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But to the point of the thread, if we're going to do it for Muslims in NYC, we should definitely do it for Jews, too. And so it goes. Not workable, I don't think. People who want this should send their kids to private school. That's what Catholics have done forever.
No need for any more religious holidays in public schools. We've already changed the name of Easter and Christmas breaks to "spring" and "winter" to be more neutral, so let's not go there. Quick cultural lessons or activities to mark holidays? Sure. If led by students. I've seen this done, and it works.
NYC schools already close for Yom Kippur and a host of other Jewish holidays.
Just FYI.
Why object to the addition of two Islamic holidays/observances? In Chicago the local government, as just one example, shuts-down for a day each year to remember Casmir Pulaski ... a holiday which was added a long time ago as a friendly gesture to the city's large Polish/Polish-American population. We have Christmas for the Christians. And in my neighborhood, which is a center for the Orthodox Jewish community in Chicago, schools allow Jewish children to take-off for several or more observances each year. I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of Islamists are good people and I see no reason why they should not be shown respect many other groups are shown by allowing the recognition of special days each year.
The Xmas and Spring breaks are not religious based anymore. They are now recognized as secular, and have been traditional for quite some time, at any rate. I see no hypocrisy, other than the atheistic types, who did all the bitching about Xmas and Easter, and insisted upon secular references to these holiday times, now supporting specific Muslim RELIGIOUS times be officially recognized as such.
Uh huh. My children's schools in MA and CT have always had Good Friday off. Nowadays they also give them the entire week afterward to hide it, but here in CT, for instance, the text below the calendar reads "...spring break which also includes Good Friday."
So it's officially a holiday for Christians. Guess you have no problem with that, huh?
I'd be happy to take off for Yom Kippur, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Kwanzaa, Diwaali, Casimir Pulaski Day, Chinese New Year, Vietnamese New Year, Armenian Martyr's Day, Boxing Day, Day of the Virgin of Suyapa, the Japanese Emperor's Birthday, Administrative Professionals Day, and the days following Cinco De Mayo and St. Patrick's Day...if only they'd let me.
So. If the people of NYC don't like it, they don't have to vote him in. Or they can recall him once he's in.
Otherwise, why should we care what they do in NYC?
[MOD CUT/off topic
That's TWICE today I agree with you, DD!! What the heck is going on????
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