EDITORIAL MERRY HOLIDAYS? CHOOSING THE RIGHT GREETING IN A POLITICIZED AGE.MERRY Christmas and happy Hanukkah - or, if you prefer, happy holidays. All are friendly greetings, and none should be controversial. But this is America in 2005, where the culture wars rage on. Even expressions of seasonal cheer have become sadly politicized. On one side, we have those who see the phrase ``happy holidays'' as a sign of a forced secularization of American society. On the other, critics laugh at the very idea of such an effort, and think those who complain are just being hypersensitive hy·per·sen·si·tive adj. Responding excessively to the stimulus of a foreign agent, such as an allergen; abnormally sensitive. hy . As usual, both sides have a point. With silly talk of ``holiday trees,'' and in a day where even a minuscule minuscule Lowercase letters in calligraphy, in contrast to majuscule, or uppercase letters. Unlike majuscules, minuscules are not fully contained between two real or hypothetical lines; their stems can go above or below the line. cross on the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County seal is deemed intolerable, it's easy to see why many believers feel picked on. That said, individuals or businesses that use ``happy holidays'' are merely acknowledging that, in addition to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's and other holidays are celebrated this time of year. In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , saying ``happy holidays'' is no slight against anyone's religion. And saying ``merry Christmas'' or ``happy Hanukkah'' is no slur, either. Both are holidays of peace, of hope and of joy - sentiments that can be appreciated by all. In a society that's too often hurried, uncivil or downright rude, it seems petty to quibble QUIBBLE. A slight difficulty raised without necessity or propriety; a cavil. 2. No justly eminent member of the bar will resort to a quibble in his argument. about any expression of kindness. In this season of good will, is it asking too much to put the culture wars on hold, even if only for a few days? So have a merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah, and may all your holidays be joyful joy·ful adj. Feeling, causing, or indicating joy. See Synonyms at glad1. joy  ful·ly adv. .
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