To the Point

Christian Values and the &quotWar&quot over Christmas

Some conservative Christians and commentators on Fox News have claimed there's a "liberal plot" to de-Christianize Christmas. Stores such as Target, Sears, Lowe's, Office Max, Kmart, Staples, Home Depot and Kohl's that wish customers "Happy Holidays" have been criticized and even boycotted by the American Family Association, which released a bulletin asking its members "to let them know you are offended by their anti-Christian and anti-Christmas bias." Other Christians say President Bush and Republicans in the Congress have missed the message of Christ by helping the rich at the expense of the poor. We talk to Christian leaders about the meaning of Christmas in a country of increasing religious diversity. Making News: Documents Show Alito Defended Government Officials on Wiretaps The National Archives have released more than 700 pages of documents involving Judge Samuel Alito, the President's latest nominee to the US Supreme Court. They show that he advocated immunity for government officials who authorized wiretaps of American citizens. Jo Becker is an investigative reporter who filed a Freedom of Information request for the Washington Post.Reporter's Notebook: Should Public Employees Strike?Negotiators are back at the bargaining table and trains, buses and subways are rolling again in New York City after a three-day strike that frustrated seven million commuters and holiday shoppers. Though the strike seemed headed into a lengthy stalemate, yesterday it ended abruptly as striking transit workers "laid down their placards and walked into the buildings they had been picketing," according to Steven Greenhouse in today's New York Times.