Salvos in the War on Christmas

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Barry,

I have delayed my reply, trying to calm down after one of your subordinates called me a "liar" on my Fox News Channel television program, "The Big Story," today. He is Rob Boston, whom you suggested as a replacement when your schedule would not allow you to accept a booking to appear on my television program, "The Big Story," on the Fox News Channel.

Your Mr. Boston said he had researched my book and found the incidents I reported were lies. That is itself a lie, or if not quite a lie, then a willful ignorance on the part of your substitute guest that comes close enough to lying.

For the record, every story in my book, "The War On Christmas," was vigorously researched and double-, even triple-checked. If there is any mistake of fact, it is only because some parties, like the Plano School District, would not take the time to speak to me, to answer my questions. I spoke to every person quoted in the book, quoted them accurately, checked the facts and obtained the documents.

Yet Rob Boston of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, comes on my show, calls me a liar, and then admits-reveals-he has not read the book, is not familiar with what I reported, and has no facts to back up his charges against me.

And this is what the debate on the war on Christmas has become: rhetorical thuggery. And you, Barry, are complicit by sending out your goons to fill in for you in what would otherwise have been a civilized debate.

I see what you have said in your last reply to me. All that stuff about Christian triumphalism is fine cocktail-party discussion, but it has nothing to do with the law. You seem to be saying that if a Christmas tree is a religious symbol to anyone (the "offended observer" again) then it has to go. Says who? Not the Supreme Court of the United States.

My point in all of this is that we are a nation of laws, and the law protects secular symbols of the Christmas holiday. Christmas trees are protected. They don't have to be called holiday trees in public places. Santa is protected. He doesn't have to be banished from public places. Why are they protected? Because the nation's highest court has found them to be secular symbols.

So why is it your organization, and others, continue to insist these are religious symbols? Is it because you want to go beyond the law or because you are lawless?

In your personal case, Barry, owing to our civil discussions, I would say it is because you want to go beyond the law. That is a fine position to take, but no one is required to take it with you.

My guess is that you don't like losing this argument. That is why you sent out someone willing to lie to take your place in a debate.

When that happens, I must say I am done with the discussion. It is time for me to declare victory and go home to celebrate a very Merry Christmas. I hope you have one as well. As for your Mr. Boston, that is another matter entirely.

Barry Lynn: Santa's Tuned to CNN, John
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