Posted on 12/02/2004 1:56:15 PM PST by ajolympian2004
Gunny Bob Newman just had Denver mayor John Hickenlooper on the air for the beginning of his one hour gig on KHOW 630am here in Denver. The mayor has changed his mind and will not be removing the Merry Christmas sign in 2005 from the Denver County Building which is all lit up in a spectacular way for the Christmas Holiday Season.
Freepers, talk radio hosts, Michelle Malkin, etc. rule!
One down... now have to focus on the Parade of Lights sponsored by the Channel 9 KUSA NBC affiliate, here in Denver. Plenty of email possibilities here http://9news.com/newsteam/.
And focus on these guys http://www.downtowndenver.com/, the Denver Downtown Partnership. (http://www.denverparadeoflights.com/)
The Parade folks are still not allowing anything to do with Merry Christmas in the parade, though they are allowing some holy native American gay and lesbians and other similar groups.
There will be an on-line story to reference soon I'm sure.
Denver Colorado Freepers; I have a really good idea for the "Holiday Parade"
Organize some CO Freepers to go to the parade dressed as the Holy Family!!!
You could have lots of Mary's, Joseph's and baby Jesus's holding candles and stuffed lambs.
Guess who would get the attention and the press?!!!!
Of course notify the press in advance :>)
Now that would be some "Joy to the world!" I am from Michigan but I have a close personal friend who would drive to Denver to take part in this!!
Someone please post this on the Colorado state board
Maybe there is some hope for him after all if he actually admitted a mistake.
Great idea! I hope someone picks up on it!
WOOHOO! I hasn't even been a full day yet, and we're already putting the heat on 'em!
Let's do a little something about that parade, now.
Makes one giddy, doesn't it?
</sarcasm>
No matter.
At least he didn't blame an underling or claim that he was related to Santa on his mother's side or that he was really for Christmas before he was against it.
Maybe ex-Mayor Wellington Webb, who is campaigning to fill McAwful's spot at the DNC, had a little talk with Hickenlooper.
This is the sort of issue that makes Dems look bad. Too bad it didn't surface before the election.
They are getting Christmas cards; all of them.
I posted the following in the "Denver Mayor Bans Merry Christmas float(Vanity"
I received the following email from Hickenlooper's office just hours after sending him two emails and a Merry Christmas singing card:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Mayor Hickenlooper to Keep ‘Merry Christmas’ Sign at City and County Building
(DENVER) Upon returning to Denver from a busy three-day trip to the East Coast promoting the metro area and FasTracks to national media, corporate site selectors and organizations with potential convention business, Mayor John Hickenlooper issued the following statement regarding potential changes to next year’s holiday display at the City and County Building:
“The holiday season is an important time of year for many faiths and communities to celebrate their religious and cultural traditions, as well as a time for all people to come together as a community, to help those less fortunate, and to set goals for the year ahead.
“Over the decades, some have questioned the appropriateness of a nativity scene at the City and County Building, but the courts decided that issue long ago. The nativity scene remains a part of the holiday display, and out of respect for a longstanding community tradition, there are no plans otherwise.
“Last week a journalist accurately quoted my comments that a ‘Happy Holidays’ sign encompassing greetings for all religious and cultural observances would be an appropriate complement to the existing holiday display. I was under the impression – perhaps erroneously – that the existing ‘Merry Christmas’ sign was becoming worn out and would need to be replaced soon anyway.
“Over the past several days, it has become clear to me that there is strong community sentiment to maintain the ‘Merry Christmas’ sign, and I am glad to oblige. My intention was never to disrespect or slight anyone or any religious tradition. I apologize to anyone who may have been offended or mistakenly felt I was being anti-Christmas. ‘Hickenlooper’ might have two O’s, but I am not ‘Scrooge.’ We are happy to keep the ‘Merry Christmas’ sign, and perhaps we can explore the possibility of also adding a ‘Happy Holidays’ sign to the display next year.
“We are working aggressively to end homelessness, improve our schools, and ensure that affordable housing, health care and jobs are available to all of our residents. To be successful in these efforts, we need people of all faiths and backgrounds to work together on behalf of our community and not be divided by perceived threats to their traditions.
“The foundation of our Administration has been that we, in Denver, are one community, proud of our traditions and welcoming to new ones. This time of year is a wonderful time in Denver, filled with a diverse array of traditions and events. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or simply Season’s Greetings. No matter how one says it – the message is the same – may the season bring health and happiness to you and your families and provide ample opportunities for all of us to celebrate our blessings and help others who are less fortunate.”
* * *
While the City and County of Denver issues parade permits for all parades held within the city limits, it is always the parade organizers that determine eligibility for participation. In the case of the Parade of Lights, organized by the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Partnership – not the City – has a longstanding policy governing criteria for parade participants.
# # #"
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or simply Season’s Greetings. No matter how one says it – the message is the same – may the season bring health and happiness to you and your families and provide ample opportunities for all of us to celebrate our blessings and help others who are less fortunate.”
No Mr. Mayor, the message is anything but the same. Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birth for which Christians are most grateful. Without it, we are all dead in our sins and bound to Hell. Hanukkah is definitely not a celebration of Christ's anything and I'm sure my Jewish friends would not care for your lumping them into your "No matter how one says it – the message is the same". Kwanzaa isn't a religious holiday of any kind. My black friends do not call it a religious holiday and "Seasons Greetings" is the ultimate PC non statement.
he should also change his dumb last name.
In the interest of credit going where credit is due, it was not Michelle who got the job done here. It was my audience and the audiences of some of the other Clear Channel hosts in Denver. Michelle does a lot of good work, but she was not the driving force in this issue, nor was it the show hosts; the audiences who listen to Clear Channel talk-show hosts in Denver were the catalyst.
And I thank the mayor for calling me first and doing the right thing. We all make mistakes.
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