The Nitti Beat's Post

Break, what break? Everyday that we aren't in school i'm at work. Oh well. This christmas is going to be lousy. No snow, just rain and mud. This year has gone by so fast already, it was just like yesterday that we were playing Lake Zurich for football. Over all this break for me will be used to ketchup on sleep, work on my cars, make some cash, and most important be with my family. What would the holidays be with out families and the fun we have.

Janelle

Im so happy break is finally here..Although my family was off to a bumpy start (we went to the airport on the wrong day, our flight was supposed to be wednesday night we showed up at airport on thursday. oops!), I'm already in Florida and my parents are suprising me and my sisters with a cruise! So im leaving for that today and im really excited..I have no clue what islands im going to yet because they don't know i found out about their surprise.. but its a cruise so it will be fun. the only thing im sad about break is im not going to be home for new years. Hopefully break will go by slow because I dont wanna go back to school!!

Shannon's

My winter break should be exciting...unfortunatly it will be filled with work for Spoor.... I wish I was going on a Vacation


New topic

Two teens were charged in killing a 7 year old girl. One being her older sister, and the other her boyfriend. They told reporters they were wrestling with the young girl and practicing "Mortal Combat Moves" on her...

"Heather Trujillo told police that after they ate dinner, she and Roberts started wrestling, playing a game they called "Mortal Kombat." The affidavit says the two teens "tripped the victim, punching her in the stomach; karate chopped her lower arms, punched and pinched the victim's thighs, kicked her in the shins, slapped her stomach and buttocks, and poked at the victim's chest."

The Article:
http://www.johnstownbreeze.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2492

How could a 16 year old not understand the consequences of her actions...why would she think it's okay to beat up your younger sister until she died? I think that showed a serious lack of judgement and reflects badly on the youth of America.

Mikie's Response

I am actually very excited for this christmas break so I can catch up on a lot of lost sleep and because about 10 friends and I are going on a ski trip for 3 days after new years. ALso I plan to go downtown on the 23rd to go to dinner and see all of the christmas lights and trees. Im very ready for the year 2008 and cant wait to go to party on new years eve and celebrate everything that has happened this year. Hope everyone has a great and safe winter break!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Winter Break

Well I am not really going anywhere for winter break, although I wish I could go somewhere warmer. I will also probably spend a good amount of time doing the research paper, but other than survey homework, I don't have any other schoolwork I have to do...thanks a lot Spoor. I will go Christmas shopping for some stuff, but for the most part I am not really sure what I am going to be doing for winter break.

my winter break is gonna be pretty boring.. i think im just gonna sleep for most of it and go out when i can. its depressing when my friends are in jamaica and im sitting at home..-_-

Jamie's Post

So, what's everyone's plans for Winter Break? Anything exciting? Any travels?

T-shirts

I am a good "drawer". I could help desing the t-shirts for the team. it would be no problem. just give me a chance and i will see what i can do. Mr. English you should know what i can do.

Ryan Negele

(survay class notes)

Technology

I agree with everyone saying that technology is very good, but it comes at a price. Cellphones have helped in so many ways and make communicating with other people very easy and gets you out of tight situations because you can call for help. There is also a downside. I think even today, technology is relied upon too much. If something as simple as the electricity went out, it would be hard for people to function especially at night, because who really has a bunch of candles now a days to light up your house. Also, the computer has helped a lot with everything, whether it be to help do your homework or help to organize a persons business better, but although the computer is great, people could lose lots of money because a computer hacker could have figured out their credit card number or something.

ATTENTION

Hey guys, is anyone a good drawer in the class? The boys gymnastics team is looking for someone who can help design our T-shirts for this year. If anyone is interested please let me know ASAP. Thanks

teck

I go either way. i see that if we losse the teck that we have now we would need to adjust. but i can see the newer generation having a harder time adjusting that the older generation. I also think that the teck that we have has made our lives a lot easyer but that is a good and bad thing at the same time. what happenes when it breaks down. what then? what will we do at that point. I can tell you that there will be peoploe that will be petrofied and they will be in shock.it realy does not matter now. it is on the time of the new generation to be worried. they will be so dependent on tecknolegy that when it breaks down they will not know what to do. for us were okay now. later we need to be worried.

