TIMES/NEWS

Multiculturalism is an ideology, and at its heart it's anti-Western Civilization.

Dr. Bruce Thornton

Fresno State University

It's Christmas in July-and not just at Sleep Country USA. Or so it seems.

During last week's mini-heat wave, last December's short-lived ban on Christmas trees at Sea-Tac International Airport made headlines once again.

The kerfuffle resulted from a Jewish rabbi's ill-timed insistence that a menorah be displayed along with Christmas trees in the main terminal.

Rather than put up a menorah, nine trees decorated with red bows were taken down-then put back up in the wake of a public outcry.

The matter, it was decided, would be studied after the holidays.

Now the Port of Seattle's Holiday Decorations Advisory Committee has spoken.

Sea-Tac's terminal should be decorated for the holidays again this year, possibly with lights, colors and fabric-but with no religious symbols.

Any trees displayed should be decorated so they do not appear to be Christmas trees.

Holiday decorations, according to the recommendations, should create a warm, inclusive environment at the airport to reflect our diverse community and the Northwest environment, and to "convey universal values, such as peace and harmony."

Perhaps passengers can hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" instead of humming Christmas carols while waiting for their flights.

What would Christmas be, even in July, without politically correct censorship to remove from public view yet another vestige of the reason for the season?

FOR TOO many Decembers now, the politically correct among us have wished others "Happy Holidays" instead of a "Merry Christmas."

Their well-intended, but misguided, intent is to avoid offending someone who is not a Christian or otherwise does not observe the holiday-despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.

But a "Happy Holiday" wish in July?

Earlier this month I was wished precisely that by three different people instead of a "Happy Fourth of July" or "Happy Independence Day."

Perhaps it was just the words they chose at the time.

On the other hand, liberals been so inculcated by the mantra of political correctness that I wonder if they simply couldn't help themselves.

Many of them are reluctant to show any display of patriotism-yet that's what Fourth of July celebrations are all about.

Some don't want to say anything that elevates our American heritage above other traditions because it might offend or embarrass those who aren't American citizens.

And that's just plain wrong.

As for me, I'll stand with Lee Greenwood-and our men and women in uniform-and proudly say "God bless the USA" on the Fourth of July and every day.

AN INTRIGUING phenomenon is the lip service many liberals give to the concept of democracy, for many of them fear and mistrust the people when we vote.

Evidence of this is official reaction to Initiative 25, which would mandate the election of the King County Elections Director. Currently that position is filled by the county executive.

But some on the Democrat-controlled county council are dragging their feet to delay as long as possible the people's will on that issue should voters approve it.

In the meantime, a public employees union has filed and lost a legal challenge to Initiative 960.

I-960 is a strong response to runaway state spending in the wake of the dismantling of Initiative 601 by lawmakers in Olympia.

A "Taxpayer Protection Act" by and for the people, I-960 would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature before any state tax can be raised.

If approved, this ballot measure would restore a good measure of badly needed fiscal restraint in Washington.

THE ABDUCTION and murder of 12-year-old Zina Linik of Tacoma is the latest tragic reason why anyone convicted of a violent sex crime in Washington should get life without parole-no plea bargaining, no way out-for the first offense.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at ralphn@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.