'The Naming of Things'

One last note on the 'Holiday Party' debate. It seems that my posts and comments have brought together Brian Griffiths of Pasadena with Adam Pagnucco of Somewhere in Maryland. Here is Mr. Pagnucco's contribution in Maryland Politics Watch:

Maryland conservative bloggers are engaged in frenzied combat even as I write this. Are they battling over why the GOP lost the recent elections? No. Are they differing over how to revitalize the party? No. They are at war over whether the Anne Arundel Young Republicans should name their winter gathering a "Holiday Party" or a "Christmas Party."

First, I have to say that I am encouraged that enough folks found it worthwhile to read my posts and comments on the subject. Neither Messrs Griffiths or Pagnucco (or 'Mister Brian' and 'Mister Adam' as I am sure children call them with their approval) wrote much other than "Hey, look at Mike!" And a lot of people did.

But I have to answer Mr. Pagnucco, however. I firmly believe that we are indeed debating the reasons for the GOP's latest defeat and the revitalization of the party. Readers of my blog will recognize that I point out evidence of cultural erosion mostly in language and especially in our own party. Why? Because in most cases the erosion is in the direction of the language of modern liberalism, commonly referred to as Political Correctness.

The GOP is not a helpless beach forming the shore of a liberal ocean. We are, one would think, able to resist. And it is the failure of GOP politicians to rise to the defense of language against the onslaught of the left that has led to a lack of enthusiasm in the party and mounting losses.

I like to think of it as the chink in the GOP armour. So while it may seem insignificant, the use the word 'Holiday' when Christmas is the only secular 'holiday' meant, is, in fact, a manifestation of Political Correctness. And being PC is for Republicans or at least for the party's conservative base, anathema. Witness Mr. Griffiths' reaction to my question. He knows what it means and he fears being accused of being PC.

And he came up with the "...political, not a religious organization" fairly quickly. Almost as though he had been waiting for the question to asked. Religion has nothing to do with it. Christmas is a secular federal holiday on December 25th. Christians celebrate by exchanging gifts, trimming trees, decorating with red and green and holly leaves and berries. People of other faiths celebrate by not going to work that day, for the most part.