| | The new American Christmas tradition | |
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johnd Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 72 Age: 64 Location: Santa Barbara California Points: 940 Registration date: 2010-02-01
 | Subject: The new American Christmas tradition Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:50 pm | |
| Subject: Christmas 2011 - Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? |
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DennisB Silver Wing Guru

Number of posts: 2397 Points: 4087 Registration date: 2008-12-28
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:59 pm | |
| My hat is off to you John. Thank you for posting this. |
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bigbird Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 2120 Location: Winnipeg Canada Points: 3009 Registration date: 2010-05-02
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:11 pm | |
| | johnd wrote: | You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. |
Fast rewind 100 years. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining British pockets so that America can build another glittering city.
History repeats itself. The fall of the Roman Empire is being replayed as the fall of the American Empire. It's all about greed. I'm no Communist, but maybe, just maybe, capitalism isn't the be all and end all of economic practices. |
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jdeereanton Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1767 Age: 74 Location: Huntsville, AL Points: 3049 Registration date: 2008-12-24
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:18 am | |
| | johnd wrote: | Subject: Christmas 2011 - Birth of a New Tradition
..... This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? |
Well... not exactly, but I appreciate the sentiment expressed above and endorse the action as a positive step. |
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pancho Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 216 Age: 56 Location: Brownsville Texas Points: 781 Registration date: 2010-11-03
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:03 am | |
| How about taking the whole family to CHURCH. |
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"Hi Yo" Silver Wing Expert


Number of posts: 851 Age: 63 Location: North Texas Points: 1817 Registration date: 2010-02-17
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:25 am | |
| | pancho wrote: | How about taking the whole family to CHURCH. | +1 |
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Waspie Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1727 Age: 60 Location: Portland, UK Points: 2883 Registration date: 2009-07-26
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:15 am | |
| | pancho wrote: | How about taking the whole family to CHURCH. |
! Only if you have religious beliefs!
Not all are great believers. Sorry if I offend but we are all different and don't necessarily share the same beliefs.
I do agree with keeping local companies in trade, not just at the festive period, like a dog, business is for life not simply for Christmas! |
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joncallihan Silver Wing Expert


Number of posts: 784 Age: 74 Location: Lafayette, Colorado, USA Points: 2099 Registration date: 2009-02-16
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:08 am | |
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pancho Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 216 Age: 56 Location: Brownsville Texas Points: 781 Registration date: 2010-11-03
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:17 am | |
| CHRISTmas is for religous beliefs!!!! Your idea should be done every day,and so should CHRISTmas. Good for you. P.S. Is not the silverwing "made in JAPAN ???" |
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tarmacburner2 Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 361 Age: 58 Location: Lancashire, England Points: 1200 Registration date: 2010-03-27
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:48 am | |
| You were doing sort of okay until the post script Pancho! Cheers, tarmacburner2 (British and Atheist - so nearly perfect!) |
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Daboo Maxi-Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 187 Location: Seattle, WA Points: 1088 Registration date: 2009-12-08
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:03 am | |
| For the past several years, my wife and I have given each other a goat, or other animal through World Vision.
We have enough material possessions and I've felt our society has lost the true meaning of Christmas. Giving a goat, or some chickens or ducks, helps a family much more than buying myself something I really don't need.
We've also been giving to Angel Tree ministries. There's usually a package deal at a certain gift level that includes a Christmas CD and a showing at the Tap Root Theater. It makes a nice date for my wife and I. But the biggest part of it, is knowing that you've helped bring some love and joy into the heart of a little child whose father or mother is in prison.
My wife and I had a "date" yesterday, going to the local dollar store to fill some shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child. Many of the children who get these boxes for Christmas have never received a gift in their lives.
The best part of Christmas this year, will be in having our two daughters home.
This is just where our own Christmas tradition has evolved to.
Chris |
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dspevack Site Admin

Number of posts: 1138 Age: 47 Location: Miami, FL Points: 2574 Registration date: 2008-12-27
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:20 am | |
| From one of Tom Lehrer's albums (Link is to a youtube audio):
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=a+christmas+carol+tom+lerher&view=detail&mid=6B332CC63C19455B07396B332CC63C19455B0739&first=0&FORM=LKVR2
One very familiar type of song is the Christmas carol, although it is perhaps a bit out of season at this time. However, I'm informed by my "disk jockey" friends - of whom I have none, in order to get a song popular by Christmas time, you have to start plugging it well in advance. So here goes.
It has always seemed to me after all, that Christmas, with it's spirit of giving, afford us all a wonderful opportunity each year to reflect on what we all most sincerely and deeply believe in. I refer of course, to money. And yet none of the Christmas carols that you hear on the radio or in the street, even attempt to capture the true spirit of Christmas as we celebrate it in the US of A., that is to say the commercial spirit. So I should like to offer the following Christmas carol for next year, as being perhaps a bit more appropriate. Lyrics:
"Christmas time is here, by golly, Disapproval would be folly, Deck the halls with hunks of holly, Fill the cup and don't say "when." Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens, Mix the punch, drag out the dickens, Even though the prospect sickens, Brother, here we go again.
On christmas day you can't get sore, Your fellow man you must adore, There's time to rob him all the more The other three hundred and sixty-four.
Relations, sparing no expense'll Send some useless old utensil, Or a matching pen and pencil. "just the thing I need! how nice!" It doesn't matter how sincere it Is, nor how heartfelt the spirit, Sentiment will not endear it, What's important is the price.
Hark the herald tribune sings, Advertising wondrous things. God rest ye merry, merchants, May you make the yuletide pay. Angels we have heard on high Tell us to go out and buy!
So let the raucous sleigh bells jingle, Hail our dear old friend kris kringle, Driving his reindeer across the sky. Don't stand underneath when they fly by." Actually I did rather well myself, this last christmas. the nicest present I received was a gift certificate "good at any hospital for a lobotomy". rather thoughtful.
_________________ I ride on two wheels cause I feel very unsafe on one wheel.Dan in Miami. The king of custom! Check out my bike mods hereReality is irrelevant. Its perception that counts. Control people's perceptions, and you control their reality. |
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pancho Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 216 Age: 56 Location: Brownsville Texas Points: 781 Registration date: 2010-11-03
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:39 pm | |
| | tarmacburner2 wrote: | You were doing sort of okay until the post script Pancho!
Cheers,
tarmacburner2 (British and Atheist - so nearly perfect!)
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Not ment to hurt anyone....Just food for thought!!!!! |
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Waspie Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1727 Age: 60 Location: Portland, UK Points: 2883 Registration date: 2009-07-26
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:47 pm | |
| I thought this was a Silver Wing forum, tis getting more like a pulpit!!! Can we get back to riding bikes! |
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joncallihan Silver Wing Expert


