Posted on 12/10/2005 7:33:58 AM PST by kindred
Georgia's governor rescues Christmas
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia has become a hero of the Christmas season.
After a staff member sent out an e-mail news release announcing that Gov. Perdue and his wife, Mary, would be lighting a "holiday tree" at the governor's mansion, the governor – an outspoken Christian – quickly set the record straight.
Within moments after that initial e-mail had gone out, Gov. Perdue sent out a follow-up e-mail announcing that he would be lighting a "Christmas tree" – not a "holiday tree."
The follow-up e-mail from Gov. Perdue's office was a classic.
It read: "Due to a politically correct staff brain-freeze, the [governor's] press office erroneously used the word 'holiday tree' to describe the coniferous flora that the governor and first lady will light this Sunday."
It continued, "It is, in fact, a Christmas tree. The staffer responsible can be contacted at P.O. Box 432, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501."
The message from Gov. Perdue was clear: He will not tolerate the diluting of Christmas.
As the issue of public religious expression – particularly during the Christmas season – has become increasingly contentious, it is energizing to see a high-profile political leader take such a bold stand in defense of Christmas.
Gov. Perdue, who spoke at Liberty University earlier this year, has become one of the most vocal Christian leaders in our nation. And it is fitting that he has charged headfirst into this important political debate.
While we celebrate Gov. Perdue's action, we continue to see numerous examples of education officials and public managers taking anti-Christmas postures.
In Seattle this week, a school district decided to reprint lunch menus for 23 elementary schools because they bore the message of "Merry Christmas." The News Tribune of Tacoma reported that the district actually reprinted the menus so they read "Happy Holidays."
In Dodgeville, Wis., officials at an elementary school determined that their "winter program" would alter the carol "Silent Night" so that it is sung as "Cold in the Night."
The lyrics have been secularized as follows:
Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite, how I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm. The school's program will include decorating classrooms with images of Santa Claus, Kwanza, Menorahs and Labafana (a Christmas witch).
The Orlando, Fla.-based Liberty Counsel has issued a demand letter to the school stating that its actions violate the Constitution. Liberty Counsel is prepared to file suit if the district does not remedy the situation.
These are just a couple of examples of school officials who want to eradicate Christmas.
Last week, a skit on "Saturday Night Live" had the cast spoofing the effort to restrain Christmas. Instead of singing "Hallelujah," a politically correct choir utilized the words "How Ya Doing?"
Sadly, it probably gave the author of the "Cold in the Night" lyrics some new ideas.
Apparently, anti-Christmas school officials believe that saying "Merry Christmas" or singing "Silent Night" is an establishment of religion.
In reality, printing "Merry Christmas" on a menu or singing "Silent Night" in a school program is an establishment of religion in the same way that eating a nut makes you a squirrel.
It's that ludicrous!
Liberty Counsel president and general counsel Mat Staver and I have been hitting the talk shows in recent days, identifying this war on Christmas across our nation. Liberty Counsel is providing the free legal services of 700 constitutional attorneys to any persons whose religious freedom is being denied or curtailed ... available at mat@lc.org.
We have been talking about the national "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign," in which pastors across the country are purchasing full-page newspaper ads announcing that Christmas is still legal.
The most recent pastor to join this campaign is Dr. Richard Lee, pastor of First Redeemer Church in Cummings, Ga. The church is placing ads in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other local newspapers to defend public displays and expressions of Christmas.
Readers can view the ad that churches are utilizing [a pdf file]. They can also call my National Liberty Journal newspaper office (434-582-2432) to have our graphics department help in the creation of an ad. We have taken the offensive in the battle for Christmas. I urge pastors across the nation to join with us in protecting this important part of our national heritage.
God bless Sonny, and Merry Christmas.
It's a same when you have to do that in Bible Belt. I could understand the liberal New England or the left coast, but not Georgia.
same==shame
FOX's John Gibson is having a book signing for his "War on Christmas" book later this morning, only about 10 miles away....wifey and I will be there.
I wish we had a Republican governor in California.
Well dammit (puffin out chest), yes, I'm in Georgia..God Bless Sonny..
Amen..
Governor Perdue knows the true meaning of Christmans;
25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. (Luke 2:)
We are the lucky ones here in Georgia! We actually have a Governor that knows how to be in charge!! Merry Christmas, Governor Perdue!!
bump for publicity
Too many people (on both sides) with too much time on their hands. How do they cope with real problems?
You find that trashing the first amendment by prohibiting religious expression is not a real problem?
Sonny makes me proud of my Geoegia roots. Between him and Zell Miller, the old southern empire state is doing just great.
. . ..and as for the Leftist malcontents and those persuaded to please them'. . .these folks should all take comfort in knowing they have a right to be offended. . .(and know that 'freedom OF religion'. . .does not mean 'freedom FROM religion'. . .)
Sonny Perdue for President in 08!
Agree. . .Repub to the core here; but always liked Zell Miller. . .he gave Georgians much to value and appreciate. . .and in the past few years his sincere contributions to the 'dialogue' et al. . .have been tremendous.
(and bought sveral copies of his book to share and to say 'thank-you'. . .)
Whew!! Thanks to Sonny, Jesus' birth won't be halted and I can go find my faith in the stores!
"How do they cope with real problems?"
Cry for more gov't intervention, of course.
***Too many people (on both sides) with too much time on their hands. How do they cope with real problems?***
Taking away our religious freedom IS a real problem.
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