Santa gets the heave ho, ho, ho
Reuters
Published: Thursday, December 06, 2007

CANBERRA -- A Santa in an Australian department store said yesterday he has been fired for saying "ho, ho, ho" and singing Christmas songs to children.

Employment company Westaff, which supplies stores with red-robed, white-bearded Father Christmases, had earlier told its Santas to say "ha, ha, ha" because the word "ho," which is American slang for whore, could offend women, media reported.

In the latest incident, the Cairns Post said John Oakes, 70, was fired Monday for saying "ho, ho, ho" and for singing Jingle Bells.
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We must always be Politically Correct. No matter whom we offend in the process.

The Politically Correct Brigade strikes again...
When will people learn that this sort of crap is more offensive than a traditional expression of mirth and seasonal spirit? The world is going to hell...

It's easier to just lay down idiotic rules than to use brains and heart.

Hmmm. I think what's wrong with the world is largely that people go for what seems easiest, rather than what is right and best.

Sad. Its bloody christmas for christ sake. Children don't want to hear ha ha ha. And I'm sure the real whores prostitues don't care or even consider a Santa saying ho ho ho to children remortly offensive.

And what child is going to associate that with prostitutes anyway?

Who the hell thinks this stuff up. The word Ho has been around for as long as I can remember, ans so has Santa Claus. After all these years why is it now that it has become a problem? The last time I checked people who celebrate Christmas all know that Santa Claus says, Ho-Ho-Ho, and never had a problem before. I think the big companies are saying, Ha-Ha-Ha, all the way to the bank. They want us to come to their stores to buy Christmas presents, but don't want to acknowledge Christmas, which is the whole point of them having Santa in the store and running big sales to lure people in.

What's next, have us buy chocolate eggs for Easter then tell everyone the eggs were delivered by a chicken instead of a bunny, because they don't want to offend people who sell real eggs?

May I please have my religious traditions back!!!!!!!!

Let us not forget they wanted to rename the xmas tree a holiday tree. Doe.....

Last year, at some supermarket where I used to live, the management decided not even to recognise it was Christmas, to be fair to all religions. And all religions promptly complained that they'd taken collective leave of their senses. I think that really demonstrates how sensible the general public are about this kind of thing.

And wasn't there a ban on saying "Merry Christmas" somewhere as well? I didn't understand that one. Because if I wish you a merry Christmas, I'm obviously forcing my beliefs on you :rolleyes:

Why is the world run by idiots?

What the .......

Should we remind people about the crusades? I bet they would stop highjacking our traditions then.

*Somebody grab my sword and shield*

Becareful Lord. The word Sword may offend a Swordfish. and shield could be deemed offensive to the actors on the tv series the Shield.

We had a similar article over here.

How ridiculous. Only an idiot would construe 'ho, ho, ho' as an insult.

Only an idiot would ban it, too.

To quote that song. "Mad World"

Becareful Lord. The word Sword may offend a Swordfish. and shield could be deemed offensive to the actors on the tv series the Shield.

I can't win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*guess these things are useless, throws them to the floor*

What gets me is that Ho is American slang.
why ban the ho ho ho in Australia?
What are we going to call that tool for the garden that you dig in and pull back weeds and things unwanted.

If Ho is derived from Whore, then shouldn't the slang be Who. Of course the W is silent. Based on this technicality Santa should be free to say Ho-Ho-Ho as much as he wants and not fear repercussions from easy woman.

I can't win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*guess these things are useless, throws them to the floor*

Be careful again Lord. You may offend people walking on the floor. They may find it harsh that you've used the floor to enforce violent tendancies. :p

Walmart banned Christmas last year, and took a severe beating. This year they are promoting Christmas like mad.
So consumers do have a pretty hefty clout when they choose to use it.

Indeed they do.

What happened to the days when we all celebrated Christmas in the spirit it was intended. Joyful.

Be careful again Lord. You may offend people walking on the floor. They may find it harsh that you've used the floor to enforce violent tendancies. :p

*just going to sit here and let others walk all over me, everyone else is doing it*

*just going to sit here and let others walk all over me, everyone else is doing it*

Ah but that could be found offensive to the tramps and homeless living on the streets. They may accuse you of mimicking the misfortunate for your own amusement.

Indeed they do.

What happened to the days when we all celebrated Christmas in the spirit it was intended. Joyful.

Apparently it has gone the way of the Dodo.

Why is the world run by idiots?Because only an idiot would want the job.

