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NORAD's Amazing 60-Year Santa Tracking History (networkworld.com)

coondoggie writes: The National Archive blog takes a look at the background of the nation's premier defense unit's 60 years of tracking of Santa as he travels around the globe delivering his Christmas goodies. Colonel Harry Shoup began the tradition in 1955, after receiving a phone call from a child expecting to reach Santa Claus. The misdirected call was the result of the child reversing two numbers of a Santa Line phone number printed in a Sears advertisement, according to the National Archives.

90 comments

  1. Just Waiting For A First Strike by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Is what is really is for. And the let Canadians in there. What's next? Mexicans?

    1. Re:Just Waiting For A First Strike by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

      it probably also serves a real function as a training exercise. But that's just the pragmatist in me

  2. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by sjames · · Score: 2

    Looks like coal and switches for you this year little boy.

  3. What happened to political correctness?? by codeButcher · · Score: 0

    I don't observe christmas, you insensitive clod.

    Neither divali nor ramadan nor hanukkah.

    --
    Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
    1. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't observe christmas, you insensitive clod.

      Neither divali nor ramadan nor hanukkah.

      I hope you get terminal cancer this year, you annoying pedantic piece of lowlife faggot shit.

    2. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by BigZee · · Score: 1

      Christmas (I prefer Xmas), is not necessarily a religious festival in my opinion. I'm an atheist but that doesn't stop me from wanting to bring good wishes and cheer to my friends and family. There are more people in Britain who perceive Xmas as Doctor Who, Strictly, The Queen and eating too much turkey than are likely to go to church.

    3. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't observe christmas, you insensitive clod.

      Neither divali nor ramadan nor hanukkah.

      Come on now, couldn't you even have managed a "bah humbug!".

    4. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why so serious?

    5. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 2

      Many people of all manner of beliefs already celebrated something around the 25th of December (near the winter solstice). Christmas trees are a pagan tradition. Santa Claus is a weird mix of Northern European Christian traditions and pagan myths. (Interestingly, st. Nicholas or Sinterklaas as he's called over here, from whom both the name and the idea of Santa Claus appears to have originated, is celebrated as a separate holiday on December 5th here in the Netherlands and Belgium. 30 years ago, Sinterklaas was the children's holiday of the year, with Christmas mostly being a family gettogether where kids might perhaps receive a small gift)

      So Christmas has some religious roots though they certainly aren't all Christian, and the rest is all of pagan origin. It has long since ceased to be a religious festival and evolved into something that non-Christians enjoy celebrating as a nice family holiday as well (especially since we don't have something like Thanksgiving over here). Instead of going full PC and banning Christmas trees from public offices for fear of offending someone, better to pitch Christmas as a generic holiday. Hell, I know some Muslims who have a family dinner on Christmas eve even if they don't go so far as to call it that.

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    6. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How can you not observe Christmas?! I can't walk 10 feet in any direction away from the house without tripping over a festive decoration the wind blew off someone's door!

    7. Re: What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's obviously not religious. The movie clearly shows that Santa can cancel Christmas (eg, if there's a big-ass storm and he feels to hassled to fly in it). How could he cancel it, if it is religiously significant?

    8. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Um, well, we don't care. Merry Christmas.

    9. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Deadstick · · Score: 2

      Many people of all manner of beliefs already celebrated something around the 25th of December (near the winter solstice).

      More specifically, it's four days after the solstice. In a pre-technological society, you didn't have any accurate way of noting the time of sunrise -- but in four days, you could note the progression of where it rose. Hey, the sun was rising over that rock, now it's rising over that tree -- it's coming back!

      You knew there was still a lot of winter ahead, but the outcome was assured, and you could afford to break into the stored food and have a party.

    10. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by PPH · · Score: 1
      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    11. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

      Christmas trees have started being popular in Europe during 19th century, and first appeared at earliest in 16th, so yeah, definitely pagan tradition, lots of pagans in Europe in that time to lift that tradition from. Santa Claus, at least what he was before Coca Cola turned him into a corporate monstrosity guilt-tripping people into going on gift-shopping sprees, comes from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas so yeah, totally pagan too. Oh and of course celebration of winter solstice which occurs on 21st or 22nd on 25th - totally makes sense, because reasons. And pagans. Don't forget, they have a Gaia-given monopoly on celebrations in winter (and summer, and spring, and autumn), and anyone else who does so infringes on their intellectual property.

