That might be the rationalization, but it’s completely wrong-headed. 

I’m not sure there are many contexts in which a “no foreigners” sign is not xenophobic. Even if it’s well-intentioned or unintentional bigotry, it’s still bigotry. 

I probably should have used an “especially” there. 

1) People should try to be polite when they are the guests of another country.

Streaming is still better than cable. There’s a lot more flexibility in being able to watch content at any time over the long period it’s available rather than at the scheduled broadcast.

Candy corn is best served as a trail mix in a bowl with peanuts and M&Ms. Raisins are optional.

Candy corn is best served as a trail mix in a bowl with peanuts and M&Ms. Raisins are optional.

Reese’s Pieces. That little bit of salt in the sugary peanut butter paired with the satisfying candy crunch just does it for me.

Reese’s Pieces. That little bit of salt in the sugary peanut butter paired with the satisfying candy crunch just…

Tencent isn’t the majority owner. If they were, I doubt that the company would have been able to take the stance that Sweeney did. 

That’s completely normal for a Supporting Actor or Actress award.

That would have to wait several years. Netflix’s contract with Disney specified a sort of cool-down period where the characters from the Netflix MCU shows can’t be used in any other media for a number of years after cancellation. 

If they actually had sampled a recording, that would have been a clearer violation. 

I completely agree. The recent lawsuit against Katy Perry is another recent example of just how far this precedent can stretch.

After the precedent set by the Blurred Lines lawsuit, the floodgates are open now.  I wouldn’t be so surprised if Vukan either wins this suit, or (more likely) gets offered a generous settlement.

There was a good deal of frustration with giving Tyson, a convicted rapist, the spotlight in a manner that let him treat his crime like some sort of “oops” moment. 

Another alternative: convert machines to take tokens instead of coins.  Sell tokens via central machines that can perform the necessary tax calculations.

I think you might be misunderstanding some of the differences in Christian theology. Not everyone treats faith entirely as an individual choice in that manner.

I think it depends considerably upon the philosophical position of the atheist parent(s). If they simply don’t believe in God, then as you say, the ritual is likely meaningless to them. But if their position is that religion itself should be abandoned by all, then it’s likely that they see religious institutions as a…

So, it cuts both ways. Many Christian theologies see baptism as the official moment one becomes Christian, regardless of that person’s eventual own personal doubts or any religious beliefs they eventually take on in addition.

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but here’s an important reminder:

To a great deal of Christians, particularly Catholics, baptism and communion are the most important aspects of the faith. It may seem just like tradition and pageantry, but they are very important to believers.