Well I've already seen some Christmas displays set up here in Nanjing. And they don't even celebrate Christmas in China. None of my students in one class even knew who Santa was.
So if Christmas can be celebrated and even use the words "Merry Christmas" in an Atheistic Communist dictatorship I don't see why we can't do the same in the West.

Ah but that could be found offensive to the tramps and homeless living on the streets. They may accuse you of mimicking the misfortunate for your own amusement.

*send gold coins to all those of misfortune, so I may sit here and be walked all over in peace*

Gunslinger now you are encouraging unhealthy desires for material possessions. Have you no shame!

And I used to get real excited at the thought Santa was going to leave me lots of presents. And now its my kids that get that magical excitement of Christmas eve and as long as I live my home will always embrace that magical element Christmas eve holds. And it will be passed to my grand children and their children and so on.

many people tend to forget that Christmas is really for the children and they should concead all these petty things and let them go.

I heard about this a couple of weeks back. What is the world coming to?!?

What I want to know is - is there a white man in the black policeman's society and if not, isn't that being racist? If there is, then how can they call it the black policemans society?

Sorry. Just another thing along similar lines that bugs me.

Gunslinger now you are encouraging unhealthy desires for material possessions. Have you no shame!

Not again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raven. that is so well said.
I will always celebrate christmas with children in mind.
A man after my own heart.

Hmmmm.

The question is though why is there a need for the black policeman's society?

And I used to get real excited at the thought Santa was going to leave me lots of presents. And now its my kids that get that magical excitement of Christmas eve and as long as I live my home will always embrace that magical element Christmas eve holds. And it will be passed to my grand children and their children and so on.

many people tend to forget that Christmas is really for the children and they should concead all these petty things and let them go.

Ditto.

Hmmmm.

The question is though why is there a need for the black policeman's society?

Not going to touch that one.

No proberly best we stay clear of that.

back on topic.
I was amased last year when the American government wanted to change the name of the xmas tree to a Holiday tree.

No proberly best we stay clear of that.

back on topic.
I was amased last year when the American government wanted to change the name of the xmas tree to a Holiday tree.

Leave it to a politician. These are the same people who turned their backs on stopping illegal immigrants from coming into the country years ago because they wanted their votes. Now they have to deal with the problem they helped to create. And a big problem to boot.

Don't worry, political correctness is one my list of things to ban, when I take over the world. Then normality will return!

Don't worry, political correctness is one my list of things to ban, when I take over the world. Then normality will return!

Awesome!!!!

I'm also banning psychology, ignorance, and the phrase "your mum".

I'm also banning psychology, ignorance, and the phrase "your mum".

Works for me.

Banzai have you been taking your meds lately.

Banzai have you been taking your meds lately.

Oh! Taking meds. This I didn't know.

*just when you thought someone was normal, the whole meds story comes out*

*batting a thousand today*

Yes Banzai thinks he will one day rule the world. His Mom must have forgetten to give him his meds with breakfast.

Thanks for the heads up.

Banzai take your meds, there for your own good.

Personally, I like Banzai off the meds.

don't we all.

lol. But like Doctor Vicktor Doom he will never rule the world so don't crush his dreams encourage him to take his meds and help him have safer dreams.








In the meantime I shall be making my move on the new global dictatorship.....

Safer dreams. Yes, yes, a must.

Dream safely Banzai.

Indeed he will.

Personally I think Santa saying 'ha ha ha' will freak children out more than anything.

Can you imagine some beared old guy in a red suit ringing a bell down a street shouting 'HA HA HA MERRY CHRISTMAS!'

Personally I think Santa saying 'ha ha ha' will freak children out more than anything.

Can you imagine some beared old guy in a red suit ringing a bell down a street shouting 'HA HA HA MERRY CHRISTMAS!'

How about this,

Child: Mom am I fat?

Mother: No, why?

Child: Am I ugly?

Mother: No, why? What is bringing this on?

Child: Santa was laughing at me.....Ha-Ha-Ha.

I like the robotic santas from Doctor Who :)

This is exactly why my holiday should be instituted. On various nights, none of which are known to outsiders, ninja dash all over the world leaving presents. However, due to them having to fight off robot-vampyre-zombies (as well as zombie-vampyre-robots), it is only done during the later winter months (so that their robotic bodies become slower).