    12. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by mark-t · · Score: 4, Informative
      The term Xmas is over a thousand years old, and is derived from what was at one time a fairly common usage of a capital letter X to denote Christ (possibly derived from the fact that the word Christ itself begins with a letter that resembles an 'X' in Greek). The term itself originated with Christians (and among those who could write, they may have denoted themselves as X-tians). While there are Christians today that object to "Xmas" under the notion that it allegedly "takes Christ out of Christmas", this objection is driven by ignorance of the actual origin of the term. "Xmas" does not take Christ out of Christmas, and if anything, highlights the association even more strongly by using an archaic form to emphasize it.

      If you object to "Christmas" because you don't believe in the story behind it, you may want to reconsider what you call it.

    13. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you celebrate chrimbus, then? Have you eaten your pound of hair yet? Is your bush trimmed and wet?

    14. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      I don't observe christmas, you insensitive clod.

      Frank Costanza, is that you?

    15. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by istartedi · · Score: 1

      This is Slashdot, where there are all kinds of boxes under the tree; but none of them is a hug box. Merry Christmas, and if that offends you then FOAD.

      --
      For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
    16. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      So the fuck what?

      I hope you're joking and all, but unfortunately such idiots exist who go out of their way to feel "offended" by someone wishing them well the wrong way. Fuck them. The whole lot of them. From the atheists who get their panties in a knot over "Merry Christmas" to the Christian who berate you that it HAS TO BE "Merry Christmas" and don't you dare to wish anything else to the various other delusions (aka religions) who chew you out for not knowing that they have their own flavor of funny hats and gymnastics to praise their imaginary buddy.

      Fuck the lot of you.

      All I wanted you is to enjoy whatever you are celebrating or if you're not, just to enjoy a few days off. If you want to be offended by that, well, why I guess FUCK YOU is the appropriate wish, then. Then you at least have something to be justifiably offended over. I think that should make these assholes happy!

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    17. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

      unfortunately such idiots exist who go out of their way to feel "offended" by someone wishing them well the wrong way

      Here is the wrong way to do it: notice somebody you're pretty certain doesn't go to church or else is probably homosexual. Get in their face and scream "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Is the intention to give the listener a heart attack or tinnitus or something??

      I believe I have every right to be offended at that one.

      Here is another wrong way to do it (this didn't happen to me): notice somebody who is obviously trans and has ear buds in. Get in their way and mumble "merry christmas." (It's mumbling; no capitalization.) Force them to pause what they're listening to, take their ear buds out, and inquire what you just said.

      That's less offensive but still obnoxious.

      I don't know who these atheists who get their panties in a bunch about "merry Christmas" are, but I sure as fuck found out this year that there are people in my community (both this one and the town I live in) who think homosexuals--not even athiests!--are trying to make Christmas illegal.

      I don't watch lamestream media, especially around this time of the year because I am fucking sick of "merry Christmas" jihadists. Maybe I've just been deluding myself that it's possible to hold libertarian views, have a certain birth defect, and somehow not get dragged into the PC/anti-PC/SJW/anti-SJW/gamergate/anti-gamergate/whatever by anti-PC assholes who have already declared me an enemy of liberty due to their paranoid delusions.

      I've said it before, I'll say it again just to make sure fair warning gets out to any "merry Christmas" jihadists. You've (the jihadists) already declared me an enemy. You believe because of a birth defect I have that I want to make Christmas illegal. You believe I am a valid target for your IRL harassment (should have stuck to trololololing). Will I be a valid target for physical violence next year at this rate? I hope I don't find out, because I will probably have a gun. Gays with guns. Gays who support the 2nd amendment. Gays who realize every day that the reason the 2nd amendment needs to exist is so we can defend ourselves against other 2nd amendment supporters and "merry Christmas" jihadists, because you're all fucking delusional. Because you (the jihadists) didn't even ask me what I thought about the 2nd amendment, "merry Christmas," beer and hot wings, hate speech, marriage, etc, etc before you declared me an enemy of liberty with a gay agenda who wants to make everything you like illegal, turn your sons gay, implement communism and rob you blind, and make straight marriage illegal.

