I’ve sometimes had to make tough calls as opinion editor. Sometimes columnists want to say things that could put them, me and the paper at risk.Sometimes it’s an entire column, based on a premise or solution that challenges too sacred a cow or would be too offensive to publish.Usually, it’s a phrase — a particularly biting sentence or bit of obscenity that will attract more attention than the actual content.Well, it’s our last week of publication. Students are cramming for exams, the Reveille is hiring again, and life is as crazy as it can get.So, perhaps, I’m just under a lot of stress, but I’m pulling out the stops. I’m going to put two words in this column that some editors would call crazy, irresponsible and reckless. And I’m going to say them to every person who reads this paper.Merry Christmas.Some people who read that line are already howling in indignation. How could he say that? He’s trying to prostelytize! He’s pushing Christianity on all of us! He’s going to offend all the Jews and Muslims and atheists and agnostics and all the other people who don’t think like he does! What is he thinking?While it may be an exaggeration to claim that such sentiments are the norm, it’s a sad, undeniable fact that the words “Merry Christmas” have become the no man’s land of a battle of political correctness. Businesses no longer put the words in their advertising. Bellringers outside of Wal-Mart seldom intone “God Bless, and have a merry Christmas.”  It’s getting to the point where even Santa’s being censored, his traditional “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night,” fading into the blasé, neutered “Happy Holidays.”The argument against Christmas? It’s those damn Christians trying to prostelytize again, of course. The very idea that “Merry Christmas” is somehow a religious affront is mind-bogglingly over-sensitive. Think about it. When you think of the word “Christmas,” what do you think of? If you’re thinking baby Jesus in a manger surrounded by shepherds, well, good for you, Linus. But odds are the vast majority of Americans think of Santa, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman — who’s obviously just a clever disguise for Jesus hunting for your soul, right?The simple fact is an American Christmas has little to do with the birth of Jesus. There are two holidays: the high holy day of Christmas, where Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus, and the secular festival of lights, food and generosity.So what if it’s got “Christ” in the name? We don’t even pronounce it the same way!But even if, for some twisted reason, some zealously politically correct watchdog is unable to separate the holy from the secular, there’s still no reason the phrase should incite indignation.When someone says “Merry Christmas,” they aren’t demanding you bow before the Overlord Baby Jesus. They aren’t passively agressively suggesting you go to church. They aren’t trying to indoctrinate the guillible or brainwash little heathen children.They are merely wishing you well during the universally accepted season of hope and peace.But before you disimss this coulmn as another reactionary, good-old-fashioned rant, consider this: The greatest irony of this farce is the campaign against Christmas is waged in the name of religious tolerance. Religious tolerance isn’t about removing religious language from the public discourse. It isn’t about gradually excising all meaning until we are left with a bland, tepid rhetorical wasteland that- while it may not have any emotions or traditions, certainly won’t offend anybody. Tolerance about accepting a myriad of religious beliefs without offense.If a Jewish person were to wish me a Happy Hannukah, I would consider it a tremendous honor. If a Muslim were to wish me well during Ramadan, I would thank him generously. And if an atheist wishes me a Happy Holidays, well, I’ll certainly take it as a compliment.They aren’t trying to convert anyone. They are merely wishing people well. This is true tolerance — to live with and encourage those with different beliefs. A blessing in any faith should be considered a highest compliment, and interpreting it any other way is baldly, blatantly intolerant.So Merry Christmas, LSU. If you can’t handle that, well, keep it to your own intolerant self.The rest of us will be drinking egg nog in peace and harmony.Matthew Albright is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Baton Rouge.  Follow him on Twitter @TDR_malbright.Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]