be Christian are excluded from the culture, far from it. In our country everyone is welcome to participate in the common American culture as much or as little as they wish, as well as having the freedom to personally worship in any way they choose.
Our traditional American culture is vanishing due to multiculturism, political correctness, and a general negative view of American family traditions. This may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but the concept of good and evil is not taught anymore, even in many houses of worship. Many religious congregations have become quite liberal in their approach. God's rules for living (The Ten Commandments) have been replaced by sermons on why it is important to be nonjudgmental, inclusive, and compassionate. Feelings over commandments.
Our schools simply do not promote American culture as they did when I was a kid. Teaching patriotic American history, instilling pride in America, and teaching why America is the best country in the world has been replaced by celebrating cultures from other countries. Any other country's culture, it seems, is preferable to American culture. Children are not taught to be proud of being Americans, but to be proud of where their parents were from. Obviously this approach segregates people instead of bringing them together. America used to be a large melting pot, many different people coming together to become "American." Now everyone stays in their own little pots, tribal pride taking precedence over any desire in becoming apart of a larger American culture.
The notion of a common American culture is not even understood today by anyone under 40 years old. We as a people have become so fragmented that we don't share anything anymore. Popular music was once something most of the country could share in, no more. Magazines like Life and The Saturday Evening Post were read by all. Everyone listened to the same radio shows, watched the same movies, and for the first few decades, television shows were a common entertainment for all. No more.
The Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's holiday in America has always been a part of the common American culture. Beyond the purely religious, it is an American celebration time open to all in one degree or another. You don't have to worship any particular way to engage in the basic loving, sharing, and giving that has become the hallmark of the American holiday time.
Singing American folk songs and Christmas carols have by and large been done away with in the public schools. Songs of Christmas are deemed to be insensitive to those of other religions and religious songs in general are deemed insensitive to those who are atheist. This is what we've come to. And why are American folk songs not taught anymore? Are they deemed insensitive to those from other nations?
Christmastime in America was a time for all Americans, Christian and non-Christian alike to come together as one people under G0d. A warm, comforting time of year when everyone went around feeling happy and joyful. It was about family and tradition, no matter what your family or tradition was. Yes, Christians celebrated the birth of Christ. Jewish people had Hanukah. Others had whatever they had. But as a nation, as the United States of America we all had the holidays. This is a season for all Americans.
A season where the American people can have a spell of good feelings toward each other, when giving is substituted for taking, when people get beyond themselves and look to a higher being, when they give thanks for their blessings, this is a very good season. A full heart, a warm fire, a good meal, and family and friends at one's side is a season we all can happily take part in.
I yearn for the common American culture of my youth, especially at this time of the year. It was wonderful to be part of a commonality that spoke of peace on earth and good will to all. A time of giving and sharing. A time of coming home, of being with family. A time of love and laughter and joy. Of opening one's heart to those less fortunate. And in the words of Tiny Tim, of G0d blessing us, everyone.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.
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© 2008, Greg Crosby
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