In addition, the ninjas will only come to your house if you set out shuriken and sake for them - but not too much, tipsy ninja are dangerous ones. They also tend to like lights and gigantic trees covered in decorations. Why, you ask? The lights are harmful to the robot-vampyre-zombies (as well as the zombie-vampyre-robots) and they surely can't climb trees.

This is exactly why my holiday should be instituted. On various nights, none of which are known to outsiders, ninja dash all over the world leaving presents. However, due to them having to fight off robot-vampyre-zombies (as well as zombie-vampyre-robots), it is only done during the later winter months (so that their robotic bodies become slower).

In addition, the ninjas will only come to your house if you set out shuriken and sake for them - but not too much, tipsy ninja are dangerous ones. They also tend to like lights and gigantic trees covered in decorations. Why, you ask? The lights are harmful to the robot-vampyre-zombies (as well as the zombie-vampyre-robots) and they surely can't climb trees.

rotflmao

Another one off the meds...

These Meds are certainly doing the rounds. lol

Or rather not, since no one is actually taking them...

Lmao... where are mine? :(

Haters. The Month of the Ninja would be awesome.

Here you go Kit :) Yours is caramel flavour :)

Oooohhh...

(Tis the straight jackets all over again...)

Stupid trend-setters.

Damn. This is getting outta control.




*Goes and gets tranq gun.*



Thud.


*Banzai's Down*



Thud


*Lordofhats Down*


Thud


*adamant's Down*



Thud

*Kits down*



Thud


*Oh crap Shot myself in the foot. Ooooooooh bugger sleepy hmmmmmmm*

Ok, this is a sure sign that the apocalypse is around the corner guys.

Around the corner? Look behind you. ;)

Its already come and past. I believe they call it US Presidential Election 2000.

Yeah, politics is a MUCH safer topic than religion :)

.....


I used to be terrified of Santa. Now I wonder how much more terrified the children will be!

I mean, geez! Are the kids really going to get offended by the HO-HO-HO? it's stupid! It's the way I was brought up with santa ringing a bell and Booming out "HO-HO-HO! MEEEEEERY CHRISTMAS!"

Then again, someone had better go arrest that tool that went past the fuel station yesturday. An elf was in the drivers seat (at least someone dressed as an elf) and a guy dressed in a santa suit was hanging out of the passanger side window of a tinsel ladened car, ringing a bell and yelling out merry christmas! Hohoho! while the driver was beeping his horn. It was hilarious and made my day actually. I waved at him and he waved back, went around the round-about twice, beeping and yelling out merry christmas before zooming away!

.....


I used to be terrified of Santa. Now I wonder how much more terrified the children will be!

I mean, geez! Are the kids really going to get offended by the HO-HO-HO? it's stupid! It's the way I was brought up with santa ringing a bell and Booming out "HO-HO-HO! MEEEEEERY CHRISTMAS!"

Then again, someone had better go arrest that tool that went past the fuel station yesturday. An elf was in the drivers seat (at least someone dressed as an elf) and a guy dressed in a santa suit was hanging out of the passanger side window of a tinsel ladened car, ringing a bell and yelling out merry christmas! Hohoho! while the driver was beeping his horn. It was hilarious and made my day actually. I waved at him and he waved back, went around the round-about twice, beeping and yelling out merry christmas before zooming away!

We have our first official Santa sighting.

He sounds more...drunk, this year...

Lmao. Yeah... drunk...

Scary santa... next he'll be all over the papers as a drunken bad role model :p

I can see it now:

"SANTA SMASHED!"

Tell you what though.. it made my day!

I'm so sick of political correctness!
Are we not living in free countries these days?

Nope.

Freedom is never absolute. And stupidity and bureaucracy (you tell ME the difference!) are universal.

If we think we are free then maybe we will except that we are far from free but happily we can except the reality is not what it may seem.....

And stupidity and bureaucracy (you tell ME the difference!) are universal.

There isn't a difference.

I don't think complete freedom is an entirely good thing for humanity, with ignorance and stupidity being such rampant plagues. I just think it would help if said plagues weren't concentrated in the governments of the world.

So uch to be told and so much to be discovered you'd be really surprise with what they governments really do and don't have.

I still think I could do a better job. No nonsense government :D

Well Banzai... You'd have reveal Maggie thatchers drug abuse and how she was once in the SAS and then turned out to be from Batman as in Batgirl.... Thgink of the damage man....

Well Banzai... You'd have reveal Maggie thatchers drug abuse and how she was once in the SAS and then turned out to be from Batman as in Batgirl.... Thgink of the damage man....