Scotty B's post

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said on the technology topic, but yea I agree with everyone. The leaps we have made in technology in the last couple decades are crazy. A lot of this technology helps people, and makes us more lazy, but for the most part I think everyone enjoys the luxury of technology.

Tech

I agree that technology is becoming way to comfortable in day to day life. I am just as guilty as everyone else when it comes to this, but i wish i wasn't. As times change, people along with how they live charge with it. This is just another step towards the inevitable death of man. I do not mean so sound crazy or anything along those lines, but it is true. Man can walk on the moon, drive a boat, and surf the web, what is next? Anyone see "I am Legend" sweet movies about how the cure for cancer kills the world. It is crazy and scares me to think it may actually happen. well something along those lines.

The Nitti Beat's Post

Technology, huh. Well, i think that school is to dependent on things like tecnology. For instance, this blog. Spoor said that we have to wright on the blog 2 times a week. However easy this may seem, I think the option of writing out your thoughts of the week would be something that he should consider. There have been numorous times that I have forgotten or have not had my computer accesible to do this. Cell phones also are a bad and good thing to. If i need to be reached, then its a good thing, but if don't have it with me, then i get yelled at and i don't think it's fair. I also think the argument of, "what did people do 10 yrs ago?" is a good one because they didn't have a cell phone and every thing was fine. iPOD's are great, but depending on the one you have you get classified. Finally i think that that technology as a whole are good, but people make them too involved in their lives.

mandies post =

i agree with both shannon and bailey, people are way too dependent on technology, i freak out when i dont have my phone or my internet doesnt work. what's worse though is that technology makes everyone lazy. there is no work to do anymore, everything is done for you. it has made us impatient. i feel like cooking something in the microwave for more than a minute is forever. it takes the place of the natural world, when i was littlw i played outside for hours now kids have their own computers and flippin v-smiles and all they do is sit inside and play video games and watch tv. i dont know i think that we need to take a step back and look at where we're going, how much more advanced can we get? i cant even imagine whats in store in the years to come.

Shannon's Post

I agree with Bailey. I think technology is a great tool and is useful in so many ways. However, I think it's very dangerous for us to become to dependant on it. I know when my Internet connection is down, I'm completely lost. I have so much homework on the Internet, it's impossible for a student to not own a computer now a days. Yes, technology is replacing jobs, but it is doing many positive things as well. Just think of all the more advanced forms of research we can start doing. I think technology is a positive addition to our society as long as we don't come to depend on it too much.

Technology

I think that technology has its ups and downs. Technology is nice to have when you need to find out how to get somewhere, with things like online maps or GPS’s. Or, if you can’t spell well, computers can help alleviate the worry of spelling errors with spell check. The downside is if this kind of technology doesn’t work one day, we’ll have a bunch of people who can’t spell and don’t know where they are. It all has to do with not completely depending on technology; you have to find a balance.

technology

I just want a phone to call and text message, to be honest I don't even use my camera phone and half the stuff on it. The iphones are sweet and all but what a vanity item they are....do we really need those? I guess it makes sense for someone in a highly professional career where their phone and computer are at their side 24/7, but I just don't ever see myself needing that. I saw some weird video on youtube about the future and technology and it was crazy....very scary. I hope it doesn't go to far, I do like to feel useful sometimes.

technology

Technology seems to be improving very quickly. I remember a couple years ago, i got a phone with a camera and video camera built in it and it cost like 200-300 dollars, now it seems you can buy phones with cameras for under 100 dollars and now they have touch screens and all that crazy stuff. I also agree where technology could make the economy worse, since people that worked in tollbooths and some other jobs have been replaced by technology. I think this would just further the gap between the rich and the poor, which also shows how much a college education seems to be needed to be successful in the world

Technology scares me....It is very convenient and beneficial however, it is developing so quickly that you don't know what is out there. I remember when the Nintendo 64 came out and now XBox and Playstation 3. The Iphone came out just recently and now a new feature is being added on to it. What's next....?

