What strikes the analyst of the \u201cWar on Christmas\u201d\u009d stories, or at least what struck me, was the difference in tone by sets of writers or broadcasters on both, or all, sides of the \u201cculture wars\u201d\u009d\u201d\u201dthere\u2019s that \u201cwar” image again\u201d\u201das they dealt with the events, personalities, and trends. The Mandela stories did justice to the flaws of the imperfect human who led causes for freedom in South Africa and inspired strugglers globally, but almost all were written in respectful, humane tones. After all, the Mandela effect is one of reconciliation, even though it was born of conflicts past, whose after-stories linger.<\/p>\n
In contrast, both, and all, sides in \u201cThe War on Christmas\u201d\u009d stories were disrespectful, never empathic. Their authors gave no sign that they could understand why those on the other side were stirred to battle, and they gave every sign that they regarded their side in the argument as totally right in their self-chosen Total War.<\/p>\n