With all due respect, Hasert sounds more like he is pleading with this guy and not telling an underling what to do:
'I am writing to suggest'...'I strongly urge'... 'I fully understand your desire to make all holiday displays as inclusive as possible.'... 'I hope you will consider my suggestion to restore this great tradition.'
That is about as wimpy of a wording as could be arranged. But, it did get the job done and I guess that is what matters.
He had the power to demand. His press sec. told me he is that kind of guy and likes to suggest. Had the suggestion not been taken, he would have so ordered.
Sorry FRiend, but you are incorrect. This is GovSpeak. The wording you and I would have preferred, while well within the right of the Speaker to use, will likely be used by Dim committee members as condemnation in future confirmation hearings.
Sen Kennedy: "Mr. Hastert, is it not true that in December of 2005 you ORDERED the Architect of the Capitol to replace the long accepted designation of 'Holiday Tree,' with the discredited and offensive term 'Christmas' tree?"