It's OK to wish folks 'Merry Christmas'


"CHRISTMAS EVE was a night of song that warmed itself around you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart. Filling it, too, with a melody that would last forever," wrote author Bess Streeter Aldrich of the loveliest night of them all.

In previous years, I've written about the true meaning of Christmas and how, just as Manhattan is everybody's town, this is truly everybody's holiday. In those columns, I found myself quoting Blake Gopnik, who unabashedly declares, "Merry Christmas," and follows up with these words: "I know those Christian-sounding words ought to feel odd coming from my lips. I am a third-generation atheist of Jewish ancestry and I'm almost evangelical in my lack of faith. But the words feel fine - 'Merry Christmas!'"

Mr. Gopnik clings to this greeting because "saying something like 'Happy Holidays' or 'Best of the Seasons' sound like bland euphemisms, newspeak, el cheapo substitutes."

He adds: "The wonderfully secular, partly pagan solstice celebration that is coming on Dec. 25 has also had a tie-to Christ for about 1,800 years. The link is too well-forged to try to break it now without diminishing the whole event.

"I find beauty in the most clearly Christian parts of Christmas, and I'm not willing to lose out on it, or let the Christians keep it for themselves.

"I'll buy 'In God We Trust' as crucial decoration on the dollar bill and I'll use 'Merry Christmas' as the right words to usher in the solstice season. So in the full spirit of the holiday, I'd like to wish us, one and all - Christians and Jews, Muslims and Zoroastrians, even my fellow atheists, a very, very Merry Christmas."

AND SO, I, Liz, stand with Mr. Gopnik for the embracing of "Merry Christmas" and of Christmas itself, rather than reducing it to "political correctness." I never buy Christmas cards that say "Greetings of the Season" or "Happy Holidays."

I like to say "Merry Christmas" and I hope Jewish people will say it to me, as well, just as I say, "Happy Hanukkah." And on Dec. 26, I'll be saying, "Glorious and Happy Kwanzaa" to those who keep that as a holiday.

ONE JODY ROSEN wrote an entire book about the Irving Berlin classic song "White Christmas." He described how "a cantor's son from Russia took the Christ out of Christmas by composing one of America's favorite songs. It is the darkest, bluest tune ever to masquerade as a Christmas Carol. And it's not a carol - that implication is religious - it's just a popular song!"

And now for something entirely different. The unusual introduction for Irving Berlin's classic "White Christmas" is often sung in L.A. and New York. Seldom heard, these words precede "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas; just like the ones we used to know ..."

"The sun is shining, the grass is green. The orange and palm trees sway. There's never been such a day, in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it's December, the 24th and I'm longing to be up North."

AND, HERE is another "Christmas song" written by the very funny Tom Lehrer. Sometimes, if he is urged, fans can get Michael Feinstein in his stint at the Regency Hotel in New York to sing this one, whose lyrics include:

Mid the California flora, I'll be lighting my menorah. Like a baby in its cradle, I'll be playing with my dreidel. Here's to Judas Maccabeus! Boy, if he could only see us spending Hanukkah, in Santa Monica, by the sea!

CAN YOU cook a Christmas turkey? Here's Ben Schott's timetable:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

For a 5- to 8-pound turkey, 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours. For an 8- to 12-pound turkey, 2 3/4 to 3 hours. For a 12- to 17-pound turkey, 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 hours. For a 17- to 20-pound turkey, 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours. For a 20- to 25-pound turkey, 4 1/2 to 5 hours.

Schott and I both advise you to buy a fresh turkey, not a frozen one. I also advise buying a small piece of cheesecloth to put over the turkey's breast so that as you baste it every half hour or so, the breast does not burn.

IN RESEARCHING this and going back to Blake Gopnik in the beginning. He reported that his own "Christmas-crazy family refuses to play carols written after 1900: Our favorite carols all predate the Enlightenment!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a great Eve and a goodnight and when you hear those reindeer stamping on your roof, just thank your lucky stars that you can still hear them.
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Payday Loans No Hassle - Without Hassle Same Day Payday Loan Requirements

In today's world, it may not be surprising to know that you can avail loans without any hurdle. Payday loans no hassle is proving absolutely true in the UK as borrowers who are facing temporary financial urgencies can meet their needs without concerning much about formalities. As a matter of fact, these loans do not require any sort of collateral or credit check formality against the approval of loans.

The best part is that these loans are hassle-free and sanctioned within timeframe of 24 hours. The borrowers can apply for payday loans to meet their urgent financial demands that crops-up without any notification. Internet has made it possible for the lenders to issue loans immediately after receiving filling-in the application form.

