This Friday's 'Buy Nothing Day,' same day as 'Black Friday,' has taken on a new political tinge. Does that change how you view the effort to keep the holidays from becoming one big shopping trip?
'Buy Nothing Day,' a 20-year old tradition of reminding people that there is more to Thanksgiving and Christmas than shopping, this year has taken on even more political coloring:
Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas.
Last year, 2011, was the first year Buy Nothing Day was connected to the Occupy movement; both are brought to you by Adbusters, a passionately anti-capitalist organization out of Canada.
The Adbusters homepage with information about Buy Nothing Day/#Occupy Xmas, is dominated by a Guy Fawkes mask, emblematic of the Occupy movement and by this quote:
“Today, humanity faces a stark choice: save the planet and ditch capitalism, or save capitalism and ditch the planet.”
– Fawzi Ibrahim
So here's the question: does the closer connection of Buy Nothing Day with the Occupy movement make it more appealing to you by giving it some political heft? Or does it take a plea for holiday simplicity and purity into the very kind of political realm that holidays are supposed to take us beyond? Let us know in the comments section below.
Joan Merritt Kraus
4:50 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Lets hear it for holiday simplicity....
M C Stringfellow
7:28 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I'm for more simplicity.
Daniel Iknaian
10:54 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Its ok Bridget I understand where your coming from. I think it all depends on the businesses that you patronize. Its always better to support a small business because most likely they are a local family and local workers trying to get by.
Aron Levy
11:57 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
And that's why I'm hoping to walk the picket lines with striking Wal-Mart employees. Companies need to remember people are more important than profits. Always.
Aaron
1:11 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
How about some community service to some victims of theft instead Aron. $500,000.00 worth.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
12:22 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Oversimplified Aron. Three groups of people are important - employees, customers and shareholders. Without profit there is no investment in the business, and eventually it ceases to exist. Profits are an integral part of success.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Alice H
2:52 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Duh!
J. Parker
4:43 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
You are right Reverend. However, I wish someone would explain to me why these young people think the way they do. What makes them think that the other side of the aisle is not for simplicity, and why everything has to become a political quarrel? Once any of them owns a business themselves, they may understand how the economy works. Until then, their opinion doesn't count.
Aron Levy
1:36 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
J. Parker, I DO own my own business. And unlike WalMart, I ALWAYS put people above profit. I make very decent money, and I make sure my employees do as well. It's called not being greedy.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
6:08 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Bridget,
No doubt Fox News is better balanced than your flavor of Koolaid.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Aron Levy
1:38 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
It was Flavor-Aid. If you're going to repeat stupid conservative memes, at least get the poisoned drink correct.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
7:29 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The Church does not list you as a real Bishop. Perhaps they were put off by your Elizabeth Warren lawn sign.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
7:14 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
What are the Cherokee words for Senator, taxes and spending?
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Aron Levy
1:42 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
If you so hate the direction in which this country is heading, the door is RIGHT over there.
M C Stringfellow
7:33 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Don't know the exact words, but translation is "Forked Tongue". Miss Bishop, it is very difficult to find any news media that doesn't spin the news. I personally watch several news medias. I get a good grip on whats happening. Only one I do not watch is MSNBC. Do not like the format. I gather from your comment, that you are very one sided. Scott lost and Warren won. Get over it(I assume you voted for Warren). Why do people find it necessary to continue to beat a dead horse? Elections are over, move on to surviving OUR ailing economy.
CarolM87
9:45 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Reverend
I am Native American and find the snide reference to tribal people offensive, unecessary and rude---I served my country in the military, have worked my entire life and I'm thankful for the all that we have in this country, including our elected leaders---President Obama and Senator Warren--flawed and imperfect as they may be....I'm convinced that they care about the path forward as much as all on this blog....You may not care for their overall support of a safety net for the Nation's most vulnerable, but I see no need to mindlessly insult officials trying to strike a right balance between taxes and spending---Put your money where your mouth is and run for something---Let's see if your comments or arguments represent the views of teh community in which you live....
Aron Levy
1:41 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Don't mind the Bad Reverend. He's a sad little troll who spends the entire day antagonizing people. And he seems to be suffering from a horrible case of the Dunning-Kruger effect.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
10:14 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Your ire should be directed at Senator Warren. She's the one who was first not an Indian, then an Indian, and then not an Indian again.
Native Americans were doing rather well, but then they implemented a liberal immigration policy... nothing but trouble since.
Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III
Aaron
11:26 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Preach on Rev. Pimperton. Let the minions see what they have done to America when it's staring them in the face on a dark night.
Aron Levy
1:39 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I'm a minion now? Such respect for your political opponents.
Patti
10:08 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Won't be buying other than what I absolutely have to... as a matter of fact, I am instituting my austerity program for the coming year now. Gift certificates for family and friends for services (like cleaning the house, doing errands, etc.) will satisfy them, help us get closer and allow my battered credit card a breather...
Claude
8:03 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Love the idea Patti! My economics professor once told the class that what is good for us as individuals is the opposite of what is good for the economy. So I will save and they will spend and all in the name of GDP and the relative health of my bank account. When we stop and realize we live on a planet with a finite set of resources political differences won't matter.
Anne Hayek
8:43 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
I vote for more spiritual than material preparation for the holidays. It's a time of year to slow down after the harvest is in, to charitably share our bounty. The nights are long and our bodies want to recover... taking it slow, taking time to BE is a gift of the season.
JohnnyMass
10:29 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Everyone should go out and buy big flat-screen TV's. The Red Chinese economy is depending on you!
Joshua DeCosta
2:03 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
I love how this comment thread turned into the senate race debate and fox v left.
Buy what you want, do what helps the people. Walmart sucks but it is the only place some can afford. Society must change, etc.
YiayiaOnline
9:39 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Things should remain as they are. For those who like to shop. I hate standing in line for anything and do most of my shopping online but would not take away any one else's right to bargain hunt or whatever.