> [my inner geek finds] it offensive that Easter and Christmas are state- sponsored national holidays.
Turns out that if there *must* be state sponsored holidays, these two are the most versatile. Christmas is near the winter solstice, Chanukka (sp?), Kwanza (sp?), et.al. People all over the globe tend to party right after the sun starts coming back. Likewise, Easter has plenty of that equinox Pagan fertility action going for it. {8^D Im not sure about the fertility part, but I do like the attitude. I propose the US government officially change the name of the winter solstice festival to den Ottermas, but Im not sure how far that will get. Merry Christmas Ken! spike