We are getting to advanced for our own good. It seems like millions of jobs are being taken over by new technology...like for example at the airport....you can check in your own bags...and at tollways it is mostly ipass, which all those people who did work at those have lost their jobs because they are not needed anymore. Technology is good but it is going effect millions of people who will be out of a job and that could eventually be bad for our economy.

The IPhone... A Target?!?!

So, apparently the Apple company is saying that in about a year or so, the IPhone will spark an entire new wave of cybercrime. Not only that, but it would appear that Macworld (the main company in the U.K.) is trying to blame China for the highest number of Cybercriminals...

Getting to the point, Are we getting too advanced for our own good and are we getting too reliant on technology? Understandubly, some technologic advances have saved a lot of people's lives but what about the other stuff? What do you guys think?


Link to the article: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9052779

Costumes...

That's just sick. That day will always be a day of mourning and those stupid kids are mocking it? The capacity for human stupidity never ceases to amaze me. In spite of it being "legal", it's still a load of crap! It's so unbelievably disrespectful. I kinda feel for the parents and families of the people who lost their lives but I have confidence that they will probably raise a Civil Suit against those kids so fast, it'll make their heads spin. I hate to bring up this issue but, it's students like this that got Holloween costumes baned here.

i agree with everybody. who does something like that? the virginia tech thing was obviously something that's a touchy subject and to make fun of it like that is so not appropriate. first of all, these kids who did this are in college, they should be able to be mature enough to know thats not funny. its just asking for people to hate you.

Virgina tech costumes

I think that it is extremely disrespectful towards the students at Virgina Tech. The students at Penn State may have done it for "shock" value but they need to take a step back and think about what a serious issue VT was. Sure, it may have only been 32 deaths of the 26,000 students but those 32 deaths shocked the US. School shootings should be taken very seriously. They may have not been trying to mock the incident, but come on, obviously the first reaction is going to be "wow, aren't they assholes".

Annihilation of Virgina Tech Respect

I think it is completely ridiculous to do something as insensitive and as disrespectful as the two students did. Yes they have freedom of speech and I guess I can't fight the fact that what they did was "legal" but that doesn't make it right. Forget shock factor, that is insulting to the people who lost their lives and the families who now have to go through the holidays with one less loved one. I don't care what reason they had to dress up like that, it was simple wrong and evil. In no case would it be "alright" for them to dress up and take away value, poke fun, and plainly disrespect a persons life. There should be consequences against the rude behavior towards another human being, living or not. This is a sickening story.

cell phones

I don't think cell phones are making us antisocial at all... But I do think that it somewhat gives us a way to hide.. Some people feel more comfortable texting than saying something face-to-face. I'm not like this at all. example:
Just this week I've gotten into a situation with one of my friends, and how does she apologize? Over a text message... That's not an apology if you ask me, maybe like a tenth of an apology.. she probably didn't want to call me, because that would cause a confrontation, and a text messaged confrontation would be easier to hide behind. So I just wrote her back saying that I'd talk to her at school the next day. It made things a lot easier and true to deal with the next day.

I also don't really like how people use cell phones as an easy way to find someone (if you're both at the same location) Who doesn't like to go on a little adventure and go run around to find your friend? It'd be a lot more fun then just calling them up and saying "ok, meet me at the blahblahblah"

New Topic

Has anyone heard about the two student's costumes at Penn State? Apparently they dressed up as Virgina Tech victims, wearing VT shirts covered in fake bullet holes and blood. The university has sent apologies to Virgina Tech, but no disciplinary action will be taken since it will violate free-speech rights. The students said it was for shock value, not to mock the massacre or to be funny.

