Airport's trees stoking "war on Christmas". (SEATAC Update)

Seattle Times ^ | 12-11-06 | Stuart Eskenazi

[NavyCanDo]

The departure of Christmas tree displays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — the Port of Seattle's response to a local rabbi's insistence that an electric menorah also be put up — is accelerating into an international spectacle in the so-called "war on Christmas."

And that is not what Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky wanted.

"I am devastated, shocked and appalled at the decision that the Port of Seattle came to," he said Sunday. As news coverage about the airport's trees spread from CNN to ABC to the Paris-based International Herald Tribune, Bogomilsky on Sunday began to receive hateful messages from people holding him responsible for the removal of the trees.

[icwhatudo]

Look everyone-its a "gathering house"

It's really a pagan symbol as tall spires were used to worship the norse god "ima-nekkidin-dawoods"

To say this is a Christian symbol is a farce. There were none of these in Jesus time and were simply added in later times by Christians.

/sarcasm

[Fierce Allegiance]

Bogomilsky on Sunday began to receive hateful messages from people holding him responsible for the removal of the trees.

Muahahaha! Unintended consequences, and all.

[TheCrusader]

"One of the things about this I never, ever, ever get is that Christmas is a holy day. We are celebrating the advent and birth of Christ at this time. Hannukah, meanwhile is not a holy day---"

You are correct, there is no comparison whatsover between Christmas and hannukah; the former is an extremely important holy day to its followers, the latter simply is not. This being the case, it's fairly easy to determine that some people are using 'hannukah' as an instrument to take the joy out of Christmas by attacking it and suppressing it. But alas, they tried to suppress Christ 2,000 years ago by crucifying Him, and that didn't work. Some folks just never learn.

[Tokra]

I'm wondering how many people believe the lying rabbi is really 'devastated and appalled'?

I might have before I saw his posted photo. He looks like he could easily play the part of "Liberal Wussy" to a "T".

Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover!

[sionnsar]

Harvey Grad, the rabbi's attorney, said the vitriol against Bogomilsky is misplaced, emphasizing that the rabbi neither objected to the trees nor said he found them offensive.

"The last thing we need is anyone thinking that Jews want to end the celebration of Christmas on public property," Grad said.

Need it or not, you've got it.

[Wormwood]

So why didn't they just put up a Menorah in addition to the trees?

Because they were making a point---and personally I support them 110%.

Rather than engage in negotiations with "aggrieved" whiners and their filthy lawyers, the Port gave them the finger closed up shop.

Neat and simple, and it puts the onus squarely on the shoulders of the loudmouth who started the whole thing.

[NavyCanDo]

"Unfortunately I won't be able to listen. Libertina said Kirby was going to go soft on this guy."

I was thinking the same thing. Its Probably why they took calls on this during the first hour before the Rabbi was on. I doubt Kirby will allow callers on during the interview.

[USMCWife6869]

Methinks the Rabbi didn't realize what the fallout would be, and now regrets the stink he made.

He wants an apology for what he, himself, started?? I don't think so pal. Can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

[NonValueAdded]

Wrong, Navy. He was simply asking to place a Menorah there and that was an extremely reasonable request. That he had to resort to a law suit in the first place speaks volumes about the idiots running the airport. Don't misdirect your anger at him. Besides, did you catch board member Davis' remarks that they were "holiday trees?" Save your thunderbolts for her and her fellow board members. Add an "ex-" to their title as a Christmas present.

[Doc Savage]

The Jewish "Imam" is a registered Democrat and also a member of the ACLU. When the islamonutjobs take over America he'll be the first one beheaded. Oh well!

[Issaquahking]

WA freeper ping list - calling ping!

[sionnsar]

You can leave comments at KKOL, who hosts this "rabbi's" show at: http://www.am1300kol.com/contact.html

[TaraP]

The Airport should of put up a Menorah as well, Jesus was a Jew and would of honored or celebrated Hannukkah as well.

The month of December has always been a celebration of Christmas and Hannukah.

I don't think Jesus said not to celebrate Hannukah, when he did.

[Jeffrey_D.]

I received this e-mail the other day and thought this might be a goo time to share..........



Subject: LETTER FROM GOD

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking
My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually
born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors
who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan
festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered; anytime!

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just,
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and
put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers
did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square
because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and
may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish:
I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation
to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look
up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish
list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home
They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me
all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll
be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be
nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and
why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind
them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could
make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local
Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile
and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas"
that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on
Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and
let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard
My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your
town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have
any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you
don't) buy some food and a few gifts, and give them to the Marines, the
Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make
the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that
you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are
one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do
what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the
list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is
now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom
you love and remember I LOVE YOU.


Oh, and by the way.........
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads

[rovenstinez]

He needs to move to Tel Aviv, and help the Cause. For what it's worth, here in Mexico, many Evangelical Christians find it difficult to connect Christmas Trees to The Manger of Bethlehem. Like it is more American Culture, sometimes viewed as pagan, but hardly an item mentioned in the New Testament Scriptures. The only references to 'decorated trees' in the Bible were pagan rites.

[ichabod1]

put out a memo right now telling all employees that MONDAY December 25 is not a paid holiday

They'll never do that... they'll just rename it "Winter".

Please don't let your take on the personality of the rabbi color your views. I hate to have to say it, but this is the root of anti-semitism. People take the attributes of some Jew they don't like and generalize it to a sweeping "I don't like the Jews." It's wrong, but it wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for the propensity of groups down through the ages to go from that to saying it's ok to discriminate, force conversions, and kill.

[elc]

They should have just put the Menorah there.

This weekend we'll be going down to DC to see the National Christmas Tree (where we were engaged last year) and I know for a fact there will be, as there has been for about 25 years, a Menorah there as well.

[goodnesswins]

Rabbi....you idiot....it's a HOLIDAY CANDELABRA....NOT a Menorrah(sp)