General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKnow that thing they do every Christmas Eve where they have NORAD "track" Santa's sleigh?
They're doing it again this year...but this time, Santa will be flanked by a pair of fighter jets.
Boston Globe:
As Santa streaks through the sky this Christmas Eve, Rudolph merrily guiding the way, he will be flanked by some new and unusual companions: a jet-fighter escort, bristling with missiles.
That is the twist that to the dismay of at least some child advocates the US military has chosen to put on this years version of its traditional animated tracking of the yuletide journey.
(snip)
But as the word gets out, the plan is taking flak. Some say the Pentagon appears to have lost its way by introducing destructive weaponry to the otherwise jolly image of Santa setting out from the North Pole. Up to now, the most threatening aspect of Santas flight had been lumps of coal.
Children associate Santa with gifts and fun and everything else that is positive about Christmas, said Allen Kanner, a California child and family psychologist and cofounder of the Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood. They are associating this with the military in childrens minds. It is completely out of line.
The rest: http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/12/02/pentagon-tracking-santa-with-new-twist-armed-jet-fighters/aFYyrQhOjNlZw9OnsKSWQM/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline
Brand loyalty, you see. Get 'em young. Because 'Merica.
Tanuki
(14,893 posts)I thought this would link to one of the satire sites. Are we supposed to think there is a risk of Santa Claus being shot down by hostile fire, and fighter jets are needed for defense?
Ace Acme
(1,464 posts)onehandle
(51,122 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Switching to guns
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Buns_of_Fire
(17,119 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Lastly, the video trains on the cockpit of a fighter jet flying escort to prevent Santa from straying into restricted air space and to protect from threats. What threats the old man and his sleigh may actually face are not disclosed.
Its still cutesy since its for kids, but we dont want people to lose sight of our true mission, Davis said in explaining the approach.
I think people who are opposed to the MIC but who, nonetheless, are using the defense establishment's website as an adjunct to the Christmas season should just eschew the whole NORAD tracker altogether. It's no secret what NORAD does for a living--pretending that their job is "watching Santa" for a day is willfully ignoring what they're really all about.
nilram
(2,879 posts)(That's "Surface-to-Santa" -- oops, I've said too much.)
MADem
(135,425 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)MuseRider
(34,057 posts)joke line
MuseRider
(34,057 posts)Blow up your TV
throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden,
eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own <---John Prine of course
Just a thought and an earworm for your day. Was thinking of Lola, you are part way there already
Earworm implantation successful!
Great Song!
MuseRider
(34,057 posts)It IS a great one.
I think you and Starkraven have shown the way for a lot of us.
Always good to see you here!
and here's a peck on the back of your neck for giving us that earworm today.
MuseRider
(34,057 posts)Been singing it all day
rurallib
(62,342 posts)he keeps close tabs on who is naughty and who is nice.
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)jmowreader
(50,447 posts)"He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake."
That's the mission statement of the KGB, not just a fun Christmas carol.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)Let Superman and other superheroes go along. Kids would feel Santa is safe and enjoy the story.
Renew Deal
(81,801 posts)Santa needs a personal escort to protect him from Rob Ford amongst others
Generic Other
(28,979 posts)I find this revolting. Next we'll hear Santa's elves were sent to Gitmo.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)Why bother turning on the lights?
[img][/img]
tina tron
(160 posts)Rex
(65,616 posts)tclambert
(11,080 posts)It doesn't protect them against rocks thrown by Ewoks, let alone blasters.
Answer: It saves on the cost of actors.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)It took so long to grow everything!
[img][/img]
I'm moving.
Forward all my mail.
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)RebelOne
(30,947 posts)That will be a sight to see on TV.
Sissyk
(12,665 posts)is one of the more stupid things I've ever read.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)At the very least it creates some kind of fear for Santa's safety. Even that isn't something I want my 4-year-old troubling herself over.
Ace Acme
(1,464 posts)... you have no way of evaluating the seriousness of the threat to Santa. So just STFU!
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)bananas
(27,509 posts)This is bad on so many levels.
JHB
(37,128 posts)No one could have predicted...
randome
(34,845 posts)You'd think after a few hundred years, the elves could clean up after themselves. Disgusting.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]
dionysus
(26,467 posts)hunter
(38,263 posts)The fossil fuel company executives are worried Santa will deliver angry polar bears to their bedrooms.
