New Years: The Safe Holiday

Happy New Year, everyone. Because it's the one holiday around the holidays that we can all agree on; there's no controversy, no hard feelings, just a good old fashioned "thank God the world made it around for another 365." Actually, "thank the maker of your choice . . ." or no, "the lack of a maker of your choice . . ."

Seriously, I do like the fact that I can just say "Happy New Year" freely and unencumbered by any need to censor myself or translate the greeting into PC-English OR its faith-based equivalent. And I seem to notice other people say "Happy New Year" with a bit more gusto and confidence than they do some other Holiday greetings. Because we don't have to think about it: "Wait, do they celebrate New Year's or not? I better just say 'Happy Holidays'."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter about this culture battle that crops up every year over "Happy Holidays!" vs. "[INSERT GREETING OF YOUR TRADITION HERE]!". I guess I'm just a little confused by the whole controversy. Having lived abroad and experienced holiday greetings that aren't of my tradition, I don't have any problem if someone wishes me "Happy Chanukah" or "Happy Kwanza" or "Happy Roast Suckling Pig Day" for that matter (it does exist, by the way). If the intent of the well-wisher is truly to wish me well, then how can I take offence?

And if instead you choose the more inclusive "Happy Holidays," as I sometimes do, so as not to offend someone, then how can I take offence at THAT? But when people question the intentions behind another person's goodwill and seem to LOOK to be offended, from either side of this prickly fence, well then I'm just sort of befuddled. I think people have gotten entirely too sensitive and reactionary on both sides of this thing.

As far as the CHRISTmas question, I do see the secular argument that yes it's a religious holiday and shouldn't be shoved down the throats of the un-Christian (actually I should say non-Christian, as there are plenty o' Christians out there who are un-Christian , but that's another post for another day). Yes, it's centered around the birth of Jesus, as is much of the imagery and the carols, etc. But when I wish someone a Merry Christmas, I'm not really saying "Happy Birth of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ." And I imagine many others who do use the greeting (or have the impulse to) feel the same way. I don't feel compelled to say "Happy Easter" to non-Christians because that's a totally different ballgame. And I'll tell you why.

Christmas was originally a pagan holiday known as Yule or Yuletide and was later adopted by the Roman Empire as a marketing ploy; by attaching the birth of Jesus to a well-established celebration, they were able to sell the fledgling religion to its new converts. Yule was centered around celebrating the winter solstice by bringing the bounty of wintry nature into the home, spending time with families and generally gettin' your merry on---many of these traditions are still with us today. The urge to party this time of year is very powerful---because it's cold and dreary outside and we need something to celebrate, right?

Much to the chagrin of many hard-core Christians, Christmas has returned to a more secular holiday in the past century, centered around the tree and the presents and a fat man in a red suit. It has re-evolved back into a semi-pagan holiday. Have you noticed: we don't even pronounce the "T"? It's "Crissmas" not "CHRISTmas". Growing up, I remember some of these stuffy Christians bemoaning that society had forgotten all about "the reason for the season", namely, the birth of Mr. JC---it was this huge guilt trip that all we cared about were the presents. But to me, it's all about peace on earth, good will toward men and all that other beautiful stuff that transcends religion.

But it's very ironic that even though Christmas has become largely absent of Christianity in its mainstream appearance every year, there are those who still seek to root out the secular traditions of holly, evergreens and presents. I'm all for leaving the nativity scenes and the blatantly Christian carols out of the public square, but does anyone really feel oppressed and threatened by a tree? I know the answer is yes, some people do---I just think it's a little overboard.

And so I'm glad that we do have a public Holiday like New Year's that is free of controversy and politics. Although I wouldn't be surprised if that weren't always the case: "Don't you think it's offensive to Chinese-Americans to wish 'Happy New Year' a whole month before their celebration!? That's so insensitive."

Bad Fat and Good Building Regulations

NYC is banning trans-fats from all of their restaurants. They'll be the first city in the states to pass such legislation. Though the changeover will be tough for the city's legion of eateries, they've got until July to clean up their frying oils and another year to wipe out all trans fats from NYC menus.

Seems to me that this is a pretty big deal. People are becoming increasingly aware of the detriments of this harmful byproduct of the food industry and props to the big apple for taking the lead on this---others are sure to follow. Although the short-term benefits (longer shelf life = greater profits) are tepmting, evidence of the long-term effects is piling up.

It's important to notice one distinction here: this is NOT about eating fatty foods or losing weight or any of that. It's about eliminating an unnatural poison from our diets. And that process begins with a public recognition that it is in fact a poison. We unknowingly consume so much that is damaging to our health and this is a great step in raising our awareness and cutting out some of the junk.

I don't believe in legislating people's diets, I see this as a public health issue akin to water pollution or buildings with asbestos. As NYC Mayor Bloomberg put it: "Nobody wants to take away your french fries and hamburgers---I love those things, too. But if you can make them with something that is less damaging to your health, we should do that."

In other semi-related news, my own fair city has just passed a new Green Building Bill. Starting in 2012---because we have to start somewhere---all commercial development over 50,000 square feet in Washington, DC will need to meet the standards of The Green Building Council. This has been referred to as "the most comprehensive green building legislation in the U.S." (washington post express 12.6.06 p. 11).

"East Coast Leads Green Revolution" . . . who would have thought?