As NORAD gets ready to track Santa, critics are tracking NORAD, saying video is militaristic

DENVER –  The U.S. and Canadian military's beloved Santa Tracker is facing something new this year — public criticism.

A children's advocacy group says an animated video on the NORAD Tracks Santa website injects militarism into Christmas by showing fighter jets escorting Santa's sleigh.

It's a rare swipe at the popular Christmas Eve program that gives second-by-second updates on Santa's global whereabouts.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command defends the video as non-threatening and safe for kids.

The kerfuffle erupted two weeks ago when the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood said the video brings violence and militarism to a beloved tradition. Blogs and Twitter lit up with volleys from both sides.

NORAD says it's a "manufactured controversy." Officials say they didn't know about the video until reporters called.

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