I don't watch much TV so I missed out of Fox News Channel's recent "War on Christmas" coverage led by Bill O'Reilly. From what I've read on-line and gleaned from some angry letters to the editor of "The Greenville News," Fox was spreading the rumor that the liberals were waging a war on Christmas and there was some concern that no one would be allowed to utter the words Merry Christmas aloud in a public place for fear of being sued by the godless ACLU. Countless hours of valuable TV time was devoted to covering this so-called crisis at the same time Fox plugged a new book detailing the war, cleverly entitled, "The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday is Worse Than You Thought." I guess you won't be surprised to learn that this insightful tome was written by a Fox News Channel commentator, John Gibson....how very convenient for Gibson to have an entire network plug your book right at Christmas time!

For those of us interested in the truth rather than the bullshit constantly and consistently being spread by Fox News you may want to read a brand new investigative report written by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Americans United staff members researched all of the incidents cited by John Gibson in his new book as well as some cited by Bill O'Reilly and they found them "to be based in myth, not fact." "This isn't a war on Christmas it's not even a skirmish," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "The Religious Right is using the season of peace and goodwill to press a radical political agenda and divide the American people," said Lynn. You can read the entire report at; http://www.au.org/site/PageServer?pagename=resources_xmas_tales

I started in radio broadcasting in 1979 and I've spent several decades writing and reporting news. I used to think that TV journalists had some integrity and were committed to reporting the truth and not simply repeating urban legends or un-sourced stories as fact. I used to think that TV networks took their responsibility as news entities seriously and struggled to remain impartial and provide factual reports from all sides of the issue to inform the American public about important stories that could affect their lives. But then I used to believe fairy tales and happily ever after. Now I know for sure that there is no time to spend on important stories that affect our lives or that impact our world, the networks are too busy reporting on the lives of celebrities and repeating talking points issued by the Republican Party.

Take my advice, turn off the boob tube and start reading. To find the truth you have to dig for it, you can't just sit their slack jawed in your easy chair and get the real news of the day spoon fed to you by the pretty people on the television. Now more than ever...don't believe everything you hear or see especially on Fox News.