Daily Thought Pad: Members of Congress Win Right to Say 'Merry Christmas' Without Ethics Violation

For anyone out there who still believes that there isn’t a war on Christmas, religion, or Christianity… It is a battle that has been ramping up for years, but check out this terrific victory in that ‘politically correct’ battle:

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) has just won a major battle against the politically correct left’s “War on Christmas,” he announced in a press release on (Tuesday)… Christmas Eve.

By Marion Algier – The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 25

Breitbart: Since 1973, U.S. House rules made it an ethics violation for any official congressional communications to contain the phrase “Merry Christmas.” This month, after battling the system for the more than two years since he took office in 2011, Huelskamp was able to get the House to determine it will not consider use of the phrase “Merry Christmas” an ethics violation.

“For decades the PC Police have intimidated Christians throughout America with their attacks on the symbols and language of Christmas,” Huelskamp said in a statement released midday on Christmas Eve. “From nativity scenes to Christmas trees, those opposed to Christmas has sought to eradicate any reason for the season from the public square. And Congress has not been exempted.”

Huelskamp noted the history of the U.S. House’s War on Christmas before detailing how he has won this battle in the war.

“Amazingly since 1973, the U.S. House of Representatives has forbidden the use of ‘Merry Christmas’ and deemed use of such words in any official mailing or e-mail an ethics violation,” Huelskamp said. “Instead, they demanded the use of ‘Happy Holidays.’ This month, the House Franking Commission accepted the position I have fought for since arriving in Congress — ignore the PC Police and let us use ‘Merry Christmas.’”

Huelskamp added that since 2011, he has fought against the politically correct people in the U.S. Congress who implemented and still attempted to enforce this rule. “In 2011 during an interview on Fox News, I stated my refusal to comply with this decades-old policy, which reflects the continual leftist war on Christmas,” Huelskamp said.

I have continued that refusal through today, even as it has cowered many other public officials and private industry alike. The new refusal of the U.S. House to cater to the PC Police moves us one small step away from that carefully crafted secular society devoid of any reference to our religious and cultural heritage. I am glad that finally Members of Congress can express their holiday joy in a manner that they see fit and consistent with our American history—without an ethics threat.

Huelskamp ended his statement with a warm Christmas greeting for his constituents and all Americans: “As I have done for the past two years, I personally wish you and all of America a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Merry Christmas, folks.

WATCH REP. HUELSKAMP ON FOX NEWS IN 2011 FIGHTING AGAINST 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' BAN IN CONGRESS

Video: Fox & Friends - Holiday Greetings (2011)

Plus NORAD Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations “hotline.” The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born. LINK: NORAD tracks Santa on Facebook

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In addition, we now track Santa using the internet. Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website.

Finally, media from all over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa’s journey.

Santa Tracker Christmas or Santa Tracker

Simpler Times, A Groetzmeier Christmas – WoC 2013

Presidential Christmas Addresses… WoC 2013

Last Minute, Budget and Gifts of Thoughtfulness – WoC 2013

The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness – WoC 2013

Christmas for Pet People – Woc 2013 - Watch Glenn Beck’s (2012) Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor

Christmas Baking – WoC 2013

The Best Christmas Gifts – WoC 2013

Remembering Military and Veterans at Christmastime – W0C 2013

American Traditions – WoC 2013

Still Think There Is No War on Christmas – WoC 2013