The otherday, while strolling around in my local Walmart, I must have seen at least 3 kids crying and screaming their heads off at their parents, screaming "But I want that oneeeee!" or "NO! I WANT IT NOW!" or my all time favorite, "I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!"
I'm not usually a violent person, but right then I wanted to slap their faces. 
Where did we go wrong? I'll tell you where. We are spoiled, and don't anyone give me no fucking "Thanks Captain Obvious" unless you want to have a shitload of pain.
We have had the high life for so long in our lives, we've become nothing but selfish, greedy and lets not forget bitchy bags of bone and flesh.
"Oh but the children!" I hear some of you cry. Fuck the children, I know for a fact that many of your parents or grandparents were lucky to get 1 thing on Christmas morning! And what they got, they we're grateful for! It makes me wanna puke when I see parents running around doing their child's bidding, and even when the child ends up getting a Playstation 2, a TV, a Bike, a new computer, and a bunch of other techno-crap marketed as the "IN" thing to stop your whiney, crying little brats for at least 24hrs!...yet...the child isn't satisfied.
I think one way to go about a remedy is to show children "Scenes of a Hobo Christmas," where it shows how happy a child is to have a used warm coat on his back, at the expense of 2 weeks of begging on the parents part.
THESE ARE THE INNOCENT ONES. THEY WILL UNDERSTAND CHRISTMAS MORE THAN YOUR SELF CENTERED LITTLE FUCKS PROBABLY EVER WILL.
"Oh but my child's fragile mind! He/She doesn't need to be exposed to that kind of graphic scenes, they'll be traumatized!"
Uh, Sorry, screw that, your child is gonna grow up an ignorant little fool, and finally one day when they realize what goes on outside the world, they'll hate you for sheltering them. And traumatized? What the hell do you think happened when your parents/grandparents talked back to their parents, or yelled and scream at them or said I hate you?
THEY GOT THE SHIT SMACKED OUT OF THEM AND GOT HAULED TO CHURCH
That's called Reinforcement, something you obviously forget to put between you and your husband on your wedding night.
Thanks for hearing me out, and if I offended/got through to at least one of you, then did not do this all for naught.
Feel better now?
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KaLourin DthBlayde had this to say about Tron:
*a white flag on a little stick pokes up from behind the wreckage of the room KaL was sitting in before the whirlwind blew through*
*a similar scene occurs in jasons room*
Xmas has little to no meanign anymore, its a Corporate holiday now, my parents when they were children were lucky to get anything. They were in CHURCH on xmas not in front of a tree waiting for thier new material possessions... im not Christian but i really think they should rename it, at least when it comes to the general public to "Presant day" cause thats all it is.
I bet most of you own more thinsg with santa on it than Jesus (not counting the manjor schene which EVERYONE has hehe) who the holiday was originally for anyway.
Bastardized holiday, just like St Patricks day...
Of course its commercialized, you think the big corporations would miss out on a financial opportunity like the biggest gift-giving holiday all year? 
So as a reformed spoiled shit, I say 'Preach it'.
Ozius
I agree it is too centered on getting than giving. I remember the huge recession on the late 70's that has people lined up for gas and my dad laid off from his job at the railroad. Our Christmases were tough then. Government help was the norm in this area of the country as Shipping was our biggest industry.
I've seen the prosperity as well. Both my parents sprung back and we got some great things. My little brother was stupid enough once to say "That's it?" after opening all his gifts when he was about 10. I seem to recall his gifts being confiscated for a while and him spending some time in his room. Also got to do some 'volunteer' work at the Salvation Army for it. That changed his outlook pretty quick on Christmas.
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Ryuujin had this to say about Pirotess:
We have had the high life for so long in our lives, we've become nothing but selfish, greedy and lets not forget bitchy bags of bone and flesh.
Speak for yourself 
Believe it or not there are intellegent people out there.
Ironically, the two holidays people accuse of having lost their true religious meaning, didn't originally have that meaning. Back while Christians were still widely persecuted (as they still are in some parts of the world, but not nearly as much as in the first couple centuries of the religion) they couldn't openly celebrate any aspect of their religion, Christ's birth among them. So they coincided their Christmas celebration with a pagan winter festival. Christ was certainly not born in the middle of winter, not if shepherds were watching their flocks at night at the time.