He states, "The thing is, everybody's making a big stink about Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech was 32 deaths out of the 26 thousand that happen in America everyday," he said. "That's the problem with college students. They all live in an ivory tower of privilege. They don't understand, when it all boils down to it, it's someone wearing a costume."

What are your thoughts? Do you think it was an insensitive and disrespectful gesture, or simply a costume?

Seatbelts

I have mixed feelings on seatbelts, they do save a lot of lives, but they can also be harmful. My sister was once in a car accident and was told that if she had been wearing her seatbelt it would have crushed her voicebox and left her unable to talk.

RON PAUL ALL THE WAY

I am not voting for Hilary or Barack, although if it had to be one, it would be Barack. Ron Paul is clearly the most trustworthy, appropriate candidate for the election.



RON PAUL!!!!!

Cell Phones

There is no way that cell phones are making our generation less social. How could anyone say that? If we are talking more and interacting more with people than how could anyone call us anti social? We are getting more and more social every day, the more you talk to people, the better you get at it, that is the only way to get better at talking to people. Being this social does effect our school work and whatever else we are involved in and they probably are diminishing our intelligence a little bit. I won't argue that people are reliant on their cell phones, because a lot of people completely obsessed with their cell phones but there is no way that it is making us anti social. It seems that every since cell phones blew up and every high school kid had to have one, it makes it a lot easier to keep in touch with your friends. Also, the advantage of being able to text people because alot of the time you don't want to talk that person so you just text them.

Cellular Devices

Yes I do think that our generation is dependent on cell phones.
Most teenagers have one and are on them all day long.
Either with texting or by talking teens constantly use their phones.
To me it started by my parents giving me a cell phone in the 8th grade.
Parents always want me to have my phone with me so they can call and know where I am.
So I kind of have to be dependent on my phone.
In case of a random parent check in or even in case of emergency.
I don't think that we have become antisocial because of cell phone.
I personally can hold a conversation with anyone of any age.
But I can type out a text message in like 5 seconds.
Multitalented?

I think so.

Cell Phone Responce

I think that there is some truth in saying, that our generation is truly based on texting each other and not having an actual conversation with the other person, but i don't think that it limits us socially. I was reading TIME magazine and it said something like 40% of people use texting to tell someone something that they would not normally say face-to-face.!? So is texting really limiting us, or allowing us to express an opinion/feeling to someone we would normally not?

seat belts do in fact save lives. i just got busted by by the 5-0 because i wasnt wearing my seat belt. yea i was pissed about it but if i had crashes or somebody hit me i could have gone splat. melanie says that we are done with the seat belt topic and is yelling at me so does anybody have any more fun news?

hilary

I think that Oprah had more of an influence on voters than 1%. Although, she may not have had as huge of an impact as people think, she did have a moderate impact on voters that were still on the borderline of choosing between Hilary and Obama and Oprah could have swayed the decision of those people to Obama. I would probably vote for Obama because he seems like a person that would help the common people more than Hilary.

HILIARY CLINTON

ONLY ONE PERCENT of Hiliary's supporters voted that Oprah helped Barack would influence them? Who would you choose...Hiliary or Barack?

Cell Phones

Ok, there has been alot going on via cell phones and usages from teenagers. I was talking to an older person who said that our generation is reliant on phones. The we can not have a conversation with someone because we dont know how to talk. They said cell phones are taking our social lifes. I don't really know if that is true, I mean we do talk on the phone alot by texting but I can totally have a conversation with someone older and keep a conversation. How do you guys feel about our generations being called anti social?

seat belts

People who do not wearing seat belts are just asking to get killed. I would anyday take a huge rash or a bruised chest over being dead. Seat belts save lives and the side effects of them are minor. I dont think they are that bothersome to the fact that it is worth risking your life over it. Just suck it up and wear a seat belt, they are not that that annoying.

HollyWeird

Does anyone know what is going on with the strikes in Hollywood??? Has anything changed or is there still a strike going on? It is really making me upset now! Does anyone watch any shows that have had no new episodes due to the strike?