The amount offered under this category is generally low as it is based on the monthly income. The repayment tenure is depended upon borrower's upcoming salary. For this reason, the repayment period is set to be for 14 to 31 days approximately. These loans are opted for meeting urgent needs only as interest rate charged is higher than traditional loans. So, whenever the borrower has come across the typical unavoidable situation then he or she must opt for payday loans without hassle.

To avail the loan, the borrowers must qualify certain condition such as:

o S/he should have a permanent citizenship of UK
o With a minimum age of 18 years
o Permanent and valid checking account
o Employment proof

If the borrower satisfies the conditions then lenders transfer the loan amount into the bank account. The amount is electronically transferred so that borrower can use it for meeting urgent needs. The unviable personal needs may relate to marriage expenses, education fee, payment of unplanned bill, etc.

At last, payday loans without hassle fulfill the need of having a financial support during the temporary financial crisis. The borrowers must pay off the loan installments on time for avoiding debts otherwise they may pile up in penalty.

sores - EzineArticles

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3 Month Payday Loans - Problems Away Forever, Loan For 3 Months

Everyone faces monetary urgency at some point of time. For salaried class of people, the urgency comes very often as they are short of money and other sources of income are few or none. In such situations like sudden medical treatment and repairing of a car, they can borrow instantly through 3 month payday loans. The loan amount can be put to any use.

However, only the salaried people are qualified to apply for the loan, as these are payday-based loans. This means that you would be proving your monthly salary and a salary slip may be required to be faxed to the lenders, if you are asked to do so. You may also be required to furnish a post-dated cheque to the lender to borrow the loan amount against.

The loan amount under 3 month payday loans ranges from £100 to £1500 with the approval coming for 14 days. However, the repayment can be made on your next payday. If you cannot make timely payment, then you have the option of stretching the loan for three months, though it is not advisable to so because of high interest payments.

Even if there are some bad credit marks in your credit report, the providers of 3 month payday loans will instantly approve the loan without credit checks once you prove your salary.

However, compare as many lenders as you can on Internet. Generally, these are costly loans for salaried people. They have to fork out a huge interest payment on a small-borrowed amount. But they can settle for an offer of 1 hour payday loans that comes at competitive interest rate and fees. This will enable less burdensome repaying of the loan and you will escape from late payments as well. So, compare the online offers and see which one suits you better. Do not stretch the repayment for more weeks as it involves burdensome penalties and interest payments.

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payday loans no checking account

Some years ago, when pay day loans first hit the streets, straightforward money advances were tough to get if you didn't have a checking account. Both banks and borrowers looked at loans till pay-day as being rather risky. The loan firms hazarded that their borrowers might declare bankruptcy and write off the loan and the borrower risked paying a very high interest to to get the money they required.

Back then payday loans no checking account meant no loan. However, things are different now. If you don't have a checking account but you have a deposit You can now get simple money advances with some payday loan companies. Even though there is no checking account needed for these money advances, there still are some requirements.

First of all, you will need to have a deposit account. You also have to have a method of paying back the loan, and you'll have to give the loan company your address. If you don't have a deposit account. The easiest way to get no checking account paydayloans is to apply online. There are hundreds, or perhaps thousands of companies that expect conducting business with you once you take a couple of minutes and fill out an online application.

Because the rates are often high and because they can be a lower from one pay day loan to apply on to the subsequent, the best thing to do would be to take a little time and check out different money with you'll be able to find the one with the lowest rates. Then, when you end up requiring money fast, you can apply for a savings account pay-day loan with that company.

And you can rest a little easier because you will have found an excellent source of emergency money that's open to you whenever you want help. Those desiring cash when money is short may feel like they have nowhere to turn.

Payday advance loans are a superb way for a person who needs quick money.

Some folk say that money advance companies charge a high interest rate, whether do not cost a large amount of money simply because interest is calculated on loans are a yearly basis and money advances are generally paid back within a few weeks. Due to this, pay-day advance loans are generally money than they plenty of bureaucracy, money advance loans are handy for people that bank loans do not offer xpress loans.

Pay-day loans require that the borrower be at least eighteen and prove that they are eighteen or older by showing correct identification. Borrowers also need to show proof of employment as well as have a checking or savings account. This will help the borrower both get and pay their loan. This also protects the cash advance company.

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No Upfront Fee Bad Credit Loans - Bad Credit Loans For Business

It's important for consumers to understand that though a fee can be asked for certain financial services, you should never be asked for money upfront for an actual bad credit loans no fees.

