Share festivals of all faiths
CHRISTMAS
I FIND it fascinating and perturbing that the PC brigade think we should tone down the celebration of Christmas, nativity plays, carol singing etc, for fear of offending those of other religions. I have recently been in Singapore where the religious spread includes Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, etc), Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism and others, as well as a no-faith group. They do not seem to have any problem with Christmas decorations and other festivities. They celebrate the major festivals of all religions. Everyone joins in. No-one is offended. Marina Bay Sands complex has the most beautiful Christmas tree decorated in gold, and hotels and office towers are lit with thousands of tiny lights and fir trees. In the Australian Census more than 30 per cent identified as having no faith. We have Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Islam. Whilst Christianity has the highest percentage we must embrace all faiths as many of the countries in our region do. I am fairly certain this is the true spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas one and all. callers a Merry Christmas should be hauled over the coals if not fired. What on earth were they thinking? Worse still, the premier says he has no idea who made the order or why. For the safety, security and sanity of Service Tasmania staff surely it is imperative to find out where this order came from and how it was passed along.
What will the staff next be ordered to do or not do?
Not a compliment
IT is unbelievable that we are lumbered with highly paid public servants who issue inane directives to staff regarding the decoration of the workplace at the festive season and to top it off staff are told to refrain from extending the compliments of the season to their customers. Let me on behalf of the customers extend the order of the DCM, ie, Don’t Come Monday. belief is a personal choice but the acceptance of other people’s belief and customs is not only essential but very rewarding in our journey through life and its experiences. Long live religious freedom and diversity and peace and goodwill to all.
Think of others
THIS old grace may make people remember the real meaning of Christmas. As we raise our knives and forks, as we pop the champagne corks, Lord let us remember if we may, those who will not eat today.
Lunch from on high
SEVERAL years ago Kath and I went for a holiday in Sydney and stayed in a hotel at Potts Point. On three occasions we walked around the wharves of Woolloomooloo on Sunday mornings. We met an old European man who was fishing from the wharf. We got to know of his life and the hard times he had been through. He lived at Blacktown and would catch the train into Sydney to go fishing. He knew all the people who lived in the apartments on Woolloomooloo wharf, some quite famous, but the person he most admired was Kerry Packer’s wife.
On a Christmas morning the old man was fishing, and Mrs Packer emerged from their unit and presented him with a sixpack of beer plus a gourmet platter of freshly cooked fish and chips and wished him a Happy Christmas.
Burning up
IT looks as if the fires in California are not the only thing out of control in America.
Three Capes feat
A VERY good friend of mine completed the Three Capes Walk recently. Not a great feat you may think but at 87 I think it’s a tremendous effort. Well done, Allan.
Pies on the strip
CUSTOMERS are always right. While fresh may be best, it is good to see an Aussie favourite, the humble meat pie, back on the strip at Chopp Chopp in North Hobart.
Living up to the hype
I HAVE read a lot of good things about Kristie Johnston. I just hope that if she gets elected to Glenorchy City Council that she is able to live up to all the hype.
Remember four-lane highway?
THE last time we had a state election we had Hodgman telling us he would give us a four-lane highway to Launceston. This time he is blowing the same trumpet with a four-lane highway to Sorell. Keep it up and we can all be blown away.