      I don't want to have to seriously hurt you (the "merry Christmas" jihadists) over something so utterly stupid because you've worked yourself into delusional frenzy that the gays are out to get you. I haven't owned a gun from the time my white supremacist ex-parents threw me out up until now because I was pretty sure I didn't need one. Now I'm not so sure. Don't think that because I'm gay or short or androgynous looking that I haven't fired a variety of firearms before from shotguns to handguns to rifles.

      tl;dr Here is something everyone can celebrate this time of the year: over 10,000 years of human history trying to understand the tiny lights in the sky at night and the big light in the sky during day. Celebrate the winter solstice! Grab a few science documentaries and learn more about the reason for the season!

      MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS!

    18. Re: What happened to political correctness?? by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

      Sometimes cities and even governors move Halloween, which they cannot do according to the First Amendment, either.

      --
      (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    19. Re: What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why don't you tell us how you really feel?

      Merry Christmas, you filthy animal.

    20. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Yep, that about sums up my experience with the past few weeks. Sadly the jihadists seem to exist on both sides of the fence, for a friend (or probably now "former friend") chewed my ear off for wishing him Merry Christmas because (to sum up his half hour tirade) "An Atheist doesn't say that!"

      Fuck that, ok?

      I don't give a shit about the whole baby Jesus cult. The whole depiction alone, who celebrates someone's birthday by pretending he's still some baby? Not to mention that if Jesus actually had been a real person, his birthday would more likely be in Summer if anything in the Mark gospel was true. But that's not the point now.

      And we're only getting the "insanity light" version over here in Europe. I don't even want to know what it's like in the US. Seriously, I can only admire your zen like patience with those assholes.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    21. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by sjames · · Score: 1

      Well then, Merry Moosemas.

    22. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Rolgar · · Score: 1

      The X in Xmas still refers to Jesus since the first letter in Christ in Greek (the language the gospels were written in) is X. I suppose the uneducated may think that using Xmas reduces the Christianity in Christmas, but people who know will understand that it doesn't.

    23. Re: What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you filthy animal

      Ah, now that it's over I guess my sense of humor has returned about it all. Nice Home Alone reference. You made me lol. Should it apply to you, happy 4th day of Kwanzaa, AC!

      -- vel-ex-tech (can't post while logged in currently because fuck beta)

      P.S.

      From holidays.net:

      On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green. And then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa â" Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH):Collective economics.

      The fourth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.

      Ujamaa explained (it's not socialism):

      Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
      To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

      Hmm... maybe next year I'll be celebrating Kwanzaa instead except with some other language derivation (Quenya? tlhIngan Hol?) and a pink candle in the center of the kinara instead of a black one. Just remember to avoid Walmart's kinaras. Apparently they're unsafe and could cause housefires! In fact, avoid Walmart all together to minimize the chance of encountering a Christian Sharia-law jihadist.

      Cheers! I hope you have a happy new year as well!

    24. Re:What happened to political correctness?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sadly the jihadists seem to exist on both sides of the fence, for a friend (or probably now "former friend") chewed my ear off for wishing him Merry Christmas because (to sum up his half hour tirade) "An Atheist doesn't say that!"

      Yeah, fuck that.

      MERRY FUCKING SOLSTICE???

      Eh, I'm glad it's over now, at least until next year.

      -- vel-ex-tech (can't post while logged in due to fuck beta)

  4. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by RogueyWon · · Score: 1

    And a Merry Christmas to you, too...

  5. I don't think I'm worse for believing... by EzInKy · · Score: 2

    ...in an scarlet clad elf who sacrifices himself to provide pleasure to little children when I was young. Around the age of seven or so I realized that it was all hokey, but by then I was able to comprehend the spirit behind the season.

    Some of humanities rules are very simple:

    1) Number one is the Golden Rule, treat others as you have would others treat you!
    2) It is better to give than receive.
    3) Question everything.