Number of posts: 784 Age: 74 Location: Lafayette, Colorado, USA Points: 2099 Registration date: 2009-02-16
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:00 pm | |
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Opalsboy Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1279 Age: 67 Location: Rison, Arkansas Points: 2688 Registration date: 2009-01-10
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:44 pm | |
| Hey Doug... I kinda took your advice... I did get back to riding... rode my scoot to town bought some food for a local family that lost their house this past Thursday. The first thing out of her mouth was "Thank you Jesus'... her words, not mine.
It is so gorgeous outside here now. Trees have turned. Too pretty to stay inside now. I am going for another ride... (third one today). |
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tarmacburner2 Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 361 Age: 58 Location: Lancashire, England Points: 1200 Registration date: 2010-03-27
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:55 pm | |
| I will be very happy if the weather is good on Christmas Day and I can go for a ride.
Cheers, |
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Daboo Maxi-Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 187 Location: Seattle, WA Points: 1088 Registration date: 2009-12-08
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tarmacburner2 Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 361 Age: 58 Location: Lancashire, England Points: 1200 Registration date: 2010-03-27
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:03 pm | |
| Didn't take either of the scoots today as I had to collect two new wheels for the 911. Dropped them off at my local tyre supplier and ordered four tyres for it. Getting them fitted tomorrow and then it is on to my private test track for a road test.
Cheers,
p.s. (Private test track also known as the M55 Motorway) |
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honda_silver Site Admin

Number of posts: 2247 Age: 51 Location: Georgetown, Tx Points: 3584 Registration date: 2008-12-23
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:46 pm | |
| | Opalsboy wrote: | | Hey Doug... I kinda took your advice... I did get back to riding... rode my scoot to town bought some food for a local family that lost their house this past Thursday. The first thing out of her mouth was "Thank you Jesus'... |
_________________ Bill - Georgetown TX 07 Silver Wing ABS Clearview w/vent, Givi E96/TB19/E52 with Admore Lighting, Alaskan Leather, Wrist Rests, 3M Solas tape, K&N air, Hyperpro spring, Grip Puppies, Airhawk, Utopia backrest, Stebel, Apexcone HIDs, StingerZ LEDs (w/Backoff WigWag), Knight Rider Sequential LED, NGK Iridium, Power Commander III, Manic Salamander, Saeng mirrors, Garmin Zumo 660, Dark-Side Sumitomo Tire  |
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Meldrew Silver Wing Expert


Number of posts: 587 Age: 61 Location: Cumbria, England UK Points: 1140 Registration date: 2010-11-16
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:54 pm | |
| I went out yesterday wearing my new Scorpion Exo900 Transformer flip front helmet instead of my usual Schuberth J1 open face. The Scorpion is comfortable, quiet, and in bright direct sun with the grey sun visor down...downright bloody useless! I'm going to change the sun visor for an amber visor once I can get the damn thing off. Then I'm not wearing it again until I've fitted a Super-Visor.
Last edited by Meldrew on Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bigbird Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 2120 Location: Winnipeg Canada Points: 3009 Registration date: 2010-05-02
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:12 pm | |
| | Waspie wrote: | I thought this was a Silver Wing forum, tis getting more like a pulpit!!!
Can we get back to riding bikes! |
This non-scooter stuff belongs under the "General Chat" section, not "Accessories and Modifications". Another case of "people won't/can't read".
But wait, you're an administrator. Why don't you just move it rather than asking people to get back to riding? |
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Opalsboy Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1279 Age: 67 Location: Rison, Arkansas Points: 2688 Registration date: 2009-01-10
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:35 pm | |
| Doug... Bigbird is right... move it... |
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Waspie Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1727 Age: 60 Location: Portland, UK Points: 2883 Registration date: 2009-07-26
 | Subject: Re: The new American Christmas tradition Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:20 am | |
| | Opalsboy wrote: | | Doug... Bigbird is right... move it... |
Moved!
(Now I have found out how too!) |
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johnd Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 72 Age: 64 Location: Santa Barbara California Points: 940 Registration date: 2010-02-01
 | Subject: american Christmas Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:51 am | |
|  My bad in the first place for putting it here and not in the general chat area. And you are right boss man. Why didn't you move my mistake? Just kidding, and thanks for all that you do do. Ha Ha |
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Waspie Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1727 Age: 60 Location: Portland, UK Points: 2883 Registration date: 2009-07-26
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| | The new American Christmas tradition | |
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