My Favorite Holiday

My favorite Holiday is Christmas! I love the season of Christmas because of all of the traditions involved, but also because of what it celebrates... the birth of Jesus Christ! On Christmas Eve my family and I celebrate by going to church, and then to my grandparents with all of my cousins. At my grandparents we eat pizza, open some presents, and then watch Home Alone 2... such a classic. On Christmas Day me and my family open our stockings and then our presents, and after a big breakfast me and all my cousins play a rousing game of street hockey. I love Christmas because I love hearing of and being reminded of the birth of my Savior, and because of the quality time I get to spend with all of my family!

Political Cartoon #4- Santa Care

1. This cartoon was drawn by John Trever.

2. This cartoon was published on December 18, 2009 in "The Albuquerque Journal".

3. This cartoon deals with the issue of the continued debate over the health care reform.

4. The cartoon's message is that liberals and moderates (displayed by the reindeer) have such different ideas of what should be included in the health care reform, and are so unwilling to compromise that they have led the reform (Santa Obama) into a brick wall.

5. I agree with this cartoon. Republicans and Democrats are having such a hard time listening to each other's ideas, and coming to an agreement that they are stalling the Health Care Bill. It's beginning to look questionable as to whether or not the bill will be passed through the senate by Christmas. It has been said that there will be a vote on the bill later tonight, however Republicans are trying to delay the vote. It will be interesting to see whether or not a vote is in by Christmas.

Public displays of religious symbols

I think displays of religious symbols on public property during the holiday season is ok. I think that Americans today are too concerned with being politically correct that they think they cannot ever mention religion so that the don't offend anyone else. Really I think anyone and everyone should have the freedom to display their religion privately or publicly. I think that the key to having religious symbols displayed publicly is that people need to be respectful of other's beliefs and realize they they have just as much a right to public display their personal beliefs. I think the whole idea of religious symbols not be allowed to be publicly displayed during the holidays really illustrates how much today's culture has forgotten about the true meaning of all the holidays that are celebrated. Without religion these holidays wouldn't exist, and without remembering and celebrating the religious symbols of the holiday, your not truly celebrating the holiday at all.

Political Cartoon #3-Wise Men Cutback

1. This cartoon was drawn by Jeff Parker.
2. The cartoon was published on December 11, 2009 in Florida Today.
3. This cartoon deals with the effects of our countries current economic situation on American consumer's spending this Christmas season.
4. The cartoon's message is that this year due to the poor economy and rising numbers of unemployment, most people are spending less on Christmas this year. The cartoon shows the three wise men who brought gifts of gold, fracencense, and myrrh to Jesus on the night of his birth, holding cheaper gifts such as aluminum, potpourri, and baby oil. These less expensive offerings are meant to illustrate that most people are spending less on gifts, decoration, and other expenses that go along with the holiday season.
5. I agree with the cartoon, people are definitely spending less money on the holidays this year. With the economy showing little signs of improvement, and increasing rates of unemployment, people are being more cautious of their money, and rightfully so. Americans need to make sure they have enough money to live off of before they can they can spend on the luxuries of Christmas. Maybe the economy and desire to spend less money this year will help people to focus on what is really important about Christmas.

Health Care Bill Status

The current health care bill has passed though the House of Representatives, but is now being debated in the Senate. Right now Republicans are stalling the bill as they argue with Democrats over topics such as the coverage of abortion, and the government selling health insurance in competition with the private market. The bill needs sixty votes to pass through the one hundred member senate. Republicans are still united against the the Democratic bill which proposes that the government sell health care, and which the Republicans believe would cost the government too much money. Meanwhile, the Democratic leaders are not happy with any of the proposals made to by the Republicans to try and fix this problem. Despite the continued divide however, lawmakers and White House officials seemed optimistic after having meetings all day Saturday, and believe they are on the right track with the legislative process. I honestly am not sure where the bill is headed. It sounds like the Democrats are not going to budge on having government run health care, so I think that they will come to some compromise with the Republicans, but not one that will completely give up government run health care.

Political Cartoon #2- Obama Vs. Tiger Woods

1. This political cartoon was drawn by Daniel Kurtzman.

2. This carton was published by About.com on December 5, 2009.

3. This cartoon deals with the issue of Tiger Wood's recent scandal, and the amount of press coverage it has received.

4. The message of this cartoon is that United States media focuses more on things that will entertain Americans, and it turns it back on important issues facing the Country, for example, Obama' s announcement to send more troops into Afghanistan.

5. I agree with this message very much, because the Tiger Woods scandal has gotten a ridiculous amount of press coverage. Yet another celebrity has made a mistake and gotten involved in a scandal, and Americans have been hearing more about that than information about the Health Care reform bill, and the president's plan to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan. It's pretty crazy to see how the media gives more attention to what will entertain its viewers/readers, and bring them a larger audience when there are such more important issues at hand.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Obama-vs--Tiger-Woods.htm