THE DARKER SIDE OF CHRISTMAS…
There's a dozen "F-U's" being yelled out in vain.
Tis The Season
The Christmas spirit arrives each year… It's already kicked-in, before you've even carved-up the bird. Earlier and earlier, it comes rolling around.., with the hopes of good cheer -- and the massive sales that confound… Bombarded by advertisers, with flat screens galore.., holiday sweaters and more and more… Hoping to cash-in, on a little of that holiday joy.
They target the helpless, the ones who can't afford -- with sales so big.., people actually die to get in… They rip and they paw -- push and shove. And when thats's not enough, they've got no problem dropping the gloves. We've all heard the stories, seen them in the news -- the fighting, the stabbing.., as if to amuse.
We know that it's coming, this time every year… We watch it unfold, while we dance and cheer. Pretending it's okay -- that's just the way it is… But we shake our very heads, at all these misdeeds. Is this who we are.? Is this what we've become..? More than willing to stomp on someone, for an even bigger TV…
With all this greed, rudeness, hostility and violence…
It's a wonder love and joy make an appearance at all, this time of year.
It's a wonder love and joy make an appearance at all, this time of year.
On The Road...
And your car is supposed to be a place you feel safe and comfortable.., but not during the holidays -- road rage spikes, as the roads clog-up with all that christmas cheer -- maybe a little too much cheer… One study shows a 32% increase in road rage. Besides the overall stress of the holidays.., drunk driving is sure to show up on steroids.
During this time of year.., from Christmas to New Years the rate of alcohol related accidents and fatalities sky-rocket -- with the days surrounding Christmas particularly deadly… One study shows, deaths related to car accidents 27% higher than on New Years Eve. Another study by the National Safety Council cites an estimated 343 people die from traffic related injuries during the 3 day Christmas holiday.
Besides all the "cheer" (over-drinking).., prescription pills like oxycontin, vicodin, xanax and valium also play a roll in these holiday fatalities. Obviously, the amount of travel by car increases over the holiday period.., added to the unnecessary stress of the season, all the distracted driving (playing with our new gadgets) and the roads can turn deadly, just like that…
Drunken Driver Who Killed 3
in 2014 Christmas Eve Crash Gets 23 Years
in 2014 Christmas Eve Crash Gets 23 Years
Criminals Love Christmas Too
And just like the rest of us.., criminals love, I mean really love the holiday season… As the crime rate spikes.., and burglaries shoot throughout the roof (the days between Christmas and New Years), the holidays are like a candy store for crooks. They know people travel, there are expensive gifts lying around and even, the seldom seen these days.., cash -- is more plentiful and easily removed from your possession -- stolen.
One specific report done by H.C. Brearly -- "Homicide in the U.S." cites homicides reaching a high point during Christmas week, with an actual peak on Christmas day. And this report was published in 1932.., so it seems the holidays (especially Christmas) -- have been a blood bath for quite some time.
Gun Violence: Last Christmas Day 27 people were killed and 63 injured.., by guns. More people died (were killed) in the U.S. on Christmas day than the number of people killed from gun violence the entire year in Austria, Norway, Hong Kong, Slovenia and Bermuda.
Christmas Time and a Spike in Crime
Go Hand-in-Hand
Go Hand-in-Hand
The Family...
During this, the "merriest" time of the year.., we are forced to spend a more than normal amount of time with the family… And some we don't normally see very often, usually for good reason… Just because we are all family.., and we "love" each other -- doesn't necessarily mean we like each other…
Fights over the dumbest things can break-out in an instant -- over anything. And with the world being so divided these days, I can only imagine this type of, family holiday violence, rising. Political views, sexual preference and even that damn ugly sweater.., can spur a brawl between family members, at the drop of a dime. And that's not to mention any sort of deep-seeded issues that happen to exist.
Domestic Violence: While most people look forward to the holidays.., many women live in fear of the all the festivities that surround it. And, it's not the drunk drivers or burglars they fear, either -- it is their significant other, that spurs the fear of Christmas.
In 2012 there was a 25% increase in the assault and domestic murders in the U.K. during the holidays and it ticks up by a third on Christmas Day. With all the stress this particular holiday puts on individuals, coupled with free-flowing alcohol driven holiday parties, family and friends being cooped-up in close quarters -- things can quickly spiral out of control.
Domestic violence rises significantly during the festive period.
Not a year goes by when we don’t see a holiday spike in
domestic violence incidents reported to the police.
Not a year goes by when we don’t see a holiday spike in
domestic violence incidents reported to the police.
Natural Causes…
The CDC reports that 93% of all deaths are from natural causes… And during Christmas we even see an uptick, in people dropping dead, naturally. You know, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity.., and specifically cardiac deaths (heart attacks).
Yes, even naturally -- Christmas time seems to take the cake… People dying not from crime or homicide. Not killed in an accident or trampled to death at the local Walmart. No, just dying in general sees a spike over Christmas.
What Is It About Christmas and Death…
The Spirit of Christmas
Christmas literally means -- the mass celebration of Christ. Today, many people that are not religious or don't hold their religious beliefs that high.., still celebrate Christmas. It has become a time of giving and charity. A time of family and friends. A time of reflection as another year is coming to an end. With gifts and christmas trees, holiday lights sparkling down the avenues.., a time to celebrate. And there does seem to be a lighter vibe. People smiling a little more and that kind of "good-will thing", does exist…
But to ignore the darker side of Christmas, is to ignore reality… And that alone should be a crime. We all know, just by avoiding or ignoring a problem.., they usually get worse. Unfortunately, this Christmas will be a tragedy for many people… From domestic violence to road rage. And although this all may seem quite cynical (during the holidays and all).., it is worth being aware of…
And on a lighter note… I'd like to wish you all a Happy, Healthy and SAFE Christmas. Being aware and careful doesn't mean you can't have fun and enjoy your holiday.
Merry Christmas -- I GUESS...
REFERENCE:
http://www.nsc.org/NewsDocuments/Xmas2014-traffic-fatality-estimates.pdf
http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4004&context=jclc
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20805014
Image Source: 1 2 3 4
Black Friday - Kills
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parabéns pela postagem, e pelas palavras escritas neste artigo.
Obrigado... Feliz Natal :))
Feliz Natal a você também.
Damn, to see all the dark sides compiled in one post is eye opening.
I'm going to need some oxy and a fireball shot just to recover.
Great post, thank you!
Sounds like an excellent idea -- just no driving!
Happy Holidays, @bluehorseshoe :))
The flip-side of the coin.... Good points @macksby!
That damn flip-side...
No kidding... on this side.
(the other side is all kidding)
The 1st pic was of a thanksgiving rampage in the US i think.
It is a Black Friday picture -- and so the season begins...
Happy Holidays :))
And you!
Excellent post! I wonder whose idea it was to make it commercial. That created the divide in haves and not haves - not the intended spirit is it?
Thanks @linzo... I think they started to commercialize it with things like Luck brand cigarettes and Coca-Cola. And now, today -- it's just out of control!
You have a Happy Holiday :))
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So much insight, I would love to see the statistics for #Australia. Both comparatively and also to have Christmas 'risks' in perspective for the place that I call home.