Behold, Festivus for the rest of us: Air your grievances!
A scene from the Seinfeld episode "The Strike," which introduced the world to Festivus.
Inspired by this story yesterday in the Washington Post, we will use our weekend TOTD to celebrate Festivus!
The story celebrates a kiosk in downtown D.C. where Washingtonians are airing their grievances in hand-scrawled notes pinned to the walls. The comments — and the airing of the grievances — are inspired by the Seinfeld episode “The Strike,” in which George’s father Frank introduces the concept of “Festivus.” Read more about it here on Wikipedia.
In Washington, comments are posted such as: “So help me God, I will tear my conductor’s heart out and eat it while he watches.” Or, “My dad is being a tight *** and not paying for my wedding.” And, “A pair of leggings is not pants.”
Wikipedia describes Festivus as: “A non-denominational holiday to be celebrated by those frustrated or jaded with the commercialism and pressure surrounding the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa season.”
And one of the elements of Festivus is the airing of grievances. So, without further ado: “Get off my tailpipe, jackass with the high-beams on I-44. I’m already going 70 and I’ll get out of the left lane when I’m darned well ready!”
What’s yours?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
You got a lot of nerve sitting in that car with a Santa Clause hat on talking on the phone, smoking a cigarette with small children in the car. I’d like to shove it up your you know what.
I’d like to send a bowl of gruel to the lady who was dragging her screaming child through a parking lot last night and stepped in front of my car, then shouted at me “Where are you going, A***ole?!”.
All you people generating hot air over the financial crisis, running around screaming, “The Sky is Falling! Woe is ME!” Get over it, shut up, and get back to work. To the Media: limit your coverage to one “Woe is ME” story a day, and only if it truly newsworthy, and not commentary. Obama –you aren’t president yet. Quit calling press conferences. The sun still shines, where there is life, there is hope, and you can be your own Santa Claus by helping someone you know is in need or hurting and can use a hand (not a handout). Get back to work. If you don’t have a job, volunteer and network, or hang out your own shingle. Be grateful, not greedy, and smile and laugh. Sure it hurts the first time, but it gets easier. America is a great nation, and we have the best can-do attitude in the world. Get back to work, you whiners.
Damn Teresa, that was good!!!
My god, if they don’t let one more corporate crook steal millions without bothering them with silly questions I think I will scream!!!!!!!!!!!!! What’s up with crapping on these ingenious guys’ parades? Leave ‘em alone man. Kill the stupid nosy whistleblowers. You have a problem with dishonesty among the white collar wearers, you don’t belong in america. Go find one of those liberal commie places to live!
Handing Teresa a great big Midol >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ever hear of the “Milgram test”? It’s where a volunteer participates in an experiment where they have to deliver increasingly large electrical shocks to an unseen test subject. In truth, it’s an experiment to see how far the volunteer will go. The disturbing truth is 70% continued to shock the “test subject” even after they hear the subject scream in pain. Many people continued to deliver shocks even after the subject falls into ominous silence – implying the subject was either unconscious…. or dead.
This test showed us that if an authority figure tells us to do something, fully 70% of humans can be expected to obey – even to the point of torturing innocents. I can’t help but ponder the obedient followers of the free market. They know that inaction will cause pain, they can hear the screams. But as long as their authority figures keep telling them to push the button, they will keep inflicting pain.
I challenge each and everyone of you to defy human nature – think ethically. When you have the power to inflict pain, instead show kindness – no matter what your “leaders” tell you is the “right” thing to do. Don’t ignore the screams and comfort yourself by saying - “I was just doing what I was told”.
Ditto’s, Teresa. Merry Christmas, and happy holidays and New Year for all.
i love how the commerialism of the holidays make people feel they have to spend a ton of money on gifts for people while they cant even afford to pay their bills the rest of the year. yaaaaaay for jesus coming!!
that is why people celebrate for right?