The answer for Mary Jo Smith, 47, is a curious mix of a bad relationship, a Jeep, and Christmas tunes in Connelsville, Pa.
Smith was not happy with her break up with Alan McCutcheon, 64, who was setting up Christmas decorations in his front yard when Smith came barreling at him in her Jeep while blaring Christmas music. After barely making him a hood ornament, she tore up his yard and almost hit his family. She crashed into an above ground pool and hit a relative’s pickup truck in the process. During the rampage, witnesses said that Smith yelled “Merry Christmas” to all.
Smith is now facing charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and driving under the influence in the wake of the the incident.
In terms of creepy choices, I would think this might do it for the holiday Jeep rampage:
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He’ll come around when the chimes ring out
That it’s Christmas morn again
Peace on earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
So lets give thanks to the lord above
That Santa Claus comes tonight!
While I understand Happy Holidays, and how that’s what’s best practice, I miss the Merry Christmas greeting. Happy Holidays isn’t a festive greeting to me. It’s an all-inclusive sort-of-nothing that moves me not a bit. So fine, but I’m not feeling it. Re: this woman, I’ve probably had days where I felt like doing something like this.
Ugly photos on the blog can scare one if one is not cautious when scrolling down the screen. My finger was on the button, the screen scrolled down, I looked away for a bit and when I looked back it was awful. Ugly ugly bo buggly.
Hahhhhhhh! I am reminded of the entrepreneur who was selling single cigarettes from his bicycle basket in the middle of July when I lived in the homeless shelter. Each sale (1$ for a single Salem Light) was made with a cheery “Merry Christmas!” Not sure what this dude was on, but it was highly entertaining! This happens of course, only on Nebraska Avenue in Tampa Florida. By the way, although your song is lovely, it doesn’t “scan” worth a darn, Jonathan. Still, I love the sentiment and Merry Christmas!
Was ALCOHOL involved?? Just wondering.
Ehhhh…… could be ! (a quote from Bugs Bunny)
Season’s Greetings and Happy Holidays are PC. Sorry, I am sick to death of PC and the people who back it. It has f**ked up our country. The majority of people celebrate Christmas in this country. Most Jews will tell you they are Jewish and you can wish them Happy Chanukah. Anybody else who moved here or converted, I’m sorry if you are offended, but I will continue to wish people Merry Christmas. I love this holiday and I like to spread my love around.
beakie48 – who doesn’t enjoy singing Xmas carols around the old Chanukah bush?
Beakie48, I understand and agree with you about being fed up with political correctness. Obviously, the last presidential election showed many other people are, too. It might be a PC thing to say “Happy Holidays”, but I try to ignore that fact when I express my feelings to others that way. I don’t mean to be exclusionary or disrespectful to anyone. Personally, I recognize you and everyone else has the right to use whichever term you are most confortable with, and I choose to believe you are wishing me well regardless of which term is used. It’s “the thought” that counts!
That’s funny, b/c I have been in several stores in the past few days where each and every clerk said “Merry Christmas” to me. It was nice to hear, but I was still surprised and taken aback b/c I have grown so used to hearing “Happy Holidays.” The times they are a changin’. How about that?
“Happy Holidays” seems appropriate. From November 1 to January 15, there are 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world’s major religions. Why should Christmas be singled out over all the rest of them, except for those who especially like to celebrate that one?
Exactly. Why do I have to know what you celebrate before wishing you season’s greetings or happy holiday?
Because odds are great it’s Christmas people are celebrating. This is not about respecting others, it’s about disrespecting Christians. That’s obvious.
Nick, this isn’t percentage baseball here, so I don’t understand your logic. While it’s true that 70% of the population of the USA is Christian, more than any other religion, that isn’t the point, as I see it. When anyone says “Merry Christmas” to someone of that 70%, it is meaningful to them. There are approximately 4 million Jews in the USA, or 1.4% of the total, for example. They aren’t an insignificant part of the population, and they celebrate Hanukkah during December. Is it being disrespectful to say “Merry Christmas” to them? Or just not applicable? Is it excluding them from the sentiment of the wish? Saying “Happy Holidays” is an inclusive statement for everyone of all beliefs. As an Atheist (about 3% to 7% of total), neither statement is applicable to me. But when someone says either to me, I take it that they are expressing a desire for me to enjoy the time and hoping I will be happy during it. There is no “except you” implied in either statement. And, though I’m not affiliated with any religion, I don’t feel that excludes anyone or invalidates my wish for happiness for them when I say (have a) “Happy Holidays!” (season). I certainly don’t mean any disrespect to them, whether they are Christian, or any other religious belief or non-belief.
Tyger Gilbert – as an agnostic I go with the flow. 😉
Me, too, Paul. I do enjoy the spirit of good will towards others that seems more prevalent during the holiday season, so I try to take a stance of promoting that in a positive way, if I can.
Tyger Gilbert – Christmas is the only one that is a National Holiday.
Why is that relevant, Paul? People celebrate their holidays according to their religious beliefs, not because of government sanction or legal decree. Wishing to someone they have a “Happy Holidays” is more inclusive than “Merry Christmas”, and that seems more consistent with the sentiments implied by the season as it is generally observed, I believe.
Tyger Gilbert – since Christmas is a National Holiday it is the only religious holiday I recognize, I feel that “Merry Christmas” covers all the holidays.
Surely there is a special holiday for people who get utterly blitzed and do crazy things…… (and don’t call me Shirley!)
haha…..thanks for the chuckle. Love that movie. Still cracks me up:
She did yell Merry Christmas, what more could they ask. People give different presents. Hers was the present of chaos.
Holiday ( I mean Christmas ) stress.
At least she wasn’t yelling “Happy Holidays.”
Meth kills. It’ll turn a 47 year old into a haggard and gaunt-looking shell of a human.
From the way this woman looks, I think she was on paint remover.