Posted on 12/03/2010 8:04:56 AM PST by SeekAndFind
SOUTHLAKE -- Chase Bank told a businessman to remove the Christmas tree he donated to a local branch because it could offend people.
Antonio Morales, owner of Bellagio Day Spa in Southlake, had assembled and decorated a 9-foot-tall tree in the lobby of the Chase Bank branch at 1700 E. Southlake Boulevard as a favor to the branch manager, who is one of his clients.
The tree remained in the lobby from the Monday before Thanksgiving until Tuesday. Morales said his friend called him Wednesday to tell him the tree had to go. She later showed him an e-mail from JPMorgan Chase saying that the tree had to be removed because some people were offended by it.
The bank referred questions to corporate offices.
Greg Hassell, a JPMorgan Chase spokesman, said that the company's policy isn't anti-Christmas. "People wish their customers merry Christmas when it's appropriate," he said.
However, to ensure that everyone who visits Chase branches feels welcome and comfortable, the bank's policy is to use only decorations supplied by the company.
"We appreciate the thoughtful gesture from Mr. Morales," Hassell said. "Unfortunately, we're unable to keep it [the tree] on display for the remainder of the holiday season." JPMorgan Chase ensures that decorations are "something everyone is comfortable with, regardless of how they celebrate the season," Hassell said.
But others see the tree as a symbol of the season.
A spokeswoman at Trinity Bank in Fort Worth said it has had a tree in its lobby since the Friday after Thanksgiving.
"I've been in this business more than 30 years, and every place I've worked we've put up a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving," said Linda Robertson, assistant vice president.
Bryan Fischer, director of issue analysis for the American Family Association, called Chase's decision absurd.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
Good old Chase friends of Acorn, Obama, Madoff and Athiests
Top Contributors
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=n00009638
Perhaps JPMorgan Chase had more to do with Bernie Madoff than Jamie Dimon would like to admit.
http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2010/12/02/jpmorgan-and-madoff-tighter-than-you-thought/
JPMorgan Chase Asked to Stop Funding ACORN
http://nlpc.org/stories/2009/09/15/jpmorgan-chase-asked-stop-funding-acorn
We have to get rid of these Pine Forests!!!
I’m offended that they removed the Christmas tree.
But they’ll bend over backwards to promote Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr ...
It’s more a fear of who it may offend
People should remove their money from that branch.
Anyone who banks with Chase or BA are enemies of the state and not patriots besides.
I would like to see the expressions on the faces of these atheists when they meet the Living God.
Don't worry about the other 99% that are mostly Christians....
“We have to get rid of the Earth and all life.
because it reminds atheists that none of these things are possible without God.”
~Brought to you by VHEMT, some of the AGW crowd, Bill Maher(?), Al Gore (?), and Michael Moore (on second thought that would destroy Twinkies).
I hope they never take my advice seriously and push the button!
The most intolerant people on the face of the Earth are muslims and liberals.
This is probably being handled on a case by case basis. I work across the street from the Chase bank building in downtown Dallas; they have a huge Christmas display every year.
RE: Im offended that they removed the Christmas tree.
I am too. I suspect there are more of us than them, but for some bizzare reason, the minority always gets their way in this country tp the detriment of the majority.
The thing is, Southlake is about as WASP as it gets. We’re not talking about Dearborn, Michigan here.
TEXAS?
I’m sure a majority of people would be offended that the tree was removed. We are witnessing tyranny by a minority, the opposite of democracy.
and was it donated by this guy?
“...a festivus pole....”
Ahh, Festivus!!!! Almost time for the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength”!!!!
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