Dugandzic_blog


 * __Christmas Controversy__** 12/19/07

There is much publicized controversy on the Christmas holiday this time of year. During the holiday season many people think that term "Christmas" should not be used. They think it should be replaced with terms "winter" or "holiday". Also non-religious aspects of Chirstmas or winter are still recognized, such as some Christmas songs, snowflakes, pine cones, and snowmen. The public thinks that we should focus on Santa Clause, and gift-giving, but not the actual reason for Christmas which is the birth of Jesus Christ. In a way of trying to take "Christ" out of Christmas, many people write X-mas. Although most of the public don't know this, it originated from the Greek letter, X, which means Christ.

I think that the public trying to take Christmas out of every aspect of the holiday season, to be a censorship gone too far. I do respect other religions and other holidays, but I don't think that it should be frowned upon to say Christmas, or to display a nativity scene. In public places it is okay to place holiday decorations, as long as you equally show the decorations for each holiday. But when a public place does this, they usually put up a Menorah, or Dredel, and then a Christmas tree, or a Snowman. A Christmas tree has nothing to do with the religious aspect of Christmas. In fact I know many Jewish people who have trees, and call them "Hannukah bushes". A Menorah shows the religious part of the Jewish holiday, but much controversy would be made if a nativity scene was displayed.

Although the Christmas Tree doesn't really have to deal with the religious aspect of Christmas, there are many debates and even court cases over it. In 2005 the "holiday tree" in Boston, was named a holiday tree and not a Christmas tree. The Nova Scotian man who supplied the tree said that he would rather put the tree through the shredder than to have it named a "holiday tree". I don't think that a Christmas Tree should be renamed so that it is "politically correct".

As we grow older we find out that Santa isn't real. Also as we grow up, in school the holidays are celebrated less in school. While growing up we start to loose our imaginations, and and the holidays aren't as exciting. Am I the only one who thinks this? In school this season I heard a lot "It doesn't feel like Christmas!".
 * __Christmas dwindles as we get older? -1/4/08__**

I think this is because when we are younger Christmas is a big holiday that kids look forward too. When I was younger I started counting down the days till Christmas right after Thanksgiving, and beg my mom to put up the dfecorations and the Christmas Tree immediately. But now since all of the kids in my family are grown up, we put up the Christmas Tree later and later each year.

When I look at my little cousins on Christmas and see their enthuisiasm I wish that I could be naive again and have the faith that they have. As we grow older we become accustomed to the harsch realities of the world and have less faith in the good of mankind. At times it would be nice to be a little kid again and not have to worry about the realities of life.

__**Materialism in America-1/11/08**__ America is possibly the most materialistic country in the world. We care too much about who has the best car, clothes, or job. This could be a reason why the divorce rates, and broken family rates have increased so much over the years. Also it could be the reason why so many Americans don't have a bachelors degree. Only approximately 25% of Americans have a bachelors degree.

We don't care about the important things in life such as love, happiness, education, and family. As I grow older I'm starting to realize just how important my family is, and what actually makes me happy. I think that if people don't start to come together, and focus on the important things in life we are going to bring about our own downfall.

There has been talk of a recession coming soon to America. Prices of homes are starting to drop because they were so ridiculously high. The housing "bubble" is beginning to burst. And I think Ameica is going to be in for a big surprise. Hopefully something good will come out of this recession if it actually arrives. I hope that people will wake up and become less materialistic, and focus on the greater importances of life.

As Americans we take pride in our professional athletes, and Sundays are set aside for watching football games. The thing is they get paid so much money that to them it doesn't really matter if they win. Yeah, they probalby get paid a little more when they win a big game, but they have so much money how much more could they possibly get paid? Also we as the fans create the rivalries.
 * __Who cares, they sure don't. Why should we?-1/15/08__**

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are supposed to be two of the greatest rival teams in baseball. But after the World Series Johnny Damon was traded to the Yankees. He didn't care, he was getting more money. If I sent sent to go run for North Rockland I would not be happy. I think athletes start to forget about the actual game, and why they play when we start to over pay them.

In a game the star quarterback throws a bad pass, he doesn't get that upset, he's still getting paid milions. Most professional athletes are taking steriods. We shouldn't idolize them, anyone could buy drugs to make themselves amazing. Therefore I don't think we should take professional sports as seriously as we do because most of the players don't.

__**It is super, but is it really so sweet? 1/23/08**__ MTV has a reality tv show where young teens act like complete brats and make their parents spend thousands of dollars so that they can be on the tv show My Super Sweet Sixteen. Yes, these parties are amazing and over the top, but do the party throwers really even appreciate it? It sometimes seems that all they want to do is top the next person. And even while their parents are spending loads of money on these extravagant parties for them they still pick fights with them. Or if one small thing isn't perfect they blow it way out of proportion. They are being thrown an amazing party and they'll let a tiny detail ruin the whole party.

Most kids would be thrilled to be thrown a party like that, but on top of it these kids get a car too. When the car isn't a BMW or the Mercedes they wanted, they freak out! I also heard that people can't even get on the show if they don't agree to be rude to their parents, spend a certain amount of money on the party, and get a car or something of equal value. I think that we need to step back and realize that these people are spoiled, and they don't deserve their own tv show. What is it for? Being completely rude and ungrateful to their parents? Do the not think that there are more important things in life than money and who car throw the best party? I think they need a reality check because most kids would be ecstatic to be thrown a party like that.