Though their origins are Irish, Jack O’ Lanterns have become a distinctly American symbol of Halloween.  They’re meant to scare away spirits on All Hallowed’s Eve.  They also scare some of the living, namely climate change alarmists. Yes, the Department of Energy has determined that the scary, hand carved gourds are not environmentally correct.

According to the Department of Energy website:

“With the passing of Halloween, millions of pounds of pumpkins have turned from seasonal decorations to trash destined for landfills, adding to more than 254 million tons of municipal solid waste produced in the United States every year,” the agency warns. “This Halloween, think of turning this seasonal waste into energy as a very important ‘trick’ that can have a positive environmental and energy impact.”

Think about that.  Forget for a minute whether or not you agree with the concept of man-made climate change, or the specific science behind the statement.  Consider that someone in the Department of Energy, at some point evidently looked at a Jack O’ Lantern and made a conscious decision to try to tie the beloved holiday decoration to climate change.  Not only that, but some communities are attempting to ban Halloween costume parades in schools.  Their rational: Some kids might feel left out.  Really?  What kids?  If they feel excluded, it will be because of self-imposed exclusion.

Is it really cynical to see this as further evidence that the left has a pathological need to destroy all western traditions, particularly those uniquely American?

For decades now, the left has fought a war against Christmas.  They fight against public displays of the American flag.  (Forget about flying a Confederate flag!)  They fight against displaying the Ten Commandments in public places. They fight against even fallen warrior memorials.  Columbus Day?  We might just as well celebrate Hitler Day in the eyes of the militant Progressive. Now they have turned their sights on Halloween, a holiday only celebrated as such in America.  Undoubtably, they will very soon get around to condemning Independence Day fireworks displays.  If the smoke from the fireworks isn’t identified as a pollutant, then there will be some other objection on the left.  They will, mark these words, use the “some will feel excluded” excuse.  Yes, it is likely that at some point in the near future, you will hear some on the left being critical of our nation’s birthday celebration, and the reason will be that some people will be either offended by blatant displays of American pride, or they will actually argue that immigrants in America, many American citizens, will feel alienated by fireworks, parades and flying the American flag.

Again, are these cynical views, or just canny predictions base upon trends in our current culture?  Mere casual observation over time shows that any tradition, holiday, or custom overtly identifiable as Christian or American in this country eventually finds itself in the crosshairs of the Secular Progressive crowd.  The more distinctly Christian or American a holiday or tradition is,  the more those on the left will seek to put an end to it.  In the mean time, happy Halloween!