RAA Group

I am a Christian (Catholic) so wishing someone a Merry Christmas is what I like do, but I am conscious about not wanting to offend anyone. So if I know a person’s faith I do wish them appropriately or if I feel a person might get offended I will use a generic Holiday Greeting wish. But for me this is the Christmas season, a special time, a time in which me and mine wish you and yours great joy and peace; and for me Merry Christmas represents the best of intentions.

This year I found myself giving this more thought and given today’s social and business networking environment I decided to see what’s being said on the Internet by others. Here are my summary with links to what I found listed in order by that which I related with most.

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You’re only offended if you choose to be offended. (Deepak Chopra)

The PC (politically correct) movement has really gone too far. In an effort to offend no one, I am often wished “Happy Holidays” as I leave stores this season.
And it sucks.
Really? A generic wish? Just in case I’m Jewish? Or Muslim? Or Atheist? Eff, I’d rather someone wish me “Happy Kwanzaa” instead of the generic “Happy Holidays.”
I grew up hearing “Merry Christmas” this time of year. I miss it.
Yes, I know everyone isn’t Christian. (I’m not, either.)

Can we just do away with all the PC-ness around holiday greetings? Please. – Etiquette Bitch http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/etiquette-bitch/2009/12/only-if-you-choose-to-be-offended.html

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Merry Christmas!

Over the centuries, Christmas has lost a lot of it’s religious meaning and become more of a secular holiday in today’s global marketplace. Yes, Christmas is a religious holiday in which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who we believe to be our savior – but the global truth is that we were not the first ones to claim a winter holiday for our religion. Christmas has become and continues to be a global holiday, which means something different to everybody. Christmas should not be recognized as a mere Christian holiday, but as a celebration of family, a time we celebrate the past year with loved ones and prepare for the new. Christmas is truly about love (and let’s not forget about receiving gifts!) and the time we have with each other.
That’s what I feel Christmas is in today’s culture. Please stop calling them holiday trees. Call it was it is and recognize the history and meaning of the day.

Politically Correct’ Holiday Greeting
http://bogopolis.com/blog/?p=442

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Etiquetteer is delighted to wish you a Merry Christmas!

While many are saddened by the secularization of Christmas, including Etiquetteer, it’s an even sadder day when Christians respond critically to a pleasant greeting because it isn’t Perfectly Christian. Really, it’s enough to make Etiquetteer bark “Bah, humbug!” and just stay home by the Christmas tree in Perfect Propriety. They’d be Better Off — and Better Christians, too — by cheerfully replying “I love celebrating Christmas!” instead of making you feel bad.

Encouraging Perfect Propriety in an Imperfect World
http://etiquetteer.com/2009/11/29/holiday-greetings-verbal-vol-8-issue-25/
Etiquetteer is delighted to wish you a Merry Christmas!

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‘Tis the season, not only for corny holiday cliches, but for bickering about the proper way to wish people a happy merry whatever.

But the principle is, if someone’s trying to be nice, do you give them some credit for that, or do you sneer at their attempt just because it doesn’t measure up to your standards, or meet your preferences?

Atheist Etiquette – HOW TO GET ALONG WITH REAL PEOPLE..
http://atheistetiquette.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/seasons-greetings/

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P.S. Proper accepted etiquette seems to be using specific holiday greetings when you know the holiday a person celebrates, and using the generic “Happy Holidays” when you do not.

Sending business greeting cards: 7 etiquette tips
http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/19622/1/Sending-business-greeting-cards-7-etiquette-tips/Page1.html#

Holiday Card or Christmas Card—Which Should you Send? Business Greeting Card Etiquette
http://knol.google.com/k/linda-cress-dowdy/holiday-card-or-christmas-card-which/gtm2ar0qj5b7/13#

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Here is what I will use this year

Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holiday Greetings!
Whether You Celebrate Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha, Kwanzaa or other Holiday
I do wish you and yours great joy, peace and a prosperous New Year.

