Last week we had our Christmas dinner with all the associates of this publication. It was a great evening and we truly enjoyed the time to share and laugh.

Some discussion centered around just how long we had been in Russell County and rather quickly it was figured out to be some 42 years. (We were just 10 when we started working at The Times Journal).

You will note in the first paragraph we stated “Christmas dinner”.

Nothing brings our temper to a boiling point quicker that to hear those intentionally references to a “holiday” meeting or “holiday” dinner.

It is Christmas, has been all these years and is the only reason we are celebrating on December 25. The birth of Jesus. Christmas.

We heard a news report this week that in Tennessee, the ACLU has filed an order with all school superintendents, that prohibits all teachers and others in that system to mention the word Christmas. If they do, they have to mention ever religion by name or face further action by the ACLU.

In a recent Bill O’Reilly program he asked if the ACLU was aware that it was congress that voted to close all federal offices for “Christmas”. O’Reilly went on to say they, (the ACLU) must recognize and honor Christmas as their offices will be closed in observance of Christmas, and apparently with pay which we are sure they accept.

We firmly believe that one day, and we hope soon, the mood of this country will change, the mood of our courts will change and this country will return to the will of the people.

We’ll get off our box and return to our thoughts and this newspaper.

During our 42 years in Russell County, we have been extremely blessed with a host of friends and associates.

This community has supported us and this newspaper and we appreciate it so very much.

As we initiate a change in the production and scheduling of the newspapers, we ask you be patient with us while we are working out the details.

We hope this community will soon have a twice-a-week publication they can appreciate and enjoy.

Again, the staff of The Times Journal, The Russell County News and The Russell Register prays you will have a magnificent Christmas holiday and the very best for the new year.

David Davenport