Seat Belts

I totally agree... I mean seat belts save lives there is no questions. But there are always going to be some side effect of wearing a seat belt. Like back and neck problems. I rather have back and neck problems then be dead. I mean its like air bags.. Do air bags save lives?? Yes, they do have side effects to like a broken nose or something but what is worse being dead or having a broken nose. You choose.

one of my friends never wears a seatbelt and i mean truly never. since she has gone so long without wearing it, it feels weird to her when she has to. it makes me sooo mad. idk what the big deal is, i feel naked without it and it's not like your saving any great amounts of time by not putting it on either so time can't be your excuse. the seat belt is the same as any law that is trying to protect your life. what about the drinking age. although there are many arguements against it and it sucks...it was set in place becuase people didn't think younger people could handle it. if you are old enough to handle being a license driver i think you should also be mature enough to just think about the consequences.

The Nitti Beat's Post

Seatbelts save lives. What more can really be said? In all reality seat belts aren't the only thing that saves peoples lives in cars. Now a days cars have ABS, stability management controlers, air bags all around, all-wheel drive, and traction control. People take these for grantid, seeing as though they come as a standard on most cars. In the old days cars didn't have these and people knew how to drive the cars they bought. Now if they tried to drive the same cars they wouldn't be able to in poor weather. On Saturday night i was driving my monte carlo, which has no driving aides, and had experienced some thing i never have. As i was coming home from work it was raining and the rain was freezing as it hit the windshield. Which brings up another cool new frature Buick's have, Heated windshield wiper fluid sparyers.

seat belt law

I guess I would agree with Josh. "If u want to put your life at risk you should be able to." Stop a minute and think about what you just said. If you dont want to where a seat belt be my guest. Not wearing a seat belt puts your life at risk, and it's true that you dont fully understand the importance of a seatbelt until somebody you know was in an accident and the seat belt saved their life. I really dont think it is that hard to put on a seat belt before you start going somewhere so I dont see how there is any argument here.

seatbelts

the reason it to keep people alive. but what makes it so bad not to wear it some of the time when your going just a couple of blocks. the police give you a big ticket when you dont wear your seatbelt. i can see one reason.

there was one guy that took his little kid for a little ride around the neighborhood and once they left their house and went a couple of blocks and then this one guy diving drunk hit them and they both had died in the accident.

seatbelts

haha, see, my brother kinda classically conditioned me into wearing a seat belt. When we were younger, we would have competitions to see who could see their seatbelt on first. And if I lost my brother would hit me. Soo, it's somewhat of an unconscious thing for me now...

And I agree with everyone that said they make sure everyone they're driving is wearing their seatbelt. I will not put the car in reverse/drive unless I hear everyone's *clicks* and look to make sure they're fastened.

Shannon's Response

I definitely agree that the safety belt law is a helpful one. Seat belts are so easy to use and I don't understand why anyone wouldn't. Do you honestly feel the band on you? I mean once in awhile, maybe, but is it really worth your life? I also took drivers ed at Fremd, and those videos are pretty ridiculous. I can't even imagine not wearing mine, especially after seeing all of the worst case scenario videos, as well as all of the many stories you read about how the seat belt has saved so many lives. I think the law might be harsh, but I honestly don't know why anyone wouldn't wear something that could save your life.

some seatbelts

seatbelts are one of the greatest inventions.

They make sure you safe and in some cases save your life.

People who don't wear them are risking a lot.

especially with some of the crazy ass drivers out there.

I always wear my seatbelt and make sure everyone in my car is wearing one too.

Because you never know what could happen on the road.

Also...

One time I was in the car with my mom and she was driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Her and I got into a car accident and my mom went forward and hit her arm on the rear view mirror.

She had to go to the emergency room and get stitches because her arm was badly cut open.

Things like accidents scare me.

So wearing a seatbelt is smart.

seatbelts continued...

