We are witnessing an erosion of our rights here in America, and it's time for it to stop.

It appears that the Grinch is alive and well in America. The latest grinchish act, is in Boston in the changing of the name of the Christmas tree, to the holiday tree. I think I'm living in some alien nation lately. Why?? Why is the Christmas tree suddenly offensive, and to whom?

                              The America I grew up with was founded on the basic principles of freedom of worship, along with other fundamental rights. Slowly over the years, I've witnessed a slow progressive erosion of some of our most cherished traditions and rights, especially those concerning Christmas. What bothers me most about this, is that Christmas of all the holidays we have, is the one most based on pure love and the joy of giving.

                               Growing up, I lived in an upper class neighborhood, with both Christians Jews and Chinese people co-existing peacefully, side by side. At Christmas, we celebrated both to honor our neighbors beliefs, and they had a Christmas tree in their homes. No one made an issue over Nativity scenes or lit menorahs. We simply accepted and respected each others beliefs.

                                  Nowadays, in many communities across this country, Nativity scenes are banned, and Christmas is referred to as the Holiday. Bah Humbug! I think we've gone too far in our efforts to be politically correct, and in the process, robbed our culture and our children of many of the most magical aspects of Christmas. What happened to our tolerance? Why are we allowing this to happen at all? I don't care if my current neighbors worship trees, believe in goblins or anything else. It is their right, as it is mine to enjoy my Christmas as I, an American citizen see fit.

                                   Perhaps the Christmas grinches need to go live elsewhere, and leave the rest of us to pursue the right to liberty and equality. This nation was founded on a belief in God, it's on our currency for heaven's sake-In God we trust, and in our Pledge of Allegiance: "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL"  We allow children of differing beliefs to be accomodated in our schools, but Christian children must not pray on schoolgrounds. It's not right that our most basic values and beliefs are being taken away, one by one.

                                   To even think to legislate the name of a Christmas symbol, like the tree, shows just how badly we are allowing this erosion to occur.  If you don't like Christmas trees or Nativity Scenes, that's fine, just don't try and impose or legislate it away from me.