I saw Bill O'Reilly talking to a Rabbi on the news about an Airport that took down its Christmas trees b/c a Jewish person complained that there were no Hannukah decorations. The Jewish person (a Rabbi) offered to donate some decorations to the airport, but they said that then everyone would want their religion represented and the airport just decided to take everything down. It seems sad to me that everyone appears to be offended so easily these days, and people have to watch every little thing they say...am I the only one who thinks that people need to just realize that some people have different beliefs and opinions and stop getting so f*cking offended all the time? What are we trying to do; create a perfect society where no one ever has to experience something DIFFERENT?
2006-12-11 23:19:10 · 7 answers · asked by ashley b 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I think you're absolutely right. Americans are getting offended too easily. The first amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right to free speech, but the other side of that is that people have no right not to be offended.
The other side of that, though, is that the airport may be publicly funded, and the first amendment also guarantees that the government will do nothing to promote the official establishment of any religion. If the airport is publicly owned then the Christmas decorations could be construed as promoting Christmas over other holidays. And that is un-American.
It's a bit of give and take. I think the airport took the coward's way out by just taking down all decorations, instead of trying to put up decorations to appeal to everyone, but that's their decision.
Now, many businesses, of course, will take huge steps not to offend anyone because they don't want to hurt their business, and in this era of easy offense that's too common. So even if the airport was private, they might have taken this step to avoid losing business.
But yes, I think people get offended too easily these days. The fact remains that no one has a right not to be offended. And part of having free speech in our country means that you might not like everything that's being said, shown, etc. But as an American, you just have to deal with it. It's the law, and it's good law.
2006-12-11 23:28:59 · answer #1 · answered by jfellrath 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What Seatac airport did was reasonable under the circumstances. It would have been easy enough to placate the rabbi and add some Jewish decoration but then a dozen other groups would want the same treatment. And threatening lawsuits. And then a hundred more groups and where does it end?
But it's not just in the U.S. Our Islamic pals are the the worst crybabies on the planet. They threatened to murder a guy who wrote a novel that offended them. Look at all the hostility because somebody made some cartoons with their prophet. I saw those cartoons and they were pretty unoffensive. And again over some harmless remark by the pope. And it's not like Islamics are respectful of others.
2006-12-12 07:44:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Rabbi wanted an 8ft menorah displayed. He didn't ask for a 1ft menorah. He threatened a lawsuit. The airport caved in. I don't have a problem with others wanting their religion respresented. The airport was generic in their decorations anyway. There was no nativity scene, so why should there be a menorah. The decorations were SEASONAL. People should really quit there bitc---.
2006-12-12 07:28:14 · answer #3 · answered by Tellin' U Da Truth! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Political correctness is way out of hand, not to mention that it's a pain in the a s s to always have to watch everything that you say for fear of offending someone, even the normal everyday stuff that, five years ago, would have offended no one. I think a lot of it is just an excuse to sue someone for "emotional damages."
2006-12-12 07:25:46 · answer #4 · answered by CrankyYankee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At this moment in time, Christmas is the only religious national holiday. In my opinion, Christmas trees, the baby Jesus etc... should be the only allowed items displayed in public places.
2006-12-12 08:56:53 · answer #5 · answered by Steve B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup,this political correctness crap has gone way too far.Who the hell cares what other people like/don't like??I sure don't-live and let live.
2006-12-12 07:22:59 · answer #6 · answered by festeringhump 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you.
2006-12-12 07:23:28 · answer #7 · answered by Brooke22365 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