I always wear my seat belt and personally i don't understand why someone wouldn't. They take two seconds to put on and save your life. Some people complain about them being uncomfortable but honestly i can't even notice them. I took drivers ed at school and Mr. Balk did a fabulous job of scaring the shit out of me with those drivers ed videos. I also encourage people in my car to please wear their seatbelt because i don't want my friends to die and because i don't want their skull colliding with mine.

WEAR YOUR SEATBELT PPL!

seatbelts

I think that the law is good. seatbelts save so many peoples lives, and even though you say they may be stupid you won't think that if you or somebody you know get in a bad car accident and seatbelts save their lives, like a lot of people have given examples of. I am always sure to have my seatbelt on and i always yell at my boyfriend for not having his on, because even if you think ur the best driver ever and you'll never get in an accident there are so many other idiots out on the road who can hit your car and injure you. safety first!

seatbelts

I think having to wear a seat belt is a great law. At first, I thought it was silly, but until someone you know gets into a car accident, you don't think to much about it. People may view it as a silly law, but it does save lives. Over the summer, a couple people that go to our school got into a car accident and the car was totaled and while they got hurt, they still have their lives because they wore their seatbelt. One of these people used to go off to lunch with me and whenever I don't feel like putting on my seatbelt because there are too many people in the car and would be a hassle for me, I see my friend that got hurt in the accident and I put on my seatbelt.

yeah.. i agree. my cousin was hit sideways when he was driving a camry and the other car was an escalade. the lady didnt even bother to brake. the complete left side of the car was totaled. the police told my cousin if he wasnt wearing his seatbelt, he would have been thrown out of the car.
im so thankful he was. i agree, seatbelts are a must when getting in a car. its like a reflex to me now. i definitely dont take the seatbelt for granted..

this is where i draw the line

Two of my very bedt friends where in Mexico this past summer visiting family. They where at a stop light when a guy came up behind them, going 50, and ramed them in the back where my two friends where. Ever since then they have had back problems and headache problems as well. the doctors and the police clearly told them that if they had not been wearing their seatbelts, they would have been DEAD. ..... unless you have had someone close to you experience almost die but saved by a seatbelt... don't question the law... because it may question your life.

Seat Belts

I agree with the fact that it is silly to have to wear a seat belt, even though I always wear one. I think it is more to cover other people insurance wise and to just keep life going. It really isn't that big of a deal to have to put it on, so I don't understand why some people make such a big deal out of it?

Christmas

I agree, we have kinda of taken the point of Christmas and changed it. we forgot the true meaning of what Christmas was about. we just see it as a time to get free stuff. now I'm in no way really religious. But i know that the meaning of Christmas was not to get free stuff from people.


but on another note who think the seat belt law is really stupid. i think that if you want to put your life at risk then you should be able to.

Christmas

Another sad thing about the true meaning of Christmas being lost is this;
My mom was on a phone call at work (she does reservations for united airlines) and someone was spelling something out to her and goes "X as in Christmas" my mom was shocked. Not only have people taken christ out of the picture, some of them have taken it out of the actual word. Now, I'm not anywhere near religious, and I'm not even sure I believe in Jesus, but I still find that a little messed up.

Christmas

I definately think that Christmas has lost all of its meaning. I was never a huge Christmas fan being that we spend it away from the rest of our family at our condo in Florida. I usually celebrate christmas with my whole family weeks earlier (were actually doing it this weekend), and now the holiday is getting even more pointless. Christmas should be about spending time with family and going to church, and not about your new 300 dollar ipod your getting or your new 150 dollar ugg boots(and i'm not judging, because thats definately me). I think one main reason we forget about the true meaning of christmas is because of the stores and all the marketing around the holidays. Every commercial on tv around this time is about great deals you can get for those expensive presents for your children. Yesterday in my english class we were looking at this cartoon and it was about how christmas is taking over thanksgiving, but everything that represented christmas was just a fancy tree with lights, presents, and santa claus. There was absolutely nothing religious representing christmas on the photo. At the rate everything is going, I really do think that sooner or later everybody will start to celebrate christmas, and the religious meaning behind it will completely be lost.

