First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
Yesterday, Gov. Scott Walker (hated by leftists everywhere) decided to drive his opponents insane once again by striking the first blow in the annual War on Christmas.
His offense? Calling the Christmas Tree at the Capitol a "Christmas Tree" instead of a "Holiday Tree."
Walker, in a news release, downplayed any potential controversy by simply referring to the decoration as a Christmas tree and not noting any change. His spokesman Cullen Werwie confirmed that the designation and change from past practices was intentional.
"It's a Christmas tree," Werwie said. "In all honesty, I don't know what more to say about it."
We can always count on Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Madison-based "Freedom From Religion Foundation" to point out how horribly offensive and insensitive this is:
"The reason that it was turned into a holiday tree was to avoid this connotation that the governor chooses one religion over another," she said. "It's essentially a discourtesy by the governor to announce that. He intends that to be a slight and a snub to non-Christians, otherwise he would not do it."
For their part, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has never been all that concerned about offending people. Every year, their contribution to the annual Christmas display in the Capitol Rotunda is a sign that reads: "At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
And so the annual War on Christmas begins with a tiny bit of push-back from Scott Walker.
Is it wrong for me to wish for a great deal more push-back?
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Comments :
Apr '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
This illustrates what I find most infuriating about the whole "Holiday" business. The impulse to be inclusive and not to give offense is understandable (even if I do not share it in this context), so having a display with several holidays represented seems reasonable, eg, a tree, menorah, snowman, etc..
But if the decorations consist of a trimmed evergreen tree, wrapped gifts, stockings, and a Santa Claus (!), aren't we really only talking about one specific holiday? It's like Christmas is the celebratory equivalent of Voldemort: The Festival That Must Not Be Named.
Mar '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I push back every day. My life is basically a shoving match. I pray the same is true of all who claim to be Christians.
Oct '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I love this time of year. I feel deliciously subversive when I wish people "Merry Christmas" rather than the politically correct "Happy Holidays".
Oct '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
It's always an interesting sight to walk through the Capitol building when the tree is being decorated by prisoners.
It has always seemed sad to me that the FFRFs entire existence seems to have been dedicated to attacking small town Wisconsin Christmas displays and the state capitol tree (really an attack on Wisconsin's European Christian cultural foundation). If you have heard interviews of these people they sound sad. It must be lonely to hold those views.
May '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I go out of my way no to offend anyone with America's outrageous factious holidays.
This November I plan to eat a nice big Holiday turkey (but this is not to imply that gratitude is warranted).
Annie Laurie Gaylor's already got December covered.
In February, I'll take my girlfriend out for a romantic Holiday dinner (but this is not to imply that love is superior to non-love).
In March, I'll wear green and go to the pub to celebrate the Holiday (but this is not to imply that Ireland is more worthy of celebration than Cameroon).
In April, I'll eat Holiday candy and search for hidden Holiday eggs (but this is not to imply that rabbits or resurrected carpenters are more deserving of worship than any other person).
And that's just the next six months! See how rich and fulfilling is multiculturalism!
Nov '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
Ms. Gaylor... relax, sit back, have some Christmas cookies, maybe a little eggnog, and open a present. You'll feel better.
Jun '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
So Governor Walker is like Harry Potter: never afraid to speak the name of he who must not be named?
We're all Harry Potter now!! Christmas. There, I said it.
Jun '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
That's one of the things I love about Dennis Prager. Observant Jew, but loves to say "Merry Christmas" to one and all.
Jan '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I'm kinda a secular Christian, and have no problem with the word "Christmas" - hey, it's part of my long-standing cultural history (aren't we supposed to be OK with that kind of stuff?)
I realized I drifted too far after wishing a Pastor "Happy Holidays" after a Christmas Eve Service.
Apr '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I especially make a point of saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Channuka" to people who wish me "Happy Holidays". The bemusement that the spoken words engender is amusing.
Nov '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
The sign is a great start. But there is so much yet to do!
Let these valiant warriors for reason climb aboard a "freedom sleigh", pulled by Rudolph the po-faced leftist, make haste for any majority Muslim country, and there erect, in full view of the pious populace, a variation of the sign that alternatively begins: "During this season of the LATE-ESTIVAL NEW MOON FAST...".
Jan '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
I would just like to note parenthetically that our amateur orchestra's concert around the end of the year is actually called a "Christmas Concert" and not a "Solstician celebration". I'll also note that the narrator for one of the works will be Naheed Nenshi, Calgary's mayor (and an Ismaeli Muslim).
Jul '10
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
"The reason that it was turned into a holiday tree was to avoid this connotation that the governor chooses one religion over another," she said. "It's essentially a discourtesy by the governor to announce that. He intends that to be a slight and a snub to non-Christians, otherwise he would not do it."
The reason that it is called a Christmas tree is that it represents one religion over all others. It's essentially a discourtesy by non-participants to announce otherwise. They intend that to be a slight and a snub to Christians, otherwise they would not do it.
Mar '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
So much white, Christian oppressing to do and so little. : (
Mar '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
Annie Laurie Gaylor is watching you.
Aug '11
Re: First Shot Fired in this Year's "War on Christmas"
Jimmy Carter: "The reason that it was turned into a holiday tree was to avoid this connotation that the governor chooses one religion over another," she said. "It's essentially a discourtesy by the governor to announce that. He intends that to be a slight and a snub to non-Christians, otherwise he would not do it."
The reason that it is called a Christmas tree is that it represents one religion over all others. It's essentially a discourtesy by non-participants to announce otherwise. They intend that to be a slight and a snub to Christians, otherwise they would not do it. · Nov 8 at 4:59pm
One might also say that the reason it's called a Christmas Tree is because the "holiday" in question here is called "Christmas."