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‘Evil’ Santa letter was offensive
Published Friday, December 26, 2008
To the Editor:
Every year I love reading the letters to Santa. The other day, as I was finishing the many and cute letters, I came across a very disturbing letter by a young girl. She said that she was evil and she would not receive anything that she asked for for Christmas.
But, the worst part was that she said “I don’t care” and might as well ask for world peace; even the good kids won’t be able to receive that.
I don’t understand this thought. Was this a joke of some kind?
If so, it was in poor taste to put it in a public paper where other children could read it or have it displayed for mothers wanting to save the page with their child’s letter next to it.
Young lady, you have a lot to learn about life. True, life is hard with the economy and so forth going on at this time. There are people in our country who have a lot less than you. Do you see them crying out that this is unfair? No. We do not get what we want all the time. But should we? No.
Christmas is not the season for all this gift giving and wanting. It is the season for love that comes from our hearts that Jesus gave to us.
Apparently, that is what is missing from your life: Jesus!
If you want anything in this life, you have to work for it. Things are not handed to you. Our new president has even stated that one must work at his/her dreams to fulfill them. Why are you so convinced that your parents owe you anything more than a place to live, meals on the table, and an education? Hopefully, a lot of love, too. And who has convinced you that you are evil?
Please, look into a church or a charity where you could volunteer.
You could even find someone nearby who would enjoy a smile or a kind word. That means more to folks than all the gifts or money in the world. If every one of us did this, then we could achieve world peace.
Santa may start the magic, but it is up to you and me to carry it out with the love of Jesus. This is the real reason for the season.
Patsy Old
Courtland
Editor’s note: Michelle Stainback, author of the referenced letter to Santa, said it was intended to be tongue-in-cheek. We sincerely apologize to readers who were offended.
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Comments
Posted by AGGOZZUR (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You know 'PATSY' I disagree with you on this COMPLETELY. It is the girl's constitutional right to say whatever she wants to regardless of how negative it was or the message. It was your's or whoever's job it was to decide if you wanted to print it. The choice was made to print it maybe so you could attack her freespeach rights or bible thump about her needing jesus. But... People do not need jesus. People need to learn RESPECT for one another. For the world to change & be peaceful we all need to stop being selfish, greedy, indulgent, prideful, lustful, glutenous, slothful. You don't need jesus to know that being evil is wrong or that stealing or being too lazy or lying is wrong. You need a parent who teaches right from wrong. Parents need to take responsibility for thier families again -Not religious mind control for the masses. God hates organization it leads to losing your individuality. And another thing. You don't know what people who have less then other people are doing let alone if they are whining. But, they are. They are screaming that this is america and we should not have things like recession & fiat currency -Unconstitutional money. If we follow our constitution we would have people self reliant & self sufficient because the constitution builds a society free of socialism & entitlements. Remember the consitution? It's not in the bible. Take your eyes away from the bible and look at the real world. You might be surprised. If we had been out fighting for our rights instead of waiting for jesus to do it for us we might not have a socialist, facist, communistic new president who wants to take your money and give it to people who didn't work for it. This is girl is probably right with everything she said. You are just looking for a reason to praise jesus.
Posted by MegaThought (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jesus-ey anti-evil-Santa letter was offensive!!!
It was in poor taste to print a letter from Patsy Old, someone who is devoid of a sense of humor, common sense, and the brains to understand irony and satire. Such people try to force our media to become outlets for nothing but insipid pabulum. I am disgusted by Old's implication that Jesus is the sole source of love in this world ... was that a joke of some kind? Sorry for this counter-anti-evil-Santa letter, but someone has to fight the war on the war on the War on Christmas!
Posted by WJones (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jesus must be so proud of Old Patsy today. Athena might be a little annoyed, though.
Posted by Saturnalia (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Season is FAR older than "The Reason" Patsy should do some research.
Posted by learn2die101 (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't cram religion down this girls throat. Although you may see Jesus as being able to fix her, I can say f**k Jesus and still be as successful, and as happy as I want. Why don't we cram some Scientology down her throat instead? I heard they specialize in how to fix people's life problems.
Posted by jpc (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor Patsy is probably still bitter Jesus voted for Obama.
Posted by Ceebee (anonymous) on December 27, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patsy-how do you know that this girl is not being abused and made to think she is evil and not deserving of anything good. Where is your compassion-I think you and her parents need Jesus! Remember Jesus came to seek and saved the Lost, not make children joyous for a man made holiday. I pray this girl finds her peace.
Posted by franklinnative (anonymous) on December 30, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was a poor attempt at humor on the part of The Tidewater News. Journalists have a responsibility to the public and someone failed in this effort.
Posted by momof2boys (anonymous) on December 31, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As the parent of 2 children, I have to wonder why her parents would allow her to send the letter to The Tidewter News. I have to wonder at what point do parents step in and raise their children in a respectful manner. My children would never write such nonsense but I guess that is because I am teaching my children differently than her's are teaching her. It is not her fault that she has no home training, her parents are to blame!
Posted by Mls2088 (anonymous) on January 15, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the person who wrote the letter, I'm happy that some people see that it was meant to be a joke and share my feeling that having Jesus shoved down my throat wasn't exactly in "good taste" either.
I understand that my feelings behind writing the letter would not be shared by everyone. For those who haven't figured it out. I work for the Tidewater News. I am actually one of the three people that type up Santa Letters. Our editor Jena and Community Editor, Cynthia, worked 20 hour days trying to get that section out on time. A little humor was needed just to get through the day.It gets hectic and not to try to explain away the letter but typing letters for children who only know the words "I WANT" is saddening. I have a 4-year old nephew and he is the exact same way. Most children today are.
I did not write the letter to complain of my own misfortune. I am very blessed and my parents know that I meant no disrespect to them when I wrote it. When my mother read it she jokingly responded to me "I didn't know you wanted an iPod."
To momof2boys: No, my parents are not to blame, they just have a sense of humor. I respect my elders and others. I work full-time and go to school full-time. My mother raised two girls and we're strong-willed and smart. She's proud of us and please do not blame her for something that I've done.
And I do have Jesus, just to clear that question up.
Posted by momof2boys (anonymous) on January 23, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Response to Mls2088- apparently you do not have much respect for all the children that submit letters and truly believe Santa is reading them because thanks to you i had to explain your letter to a 7 year old! As an adult, you should have a little understanding about how many children read the letters. Maybe your mom did her best to raise you but i don't believe you are very respectful to others!
Posted by momof2boys (anonymous) on January 24, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wanted to add that my 7 year old was in tears when he read the letter because he thinks that this evil child would get no gifts! He even wanted to find out who she was so that he could get her a gift so she would not be with out presents! I am sure my child was not the only one seeing from that point of view. Knowing that, do you still find humor or laughs at what you have done! If so, I will pray that God changes your ways so no other childen will be hurt by your actions! By the way, you did help my son understand that there are 2 kind of people in this world- bad and good! Right now you are not on the good side! I have a sense of humor also but i know right from wrong! So maybe next time you should think twice before you do something for humor because to some you may have been funny but to others you were not. Maybe all that needs to be said is "ACT YOUR AGE!"
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