The U.S. military is therefore keeping an eye on him.
One false move and Santa is toast.
sakabatou
(42,082 posts)Are you kidding me?!
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)Rex
(65,616 posts)AMERICA! FUCK YA!
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)Johonny
(20,675 posts)Heaven forbid the people at Norad try to add a little joy to people's lives. People work their whole lives in the US military trying to help people and make lives better. I don't understand why we must demonize them and post pitty attacks on them. The sight and the sled tracking is fun and extremely harmless. Heaven forbid your kids learn that the military does things besides fight wars. If you are worried about the NORAD santa tracker then your life is probably going pretty good.
annabanana
(52,791 posts)It's those jets . . .
niyad
(112,424 posts)anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)Really -- American fighter jets accompanying Santa \ for fun??? (Sorry for yelling) Because Santa needs to be protected from evil "terrurism" (or whatever is implied)? Isn't the whole point of "Santa" that he is beloved and welcomed all around the world and not likely to be attacked by evildoers? Oh my.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)or comes from a country in the crosshairs would see the harmlessness you speak of.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)The NORAD tracker is good fun. The fucking weapons of war tacked on is not. They're keeping Santa safe? From what, exactly?
For the first time in history, little children will be made to worry that someone might kill Santa Claus.
It's just fucking stupid.
tina tron
(160 posts)and there used to be a law about broadcasting US government propaganda to US citizens.
TeamPooka
(24,155 posts)City Lights
(25,171 posts)harun
(11,348 posts)does things besides fight wars?
What if the NORAD image had UN relief cargo planes escorting Santa? I am betting your tune would change dramatically. Think about it.
Hestia
(3,818 posts)alive for centuries, even through The Wild Hunts (actually he leads them). It's co-opting the myth and the message, and indeed, can't we have one freakin' day out of the year without being reminded that the MIC hates us and wants to keep us all a'skeered?
If he is in danger, why doesn't Europe or Australia or South America scramble jets as he flies? Why just North America?
morningfog
(18,115 posts)Found it! This is the military hungry for bodies.
CorrectOfCenter
(101 posts)Honestly, I am just sick and tired of watching people faint over the smallest things day in and day out.
You are getting attacked for your post, while others are comparing our government to the Nazis and getting not one negative reply.
People are getting so sick and twisted with their hatred for their own country that it's almost frightening.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)annabanana
(52,791 posts)Crowman1979
(3,844 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)GreatCaesarsGhost
(8,584 posts)dreamnightwind
(4,775 posts)They can't, there ain't no sanity clause. Or is there?
niyad
(112,424 posts)OnyxCollie
(9,958 posts)MinM
(2,650 posts)Vox Moi
(546 posts)This gun is so realistic that it will draw counter-fire from nervous policemen!
Mattel is not responsible for any misunderstandings between the user of this product and any other person. Mattel guarantees that this product will perform as advertised to all owners, living or dead.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,271 posts)Me: Braaap!
My dad (from downstairs): Knock it off you are giving me a headache!
Me: Braaap!
My dad: Knock it off!
Me: Braaaaaaap!!
<sound of dad charging up the stairs>
Smash! Smash! Smaaaash!!
All gone.
Looking back, those toys were probably given us by an enemy of my parents
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,271 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Assuming the jet escort is only for the United States....
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)Vox Moi
(546 posts)Primary target: Christmas tree installation in the living room
Secondary target: The missile-toe complex in the doorway.
Fused gift delivery at zero altitude ...
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Good without a god
(60 posts)is why the government is wasting time and resources with this in the first place. Ok, it's cute, but is it even remotely necessary?
obxhead
(8,434 posts)For some background on why NORAD tracks Santa.
It all began with a typo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORAD_Tracks_Santa
Hestia
(3,818 posts)erase decades of good will. I still like watching Santa on radar here on tv on the evening of the 24th. Old Magic interspersed with New Magic.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Old and In the Way
(37,540 posts)Probably A-OK with this.
