War on Christmas?

Is this crusade real or has the whole development been exaggerated?

It’s December and we are all counting down the days until Christmas.

Christmas music fills radio and plays in stores large and small. Downtown is decorated for the season. Houses sport Christmas lights and trees are visible through windows. TV networks are showing Christmas movies and holiday specials.

Still, there are those who say Christmas is under fire. Especially the religious aspects rooted in the Christian faith. More than a few Americans believe our traditions are being undermined by those determined to eliminate Christian references from our culture.

Others disagree, saying Christianity is still the dominate faith by far in the U.S. and that expressions of Christmas cheer and spirit are everywhere.

We want to know what you think. Is there really a “war on Christmas?” Or has the whole thing been overblown?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, Dec. 9. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Pete Rose

Last week’s question was about baseball legend Pete Rose. Should Major League Baseball reinstate Pete Rose? Or should he remain ineligible for the Hall of Fame?

Sure, let Pete in. However, the Baseball Hall should build a special wing for drug addicts, fornicators, adulterers, women beaters and gamblers. He should feel at home there.—J.G.J., Atlanta, Texas

Though the legendary player and manager Pete Rose applied to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for reinstatement after agreeing to accept permanent ineligibility in a 1989 gambling scandal. Manfred said he might make a decision by the end of the year. Hasn’t Pete Rose suffered enough humiliation? Hello?—D.B., Texarkana, Texas

Never a fan of Pete Rose as a person, but his accomplishments as a player are worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Therefore, he should be reinstated. However, if voted in, a notation should be made that he was once suspended from baseball for gambling in 1989.—R.K., Texarkana, Ark.

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

Yes, he made a mistake but he achieved a lot in baseball and is a part of its history whether good or bad. I’m sure there were some that have done worst. Yes. I believe Pete should be in the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the field. I also believe that it should be posted in the Hall of Fame that he was banned from baseball for gambling and was later reinstated. Let the young people know that being good in sports doesn’t make you immune from bad decisions and that sports figures are not saints. Yes. Pete is a saint compared to Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb to name a few. In. YES. Yes. He should be in the H of F!