Racy Headlines
This is an unfortunate story about how headlines sometimes have more than one meaning. It all began innocently enough with a letter to “Annie’s Mailbox,” an advice column by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar: “Dear Annie, I am a 14-year-old boy … and I take tap dancing lessons.” The column was picked up by The Commercial
Appeal. And then this happened.
Holy War
American Atheists recently set off a firestorm of criticism by erecting a billboard that depicts a grumpy-looking dark-haired little girl in a Santa hat scribbling a note. “Dear Santa,” it reads. “All I want for Christmas is to skip church. I’m too old for fairy tales.” The billboard also advertises the organization’s Easter week conference in Memphis. Not to be outdone by the Godless, a local Christian group erected a second billboard depicting a happy little blonde girl wrapped in Christmas lights. She is wearing a Santa hat and standing near a family of holiday bears. A note someone has written reads, “Dear Santa, all I want is to keep Christmas sacred and celebrate without being bullied.” Once again, in the battle between believers and nonbelievers for the soul of the Christmas holiday, the clear winner is outdoor advertising.
Neverending Elvis
Elvis made an appearance in South Park‘s 2014 Christmas extravaganza. Sort of. The cartoon featured an animated version of an Elvis hologram singing “Holly Jolly Christmas” with Iggy Azalea’s flatulent bottom, decorated to look like a snowman. South Park‘s Cartman, commenting on the performance like a video blogger, is unimpressed.