    --
    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    1. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by climb_no_fear · · Score: 2

      You believe in someone who engages in elf slave labor? All the reports I've seen say that they have to toil endlessly in Santa's toy shop when the old man could just go out and buy a few 3D printers.

      When will this injustice end?

    2. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      4) Realize rules 1 through 3 are actually for chumps, throw them out and start a large social network.

    3. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by codeButcher · · Score: 1

      4) Realize rules 1 through 3 are actually for chumps, throw them out and start a large social network.

      :

      :

      PROFIT!!

      --
      Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
    4. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by codeButcher · · Score: 1

      I don't think I'm worse for believing in an scarlet clad elf who sacrifices himself to provide pleasure to little children when I was young. Around the age of seven or so I realized that it was all hokey, but by then I was able to comprehend the spirit behind the season.

      Some of humanities rules are very simple:

      1) Number one is the Golden Rule, treat others as you have would others treat you!

      2) It is better to give than receive.

      3) Question everything.

      And another rule is: Correlation does not equate causation. The fact that someone does not "observe" something (as stated) does not imply that he "believes/does not believe" something. You might want to refer back to the subject line "What happened to political correctness??".

      --
      Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
    5. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      elf slave

      Arctican-American, please.

    6. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually they are Indian elves you outsourced them to improve q4 performance for the shareholders. The american santa workforce kept getting merry!

    7. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 1

      4) I want to believe.
      5) Trust no one.
      6) Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity.

    8. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by dryeo · · Score: 1

      elf slave

      Arctican-American, please.

      They're Arctican-Canadian, look at the postal code, H0H 0H0

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
    9. Re:I don't think I'm worse for believing... by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      I wonder if Christmas would change if nobody observed it?

      Makes you wonder how Heisenberg celebrated it. Or whether he did.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  6. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by davester666 · · Score: 0

    R's love that stuff though. They shove the coal up their ass, and then get whipped. When they leave the brothel, they even laugh because they kept the coal.

    --
    Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  7. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They goddamn well better be managed 10GbE switches or you can stick them up your ho ho ho.

    Also, if it's not too much trouble, please include a bundle of fiber optic cable.

    Much love,

    AC

  8. Santa tracks YOU! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    In this world of smart phones, supercookies, browser fingerprinting, unwarranted wiretap, NSL, mass surveillance, and encryption backdoors, I can only say this:

    In post-soviet World, Santa tracks YOU!

    Obey, good citizen!

    1. Re:Santa tracks YOU! by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      People ask me why I can't get into the Christmas spirit. Then I usually say if I wanted someone to track my every move and judge whether I'm naughty or nice, I needn't celebrate Christmas, I can have that all year 'round already.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  9. west full of sad ignorant unimaginative losers? by sittingnut · · Score: 0

    if comments in this thread are indicative, then western culture and education has denigrated to the point where individuals therein are,
    ignorant (esp of their own, and others, rich, highly creative, mainly religious, traditions),
    unimaginative, with totally empty spiritual lives, (with lot of them stunted in to believing(note that this is a mere belief) in all encompassing primacy of reason and science),
    and (as a result of above ) imprisoned in a purely materialistic world-view, with half baked materialistic ethics. half baked because such ethics are perforce contradictory, since an intellectually honest materialist world view can rationally lead only to nihilism; objective existence of good or evil, valid beyond 1 person at 1 instance of time, can not proved (any more than existence of god), therefore there cannot be any morality to a truly rational materialistic person)

    1. Re:west full of sad ignorant unimaginative losers? by bev_tech_rob · · Score: 1

      Where are my mod points when I need them? Awesome post!

      --
      You're messin' with my Zen Thing, man.....
  10. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Sweet Jesus, make up your mind. First you blast liberals for what you imagine to be an "attack on christmas" and now you're bitching that this liberal stronghold at NORAD is squandering tax dollars on keeping with this (fairy ridiculous) part of the tradition.

    You complete moron. If only this weren't so utterly typical for much of the conservative/reactionary element in US society, I might have a little respect for a few of their ideals.

