Update: One Million Moms has decided to give up its fight against Ellen DeGeneres and JC Penny and is “moving on”.  The group will no longer voice its opposition to Ellen being in the Holiday commercials. Specifically, the group said, “we are not taking action, we’re moving on”.  The group had been under scrutiny for taking such a hard-line and unjustified position.  Kudos to JCPenny for not caving in to the unreasonable demands of a small and narrow-minded group of individuals.

One million moms, the conservative group associated with the American Family Association(AFA) a Christian conservative group, has called for a boycott of JC Penny Stores because Ellen DeGeneres stars in the Retailer’s Christmas commercials.  According to a statement from the group, “A new JCP ad features Ellen and three elves. JCP has made their choice to offend a huge majority of their customers again. Christians must now vote with their wallets. We have contacted JC Penney’s several times in the past with our concerns, and they will not listen. They have decided to ignore our complaints so we will avoid them at all costs.”  While consumers have the right to boycott with their wallets, the reason for the boycott is simply unacceptable.  If there was something about the commercials that was offensive, that would be different.  But clearly these are cute, harmless, holiday commercials that can’t be perceived as offensive.  Ellen is a talented, funny woman who should not be judged and “crucified” for her sexual orientation.  In fact, the conservative Christian group should be ostracized for its small-minded, intolerance.  Ellen in response to the controversy said, “I really want to thank everyone who is supporting me, and if you don’t know me very well, if you’re just watching for the first time or maybe you are just getting to know me, I want to be clear,” DeGeneres added. “Here are the values that I stand for: I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated and helping those in need. To me, those are traditional values. That’s what I stand for.”  Where aren’t the responsible clergy speaking out on this issue and these unChristian views?  One thing these people need to understand; they lost the Presidential election because the country is changing.  It’s becoming more liberal and tolerant on social issues and despite challenges ahead, it will benefit all Americans.  E-Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one) is not simply stamped in to our coins because the treasury needed to fill the space.  The “Many” includes, Gays and lesbians, blacks, Jews, Chinese, Mexicans, Italians, etc.  We are all part of the “Many”.  That’s why this is the greatest country on earth.  Discrimination and intolerance must be fought on all fronts because if one among us is a victim, all of us are victims.