header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013
Darryl Manzer

Darryl Manzer

I’m tired. I’m tired of being told I should say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” (In Merry old England they usually say “Happy Christmas.”) I’m tired of being told we put up “holiday decorations.”  I’m tired of being told we can’t say and do things that may offend a small minority of folks.

So guess what? I will be wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, no matter how they do or don’t believe. It is my belief and what I say. I can’t think of a single person I know who is Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Hindu who would take offense to that. Even my atheist friends don’t mind.

I’m doing this because I’m really tired of the “tyranny of the minority.”  Reallyu tired of it. It started for me at Castaic Union Elementary School about 1955.

Remember those little cartons of ice cream and the wooden spoons we would get with them? We were told we had to be very quiet and very good and we would get some if nobody made a sound. If the teacher heard a sound from just one person, we wouldn’t get our ice cream.

Well, one little boy got the giggles … just one little boy. He couldn’t get over them. The rest of us stayed very quiet. And the rest of us didn’t get our ice cream. The kid with the giggles became our tyrant. Twenty-nine quiet kids and one giggler.

That continued in like fashion until one fateful June day in 1968 when I was handed a diploma from William S. Hart High School.

In PE class it was the one kid who did something wrong so we all had to run a couple of extra laps around the track. I hate that track.

Nobody did anything bad in band … Mr. Downs would have killed all of us, we thought. We were sure it was the same way with Mr. Sims and Mr. Alexander.  One kids acts up and everyone gets the punishment.

Tyranny of the minority. It is actually a good method of training for the military. For instance: We were told to take a break and smoke and joke. So even the non-smokers picked up a smoke. They might not actually smoke it, but they didn’t want to cause the whole company not to get a break.

I wonder how many times in boot camp and other schools in the Navy I had to do something over and over until all of us got it right. It made us bring the dummy or uncoordinated up to our standards so we could get on with the real task. The majority helping the minority worked there. Now the standards are lowered so even the dumbest can pass.

And then they got “stress cards.” When the company commander – in Navy boot that could be a Chief or First Class Petty Officer – was a little harsh on a new recruit, said recruit could hold up a “stress card” and stop the usually verbal object lesson. It also meant the rest of the company got additional verbal object lessons. So once again, we helped the minority come to grips with his deficiencies.

Please note that the United States Marines don’t have and never will have stress cards. If you tried to use one in Marine boot camp, the drill instructor might rip off your head and shove said card down your now open windpipe.

In the Marine Corps the majority rules. That majority is your drill instructor. A majority of one.

Out here in civilian society, things are turned around. Heaven forbid we offend anyone. Ever.

I’m not taking that any more. I will say what I want and how I want to say it, and at the same time be polite. I will not repress what I believe because some unknown tyrant might be offended.

Saying “Merry Christmas” is the reason for the season. It isn’t some reason to buy a bunch of material goods. It is a genuine greeting, wishing someone the mirth and merriment of a birth of a child I happen to think and indeed know is the center of my faith.

You’re free to agree or disagree. Your choice. But when you’re making your choice, please don’t attempt to take away mine. That little thing called the Bill of Rights allows me – and indeed a collective “we” – to express ourselves, even if it does offend a minority of folks.

The complaints about Christmas decorations going up too early or “religious” events taking place on public property are inappropriate to the majority. You see, Christmas isn’t just a single day or a single season of the year. It is a feeling of joy and happiness that should last all year. Most of us want to celebrate such joy all year long. And many of us do so.

So stop with the Mr. Scrooge routine and break out in song. Sing Christmas carols or maybe of spinning a top or two. Celebrate your special day any time you want. Don’t let that loud and obnoxious minority that would like to be your tyrant, tell you what to believe.

For me, I will yell at the top of my lungs anytime, “Merry Christmas Everyone!” It is my fight against the tyranny of the minority.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com