These unscrupulous subjects and their practices cause a great damage to consumers and to the financial industry as well. The trustworthiness of legit online lenders and other companies that provide financial services like intermediation gets harmed by these practices. There are however some tips that can help you identify a scam from a legit bad credit lender or online financial intermediary.

Money Down? Money Upfront?

There are only certain loans that can require you to put money down. However, that amount is never handed over to the lender but to the seller of the property (real estate, vehicle, etc,) that you are planning to purchase with the money you obtain from the bad credit loan. This amount required as a down payment, only limits the percentage of the purchase price you'll receive from the lender.

As regards to money upfront, you should NEVER provide any amount to the lender because any cost or fee can be included in the bad credit loan and thus it makes no sense to ask for money in order to provide money. If you run into a lender (not intermediaries that usually charge small fees upfront and are completely legit) asking for money for insurance or security in order to provide finance, chances are that you are facing a scam (not intermediaries that usually charge small fees upfront and are completely legit).

How About Intermediaries?

There are many online companies that offer intermediary services providing access to lenders and other financial services. Some of these companies do charge a small fee for their services and are completely legit. This practice is legal because the company is not actually offering a bad credit loan but intermediary services and thus it's perfectly lawful to charge for them small amounts.

What these companies actually do is gather plenty of information regarding different lenders and offer it to clients through a web portal for bad credit personal loans. They may also provide some guidance as to which loan type should someone look for according to the needs and qualifications that he or she possesses. It's time saving and also money saving; thus, it's perfectly reasonable to charge a fee but remember that only for intermediary services and not for providing an actual loan.

source : ezinearticles

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Loans For People With Bad Credit - Suitable For All Requirement

The earnest way of dispersing the bad credit when funds are limited is with the help of loans for people with bad credit. In this loan, bad credit not only gets the opportunity to borrow funds but also revive the credit score. The funds are allocated into two forms secured and unsecured. Secured option is related with collateral and release an amount between £5,000 and £1,00,000 with repayment period of 10-25 years. The unsecured is the alternate option and risk free that offers amount from £1,000 up to £25,000 follow due term from 1-10 years. Any option you click according to your repayment ability the main objective is to free the credit profile from CCJs, defaults arrears, late-payments, bankruptcy and etc in an easy manner. The rate of interest is directly proportional to the interest rates. So, a slight hike in the interest rates will feasibly increase the repayment burden and invite other financial issues. The best resolution to settle such hassle is by comparing different loan quotes and spot the reasonable rate. You can also take help of the loan calculator service and have a review of the monthly instalments. All such related services are offered without any cost. Apart from the main concern of dissolving all unwanted bad credit issues, the loan scheme also subtly aims to improve the bad credit profile and strengthen it to combat in the coming days. The policies also concentrate to assist borrowers in meeting personal ends. Personal ends like buying a car, going for holidays, weddings, renovating the house, children's higher education and so can be well materialized. The shortest and quickest route to approve the low credit score loan is by filling the e-application form. Apart from being fast, it lessens the paper-work and saves the time.

source : ezinearticles
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Unsecured Loans For People on Benefits - Assured Money Instantly

Unsecured loans for people on benefits are designed for all people to get financial help to run the life smoothly. It is not obligatory to go for secured loans for people on benefits. They can easily avail good amount of money from the unsecured loans for people on benefits. These loans require no collateral and it has made the loans one of the most sought after loans. In the present day scenario, the borrowers can avail the loan without placing their property to the lenders in order to get money.

Unsecured loans for people on benefits, as the name indicates, are unsecured in nature and therefore, they come without any need of the collateral. That's why; the people with no assets can also apply for these loans to meet their emergencies in a better and relaxed way. Moreover, if you own a home and don't want to place it against the loan, you can go with the unsecured loans. Unsecured loans for people on benefit can also be availed by people having good or bad credit history. But bad credit borrowers have to pay a slightly elevated rate of interest because the lenders seize risk by advancing loan in spite of the poor credit record of the borrower.

These unsecured loans CCJ are also accessible, even if you have bad credit narration due to arrears, defaults, CCJ's, bankruptcy, late payment etc. You are suitable to gain unsecured loans for people on benefit without showing your credit record. With unsecured loans for people on benefit, the borrowers can get an amount ranging from £ 1,000 to £ 25,000. The loan amount also depends on various factors including your income, bank statement and even repayment capability etc. The reimbursement period of unsecured loans for people on benefit is very flexible and you can choose a time period according to your needs and suitability.

source : ezinearticles

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