Posted on 12/15/2004 6:11:51 AM PST by NYer
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A Christmas tree that decorated the lobby in new federal courthouse downtown has been removed.
Late last week the Government Services Administration, the agency that maintains the building, acted on direction from the Chief Judge to pull the tree. A lighted snowman, reindeer and sleigh has replaced the tree.
A spokesperson for the GSA could not give specifics on why the tree was taken down. Gary Mote who handles Public Affairs from the Southeast Sunbelt Region says the decision was to "...make sure no one is offended."
The artificial tree that was decorated with non religious ornaments has been placed in storage.
I ahve already beat on Santorum's Door with that! Love the House Committee On UnAmerican Activities (HCUA) Mobile!
Big business (retail, actually) can do what they want, within the law. How about a compromise -- government offices, post office, courts, etc. stay open. Unless it's a weekend, of course. For public servants (local, state and federal), December 25 is like any other workday.
I'd sure make this judge work that day. What is he trying to do, encourage a retail phenomenon in a courthouse?
Well, I'm gonna go out on a limb and be a bit un-PC...
Christmas = Jesus' Birth - Not Mohammad's, Not Santa's, Not Rudolph's, not Frosty's, Not Penney's, Not Kohl's etc.
I understand that. But Christmas has been apart of my world and life since the day I was born.
Christmas lights are spread out all over town. Just about every home has Chirstmas lights around the outside of the houses.
Christmas cards are coming in with the mail every day now.
If Christmas is supposed to be a personal celebration, why do 3/4th's of the people celebrate it? Openly?
Why should we lose Christmas? Why all of a sudden Christmas has become the big bugalo?
There is always some group out there trying to restrict and control another group. I'm tired of it.
You are absolutely right. And, we resent being told that we dare not speak it nor display it in any way. That the mere mention of His name or the sight of His birthplace re-enacted offends a small minority.
The only thing that the "other side" understands is money. If we refuse to recognize Christmas as a "national holiday" (day off from work and big excuse to buy each other gifts) because we don't want to call it "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" - and keep it the Christian *holy* day that it is - a day of worship only - perhaps the Christian-suppressors would take notice.
The economy would, that's for sure.
At any rate, the bottom line is that it is, indeed, the day of Christ's birth. He *is* the reason for the season.
In the process of not offending anyone, I am being offended constantly, but I guess folks like me don't matter.
This is something else again!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.