It’s not racism, or anti-semitism — it’s the foreign policy.

I have to say, though, that while the word “homophobic” is vastly overused (for instance, it is not “homophobic” to oppose gay marriage, at least not intrinsically) the congressman does seem literally homophobic to me, based on this description of his behavior. On the other hand, one can be a homophobe, and still support gay rights.

[Update a few minutes later]

The trouble with Ron Paul’s defense on the newsletters.

Over at Gizmodo.

Hey, numbnutz. I have Christmas lights up. Last night we decorated a tree. I don’t believe in God.

[Early afternoon update]

I think that this encapsulates the problem:

I believe that the objections to “Merry Christmas” stem from a misunderstanding of the phrase. While you and I mean “Please share my joy in this wonderful season,” some interpret it to mean “Honor Christmas, you infidel!”

Some people are just wrapped too tight.

[Another update a few minutes later]

Santa’s not pagan:

While it’s absolutely true that there are sincere and committed Christophobes and joyless atheistic boobs out there, one of the major culprits is capitalism itself. I like capitalism — a lot. Heck, the best Christmas present I could get would be a Scrooge-like conversion on the part of the president after a visit from the Ghost of Socialism Past. But the downside of capitalism is that it will, eventually, encourage the commercialization of everything sacred. For instance, there’s an online “dating” company dedicated entirely to facilitating adultery. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a holiday symbolized by a man who gives presents would be exploited. That doesn’t mean we have to surrender to the trend, but we should recognize all of the trend’s sources, not just the convenient ones.

On a different note, the supposed champions of making Christmas more “inclusive” should at least ponder the irony that they are being intolerant. If you take offense when someone says “Merry Christmas,” you, quite simply, are the jerk.

Yup.