Seriously. Someone is promoting “Half Christmas” as a holiday.

Think of the possibilities. The shopping season could go through the entire year instead of starting on Halloween. Bill O’Reilly would actually have year around content (though “Merry Half Christmas” is kind of awkward). Commercials would run endlessly (oh, wait….).

A petition at the White House:

We petition the Obama Administration to:

formally recognize Half Christmas on June 25 as a national American holiday.

Over the past few years, Half Christmas has become a widely adopted and culturally beloved summer holiday. June 25 is a day to gather with your friends and loved ones in a celebration of one another. The holiday is inclusive to all, regardless of religion, color, creed or any other attribute which distinguishes us as individuals. Driven by a younger generation of Americans, this holiday makes innovative use of social media, bringing together not just traditional friends and family but actually connecting participants on a larger scale in joint celebration. Since most holidays emphasizing family and togetherness occur near the end of the year, Half Christmas promotes positive values during summer months, offering a timely opportunity to remind ourselves of the important things in life.

Created: Jun 25, 2013

Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Family

Signatures needed by July 25, 2013 to reach goal of 100,000 99,479

Total signatures on this petition 521

Over five hundred people signed on to it. Yes, we’re doomed.

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

Introduced in the Missouri General Assembly by Representative Rick Brattin (r) on January 23, 2013.

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 278

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BRATTIN (Sponsor), RIDDLE, LICHTENEGGER, HANSEN, BAHR, KOENIG, WHITE, FRANKLIN, LOVE, BURLISON, PIKE, FREDERICK AND NEELY (Co-sponsors).

0507L.02I     D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 9, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to federal holidays.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 9, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 9.015, to read as follows:

           9.015. No state or local governmental entity, public building, public park, public school, or public setting or place shall ban or otherwise restrict the practice, mention, celebration, or discussion of any federal holiday.

[emphasis in original]

Seriously?

Federal Holidays

2013

Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees….

Tuesday, January 1 New Year’s Day

Monday, January 21 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, February 18 * Washington’s Birthday

Monday, May 27 Memorial Day

Thursday, July 4 Independence Day

Monday, September 2 Labor Day

Monday, October 14 Columbus Day

Monday, November 11 Veterans Day

Thursday, November 28 Thanksgiving Day

Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day

[….]

* This holiday is designated as “Washington’s Birthday” in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.

Happy Chrismahanakwanzakah.

Previously:

HB 291: keping misooree stoopit (January 24, 2013)

HB 1109: because the contrived right wingnut “War on [the holiday season]” supersedes any sense (December 27, 2011)

The nonbelievers apparently had the upper hand this year:

12/16/2010 7:27:00 PM

‘Scroogy’ omission raises ire

Sue Sterling

Staff Writer

Holden – Councilman Scotty Walker took city leaders to task for failing to decorate the business district for Christmas.

“It’s inexcusable the town’s not ready for Christmas the week before,” Walker said. “I think we, as a city, should take responsibility.”

Mayor Mike Wakeman advocated forming a committee to begin the planning in mid-summer, with the city and Chamber of Commerce sharing costs.

“If we’re going to have a downtown committee,” he said, “they can discuss the future of a lot of different things.”

Walker agreed to chair the committee. Volunteers who want to serve may contact him.

“…It’s inexcusable the town’s not ready for Christmas the week before…I think we, as a city, should take responsibility…”

“…with the city and Chamber of Commerce sharing costs…”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Ahem:

Missouri Constitution

Article I

BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 7

Public aid for religious purposes–preferences and discriminations on religious grounds.

Section 7. That no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect or denomination of religion, or in aid of any priest, preacher, minister or teacher thereof, as such; and that no preference shall be given to nor any discrimination made against any church, sect or creed of religion, or any form of religious faith or worship.

Doesn’t anyone read the Missouri Constitution anymore?

Matt “baby” Blunt sent the following memo to State employees declaring Christmas eve a day off for State Employees. Could there be some point he is trying to make in using the word “Christmas” five times in such a brief memo? This on the heels of another memo on Christmas which actually made the Michael Feldman’s show in the “Thanks for the memos” section.

Not to be a grinch here, but I wonder how much Missouri taxpayers will be forking over in overtime pay for 24/7 State operations to fulfill the Gov’s campaign to “Save Christmas”. Here is the memo:

Dear State Employee:

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season.  As you are probably aware, Christmas Eve falls on a Monday this year.

Today, I signed an executive order closing state offices on Monday, December 24, 2007.

I hope that my directive will help you with your plans for the Christmas season and will give you more time with family and friends.

I am grateful for your continued efforts to improve Missouri government and service to Missouri taxpayers.  Melanie, our son William Branch and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Matt Blunt