Have you heard this story? It was reported on most of the morning radio shows around the country from New York to LA. (I can personally verify this since I listen to both Opie and Anthony's and Adam Carolla's shows!)

Apparently, an Australian company responsible for hiring men to play Father Christmas (or Santa Claus as he is known in the US) at retail stores throughout the country has made the stipulation that they are not allowed to use Santa's signature laugh, (i.e., "Ho ho ho!") They have reportedly done this because, as we all know and have heard over and over again since the firing of Don Imus a few months back, "Ho" can be interpreted as a derogatory moniker aimed a certain portion of the female population.

If this isn't a joke perpetrated by someone in Australia, as has been suggested, or at the very least, an off-handed comment blown up into a nothing story by the Australian media (after all, does "Ho" really carry the same connotation in the Outback as it does here?) then I think it's safe to say that this whole "political correctness" movement has officially gone too far!

I mean, come on, people! It's bad enough that the holiday season has become so heavily commercialized and diluted—what with other religions and "manufactured" festivals furiously demanding equal time—that we now have to greet people with the likes of "Happy Holidays" and decorate so-called "Family Trees," available at Lowe's! Have we as a society now become so squeamish about the prospect "hurting other people's feelings" that we now feel the imperative to change something as innocuous as this???

Of all the people in the world, I never thought I'd be the one to say this, but I really think all this "sensitivity" balderdash is turning our society into a bunch of wimpy, whiny wussies who can't take it when their little feelings get hurt. You know what? I've had my feelings hurt A LOT in my life (just ask anybody who knew me back in high school) and, guess what? I got over it. I mean, sure; you feel bad for a little while, but then you dust off your pants, pick yourself up and move on!!! 

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there are people out there who are gonna do things and say stuff to you—intentionally or inadvertantly—that at some point or another are gonna be at odds with your own personal beliefs. And you know what? It's OK! As the French say, "Vive la difference!" Exposure to all kinds of differing philosophy is the path to enlightenment! It may excite you; it may revel you. But don't force someone else to change his or her way of thinking (particularly if it's stood for a long time and hasn't hurt anyone) just because it happens to conflict with yours. And if you're one of those people out there who still insists on making a case against something silly that just happened to hurt your feelings, I offer you the immortal words of the great  Denis Leary, "Life sucks. Get a f**kin' helmet!"

So, at this time of year, when we're supposed to be experiencing peace on earth and extending goodwill toward our fellow humans, let's all take a moment to remember that there are things in this world that are far worse than "saying the wrong thing." (Famine in Africa, possible global warming, governments interested in their own personal agendas instead of the will of the people... these just some examples I can think of off the top of my head.) If you want to wish me a Happy Hannukah, a Joyous Ramadan, a Kickin' Kwanzaa, or whatever it is you happen to celebrate, it won't hurt my feelings. And, if I, in return, should happen throw a Joyeaux Noelle in your direction... I hope you'll feel the same way.

It is my fondest with that in a few years (if not sooner) we'll all be able to have a big chuckle over this whole thing. And when we do, let's make it a big, hearty, "Ho Ho Ho!!!"