SwiftVets.com

[noc]

Dear <<Deleted>>,

Thank you for your recent e-mail. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

Federated has no policy with regard to the use of specific references to Christmas in any of its divisional advertising or promotions. Our divisions are free to advertise in their local markets in any manner they choose. This includes using the phrase Merry Christmas if they believe it is appropriate to do so. Additionally, our stores recognize and celebrate Christmas in a variety of ways, including Christmas decorations, Christmas music, Christmas-themed merchandise and Christmas trim-a-tree shops. And since our employees are free to wish any customer a Merry Christmas, you will frequently hear such expressions of holiday cheer in our stores as part of celebrating the season.

We realize that this is an important issue to some, and we respect their views. There are, however, many diverse cultures represented in American society today whose views we also recognize and respect. Phrases such as "season's greetings" and "happy holidays" embrace all of the various religious, secular and ethnic celebrations that take place in the November/December period. Because these expressions of good will are more reflective of the multi-cultural society in which we live today, they tend to be used more and more frequently across all segments of society. In fact, few if any national retailers or businesses now take a different approach to celebrating the season.

It is regrettable that an attempt to bring all people together in peace and love at this time of year is being perceived as offensive by some when clearly the intent is just the opposite. Nevertheless, we are proud of our commitment to diversity, and we believe this is a tradition worth embracing during all the seasons of the year.


If you have any further questions, please e-mail us at macysmaildesk@fds.com or call us at 1-800-289-6229. Our office hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Sincerely,

Rafia Usmani
Internet Customer Service

http://www.macys.com

Original Message Follows:
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Is it true that Macy's employees are no longer able to say "Merry Christmas"
to customers? or is this just another urban myth?
If this is true then I am deeply offended. 80 percent of America is Christian.
95 percent of America celebrates Christmas. It is a secular holiday for some and religious holiday for others. I can't understand your need to practice this censorship and religious bigotry in your stores.
Please clear up the confusion and respond publicly. If your going to take Christmas out of your stores, I am going to take my $5000/yr Macy's purchases elsewhere.

Regards,
<<Deleted>>
Dublin, CA

[GM Strong]

There are 2 bona fide holidays in Dec. Christmas and Hannakuh. Kwanzaa was made up by a leftist criminal in California in the 60s by the name of Ron Kerenga. Ramadan was in Dec. last year and the year before but in it's trip around the calander was mid Oct to Nov this year and moves to Sept. - Oct next year. PC attempts to be inclusive belie any knowledge of what the hell they are doing.
_________________
8th Army Korea 68-69

[dcornutt]

First,
NOtice the name of the customer service rep. Would that response be from India?

2nd, Macy's has a central "national" corporate marketing office that makes all of the official "macy's" signs, etc..for the entire chain. Those decisions are "not" made on a local level. Not for "store" signage. They are designed and sent to them by corporate office for the entire chain. (along with directives/policy)

3rd, when was the last time you saw a Ramadan or Burkha sale at Macy's?

4th atheists don't "observe" any of these in a religious sense, so it's not for them anyway.

5th, Go to your local macy's...where you live..and ask them where the the Ramadan supplies are. Ask them where their Happy Solstace supplies are. etc. They don't even stock/sell such items. Ask them when the next Burkah sale is.

6th, while there are a few key areas of the country where Macy's does sell and stock "Hannakah", etc..related items (NYC, etc), the vast majority of Macy's in this country, sell and stock "Christmas" specific items ...trees, decorations, nativity scenes, etc..etc. They do that for a reason...because that's what the majority of their customers buy/are looking for.

7th, somebody let me know when predominately muslim countries or Israel, secularizes their holiday messaging, etc...so as not to make their minority Christian population feel left out..offended..etc.

[GM Strong]

In many Islamic countries, notably Saudi Arabia and Iran, You are not permitted to be Christians. You are subject to death if a convert from Islam. Islam is not monolithic and has no centralized clergy or governing center. It is the state religion in most ME Islamic states with few exceptions.

This, our country, is a predominantly Christian nation we live in, established on the basis of religious freedom. A Govt that recognises religion without establishing a national church is what it is about (hey ACLU, pay attention). There is no separation of church and state in the Constitution. (Former Justice Hugo Black introduced this in the 1940s.) We are a people of faith.

This is as opposed to theocracies such as Iran or atheistic hellholes such as Cuba where the faithful are persecuted.

By the way, and again, Ramadan was mid-Oct to Mid-Nov this year and next mid Sept. to Oct. next year. It moves around the calander and is a month of fasting (during the day) not a celebration of a founding event of the faith. One additional observation, that guys name is probably Pakistani though I don't know.
_________________
8th Army Korea 68-69

[dcornutt]

They could always just say "Death to America". That seems to be quite popular and PC around the world during such religious events.

Yes, you are probably right about the name. There is quite a large muslim population in India ..many from Pakistan.

[GM Strong]