    I for one couldn't care less about any fictional god, or some unusually friendly Palestine circa two millenia ago.

    But yay, the days are getting longer again, so let's rejoice and get plastered.

  11. jeebus says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    arent they a bit old for beliving in mythalogical figures?

    1. Re:jeebus says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Worse, Santa is actually pagan idolatry.

      Repent!

    2. Re: jeebus says by Frankzy · · Score: 1

      As a Scandinavian I'm much more inclined to favour the norse myths rather than the cluster fuck that is Christianity...

    3. Re: jeebus says by operagost · · Score: 2

      Yes. Because fortress-building horses, gods who cross-dress to impersonate the bride at a wedding, and tasty-goat-drawn chariots make a lot of sense. I do have to admit the story about Thor's beer run where he eats two cows, beats up a sea serpent, and gets in a brawl on a fishing trip, would make a great movie. Actually, that's probably where they got the inspiration for the Scott Pilgrim and Superbad scripts.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    4. Re: jeebus says by bev_tech_rob · · Score: 1

      Yes. Because fortress-building horses, gods who cross-dress to impersonate the bride at a wedding, and tasty-goat-drawn chariots make a lot of sense. I do have to admit the story about Thor's beer run where he eats two cows, beats up a sea serpent, and gets in a brawl on a fishing trip, would make a great movie. Actually, that's probably where they got the inspiration for the Scott Pilgrim and Superbad scripts.

      Maybe they could put the fishing trip brawl into the next Marvel Avengers movie. Thor & Captain America going toe to toe over the last beer in the cooler....hmmmm...

      --
      You're messin' with my Zen Thing, man.....
    5. Re: jeebus says by operagost · · Score: 1

      Thor could just set his hammer on the lid until Cap gives up and goes to the liquor store.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    6. Re: jeebus says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the comics, Cap can lift Mjolnir. I'm betting after the events in Cap3: Civil War, when Cap dies and Bucky becomes the new Cap, Bucky-Cap will be able to lift Mjolnir at a critical point in Infinity.

    7. Re: jeebus says by cold+fjord · · Score: 1

      That seems to be a declaration that you either know little of Christianity, or misunderstand what you think you know.

      --
      much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
    8. Re: jeebus says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the Age of Ultron film when the avengers are partying, and everyone takes a turn at the hammer, if you watch closely, Cap does budge the hammer and Thor gets a surprised look, but fails to move it further.

    9. Re: jeebus says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm just going to leave this here.

      http://www.caesarsmessiah.com/

  12. and if youve been a bad terrorist by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    they will put a cruise missile down you chimney.

  13. Have they caught him already? by houghi · · Score: 3, Funny

    He is going in and out of the country without any papers. They are able to track him.
    To me it is clear that they are just a waste of money. If they can not stop a single person on a sledge, how do they think they can stop bombs coming in from the Soviet Union.

    And to people telling he is no danger: he is clearly devastating for the US toy industry as the majority he brings in is made by underpaid elves in (as indicate don the toys) in China.
    The reason nothing is done is because he favors the rich more than the poor and those are the people in charge.

    Wake up sheeple!

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    1. Re:Have they caught him already? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apparently, Santa's the only one they are able to track. And he gets his share of 'benefits', namely milk and cookies.
      Merry Christmas everyone.

    2. Re:Have they caught him already? by dgatwood · · Score: 1

      That's because KwanzaaBot has RADAR jammers.

      --

      Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  14. It is only bigots that have to be... by EzInKy · · Score: 1

    ...concerned about political correctness. The vast majority that composes the rest of the human race don't give a damn about who you worship, or your skin color, or your gender orientation. You treat as as equals, we treat you as equals.

    --
    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    1. Re:It is only bigots that have to be... by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

      You treat as as equals, we treat you as equals.

      Bullshit. You gender me female, then find some piece of evidence that indicates otherwise and the you freak the fuck out and call the police. I expect this to begin escalating directly to violence in the near future, so be warned: I may just have a gun on me.

      You see on my paperwork I'm male, then you find out one of my meds is for women only, so you freak the fuck out and give me a "religious objection!" and revoke my healthcare access while I still am forced by the government to pay for your obese ass.

