Postal Service phases out Christmas

[Itsme]

Postal Service phases out Christmas

Each year since 1962, the Postal Service has created a commemorative stamp for the Christmas season. That first 4-cent stamp depicted a green wreath with a red bow and the words "Christmas 1962" on the lower half of the stamp.

In 1966, the first of a recurring series of Christmas stamps showing various artists' renditions of the Madonna and Child began. This series would run until 2004.

In 1972, a double Christmas issue began. The "traditional" stamp continued with its Madonna and Child depiction. The new "contemporary" stamp showed secular symbols - Santa Claus, among others. Although different in subject, they all had the word "Christmas" on the face of the stamp.

In 1980, the contemporary stamp began to change. The words "Christmas" or "Merry Christmas" were replaced with "Season's Greetings." In 1986, "Season's" was stricken from the contemporary in favor of the one word "Greetings." In 1995, the contemporary changed again when "Greetings" was dropped in favor of no wording.

This brings us to 2005, when you no longer will find traditional Madonna and Child Christmas stamps or the word "Christmas" on any stamps at your post office. For the first time in 43 years, the Postal Service has not issued a traditional Christmas stamp.

However, you will find the brand new "holiday issue" - four 37-cent stamps of holiday cookies. The first shows a cookie Santa. The second shows cookie snowpersons, one masculine and one feminine. Another shows a cookie angel. The last shows cookie elves, one a light sugar cookie the other a dark gingerbread.

The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, appointed by the U.S. postmaster general to delegate subject matter on postage, should be duly recognized in approving this "holiday" series. The U.S. Postal Service Web site lists a few members: Jean Firstenberg, director American Film Institute; Dr. Henry Gates Jr., Afro-American Studies chair, Harvard University; Michael Heyman, chancellor emeritus, University of California at Berkeley; and Karl Malden, actor.

These distinguished Americans are certainly very inclusive in regards to race and gender, and thoughtful enough to add mythical persons, Santa Claus and spirit persons -angels. At the same time, they bravely shield us from the offensive by avoiding any reference to "Christmas."

My only question of the committee is this: Explain to me, please, exactly what "holiday" do these new stamps celebrate?

This year, maybe I'll just send a Christmas e-mail instead.

Barry Navarre

Rayne


Originally published October 29, 2005

http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pb...0/1014/OPINION

[Burzhui]

good, religion has no place in any public or govermental branch. The sooner religion is removed from our lives the better we will all be

[MikeD]

good, religion has no place in any public or govermental branch. The sooner religion is removed from our lives the better we will all be

I'm assuming you don't celebrate Christmas then. No gifts for/from you?

[Burzhui]

I'm assuming you don't celebrate Christmas then. No gifts for/from you?

i don't do religion period, i celebrate new year's however that's when i get my presents

[nickel]

i don't do religion period, i celebrate new year's however that's when i get my presents

yeh, cause you just want to hit up all the after Christmas sales before your gift giving.

were you annoyed in Italy with the religious references all around?

[LegendKiller]

good, religion has no place in any public or govermental branch. The sooner religion is removed from our lives the better we will all be

Technically the USPS isn't a governmental branch. They are a self-supporting entity, they have revenue and net-income figures like any normal company. The workers aren't even considered full governmental workers, but quasi-governmental in many ways, much akin to Federal Reserve workers, except even more distant from the government.

The only reason why the government keeps control of the USPS is for their own shipments, full control of the distribution of the mail (all citizens have the right to mail, mail on saturdays...etc), and they love the 1.5 billion + in net income the USPS throws off.

A stamp is a comercial good that comes in many different styles/categories and you are not forced to choose among one good.

That being said, they had many Holiday stamps, including Jewish and Islamic stamps. You were/are not forced or unduly influenced to buy that stamp or forced to see it. I find nothing wrong with keeping Christmas or other religious stamps.

[adjaw]

i don't do religion period, i celebrate new year's however that's when i get my presents

Sounds like a Festivus kinda person.

[Lolita]

Sounds like a Festivus kinda person.

He left out the fact that he's Russian and Russians celebrate New Year's with the tree and gift-giving and Father Winter, etc...but religion does not play a role in that holiday.

Btw, Festivus is alright in my book

[jstreet]

I celebrate Christmas. I think it's been coopted enough by various entities (Hallmark, retail, the government) that it's not a Christian thing any more. I celebrate Santa and co., not Jesus and co.

So new stamps seem good to me! I do like my holiday cookies.

[Burzhui]

Technically the USPS isn't a governmental branch. They are a self-supporting entity, they have revenue and net-income figures like any normal company. The workers aren't even considered full governmental workers, but quasi-governmental in many ways, much akin to Federal Reserve workers, except even more distant from the government.
....

And that is why i said public and governement

[Burzhui]

Sounds like a Festivus kinda person.

heh

"Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
"

[DarkFury]

heh

"Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
"

You have a son...


He likes dolls...


We never knew...

[attgig]

well said LK. nobody's forcing you to buy those particular stamps...

[Showtime]

"Festivus for the rest of us."

