Culture War Erupts Over Christmas

A few years ago, we said enough — enough intrusion on the traditional holiday of Christmas.

You may remember that certain companies ordered their employees not to say the words "Merry Christmas." It was outrageous. We identified those companies, and many Americans, many of you, stopped doing business with them. Presto, the words "Merry Christmas" came back fast to the retail world, a major victory for traditional Americans.

Now it is certain governments that are the problem, with one incredible situation in Washington state.

At the state capitol building in Olympia, there's a display featuring a Nativity scene, because Christmas honors the birth of Jesus, a holiday tree, and now a sign denigrating religion that was put up by atheists. This is what the governor of the state, Christine Gregoire, feels is appropriate.

Of course, the atheists are thrilled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARKER, FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION: At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Now, this is political correctness gone mad. There's no reason whatsoever to allow an anti-religious sign to be posted alongside a Christmas display. It is inappropriate and out of context.

Christmas is a federal holiday honoring a religious man, Jesus. We also honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in this country. Does that mean we have to put up a sign next to his likeness to appease those who may not like his religious affiliation? Of course not.

The buck stops with Governor Gregoire, who refused to even issue a statement about this, and she walks past that sign everyday. She is a weak, confused leader who is allowing a small fanatical group parity in Christmas displays.

I mean, how crazy is this? What's next, an atheist display next to the "Welcome to Corpus Christi, Texas" sign?

Governor Gregoire's phone number is 360-902-4111, and you should respectfully tell her how you feel about this, because if cowardly politicians don't get the message, we can kiss our traditions goodbye in this country.

If atheists want a public holiday honoring the Winter Solstice, fine. Petition your congressperson. We don't celebrate Ramadan in this country because our traditions are Judeo-Christian, not Muslim, not agnostic.

Washington state is ground zero for just about every nutty secular cause on earth. But this time, the state has embarrassed itself and the nation.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

Seventeen-year-old Moses Baranuic was working at Top Foods grocery store when he found $10,000 in the men's room. The man who left it later returned in a panic.

Well, since Moses makes close to minimum wage, it was a huge temptation to keep the money, but he turned it in, saying he teaches a Bible class about doing the right thing.

Moses is a legal immigrant from Moldova. He did get a $500 reward, and he is a patriot.

On the pinhead front, this is unbelievable. At the British Children's Academy Awards honoring creative kids, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell shows up in a see-through dress. Yes, she did.

Is there a difference between an airhead and a pinhead? Not in this case.

— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com