      Or, you note that I'm most likely homosexual so you get in my face and shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" in the most angry tone of voice I have ever heard those words in.

      MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS

    2. Re: It is only bigots that have to be... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, please, tell us how you really feel.

  15. Shoot it down. by eltwo · · Score: 3, Funny

    60 Years and NORAD still hasn't been able to direct a missile to shoot down this object!!

    1. Re:Shoot it down. by plover · · Score: 4, Funny

      They did. They shot him down back in '58, and as part of a massive cover-up, Eisenhower wrote out a secret directive ordering parents to 'play Santa' and wrap gifts for their kids.

      Gotta go, it sounds like someone's whispering outside and making helicopter noises, so I ought to check on it.

      --
      John
    2. Re:Shoot it down. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They did so. I saw it in that documentary about the skeleton guy and his dog with the glowing nose. And there was a lot of singing in it, too, for some reason.

  16. i used to love this shit, not any more by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

    You know what, Slashdot? This is the first year I have absolutely no interest in the Santa Tracker. I will not be watching any of the Rankin & Bass stop-motion folklore. Christmas is dead to me.

    You know why? You Christian assholes have apparently determined that I'm somehow out to stop you from saying "merry Christmas." I mean, what the actual fuck. You assholes think that saying "merry Christmas" to me will somehow cause me agony because god hates fags. You've done this to my friends as well. I got jumped by a guy who needed to shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" in my fucking face.

    I used to regularly give to a fund for local foodbanks. No more. That's how you fucking Christians want to be to me? Well, fuck you. Starve to death. Freeze to death.

    I am fucking sick of this "merry Christmas" jihad. When the revolution comes, you had better the hell stay off my property. There is no militia that will be getting my supplies. You know why? Because I will fucking shoot you dead the minute you step on my property.

    That and MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS, assholes.

    1. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by bev_tech_rob · · Score: 1

      You Christian assholes have apparently determined that I'm somehow out to stop you from saying "merry Christmas."

      You might not be, but a lot of your Atheist brethren are. Therefore, Christians are fighting back......

      --
      You're messin' with my Zen Thing, man.....
    2. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Happy Holidays!

    3. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

      Well, keep in mind then. Come this time next year, I may very well have a gun on me.

      If they want to keep escalating this until one becomes physically violent with me, well, what can I say? Gays with guns. Religiously object to my gun in your face after you take a swing at me!

    4. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Freedom of Speech does not include the freedom to inflict intentional emotional harm upon someone. If your words are hateful or designed with the express purpose of causing emotional harm (such as shouting "merry Christmas" to someone whom you know is an Atheist), then you do not have the right to say them.

      (disclaimer: I am not an Atheist. I just fully acknowledge the fact that your rights stop at the tip of my nose, and that I DO in fact have a right not to be harmed by you, either physically or emotionally. I also recognize that freedom of religion also includes freedom FROM religion for those who do not wish to practice one)

    5. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by operagost · · Score: 1

      Worst. Troll. Ever.

      MERRY CHRISTMAS

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    6. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've thought about modding down a couple of your posts, but instead I'll observe that you seem to be experiencing considerable stress about events in your life, and you aren't handling it well. Please get some help before you hurt yourself or somebody else. I hope this next year is better for you. I'll even pray for you. Peace.

      One more thing - if you intend to reply to this with an angry, hate filled tirade, threats, or death wishes, don't bother. It won't bother me at all, nobody wants to read it (I doubt if I will), and it won't stop me from praying for you. Enjoy your holidays if for no other reason than the time off.

    7. Re:i used to love this shit, not any more by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

      Mod away. I'm surprised that they haven't been mostly downmodded yet.

      Don't worry. I won't hurt anyone unless I'm certain they're about to show me or somebody I care about the love of Christ by sending one of us to the hospital. So far, when people I care about have been threatened, a disapproving stare and just walking away has done the trick. A gun is a deterrent first. I hope that's all mine will ever need to be, and I hope I'll never even need to reach for it.