[kgsilvas]

Sad to see this tradition phased out in a nod to PC. Wonder if the Postal Service will give up Christmas as a holiday then????

[LPMiller]

yes, because that would be a logical assumption based on reasoned thought.

[ufcrusher]

For all of you people who are offended by the removal of the "traditional christmas" stamps, I really wonder if you ever stop and look at it from other religions persepectives?

How would you feel if everywhere you go in December, everyone said, Happy Hannukah or even Happy Kwanza? Every store....every worker. They all say the same thing. No one mentions Christmas. Would you feel fine or would you be annoyed? You would wonder why none of these places could just say, Happy Holidays, which would include everything. But no, most of them say Happy Hannukah or Happy Kwanza. They ask you if you have your menorah out yet, have dreidels and gelt. (Sorry dont know what is put up for Kwanza)

I am sure most of you think that you would just shrug it off, but in reality over time you would get more and more annoyed by it. Why force your beliefs on others? Why should you assume that everyone is like you?

Back to the stamps, yes they offer stamps of the multiple religions and it is up to the individual to purchase what they want. However, have you ever noticed that many of your envelopes will have the stamps stamped with Merry Christmas? I think I can recall seeing Happy Holidays every once in a while, but I clearly recall seeing the Merry Christmas one a lot. (In fairness, I am slightly annoyed by that one so I would remember it more than one that is harmless in my mind.)

[Burzhui]

....(Sorry dont know what is put up for Kwanza)
...

no one does

[BigJon]

Why force your beliefs on others? Why should you assume that everyone is like you?

The belief of separation of church and state is forced upon those who do not wish it... How is that any different? Why should the we assume that everyone is atheist?

[cheapchinese]

PC people should really take a step back sometimes and lay off issues like these. I thought Democracy was MAJORITY RULES. Since Bush got elected, I can assume, the Majority of AMERICAN wouldn't mind having christmas on their stamps.
The only people that would have problems would be people that believes in different religions. Hello, ever heard of embracing, or adapting to your environment.
Whats next, smoking is allowed back in resturants again, as they feel offended, that they are being discrimminated against. (humour)

Another example, Prostitution, should we crimminalize the act? Some may argue by doing that we're forcing unemployment on them. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051102...aiwansexrights Do they harm anyone?

********
sorry just finish a freaken paper......I HATE HUMANITY (AS A CLASS)

POLITICAL FORUM?

[LPMiller]

The belief of separation of church and state is forced upon those who do not wish it... How is that any different? Why should the we assume that everyone is atheist?

it's not a belief, it's established law. And it's 'forced' on goverment. Not people.

[nickel]

it's not a belief, it's established law. And it's 'forced' on goverment. Not people.

and by being 'forced' on government it is effectively forced on people.

[OC]

The USPS is missing a great PR opportunity here. They should hold a design contest for a limited edition (numbered even) book of 20 stamps that celebrates the world's religions. Each stamp would also be available as a book of just that stamp. Have contests at elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as from college art students from around the country.

Just a thought.

[InfiniteNothing]

and by being 'forced' on government it is effectively forced on people.

I wasn't aware there was an opposing constitutional right to have pretty envelopes. Your not having anything forced on you.

On a side note, there's a website that lets you put a picture of your choosing on stamps.

[InfiniteNothing]

The belief of separation of church and state is forced upon those who do not wish it... How is that any different? Why should the we assume that everyone is atheist?

How is SOCAS forced upon you? Government can't just pick and chose which religions to support. The whole point is so that everyone's treated equally and fairly. Lastly, what happened to all of you "private corporations can do as they like" folk? This isn't coming from SOCAS this is coming from a private decision.

[nickel]

I wasn't aware there was an opposing constitutional right to have pretty envelopes. Your not having anything forced on you.

On a side note, there's a website that lets you put a picture of your choosing on stamps.

sure we are. we are having this change forced upon us.
and no amount of fancy words or fancy rationalizations will change that fact.

on a side note, i am not paying extra to have customized stamps made.
it's not worth that much to me.

[nickel]

The USPS is missing a great PR opportunity here. They should hold a design contest for a limited edition (numbered even) book of 20 stamps that celebrates the world's religions. Each stamp would also be available as a book of just that stamp. Have contests at elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as from college art students from around the country.

Just a thought.

that is a great idea. you should relay it to the USPS.

[jstreet]

sure we are. we are having this change forced upon us.
and no amount of fancy words or fancy rationalizations will change that fact.

Who's forcing anyone to do anything? The Postal Service opted to make a choice they're entitled to make.

[zenbooty]

Jeez guys, it ain't even Thansgiving yet, and already all the annual "boo hoo hoo they're banning Christmas" gobbledegook is pouring forth. Can't you at least wait till shopping season starts?

[nickel]

Jeez guys, it ain't even Thansgiving yet, and already all the annual "boo hoo hoo they're banning Christmas" gobbledegook is pouring forth. Can't you at least wait till shopping season starts?

Jeez zen, it ain't even Thanksgiving yet, and already you are doing your Scrooge bit.