The US 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 North American Aerospace Defense Command (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.
NORAD 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.