But what would Jesus think? Probably not keen on the concept. I'm sick of the militarism that's permeating our entire society. Can't see a sports event without the US military getting involved. Now this. I'm sorry, time to seriously reduce the defense budget and eliminate the ridiculous PR costs that add nothing to our defense.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)Santa has always managed just fine without the military muscling in. They need to butt out.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Mach 20 capable, high atmospheric flight jets. (And they have nuclear reactors to boot as a power plant)
Is this targeted at China? They are getting coal this year for that air defense zone.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)LordGlenconner
(1,348 posts)I really wouldn't want to be right about that.
Loudly
(2,436 posts)FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)TroglodyteScholar
(5,477 posts)Sad, sad realism....
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)TeamPooka
(24,155 posts)noradtrackssanta@outlook.com
FSogol
(45,355 posts)nyquil_man
(1,443 posts)After all, he knows if you've been bad or good.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)They're making a list,
and checking it twice.
They've gotta find out,
who needs to be iced.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,773 posts)Where's Palin?
seveneyes
(4,631 posts)bullsnarfle
(254 posts)"Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men".
Or, as NORAD's Hauptmann Davis would put it..."yada yada yada".
countryjake
(8,554 posts)flying low under the radar
Seriously, adding war planes to the image of a tradition that should represent peace and goodwill? Seems to me that is the very definition of war on Christmas.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)How about Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer?
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)So he doesn't crash into a building and catch it on fire, and collapse it in under 2 hours at 10 stories a second.
jmowreader
(50,447 posts)We haven't elevated the War to include antiaircraft guns...give it time.
City Lights
(25,171 posts)xmas74
(29,658 posts)It's been like that for years. Some years, it's the Royal Canadian Air Force who greets him. They welcome him in and usher him through, letting all aircraft know that the air is open only for Santa. It's really not all that much-just that Santa is in North American air space and that he's being greeted by the military (usually Canadian) and that it's time for children to get in bed very soon.
My daughter and I used to listen and watch every year and they've done it for years. I guess they just showed it on the site for this year.
anneboleyn
(5,611 posts)We are adults without kids (our relatives with kids also visit the Santa Tracker!), and we enjoy checking out the Santa Tracker "updates" every year. We love hearing that Santa has safely delivered gifts to all the children in Australia, Japan, etc. It is silly but it actually makes the world seem a little better for a night.
xmas74
(29,658 posts)even though we're long past the age that Santa visits. It's cutesy and fun.
The fighter jets sequence has been on the site for years. I don't understand why it's such a big deal now. They escort him into free airspace and supposedly advise all fights to land so Santa has a clear path ahead of him, with no obstructions. (yep, so many years of watching it, I still remember it all.)
JimboBillyBubbaBob
(1,389 posts)the American civil pantheon. This action is therefore consigning NORAD to the realm of mythology. Or were they already there?
MisterP
(23,730 posts)theology with science and technology--not in the way that creationists claim, but as a sublimatory phenomenon that inspired everything from Lenin to "Houses of the Holy": we have Raptures for Nerds jostling with delusions of godhood through rocketry
http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)Materialism has played a *gigantic* role in much of this(not all, though), TBH.....one more prominent modern example is the "global warming will somehow kill all humanity" stuff that's been going around amongst mostly the fringes of the environmentalist movement(I mean, yes, AGW is a serious problem that ought to be dealt with.....but it's not going to cause humanity to somehow become extinct!). Another, and this one is *particularly* disgusting, would be the "Racism is natural/all humans are racist" school of thought(which somehow managed to survive the WWII era, despite its roots in eugenicist thinking). Or how about "humans are little more than glorified apes"?
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)hughee99
(16,113 posts)He knows if you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good, so the NSA would probably consider him an "asset".
MadrasT
(7,237 posts)Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Everyone knows that the reindeer shoot lasers from their eyes.
ThoughtCriminal
(14,009 posts)Ok... "noodle incident" - but that hardly calls for an airstrike.
warrprayer
(4,734 posts)if he gets too close to China
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)With that said, though, what was the point of adding the fighter jets? Might appeal to some boys, maybe, but I have a feeling this will backfire on them.....
Initech
(99,909 posts)adirondacker
(2,921 posts)joshcryer
(62,265 posts)The underbelly expanded fuel tank is not a big deal but I don't see that on the official site: http://www.noradsanta.org/
Paper Roses
(7,468 posts)Whoever thought of this deserves coal in his stocking.