      Thank you for the well wishes. The best to you and yours. Hope you enjoyed the solstice, and have a merry Christmas!

    8. Re: i used to love this shit, not any more by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As an atheist, why do I care if you wish me a merry Christmas? It won't cause anyone emotional pain and anyone who says is a whiny bitch.

      It's about the same as "God bless you" after I sneeze. That's for the other person to wish for me and be polite in their customs, not for me to go fuck myself.

  17. Last Christmas by RDW · · Score: 1

    It's all fun and games until someone has a few too many at the NORAD Christmas party, loads the Santa data into the wrong terminal, and the WOPR identifies Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen as an incoming salvo of ICBMs from Murmansk.

  18. Re:what's worse in libtard paradise by vel-ex-tech · · Score: 1

    That's too good for him. Unleash the Krampus!

  19. NORAD and 9-11 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    NORAD couldn't track three hijacked planes on 9-11. What does that tell you? You're welcome.

    1. Re:NORAD and 9-11 by bev_tech_rob · · Score: 1

      Just shut the hell up....

      --
      You're messin' with my Zen Thing, man.....
  20. You keep the Christ, We keep the Merry. by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 2, Insightful
    This whole winter solstice festival was observed by pagans before they were civilized by Gospel and the Christians. To placate them the early Christian church allowed them to Christianize their pagan winter solstice festival by weaving a story of Christ being born on Dec. It is blasphemous to continue to observe that pagan festival in the Year of Our Lord 2015.

    Worse the liberals with the help of merchandise peddling corporations have infiltrated the government to the top levels. They even use the military to perpetuate the myth and indoctrinate the young kids into the myth of Christmas.

    It is time we return to the original Christian roots of observing and celebrating the birth of our Savior. No gifts, no pagan trees. No drinking or making merry. We have to take the Merry out of the Merry Christmas and put Holy in it, not holly. Strict abstemious, pious prayers and mass is ALL that should be allowed on Christmas. They commercialized the sabbath, commercialized Christmas. They will commercialize the entire church canon if you let them.

    Christians of the world, unite against the Merry in the Merry Christmas.

    Of course, we, non Christians would be allowed to celebrate a winter Season festival, with all the drinking, making merry and exchanging gifts. Pious Christians, you keep the Christ, the rest of us keep the Merry and we call it a fair division.

    Holy Christmas Greetings to Christians. Merry Season's Greetings to us.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    1. Re:You keep the Christ, We keep the Merry. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not sure how this relates with your comment but I will respond here anyway. Mad Magazine years ago had a satire of big department store during Christmas of various characters. One is a nun speaking to the store manager, "What is all this commercialism? Doesn't anyone know Christmas is the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ?" Manager responds, "Certainly not! You can buy a plastic replica of that Nativity scene on the second floor for only $14.95!"

    2. Re:You keep the Christ, We keep the Merry. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you really think this is cute? Can't we have one fucking Christmas without some asshole pulling this shit?

    3. Re:You keep the Christ, We keep the Merry. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      'Strict abstemious, pious prayers and mass is ALL that should be allowed on Christmas.'. There is a reason we forced those fucking Puritians to leave our shores and go to yours And that is it . Not forgetting the fact they wehere rebelling about not being able to oppress other people!

  21. Seperation Between Church and State has Failed by BrendaEM · · Score: 1

    I don't mean to be negative, but in their highest wisdom, America's founding fathers wanted a clear separation between church and state.

    I am sorry, but I feel it's wrong for tax dollars to spent to pander to any religion.

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendaEM
    1. Re:Seperation Between Church and State has Failed by sjames · · Score: 1

      Santa is not part of any religion. He is a folk tradition that shares a span of time with several religious and secular observations.

    2. Re:Seperation Between Church and State has Failed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bah humblebug! :) Everyone knows that Santa is an acronym for Satan! And he looks suspiciously a lot like Karl Marx! Merry Xmas, everyone!

    3. Re:Seperation Between Church and State has Failed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Anagram, yes.

  22. Dyslexia starts yearly tradition by thoughtlover · · Score: 1

    Basically, a small screwup by a civilian created a annual military tradition...

    --
    No sig for you! Come back one year!