Bush lights Christmas tree, doesn't name Christ - President jokes about 'one humble life that lifted

WND.com ^ | 12-02-05 | Worldnet Daily

[emiller]

President Bush took part in the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree last night, but failed to mention by name Jesus Christ, whose birth millions celebrate in the U.S. and around the world.

"Christmas is a time to rejoice, and to give thanks for the blessings of the season and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year," said Bush, flanked by the first lady, as well as members of Congress and the Cabinet.

The president made a brief allusion to Jesus, but crafted it into a joke which got mild response.

"Each year, we gather here to celebrate the season of hope and joy – and to remember the story of one humble life that lifted the sights of humanity. Santa, thanks for coming. Glad you made it. I know you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. By the way, we have a lot of chimneys at the White House if you're looking for something to do."

[isthisnickcool]

Hmm. Jesus joke? That makes me think of "Jesus Juice" which makes me think of Michael jackson which means I must post a really scary picutre of him here:

[OldFriend]

It was meant to be humorous.

Didn't work.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Here's apparently the first article, which implies that it was a Santa joke:

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/articles/article.html?id=10425

Article is by Dustin Hawkins, for a website called "The Conservative Voice" in "TCV Exclusive News". Filed about 12 hours ago, WND ran with it about 6 hours ago.

Meanwhile, here's the White House transcript, complete with a video:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051201-7.html

"THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Welcome to the Christmas Pageant of Peace. Laura and I are so honored to join you all. The lighting of the National Christmas tree is one of the great traditions in our Nation's Capital. Each year, we gather here to celebrate the season of hope and joy -- and to remember the story of one humble life that lifted the sights of humanity.

Santa, thanks for coming. (Laughter.) Glad you made it. I know you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. By the way, we have a lot of chimneys at the White House -- (laughter) -- if you're looking for something to do. I appreciate all our entertainers. Thanks for being here. This is a fantastic evening.

I want to thank Peter Nostrand, who is the Chairman of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, and John Betchkal, all the members of the board. I appreciate Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, other members of my Cabinet who are here. I appreciate the members of Congress who have come.

I particularly want to give a special thanks to the National Parks Service Director Fran Mainella and all the good folks who work for the National Parks Service. (Applause.) Reverend Martin, thank you very much as well.

Christmas is a time to rejoice, and to give thanks for the blessings of the season and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year. We also remember that we have a responsibility to help those in need. America is a compassionate and generous land. And acts of kindness toward others fulfill the spirit of the season.

As we approach Christmas in this time of war, we pray for freedom, and justice, and peace on Earth. In his Christmas Eve address to the nation in 1941, Franklin Roosevelt said that "Against enemies who preach the principles of hate and practice them, we set our faith in human love, and in God's care for us and all men everywhere." We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas.Their families miss them -- hold a seat open for them -- and pray for their safe return. America's military men and women stand for freedom -- and they serve the cause of peace. Many of them are serving in distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts.

As an expression of our hope for peace and happiness in this Christmas season, we light the national Christmas tree. Jackie, Melissa, and Jenna Kantor of Bethesda are with us here. They started "Project Backpack," to help give children displaced by Hurricane Katrina new backpacks filled with books, and toys and school supplies. These girls are an example of the compassion that is found in the hearts and souls of Americans everywhere, and they have shown how much good can be done when we reach out to help a neighbor in need. And so Laura and I now invite them to join us to turn on the lights.

And would you help turn on these lights, as well, by counting down. Five ... Four ... Three ... Two ... One. (Applause.)


END 5:59 P.M. EST

[Krodg]

Read it here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051201-7.html#

Totaly different concept.

[deport]

Yes, Bush made an offensive joke,

---

And you've never done that, correct... with all your Christian leanings...?

[indcons]

Thanks for the clarification. At least, that clears the slander that Jesus' name was never mentioned (as suggested by WND and the poster who posted this thread).

