Holiday Tree Removed From Federal Courthouse (Video Coverage!)

First Coast News ^ | December 14, 2004

[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.

[Marauder]

"...make sure no one is offended."

I'm offended. But I guess because I'm a Christian, I don't count, at least not with "progressive secularists."

[tx_eggman]

Who is going to be offended?

This is the question of the hour.

The tree needs to remain up so that the whiney bastards that are offended have to step up to the plate. After they have identified themselves they can be ridiculed.

[26lemoncharlie]

Time for the Majority to take over the reins and RULE!!

We ahve TOLORATED enough of this Socialsit CRAP, Change it or else, They want "IT", they will get "IT"!! Sure as shit!! Get thnis Socialist a$$ES out of office and out of the Country!!

[stopem]

Wouldn't have expected this in a southern state, Jeb's state.
Come on Gov, step in and show them who's boss. Show them they can't mess with a Bush or a tree!

Merry Christmas Florida!!

[TXnMA]

The offensive Christmas tree!

Looks ofensive to me -- but because of style, not symbolism...

We should start a movement to establish a Constitutional amendment that states:

"The 'right to not be offended' does not exist, and this Constitution in no way provides or protects such a purported 'right'.    Shove it!"

[RightOnline]

Ohfercryinoutloud........................

[odoso]

Mighty Ping!

Yes, come out you cowards and make yourselves known.

[Allegra]

What is wrong with people??

What is going on over there?

I'm happy to say, Christian Christmas songs are being played at the chow halls and MWR facilities on the bases in Iraq. the Christmas tree in the chow hall has an angel on top of it. Banners say "Merry Christmas.

For cryin' out loud, let's not tell the ACLU.

Better yet, let's tell them and let them come over here and try to make us take anything down. :-)

[NorthOf45]

... and everyone says that Canada is going nuts. ; )

[tx_eggman]

Gary Mote who handles Public Affairs from the Southeast Sunbelt Region says the decision was to "...make sure no one is offended."

Gary Mote

(404) 331-2774

gary.mote@gsa.gov

[Mr. Jazzy]

We are trying not to offend the F'ing ACLU lawyers!



This is really to silly.

Because we call it a "Christmas Tree", it has to be removed? Does that mean it will now be illegal to have a "Christmas Cactus" plant on a desk?

What WE, as conservatives need to do is fight this fight with the same tactics. We need to identify everyday items that are absolutely necessary and RENAME them with some type of "Christian" reference! I don't remember any "Christmas Tree" in the Bible, so lets apply the same thinking to the "Christmas Drinking Fountain"! The "Christmas Air Conditioning System"! The "Christmas Security System"!

I know it silly, but it is just as silly as the other sides argument and would point to exactly how ridiculous this situation has become.

[evets]

A lighted snowman, reindeer and sleigh has replaced the tree.
Now I'm 'offended'.

[TXnMA]

offensive

My lazy fingers hate double letttttttters... '-}

[Slyfox]

They replace "Christmas" with holiday.

Holiday means "Holy Day".

[Unam Sanctam]

I worked in an office where half the people were Jewish and half Christian (at least nominally), and nobody complained about the tree put up for the "holiday" season.

[mountaineer]

I don't really get it.....the non-religious tree may offend people, but the snowman, reindeer, and sleigh won't?

In case anyone ever doubted that liberalism is inherently illogical! Quick, my Bible! Where's that verse about decorating pine trees with lights and ornaments and putting them in your homes in December?

[SheLion]

"...make sure no one is offended."

I'm offended AND hurt!

[FrankR]

"Gary Mote who handles Public Affairs from the Southeast Sunbelt Region says the decision was to "...make sure no one is offended.""

The wisdom of Aesop told us all how to handle critics:

The Man, The Boy, and the Donkey

      A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

      So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

      So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

      Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yourself and your hulking son?"

      The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

      "That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them: "Try to please all, and you will please none."

[.45MAN]

As I stated in an earlier post Christmas needs to be removed as a national holiday! It needs to be celebrated by Christians as the birth of Jesus privately. This is the only way that it will continue to exist.