Sickening.
shireen
(8,333 posts)That's hilarious! Why would Santa need a military escort? Are they worried the North Koreans will shoot him down?
What a dumb idea.
xfundy
(5,105 posts)HE'S COMING!!1!
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Liberty Belle
(9,528 posts)As a news editor at East County Magazine, which has 150,000 readers a month, weve always linked to your site each Christmas eve. But after reading this story, we wont be this year unless you change your policy:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/12/02/pentagon-tracking-santa-with-new-twist-armed-jet-fighters/aFYyrQhOjNlZw9OnsKSWQM/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline
Weapons such as war planes have no place in a website for children. Christmas is a celebration of the holiday spirit peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Having fighter jets guiding Santa is the antithesis of that.
What were you thinking?
I hope to hear that youve rethought this decision which is in very bad taste, and will eliminate the weapons and militaristic imagery from the site so that we can once again refer children to your otherwise very creative and good-spirited effort.
I grew up enjoying this site as a child, as did my children, and the children of many of our news sites readers.
Please let me know if you change this policy.
Miriam Raftery, Editor
www.EastCountyMagazine.org
editor@eastcountymagazine.org
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)Thanks!
bananas
(27,509 posts)TheSantaTracker.com is really good,
they have a controllable christmas tree up now,
and a santa cam ustream video feed on christmas eve which is fun.
Santaupdate.com and TrackingSanta.com seem to be part of a network of Chistmas sites.
Norad used to use google earth for its santa tracker,
but went with microsoft bing a few years ago,
so google has its own santa tracker.
http://thesantatracker.com/
http://santaupdate.com/
http://trackingsanta.net/
http://www.google.com/santatracker/
ReRe
(10,597 posts)is sacred, is it? Not even a child's belief in Santa Clause. Can't they just leave Santa alone and not mess up a perfectly wonderful little dream that a child has for a while in the beginning of his life? Hasn't Santa been driving the friendly skies for millennia with no "threat"? There is no justification for it except indoctrination. Are we China now?
suffragette
(12,232 posts)And he better not try to take any of that milk to go - no liquids allowed.
Joining you in the
merrily
(45,251 posts)Homeland uber alles.
And if you're tempted to cite Godwin's fake law, don't even try it.
Savannahmann
(3,891 posts)NSA admits complete failure in effort to get into the North Pole Network.
"We have had absolutely no success in getting into the North Pole Communications Network. We have no idea what kind of encryption they're using, but it's good. We're really worried, I mean we stay up nights worrying about what they're talking about. Right now, we have no other option but to consider Santa a Terrorist who is trying to destroy this nation."
The United States denied that the fighter jets was an effort to intimidate Santa claiming non specific intelligence that Santa was in grave danger from Terrorists armed with anti-sleigh surface to air missiles.
"If we don't do this, if we don't escort him with our fighters, Rudolph could well take one right in the nose, and I'm not going to stand by and let that happen." General Jack D. Ripper of Team America declared.
RandiFan1290
(6,206 posts)Boston Strong style!
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)turned into Afghanistan, with five other towns also shut down, all for own good and safety of course.
Motherland Security is a huge success.
CorrectOfCenter
(101 posts)I would've thought it was pretty effing awesome at that age.
dotymed
(5,610 posts)Expose our youth to the "protect us at all costs" mentality.
Was this a "suggestion" from Cheney?
heaven05
(18,124 posts)Javaman
(62,438 posts)Crowman1979
(3,844 posts)Hence Santa getting tailed by fighters, TSA patdowns, police beatings of protesters, and NSA invasions of privacy
marble falls
(56,353 posts)happyfunball
(80 posts)Wow, what a statement on the militarization of American culture.
In a book or movie this would have been great satire.
So much satire of American culture from 20 or 30 years ago is becoming reality.
We are a parody of ourselves.
Just give me my Soylent Green and let me watch some rollerball.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)I remember that skit.
In_The_Wind
(72,300 posts)[img][/img]
I'll pass on the Soylent Green and watching rollerball.
maced666
(771 posts)santa sighting movie reference, Christmas Vacation. sorry.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Give us the budget funding levels we want or Santa gets a bunker buster in his lap.