Easter is actually an older story, dating back to persecution of the Jews, who coincided their celebration of Passover with a pagan holiday clebrating Spring. That set the Jewish formula for the date of Passover, which in turn sets Christians' date for Easter. Ironically, the pagan Spring festival is where the origin of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny began. So people who claim that the Easter bunny detracts from the "true meaning" of the holiday are actually wrong in a way, that's what the holiday meant, even the name of the holiday comes from that. Not downplaying what it later became for the Jews and Christians.
Anyway, back to the orginal point, it's perfectly natural for companies to capitilize on people's tendencies during holidays. People are like this all the time, it's just more pronounced on a holiday that emphasizes giving and getting things. But not everybody's like that. It's just that the people that are, are a lot more noticeable. [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Troodon ]
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Lawgiver Cadga had this to say about Duck Tales:
ya know i kidna agreeXmas has little to no meanign anymore, its a Corporate holiday now, my parents when they were children were lucky to get anything. They were in CHURCH on xmas not in front of a tree waiting for thier new material possessions... im not Christian but i really think they should rename it, at least when it comes to the general public to "Presant day" cause thats all it is.
I bet most of you own more thinsg with santa on it than Jesus (not counting the manjor schene which EVERYONE has hehe) who the holiday was originally for anyway.
Bastardized holiday, just like St Patricks day...
I know no one will beleive me, but I swear this is the absolute truth. The thing I enjoy most about Christmas isn't the new snowboard
( http://www.forum-snowboards.com/boards_media/pl_boards_media/pl_boards_158_lrg.gif 
)
But the night before, at Midnight Mass. For Catholics at least, it's a VERY neat ceremony that opens with the church totally dark, then candles and then the most beautiful choir and music ever. And the solemn peace of that service. THAT, beleive it or not, is my favourite part of Christmas.
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The Otaku Penguin had this to say about Reading Rainbow:
But the night before, at Midnight Mass. For Catholics at least, it's a VERY neat ceremony that opens with the church totally dark, then candles and then the most beautiful choir and music ever. And the solemn peace of that service. THAT, beleive it or not, is my favourite part of Christmas.
I have to agree. During the years we lived in Hanibal Missouri, my mom allways tried to make it to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve/Christmas. She allways went to the church that she used to go to while growing up. While not Catholic myself, I went with her most of the times that she went. It allways ment so much to her to be in that church for Midnight Mass. I wish I could take her back for it this year, but there is no way I could afford it, and I don't think she would handle the trip that well (health problems). 
Got one thing to say about this.... amen.
My parents spanked me, told me no, rewarded me only when I wasnt a little brat.
They're miserable with how I turned out but the thought was there ^_^
In other words: [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Ferrel ]
Spank your kids.
Tell them no.
Reward them if they're good.
If all else fails, sell them.
Ferrel!
If it is nothing but a commercial holiday for you, then that's what it is.
Dont waste your time trying to change people, most everyone doesnt want to be changed and will not listen to you.
If you know what the true reason for Christmas is, you wouldnt be attacking your fellow man.
The world hasnt become spoiled the world has simply lost all tolerance for everyone and everything.
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Reynar had this to say about pies:
Christmas is only what 'you' make of it.If it is nothing but a commercial holiday for you, then that's what it is.
Dont waste your time trying to change people, most everyone doesnt want to be changed and will not listen to you.
If you know what the true reason for Christmas is, you wouldnt be attacking your fellow man.
The world hasnt become spoiled the world has simply lost all tolerance for everyone and everything.
Amen.
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Reynar had this to say about Duck Tales:
Dont waste your time trying to change people, most everyone doesnt want to be changed and will not listen to you.
wrong
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Ryuujin had this to say about Cuba:
wrong
I am astounded by that high quality logic, I certainly cannot dissagree with you now 
That's my Christmas, That's what ive been waiting 365 days for, i'm gonna try and enjoy it despite the commercialism
[/Leckie's boring views on life.]
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Reynar had this to say about (_|_):
Christmas is only what 'you' make of it.If it is nothing but a commercial holiday for you, then that's what it is.
Dont waste your time trying to change people, most everyone doesnt want to be changed and will not listen to you.
