Maybe Soros got to Bush

December 5, 2005

Last week, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly insisted that philanthropist George Soros is “the moneyman” behind a massive conspiracy to destroy Christmas. He did not appear to be kidding.

O’Reilly may not want to hear it, but I think Soros may have gotten to Bush, too.

First, First Lady Laura Bush wished everyone a “happy holidays” when the Christmas season began at the White House. Then the official White House holiday card was sent to supporters, over the signatures of the president and his wife, extending “best wishes for a holiday season of hope and happiness 2005.”

And as if these obviously anti-Christian affronts weren’t outrageous enough, a member of the White House press corps reminded Scott McClellan on Friday that the invitation to the annual Christmas party for the media now reads, “A Holiday Reception.” In a defense that will clearly irritate O’Reilly, McClellan said:

“This is a time to welcome people of all faiths, and all those who are celebrating the holiday season.”

That’s a terrific and even-handed response, but it’s the exact opposite of what many conservatives have demanded. Indeed, if a department store’s public relations department said what McClellan said, Falwell, O’Reilly, and the American Family Association would call for an immediate boycott of the store. And yet, it’s become the official line of the Bush White House.

When O’Reilly was asked if it was acceptable for a company to try to be “inclusive,” he said, “This is insulting to Christian America.” And now that the Bush White House has taken the same tack, is the president insulting Christian America, too?

The truth is, I don’t much care what the Bush holiday card says or what they call the party for the media. But it entertains me to no end to think that the White House is consistently undermining the culture war being waged by Fox News and the religious right. It has to be driving them crazy.

Update: But wait, there’s more. This morning the White House hosted a “Children’s Holiday Reception,” where the kids were encouraged to have a “very happy holiday.” Somewhere, O’Reilly must be going apoplectic.

Here’s a deal for the Christian right– all we liberals will get everyone we know to say “Happy Jesus birthday,” loud and proud, all December long, if the wingers get Bush to replace Alito with Laurence Tribe as S.C. nominee.

  • I don’t know why I find every story involving O’Reilly so amsuing. I’ve been following the War on Christmas story since the AFA decided to boycott Target. OK. So the advertising says ‘Happy Holidays’ as opposed to Merry Christmas. Big friggin’ deal. You would think good Christians should be concerned about the commercialization of the holiday, rather than the wording on the advertising.

  • Give ’em credit. The White House gets one
    right, pun not intended. Takes the heat off us
    horrible progressives, too. Exposes this paranoid
    nonsense for what it really is, too. It’s all about
    political correctness, inclusiveness, not some
    evil, liberal, commie grinch-like plot to steal
    Christmas from the poor, innocent fundies.

  • The War on Christmas is a wingnut ploy to distract the base. The WOC ran last year as well, but it is worse this year because Bush’s poll numbers are worse. O’Reilly and Gibson are leading these people around by the nose. The rubes will never notice what the White House card reads unless these Rubemasters bring it to their attentions, which they won’t. This allows the White House to appear above it all while reaping the benefits of a lathered-up mob distracted from the disaster of the Bush Gang.

  • Listen carefully folks:

    Only one reason prevents Bush’s White House from jibing with Fox’s “Christian American” ideology: Our nation’s obligations and machinations with Israel.

    Because of Israel the White House chooses NOT to insult American Jews (at this time).

    Otherwise this would be a major issue, and Bush would be singing this Christmas/Holiday/Republican shit up with seasonal glee.

    Understand this:

    The White House didn’t choose their language because it was the morally right thing to do.

    They choose it because it was an expedient political thing to do.

    Happy New Year everyone, and a Machiavellian Christmas too…

  • As much as I generally despise the Bush administration I’m willing to admit that I respect their courageous stand on the War on Christmas.

  • While we’re on the religiosity of the Bush Crime Family, have you seen the story at the Daily Kos about the President’s brother, Neil, traveling the world to promote the unification all world religions under the spiritual leadership of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, self-appointed replacement for Christ? Can you imagine what the right wing press would’ve done with this if Clinton’s brother had embarked on such a crusade?

    Here’s a hearty, Roman “Happy Saturnalia” (barf, barf)!

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