Eat it, Liberals
Posted on 11/26/2007 3:49:08 PM PST by SJackson
Another battle over separation of church and state may be on the horizon with a proposal scheduled to go in front of an Assembly committee Wednesday.
The issue? What to call the tree that sits in the State Capitol during the holiday season.
Currently the tree is referred to as a "holiday tree," but the resolution that will be brought to the Committee on State Affairs would rename it as the Wisconsin State Christmas Tree.
Michael Schoenfield, legislative aide to Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, who is sponsoring the resolution, said the state should refer to the tree as a Christmas tree because that is what it is.
"A rose is a rose is a rose," Schoenfield said. "Whatever you call it, it is going to be a Christmas tree, so call it what it is."
The tree has been referred to as a holiday tree ever since 1985, according to the resolution. Schoenfield said Schneider brought up the idea of returning to the name Christmas tree because it symbolizes a part of many Wisconsin citizens' heritage.
Schoenfield said that for some, the name holiday tree may also be offensive.
"As a Jew, I have a problem calling it a holiday tree," Schoenfield said. "It's not my holiday."
According to Mike Westling of the state Department of Administration, the tree is not the only display put up in the Capitol to celebrate the holidays.
Westling said there will be a menorah on display Dec. 4-13, a Baptist Church holiday sign up Dec. 3-8 and an interfaith awareness display Dec. 10-14.
Schoenfield said he has not heard any opposition to the resolution so far, but also said he anticipates there will be somebody who has a problem with it.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, said Schneider should withdraw the resolution and added that he needed a civics lesson.
"When you call it a Christmas tree, that's a celebration of Christmas, which is a Christian holiday," Gaylor said. "So what does the state of Wisconsin need with a Christmas tree?
"It is a proposal that shows ill will, and it isn't necessary," Gaylor said. "What does it say to the rest of us who aren't Christian if you call it a Christmas tree? Why is he forcing it to be a state-owned Christmas tree?
"It is just a tree, but when you put Christian in front of it, it becomes a symbol of the majority," Gaylor said.
The tree is being put up in the Capitol rotunda today.
Common sense after over 2 decades. For your list?
Then in the spirit of Socialism, call it "The People's Tree".
I suggest “Mohammed Tree”.
Do they have a large menorah? What would they call it? The Holiday Menorah?..................
I’m really getting very tired of this nonsense.....How many more years are we going to have to keep up this fight, I’ll be damned if I’m going to give in to the “happy holiday” crowd, but man oh man, every year it starts a little bit earlier and it gets a little more ridiculous....WHERE/WHEN does it all end?
Read the article, they went to Holiday Tree in 1985, now, after 22 years, there's a proposal to go back to Christmas Tree, because that's what it is.
“I’m really getting very tired of this nonsense.....How many more years are we going to have to keep up this fight, I’ll be damned if I’m going to give in to the “happy holiday” crowd, but man oh man, every year it starts a little bit earlier and it gets a little more ridiculous....WHERE/WHEN does it all end?”
Good question.
The socialists want to eliminate every public sign of Christianity. As for the objection to the “majority,” by all means: no new law except by unanimous consent;
See 7
“Read the article, they went to Holiday Tree in 1985, now, after 22 years, there’s a proposal to go back to Christmas Tree, because that’s what it is”
Yep.....it is amazing when it is indeed a Christmas tree.
Every year, yep - but be careful, part of their strategy is to whine incessantly to you give them what they want. That worked for my kids when they were younger, still does.
Don't know if they have one
These whole “holiday” arguments are so senseless and a waste of time and money.............except for lawyers................
Eat it, Liberals
With issues like this, when you can’t call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree, then you may as well just put up a Festivus Pole. Maybe then everybody will be disgusted enough to return to calling decorations by their true name. One can only hope!
I like Christmas trees and I’m Jewish. They look very nice next to our Chanukah bush.
Now, as for “The tree is being put up in the Capitol rotunda today,” I have another suggestion. Let’s shove it up Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, put a light bulb in her mouth, and call her Rudolph Gaylor The Red-Nosed Holiday Tree.
Let her glow, let her glow, let her glow.
Wisconsin, it figures!
With something like this, the day people question it and start arguing about it, it’s already over. It’ll never be the same again. ( I feel a Roy Orbison song coming on )
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