Count me among those who find nothing troubling about having a Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza or at the White House; who believe that such displays are not unconstitutional; who feel that mayors and city councils can best make decisions regarding holiday displays in their communities; who are dismayed by the frivolous lawsuits filed by the ACLU on behalf of atheists who object to such displays; and who are not offended should they be greeted this time of year with "Happy Holidays." Heck, I'd be happy with "Hi."

What is nevertheless troubling is the increasingly gratuitous politicization of Christmas by those who maintain that ominous forces seek to secularize this nation. It has become a holiday tradition for the punditry-political complex to perpetuate this semi-contrived controversy, along with the circular debating it engenders, to boost both ratings and political fundraising. They tell us that the war on Christmas is yet another critical battle in the "culture wars."

But to suggest a war on Christmas is to scale the Himalayas of hyperbole. To put the words "war" and "Christmas" together for rhetorical effect, for the sake of a sound bite, is more than just trite, it is at once absurd and inappropriate. To do so - particularly during a time of war - demeans the gravity of war itself. War is nothing less than a scourge, best undertaken only as a last and unavoidable resort; and regardless how necessary or noble, war is death and destruction, maiming and suffering; and it leaves physical, mental and emotional scars, even among those who emerge victorious. Because of this, war as an endeavor - or as a word - should never be taken lightly. (my emphasis)