UGH!

I hate the thought of Santa. I do not see why it is so important to some people to keep the magic of this lie going? MELANIE you said

i think a 5 year old would rather hear about how Santa is bringing them a present because they have been good this year rather than being preached about the birth of Jesus.

And I agree with you, to a certain degree. The Bible says:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

Because at the end of the day all people are doing is lying to their children. I hate the fact that someone else is giving presents, someone that doesn't exist. Don't preach to the children then! a 5 year old does not need to be preached to, but a 5 year old does not need to be lied to.

IF ANY1 CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION PLEASE DO
Why should I tell my children about Santa?

And the whole us changing not the holiday changing deal. It is the same thing! We change the Holiday. It cannot change by itself. The fact is that most people get together for the holidays, it may be great for a day, but then they 4get about it all the next day. (that's how i feel @ least) How can anyone celebrate the life of Christ and then less than two weeks later get drunk @ some Christmas party. The Bible talks about drinking and how being intoxicated is a sin but the act of drinking is not. I don't know... am I alone on this one too?

christmas

I think the real question is:
Did the holidays really change, or are we the ones that changed?

Think about it, of course Christmas is going to look different, we're seventeen/eighteen years old, not a toy-crazed 5 year old hoping that this will be the year we'll catch Santa coming down the chimney. Now we've become aware of the jaded people just wanting to buy the presents, it's a change of perspective, and that's something that's inevitable with growing up.

So really, I don't think the holidays have changed that much, I think it's mainly us that have.

Except for the whole "Santa needs to lose weight and stop saying 'hohoho'" I think that's an example of the holiday changing, and that's just something that came up this year.

Christmas

Yeah

it sucks.

I'm beginning to hate this holiday.

The true meaning is completely lost.

It turned into who can give the better more expensive gifts.

Christmas isn't about gifts.

It's sad that people really strive to glorify Christmas for all the wrong reasons.

Christmas

I disagree and agree with everyone. For one it is so annoying when people just shorten it to xmas.But i totally disagree with that fact that Christmas has been totally lost. Christmas is always really great for me because i always get to see my family and i love spending time with my whole family, one thing for me that brings it alive is all my little cousins. They sprinkle the reindeer food out of the driveway and their alwasy watching that santa tracker, i love seeing them SO excited over something that really isnt real, and thats when i think the charm of Christmas is somewhat gone. But on the other hand, it almost seems like a job for some people. I work in the mall and you see all the crabby customers who just want to get in and out, and thats not what Christmas is soppost to be about. I 100% digagree that Christmas is just a hallmark holiday, because their is a meaning behind the Christmas Holiday.

i disagree with EVERYONE..... i don't think Christmas has lost its meaning. Yes, i agree that some have taken the buying gifts part alittle out of porportion, but I am talking about when the whole family is coming together, no matter what religon you are. This day is when all(most) religons celebrate giving and faith. Let's not focus on what is bad about the holiday rather than what we need to celebrate. I don't understand why santa is a terrible person in some religons. No matter how religious you are, i think a 5 year old would rather hear about how Santa is bringing them a present because they have been good this year rather than being preached about the birth of Jesus. So when christmas comes, look around you and see how much the world celebrates whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah,Kwanzaa, or other anything else. Deep in our hearts everyone knows why we celebrate.

Christmas is lost in the blizzard

Christmas has always been a time of cheer and good faith, it has always been a time for giving and receiving gifts along with smiles. But what happens when the true value is lost, what happens when the lord is replaced with gift wrapping, fancy lighting, and a fat old man who breaks and enters?

I have always said that I am never going to tell my children about Santa. Why should I? Ask and small child what Christmas is about and I bet 99 out of 100 would say something along the lines of Santa or presents. It is completely ridiculous what has happened to this celebration of life. People say how can you take away the magic for those kids, MAGIC??? what magic?! How about the fact that God sent his one and only son to save of from an afterlife of total damnation? There is nothing magic about the season besides the fact that every single persons "CHEER" seems to magically fade away between Christmas and their intoxicated New Years party.

