Christmas Shoes

[_EAllusion]

I think I've talked about this Christmas song on this board before. It's so maudlin and ridiculous that it's really funny. Then, on top of it, the aesop of the song basically suggests that God killed a woman and left her son motherless in order to teach a guy a quick lesson about not being so materialistic on Christmas.

I recently caught a Patton Oswalt bit on the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq10bz3PxyY

[Warning: Non-terrestial content]

Yeah, it's awesome.

At the end, Patton Oswalt makes fun of the idea that someone else's horrible misfortune is really just for your personal morality play. And, I think, most people regardless of how religious they are can see how selfish and absurd that kind of thing is when it is presented like it is in this song. Along the same the same lines, remember when Star Jones took a ton of flak for saying God blessed her by not letting the massive 2004 Tsunami happen when she was vacationing in the area? Most people seemed to recognize that as myopically self-centered and ugly.

Yet, at the same time, I would say the majority of religious people I know well personally have shared events they interpret as either someone else's misfortune existing as a lesson for them or as some miracle happening intended for them while implying others are brutally ignored. Why the disconnect? Sure, what this song is really saying is terrible, but it's no more terrible than what lots of people think. Why is it apparent here, but not there?

[_Polygamy-Porter]

I cried from laughing so hard!

I had to watch it twice because I missed parts of it due to laughing hysterically!!

The flash animation was superb.

Folks this is a must see!

[_Dr. Shades]

Along the same the same lines, remember when Star Jones took a ton of flak for saying God blessed her by not letting the massive 2004 Tsunami happen when she was vacationing in the area?

Speaking of which, I'll never forget the bishop who said that the 2004 Tsunami was God's way of baptizing the people himself.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

Along the same the same lines, remember when Star Jones took a ton of flak for saying God blessed her by not letting the massive 2004 Tsunami happen when she was vacationing in the area?

Speaking of which, I'll never forget the bishop who said that the 2004 Tsunami was God's way of baptizing the people himself.

I believe you Doc and would like to have that reference if you would show us.

[_Dr. Shades]

I believe you Doc and would like to have that reference if you would show us.

Actually, it never happened. It was a bit from the Phil Hendrie show, which you can hear at this site between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

[_Runtu]

I saw that and thought it was hilarious, but I figured it was too profane, even for this place.

[_asbestosman]

I thought the video had too many cheap shots which distracted from what could otherwise be a good point about the suffering of others. He makes fun of the band's name? Cheap. He makes fun of a kid wanting to do something nice for his mom before she dies (by poking fun at shoes)? Please. Don't get me wrong. I think the song itself is a diabetes-inducing glurge frosting on the outside with a nasty Problem of Evil on the inside. It's just that he's basically preaching to the choir by how he chose to present the message.

[_Buffalo]

I thought the video had too many cheap shots which distracted from what could otherwise be a good point about the suffering of others. He makes fun of the band's name? Cheap. He makes fun of a kid wanting to do something nice for his mom before she dies (by poking fun at shoes)? Please. Don't get me wrong. I think the song itself is a diabetes-inducing glurge frosting on the outside with a nasty Problem of Evil on the inside. It's just that he's basically preaching to the choir by how he chose to present the message.

You realize he's a stand up comic, right?

[_asbestosman]

You realize he's a stand up comic, right?

Yes. I like some better than others. I think some are more effective than others in how they use sarcasm. Douglas Adams, while not a stand up comic, was in my opinion far more skillful in his use of humor to mock silly beliefs. That is, however, largely my personal taste. Another great humorist in my opinion is Samuel Clemens. He may not have been a stand up comic as such, but he did give many speeches and was very good at his ability to mock silly beliefs.

[_Buffalo]

You realize he's a stand up comic, right?

Yes. I like some better than others. I think some are more effective than others in how they use sarcasm. Douglas Adams, while not a stand up comic, was in my opinion far more skillful in his use of humor to mock silly beliefs. That is, however, largely my personal taste. Another great humorist in my opinion is Samuel Clemens. He may not have been a stand up comic as such, but he did give many speeches and was very good at his ability to mock silly beliefs.

I don't get the connection.