Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive
gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within
the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or
secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular
persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice
religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically
uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar
year 2004, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other
cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great (not
to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is
the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the
race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual
preference of the wishes.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is
subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no
alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to
actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void
where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the
wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual
application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance
of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is
limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole
discretion of the wisher...

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Terrie on Dec 31, 2003 ---</FONT></center>

I was hit with something like that the other day, when I wished a co-worker a "Happy Holiday!" Further discussion revealed that she's fed up with "those people" who don't celebrate her particular holiday and she feels like it's being taken away from her. It seems someone has indicated to her that however well-intentioned she may be, it may not be taken that way if she says "Merry Christmas" to people she knows to be Jewish, Hindu, etc. I asked how she'd feel if someone, knowing she's Christian, wished her "Happy Hanukkah," but I'm afraid she didn't get it. I decided it was best not to enlighten her about the history of Christmas. I did suggest, gently, that she try to look at it as gaining more celebrations rather than losing one.

It seems there's been more of this lately; kind of a backlash from increasing cultural diversity in our country (and maybe given a boost by 9/11?). And pehaps it's also a reaction to the increasing public knowledge of the histories of the major religions, which renders closely held beliefs and assumptions invalid. Whatever the cause, this woman was afraid and angry. She felt she was being violated. That growing attitude makes the Guthrie Center and what it stands for even more important than ever (if that's possible).

And so I say, without fear: Happy New Year to you all!

HIPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Happy New Year to everyone in Blunderland!
Let 2004 be the year we find peace!

Happy New Year! Peace in the world! Love and Hugs to all!

Like Tom Paxton said "let it begin with me".
Happy new year, happy holidays and peace to all, regardless if you want it that way or not! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

I, too, prefer a very simple Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

I posted that because I thought it was rather funny (and long). It seems to me that this is what this country's coming to... a disclaimer for everything.

merry christmas???

happy chanukah??????

you folks are weird!! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/cool.gif" width=15 height=15>

my god!!!! Leap Year 2004 has already overtaken us and it is now CELERY LEAP YEAR!!!!!!!!! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/eek.gif" width=15 height=15>

Happy Gnu Year!

Happy New Year one and all ... hope it's a good one for all of us.

Don't see the harm in saying a simple happy, merry, joyous season to all. Seems like we need a little happy, merry, joyous whatever during the winter--especially in the frozen north.

...i think it's funny, Terrie.....

....so thanks to all of you for making this year a little sweeter, a little funnier, turning up the volume on the greatest music and sharing the best of yourselves when the time came around.....among other stuff
.....may it all happen for you...whatever it is....and more.....

even Larry:)....

oh! yeah! happy um...um...what was it again? <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

yeah, even larry. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

Happy New Yrs kids! Here's to more blundering in 2004! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

Happy New Year friends!

Happily accepting all greetings or wishes of goodwill in the spirit offered whether or not I practice a particular faith or custom. I guess Woody said it best, "all or none".

Peace

Every day is the start of a new year, if you think about it, so have a happy, healthy one, everybody!

Happy Nr Yr kids! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>