A Christmas Carol

My most favorite movie for the Christmas season is Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol. When I was a cute tiny tot I remember staying up Christmas Eve to watch every movie version I could find. There doesn't seem to be as many Christmas movies anymore - sad. However, thanks to DVD technology I have them all (I think), so I can indulge myself whenever.

The Week magazine has a great history of how and why Charles Dickens wrote his famous book in a write-up called The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told. The condensed version:

Why did Dickens write A Christmas Carol? - He needed the money and wrote it in six weeks.

• Did he have another motive? - Yes. Click the link above to find out!
  
• How did he write it? - He expanded an episode from his first popular success, The Pickwick Papers.
  
• How real were the charactors? - Several were based on people from Dickens' life. For the details, read the article!
  
• How was Dickens' timing? - Wow, very interesting! Read it!
  
• What was the reaction?

It was overwhelmingly positive. The London Sunday Times declared A Christmas Carol "sublime," and William Makepeace Thackeray called it "a national benefit." The cranky Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle's wife recalled that the moment he finished the book, her husband was seized with a "perfect convulsion of hospitality and arranged two dinner parties." One American factory owner was so inspired that he gave his workers an extra day off; the Queen of Norway sent toys bearing the inscription "With Tiny Tim's Love" to the children of London. In its first year in print, A Christmas Carol sold 15,000 copies.

• Was Dickens pleased? - Only up to a point. Read the article to find out why.
  
• Why the enduring popularity? - A Christmas Carol appeals to both religious- and secular-minded readers, and offers one of the most popular themes in myth and fiction: redemption.
  
• What impact has it had on Christmas?

It accelerated the commercialization of the holiday. For all its piety, the underlying message of Dickens' story is that a little greed is good. "Essentially, Dickens is making the argument that it's okay to really like shopping, to really like having parties and enjoying the materialistic part of Christmas," said James Krasner, a professor of English at the University of New Hampshire. "In the end, Scrooge doesn't become a monk who gives away his money. He buys things for people."

Have a safe and joyous Christmas one and all!

Yet More Worthy Causes

Pick your path - the right way or the wrong way. Support the law or support lawlessness. Take a stand for liberty or submit to big government oppression. Allow a "religion" that advocates global domination to control America or take a stand.

Here are some more worthy causes to support:

Oregonians For Immigration Reform - helps alert those in Oregon and nationally to the true impact of the illegal invasion and who is doing what to stop it (or doing nothing).

Americans Against Hate - you might be surprised who the real haters are. There is a difference between taking a stand for what is right and out right hate. Find out what politicians are supporting the hate mongers too!

The Religion Of Peace - while wimpy politicians are trading votes for our country and companies submitting to Islam's demands instead of facing a possible lawsuit this site rocks! Get the facts about Muslims killing innocent people - in the name of Allah (over 450 just this week). I keep their scoreboard in the upper-right of this site.

Anti-CAIR - have you been fooled by CAIR? You know, the public relations strong arm of the radical Muslims? CAIR is the organization that will sue you if you stand up against the Muslim invasion - the legal representation and advisors for Jihadists in the USA. Anti-CAIR presents documented facts you'll never find at the CAIR site. A recent one was the terrorist and cop killer that escaped wearing a Muslim veil - you know, one of those veils that hides the identity - the same that CAIR demands everyone allow so the true identity of the person under the veil remains hidden.

National Right To Work Committee - documents and tracks the extortionist unions. Workers have rights, but not according to unions. In the eye of the union mafia the workers has no rights - only two obligations (1) keep working only what you are required to work and nothing more, and (2) pay your union dues or else. With the union puppet Ted Kennedy about to take control over the labor committee in the Senate just watch the "Legislation" link pile up with pro-union crappola.

The Rutherford Institute - a civil liberties organization that provides free legal services to people whose true constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated. Not to be confused with the ACLU with their socialist agenda to destroy our constitution and way of life.

Even if you don't donate most all of these sites offer free newsletters. Be informed. Stay informed.

Knowledge is power!