December 8, 2009
For Immediate Release

U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics Releases New Numbers about Nation’s Correctional Population

New York—The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released two bulletins today that examine the numbers of prisoners and individuals under probation or parole supervision in the nation for 2008 and report on related trends—including an overall increase in the number of individuals being released from federal and state prisons.

Although these bulletins contain rich information for policymakers and practitioners, the CSG Justice Center’s National Reentry Resource Center, supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, is highlighting just a few of the findings related to reentry and providing information on how to access the full reports as soon as they became available.

The new statistics reveal that the total prison population growth rate (.8 percent) was the slowest in eight years; however, “the numbers of state and federal prisoners reached all-time yearend highs in 2008.” BJS estimates that about 1 in every 198 U.S. residents was incarcerated in federal or state prison at the end of 2008.

Prisoners in 2008 reveals that the number of individuals released from federal and state prisons rose to 735,454 (an increase of 2 percent). The bulletin also reports that there was an 8 percent increase in the number of individuals released to the community without any conditions. These numbers underscore the need for reentry resources and technical assistance to state and local service providers.

Probation and Parole in the United States, 2008 provides useful information about the nearly 5.1 million adults under community supervision—about 1 in every 45 adults in the country. (The bulletin on prisoners indicates that although the number of parole violators admitted to state prison increased again in 2008, the rate of that increase was slower than in the previous two years.)

Both bulletins provide detailed appendixes with information about particular states, methodologies, and notes that describe how jurisdictions collect and report data.

Prisoners in 2008 (NCJ-228417), by William J. Sabol, Heather C. West, and Matthew Cooper, can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/p08.htm. Probation and Parole in the United States, 2008 (NCJ-228230), by Lauren E. Glaze and Thomas P. Bonczar, can be downloaded at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus08.htm.

Just came back from WiMAX FORUM CONGRESS AMERICAS 09; I feel this would have been more valuable as a Virtual Event like Everything Channel held yesterday, see comments, links and more http://bit.ly/Americas09 #in

The Everything Channel Virtual Event SMBs: Ready For The Rebound allowed me to participate without leaving my office; I was able to join live seminars with the added value of knowing each session will be available for replay, visit each exhibitors booth, chat live with virtual sales agent, request information and chat with any participant in the event lounge by selecting individuals name from live listing of who is online based on people I may know, company they are with or information in their profile.

I have participated as a Virtual Sales Agent and Attendee in a few Virtual Events now and I wonder why more groups are using Virtual Events more. So I plan to look at the economics and update.

What do you think?

Direct link

On Fox & Friends a different video clip was shown, which I have not able to find yet, in this clip Mr. Spitzer explains the choices; the choices between integrity and brokers making the sale, integrity and firms profits, integrity and the company raising the money and he states the choice made was the later, and what is lacking is truth. This got me thinking!

Now what I find interesting is that he feels government unlike the SEC can bring integrity to human choice on Wall Street and in business. I disagree!

I believe government takes away choice and whether it is a broker on Way Street, a husband and father out of town on business or a government employee assigned to regulate private business and trade, or even your health care; it comes to choices. Choices we as human beings have to make for ourselves, choices we as human beings unfortunately will sometimes choose incorrectly, but choices we have to make!

You know for me government is a lot like religion if you leave it up the other person, you won’t get what you expect. We will not find in others what we lack in ourselves, it starts with each person and the choice he or she is willing to make in the little things.

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24

I do not know if I would vote for Eliot Spitzer given a chance, but I do know I prefer him than many I see and hear today on Capitol Hill. Only a person who has been humbled by their own human condition can understand those who put themselves before and above others in the choices they make. Only a person who has been humbled by their own human condition can understand how to keep and put others first and above themselves.

We all have choices to make; be ready, stay prepared and most of all do not judge and chose wisely.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers’ eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3