[inquest]

Totaly different concept.

There's still no way around it. The "(laughter)" after his remark shows that it was clearly intended as a joke.

By the way, audiences can't see paragraph breaks.

[go-ken-go]

I didn't see the delivery.. but, knowing how the President speaks, he does tend to speak somewhat, let me say this gently as possible, disjointed. Know what I mean? I'm sure in his mind, he does not compare Jesus, to Santa.

[inquest]

And you've never done that, correct... with all your Christian leanings...?

In public? During a Christmas address?

I can only imagine what this thread would look like if Clinton had made the same remark.

[jonrick46]

WND I have a clue for you: If Jesus were Santa, we all would put out more than cookies and hot chocolate out on Christmass Eve.

[SittinYonder]

Meant to ping you to this and my original post. I found Santa's declaration:

Christmas is a very special time of year, but... this year it almost didn't happen. There's a man named Jesus who gave his life to save me. And so I declare that every year on Christmas Day we should remember Jesus for what he did, and thank him for it. From now on, Christmas will be a day for remembering a brave man named Jesus.

Thank you Santa for putting meaning back into Christmas.

[ChicksforConservatives]

Lighten up. I was actually there and it did not come across in his delivery that way. Anyone else attend? If not, drop it.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I can only imagine what this thread would look like if Clinton had made the same remark.

People would have seen it for just what it was and is..... The President made reference to the reason for the season, then without a pause he turned to the fellow playing Santa, and thanked him for coming. Nothing more, nothing less. Give it up folks, the President did not make a Jesus joke.

[alnick]

and to remember the story of one humble life that lifted the sights of humanity. Santa, thanks for coming.

Sorry, that's a direct mention of Jesus. The Santa bit was a silly joke. Don't you think Jesus has a sense of humor? He probably got a little chuckle out of it.

[SittinYonder]

You just wanted to post a Michael Jackson picture and freak us out with that pointy thing where his nose should be.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I watched the video, and this is a total nonstory, other than that once again Joe Farah and World Nut Daily has dishonestly twisted a story the same way ABC/CNN/MSNBC/CBS/NBC/New York Times do, in order to slam Bush and once again play the victim. And perhaps a second story of how some professional self-annointed martyrs for Jesus (Papercut division of the Order of Perpetual Panties in a Wad) once again lap up every bit of bait from a thoroughly and continuously discredited internet rag(WND), who do more damage to social conservatism than everything ever printed in the NY Slimes.

But switching into World Nut Daily's wakeup mode - "How can we be offended today?" (applying Rush's old line) - let's notice how the President cruely told children that Santa wasn't real, but rather a guy named Peter Nostrand:

"Santa, thanks for coming. (Laughter.) Glad you made it. I know you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. By the way, we have a lot of chimneys at the White House -- (laughter) -- if you're looking for something to do. I appreciate all our entertainers. Thanks for being here. This is a fantastic evening. I want to thank Peter Nostrand..."

[inquest]

OK, I take it all back. I looked at the video hosted on the White House website (linked to on the page that Krodg linked to at #64), and it appears that his "Santa" remark was directed at a particular person in the audience, and that it did indeed come after a pause after his opening statements.

[Doohickey]

It's fun to watch WND get it's panties in a bunch over the stupidest crap. The White House Christmas card has a scripture quote which doesn't mention Jesus either: Psalm 28:7

[SittinYonder]

Quotes from the speech you posted:

Christmas is a time to rejoice

we pray for freedom, and justice, and peace on Earth

We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas

Five ... Four ... Three ... Two ... One.

Yeah, I’d say Bush is really looking to offend Christians with this speech. For those who think that this joke represents their government telling them they can’t be Christian, I really see your point.

/sarc

[Diddle E. Squat]

You are 100% wrong, and here is the video of his speech to prove it:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051201-7.html#

The pause between his Jesus paragraph and his Santa paragraph is much longer than his pauses between other paragraphs.