If you know what the true reason for Christmas is, you wouldnt be attacking your fellow man.
The world hasnt become spoiled the world has simply lost all tolerance for everyone and everything.
werd yo.
Just because I celebrate Christmas doesn't mean I celebrate it for the same reason another does.
Am I a bad person because I dont go to a midnight mass? Nope. Christmas to me is a time for families to be together, to see family you rarely get to see, and to have a good time.
If I am a bad person so be it. [ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Falaanla Marr ]
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Ryuujin had this to say about Robocop:
It's wrong because it's not what I belief, I'm glad you find ridiculing me so funny, because you obviously have nothing better to do.
Im not ridiculing anything. I was merely suggesting that you either:
1) enjoy Christmas
2) ignore AND tolerate others that upset you
And just because you dont believe something, does not make it wrong. Things don't work that way [ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Reynar ]
As for comments about "Greedy little children" The perspective becomes a bit different. To sit there and trash someone with no life experience is downright cowardly, notice what Ozius said
[OUOTE]So as a reformed spoiled shit, I say 'Preach it'.[/QUOTE] please note the word "Reformed" this brings us to an interesting point... We are now exploring the depths of several controversial ideas, "Nurture vs. Nature," "Social Development after age 3," and the ever wonderful "Why are people so damn Greedy" well as physical beings why should we not crave physical posessions... If a child wants a toy and gets it, at one point that child experiences joy. However, If the child recieves something He/She did not want, or turned out to be not what was expected the child experiences being upset.(Wow, now were into the depths of Greed and one facet of Nurture vs. Nature... Hold onto your hats were about to get up close and personal with Social Development.) Now a childs level of Social Development can be measured at this point... Does the child outwardly act Dissappointed? Most likely "Yes" Why? because that childs parents were not successful in teaching that child that being dissapointed is Socially Unacceptable when your recieving gifts. Now hopefully (Hopefully in how im going to use it now is a social corruption.) that childs parents will "discipline" that child and that child will not question his/her gifts in the future. However that child will not necessairly appriciate that gift. How can the
child possibly appriciate a gift he/she dosent like? I tell you they cant, They have no experience in the matter, they dont yet understand the "Thought that counts" Idea, they have nothing to judge a persons intent untill at least age 10. Even if they know it most likely hasnt yet developed into a rigid guideline they live by. Also Please Please Please consider the fact that these children were RAISED by the same people who you referance "Your Parents" they are the ones "Spoiling" children, thats their parenting technique, If you have a problem take it up with the 25+ Crowd that has children, not the unfortunates who dont know better. Swear to god you people dont understand your children because you raised them to be DIFFERENT!
I wanted to say alot more and make a better argument but Unfortunately First period is over. Please consider what ive said.
I don't ask for anything. Ever.
I end up getting presents that I very much enjoy.
And I do agree that Christmas has lost so much of it's meaning.
Edit: Maybe it's in my culture. I've had lots of influence from my Asian and Indian parents. [ 12-10-2001: Message edited by: Soldar ]
I'm an uncle, so my rule for presents are simple:
1. Nothing that comes in a flat, cardboard box. You know what I'm talking about.
2. If it needs batteries, it's a good toy.
3. If it makes noise, it's a good toy.
4. If it makes noise and uses batteries, it's an excellent toy.
My job at Christmas is to buy toys for my nephews.
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Mightion Defensor had this to say:
If it makes noise and uses batteries, it's an excellent toy.
[ 12-10-2001: Message edited by: Star Collective ]
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Ferrel had this to say about John Romero:
Got one thing to say about this.... amen.My parents spanked me, told me no, rewarded me only when I wasnt a little brat.
They're miserable with how I turned out but the thought was there ^_^
In other words:
Spank your kids.
Tell them no.
Reward them if they're good.
If all else fails, sell them.
What Ferrel said.
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Star Collective had this to say:
Get yer mind out of the gutter Mort!
Impossible. I live there.
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Siliddar wrote this then went back to looking for porn:
cuz grandparents live in KC
Your Grandparents live in Karnor? 
Seriously though, you can't relly blame little children for what they do, for they most likely don't understand the consequences of what they do. If your only reason for doing something is getting hit by your parents if you don't you aren't really motivated to do so.
