Sports On the Holidays

SHOULD YOU FIND YOURSELF AROUND SO-CALLED CIVILIZED discourse this holiday season, you'll likely encounter a well-worn idea about televised kickoffs and tip-offs on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Which is: They should not be happening.

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The argument hinges on the sanctity of the few days each year that every overworked, underpaid American is obligated to take off. How dare we sully them with...sports? Next, consider the thousands of players, coaches, team and league personnel, reporters, photographers, stadium employees-everyone it takes to run a multimillion-dollar broadcast. All those people are required to work and miss precious moments with their families. Finally, goes the conventional wisdom, stipulating that the games do occur, you at home shouldn't tune in and miss precious moments with your family.

Let us be clear: Put the damn game on. We endorse it.