Merry Christmas!

The biggest crisis faced these days by the world's lone superpower - not counting the spy troubles, Iraq and Britney Spears' marital problems - is whether it's okay to say "Merry Christmas." The politically correct expression is "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays." There are even "Holiday" trees now. Don't want to offend any Muslims, Jews or pagans, do we? Even a review of "Holiday" cards in the CR shows a trend toward PC, but there's still a solid dose of "Vánoce" around. The Czechs have the advantage of a largely homogeneous society. The Muslim population is invisible, the few Jews in the cabinet prefer not to mention Hanukkah, and the heathens are eager to acknowledge Baby Jesus as the bearer of gifts. The Czechs lack role models, and a bit of Christ-inspired morality once or twice a year isn't such a bad thing. Even if it isn't exactly politically correct. So, as you pick through those carp bones, go ahead and say it: Veselé Vánoce! [Czech Republic United State U.S. USA Jesus]