Joyous Newtonmas to you all

So, on Newtonmas Eve I thought I'd wish any readers a happy season, or whatever the traditional Newtonmas greeting is. (Newton himself was something that sounds weird in the 21'st Century: a fanatical Christian Unitarian. He'd hate my appropriating his birthday of 25 December to replace the Christian festival. Good.)

Over on Skepchick I read about a secular seasonal festival held in England, and now I bitterly regret not being able to go. Any group where Richard Dawkins literally gets louder applause than a rock star is a group I want to belong to.

Tell the truth, lose your job

A teacher in England has been "... barred from working at the Blackshaw Lane Primary in Royton, Oldham and a complaint has been lodged with her agency."

Her crime? She told children that Santa Claus isn't real and their parents leave presents for them.

See Rochdale Online for details.

Apparently this is such a serious matter that the teacher's name is not being published!

So, in at least one school, not lying to your students can result in being dismissed.

I fear for the West.