Raven! Stop giving away national secerts.

"Dont you think she looks tired?"

My Christmas IS ...
'MERRY CHRISTMAS'


I don't know who they are
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.

I walk into a business place
See things that I rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree.

What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me.

Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE.

Come on ALL let's wake up
Don't let freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take.

This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!

Nice poem.
There are a number of Christmas trees up in Nanjing. And the McDonalds staff gets to wear funny Christmas hats and they even have a tree. Something I never had when I worked at McDonalds in Thunder Bay Canada.

I like christmas. I really want kids to make it even more special!

You know what to do DoZ. And its cheaper:D lol

Oh hardiharhar!




Cheeky bugger....:p




Kids will come.... I rekon news will be shared in the coming year! apart from the birth of my niece or nephew!

Your day will come. And I'm certain you'll be a darned fine Mom too. ;)

AWWWWWWWWWW. tank you!

Anytime.

:D

DAMN....I gotta clean house soon. You know, scrub all the nooks and crannies that don't normally get cleaned for my man's parents coming next week end! eeeep!

Inlaws. Damn you poor soul.

*cries*

At least they live in NSW, not in WA. so we don't get to see them often and now I'm sounding mean but I'm scared of meeting new people... :(

My advice. Tranq gun. thud, thud. leave them sleeping until the days end. Then well thanks for coming nice to have seen you. See you next time....

YAY! Now you get a hug!

thanks for the idea!


*goes and polishes tranq gun*

lol! Not a problem..;)

Okay, WTF? I tried to give big green smilies here but it just went to lower case d's in front of :D

Oh so NOW works.... :mad:

Or make the dog eat a turd in their presence. hell that would put anyone of the food. :p

:mad:

ok my bad...:p

:mad:




yes. very bad. And WRONG!

Inlaws should be outlawed.

HAH!



.....:( naw that would be mean for all those inlaws that are actually nice :)

from the politics of christmas, to the dread of inlaws...

this thread is just all doom and gloom :(

:D

DAMN....I gotta clean house soon. You know, scrub all the nooks and crannies that don't normally get cleaned for my man's parents coming next week end! eeeep!

Better do it now. since if you have kids next christmas it won't be done at all.
Kids are more important than housecleaning. The house doesn't appreciate your time and effort and your children will.

Inlaws should be outlawed.

Ours are.
haven't seen Don's family in 7 years or longer
haven't seen mine since the memorial service for my father in July.

It is so peaceful not having to worry about drunks and obnoxious mother in laws.

Is it so hard to get on with your other half's parents?

not really if they were nice people. Or at least could act normal during visits.
Don put an end to his family visiting. They made it hard on the boys and me with their bickering and nastyness.

My family is bigotted and since Don is native (metis) they never liked him when they found out he was not 100% white anglo saxon they treated my children like they were maybe acquaintances not grandchildren. So it was wonderful when my parents bought a place in florida and spend christmas there. Only have to talk to the rest of the family on the phone if they call.
Some families can at least put on a show of loving each other or they really do. But not mine.
It is a shame really since both sets missed out on a couple of really great boys, now men and now their great grandchildren. their loss I guess.

Definitely. You can't make them be a part of their grandchildren's lives, and if their as bad as they sound then it might be better that they aren't.

one story about involving grandchildren.
When Dom went to China I called mom and was talking nicely. I mentioned that he was homesick and might like a card or letter from family.
mom came back and said "well he has to grow up sometime" wouldn't even write down his address.
that is when I stopped calling her. before that I called about 3 times a month.
now it is up to her to do the calling. I will talk but not make any effort.

Wow... My family is nothing like that...

You are a lucky man.
It is nice to have family traditions to pass down to your children BUT in my family they were worth throwing in the trash and we did.
we raised our sons to respect people and themselves. To love their family and I think we did a pretty good job.
Non of the bigotry, alcohol and backstabbing come near us.
I like the internet because I meet so many nice people who can actually joke and have fun together without nasty stuff coming out.
this is a great place to be.

It is indeed :) I love the community and sense of friendship here.

It is indeed :) I love the community and sense of friendship here.

I have not been on in quite some time. It is nice to have a such a place to visit.

You should become a more regular frequenter :)

Indeed. And your always welcome here.

Indeed. And your always welcome here.

Thank you. You all are very kind.

I do not actually know why I stopped coming. It is a shame I seemed to miss so much!