Re the "horrific tragedy" quote, surely that's why people read this blog - not to be gruesome but to see how a "first responder" deals with these all too human tragedies? If he was down crying with the bereaved and the orphans, even before someone died, what use exactly would he be? Would you prefer emergency staff sob and vomit all over the many horrors this season brings up? I think it is a TOTALLY appropriate comment, in the context of this blog. Re the rest - DO Muslims celebrate Christmas? I'm a pagan, I enjoy midwinter solstice but don't do the Christ thing (but respect and honour those who do). Anyone seeing my shrine - yes, SHRINE - may reasonably and legitimately expect me to not honour the birth of the Christ Child, and I for one am no victim needing "guest bloggers" to set people right about me, so thank you very much but please, state who you think you're defending, and where their permission to do so comes from, before you leap on a post with such eagerness. I think from the depth of my pagan heart you're a tosser and a troll, and I'm almost tempted to hear the Truth of Mohammed and Islam, just so I could rip your sad troll-ey arse off. Weak, lame, and so out of touch with reality.