I was at Caribou Coffee the other day and there was a 10 cent discount for anyone who could answer:

"Who was the first person to start giving presents during the holidays?"

Instinctively I thought Saint Nick, you know the whole Santa thing. But before I answered I took a deeper look. I said, "The Three wise men." The cashier told me I was wrong and so for about 5 minutes I battled it out with her before ultimately loosing, but the fact still remains people don't even care about Jesus anymore.

At the end of the day, Christmas has become just another Hallmark gift giving, make you feel good for a day holiday. We are here to serve God, and so far, this so called 'modern world' has turned there back from the only thing that can save us.



Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:11-12

God is guarding you!

X-MAS

I heard a comedian telling a joke about X-MAS one time. He said he hated to write it like that because you are Xing out the lords name. and ever since then it has stuck with me, I think that is a horrible way to say Christmas, is everyone in too much of a hurry to say Christmas?

Knock Knock.........

christmas

I agree that the tradition of Christmas has been lost. Today, Christmas is more about receiving than giving and is all about people selling things. I'm like many people and I think more about the presents and what I am getting instead of the tradition part of Christmas of giving and spending some time with your family. It's not really a surprise that the meaning of Christmas is lost to most people, since many holidays have lost their meaning too and have turned into buying, buying, and buying.

meaning of christmas

i totally agree with ryan. for one of my college essays i actually wrote about how the meaning of christmas has completlely been lost and its become a real problem. even if you aren't religious, it still has a deep mean if you choose for it to be that way. i work at the mall so i see crazy shoppers who get caught up in the rush and get angry and irriated at little things. presents are fun and all but for as long as i can remember, i've spent more time around the christmas season buying toys and stuff for underprivledged children than i have buying stuff for my family. this year the only thing i'm excited for is seeing my brother come home who i haven't seen since last christmas.

The Nitti Beat's Post

In my family christmas has always gone something like this, Christmas tree put up 2 or 3 weeks before Thnaksgiving, next weekend is x-mas lights, day after thanksgiving x-mas lights go on with christmas music (my dads rule), family christmas party, family buisiness christmas party, and finally christmas eve open 1 present each (Grandfather's B-day); on christmas day open rest of presents(cousins B-day). Its not until 1 week after new years that we take down our tree. I know all of this may sound crazy, but thats the way its been as long as I remember. Also my mom will buy any thing christmas or winter related to put up in our house. So, to me, unlike ryan, my christmas has always meant being with family and the x-mas tree must look good to have a good x-mas. However i do know the real meaning and i'am catholic, but some how every body, me included, seems to forget and just want presents, but i don't blame us.

Holidays

this x-mas holiday is about being together with family. well that does happen but the name Santa Clause does not mean the same anymore. people market the name. they say in the spirit of Christmas buy this stuff. Coca cola has put Santas face on their cans and sell them.
where has the spirit of x-mass go?
where is it that we need a christmas tree? there where no christmas tree when saint nick was around giving poor kids nice toys.
what happened to christmas?

i agree that the new law that's out sucks. but the one thing is that if you 17 and have your licence it won't mater if the law was 1 year or not. once your 18 you can drive as maney people as you want. I do hate the new curfew law though that is out. so there is nothing we can do about it.

Shannon's Response

Did those laws for sure pass? ... because I think that's ridiculous. My birthday is in May, so I won't turn 18 until after January. If I have to go back to having a curfew, that's definitely not fair. I understand the laws will be set in place for safety and all of that, but the curfew laws are a little ridiculous. My parents don't give me a curfew, and the fact that the law is trying to does not make me very happy.

Jamie's post

What do you all think about the new driving laws? That starting on January 1st, 16-17 years old have driving curfews and aren't allowed driving past 10pm weekdays, 11pm on Saturdays. And that now you need to wait a full year after you get your license to have more than 1 driver in your car.