I was sitting here trying to think of something good to write about; after all, it is the Christmas season.

I am tired of hearing "Happy Holidays" because we do not want to offend the atheists or others. I have noticed that when I say "Merry Christmas" to people, they usually smile, look around and say "Merry Christmas" right back. Most people still want Christmas and Christ in our

lives.

It is a shame to feel like a second class citizen in a first class country, because of a few malcontents, thugs and Scrooges.

I have even heard of a few groups who have formed small underground religious groups so they might have Nativity scenes and sing religious Christmas songs without interference from the government and other liberal groups. This sounds a lot like Europe about 70 years ago.

To hear of these small groups is encouraging in this day and age of government wanting to get rid of God from our schools and public places. They don't allow Bibles in places yet condemn those

who burned a Koran. Does this sound familiar to older citizens?

Lew Hiatt

Belleville