We needed to say that just because some narrow-minded seasonal grinches have stained the season by demanding that all stores abandon such greetings at "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings." One loud-talking mental midget even suggested a boycott against any store that does not immediately do what he says.

We know many merchants and their employees who say no one they have met in their stores ever got miffed because someone said Merry Christmas. Some people who are not of the Christian faith suggest that, in the words of one, "Well, Dec. 25 is Christmas Day."

As people make their way around Morgan, Alaska and Admiral junctions, Westwood, White Center, Delridge or Alki, we find people are oblivious to what greeting smiling people use, but a bit put off by those with huge frowns ("What are they going to complain about.")

Our West Seattle and White Center communities are doing better economically than for many years. Oh, certainly, there are many who need jobs, better jobs, or just a chance to better themselves and provide for their families and more and more agencies are doing their best to aid those and the millions in the Gulf Coast, in Pakistan and around the nation and world.

We find that this season is a religious one, certainly, but it is one where people of good cheer can have a positive effect. Now, if we can only keep it up for the last week of the year, and into 2006.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa or, simply, Happy Holidays.