spreading misinformation

 Happy Presidents Day. Today we are celebrating George Washingtons birthday. Yes, that is the official deal. Many people think Presidents' Day was created in 1968 by the uniform holiday act. It was, but it wasn't. When congress was talking about moving the holidays around to create three-day weekends the name of the holiday was much debated. You see Washingtons birthday was an official federal holiday. Lincolns birthday was not, and in fact, still isn't an official federal holiday. After all the arguments had been made it was decided that the holiday would remain Washingtons birthday. If you get an official listing of federal holidays, you will not see Presidents Day on that. It will say, Washingtons birthday observed. The bill was passed in 1968 and went into effect in 1971. 

 So how did it come to be called presidents day? Well, that was what was proposed initially as a replacement for Washingtons birthday. Washingtons birthday is the 22nd of February. It is celebrated on the third Monday in February today because of that act. Lincolns birthday is on the 12th of February but was never celebrated nationally. Some wanted to combine the two dates and call it Presidents' Day. But that would have required making Lincolns' birthday a federal holiday as well, and possibly the other 33, not counting LBJ who was in office at the time. That was rejected by congress. But some started calling it that anyway. Want to hazard a guess who was behind that? Retailers. Yes, it was retailers drumming up business. We could have sales! In fact, retailers have been behind the implementing of a good number of holidays, not to mention three-day weekends. It's what's best for business.  

 Today many believe the day is to commemorate all the presidents. That isn't the official reason or intent. But it is all inclusive and doesn't slight anyone. Your favorite president is included. We celebrate Presidents' Day even though there is no such holiday! And what's amazing is no one seems to point that out. Misinformation? Never mind about the facts, just call it whatever you like. As long as it sells, it's all good. It's that way with a lot of stuff these days. Just call it something else and it's fine. 

 "Gender dysphoria used to be called “gender identity disorder.” But the mismatch between body and internal sense of gender is not a mental illness. Instead, what needs to be addressed are the stress, anxiety, and depression that go along with it. The condition has also been called “transsexualism.” (from Google) But this term is outdated." Yeah, just change the name and deal with the stress, anxiety, and depression caused by that mental illness. Then you don't know you have a problem. Call it Presidents' Day instead of Washingtons birthday, then no one is excluded or offended. Never mind what Congress calls the day. It really doesn't matter what they say, it's what you "buy" that matters.