Posted on 11/28/2001 7:29:59 AM PST by jbstrick
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED NOV 28 2001 11:14:49 ET XXXXX
FIRST NO SMOKE, NOW NO SANTA: MARYLAND TOWN TELLS JOLLY 'OLE NICK TO STAY HOME
A Maryland town in the very same country that tried banning cigarette smoking in homes, has now told Santa Claus to stay away from a public Christmas tree lighting!
The Montgomery County community of Kensington has banned the jolly old man from its annual tree lighting ceremony this Sunday. "Because two families in our town felt that they would be uncomfortable with Santa Claus being a part of our event," Mayor Lynn Raufaste said.
The Town Council banned Santa after the complaints.
In years past, Santa would arrive on a fire truck and light the tree with the mayor. But on Sunday, the mayor will do the honors herself.
"This is a part of the American life, and I just think it's a shame that we can't have one in our town this year,"
Raufaste said. Montgomery County lawmakers recently passed legislation that would have regulated smoking in the privacy of people's homes.
The county reversed course this week after a rash of worldwide attention and a public opinion backlash.
"At least now Santa can stay at home and smoke, if nothing else, since he is now banned from the tree lighting," mocked one Montgomery County lawmaker on Wednesday. "We have become a national embarrassment."
Developing...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
http://www.drudgereport.com for updates
(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2001
Not for reproduction without permission of the author
If they're that damned uncomfortable, let THEM stay home and let all the other families in the town enjoy THEIR Christmas celebration!! I'd love to see a suit by a large group of people against the city for allowing a TEENY minority of residents to have an inordinate say in the town's activities.
Translation: two people who each have a fellow sodomite living in their smoke-free apartment.
That's preposterous. I hope this ridiculousness makes O'Reilly as well, and the morons who run this town get raked over the coals for this latest installment of PC insanity.
Once again, those preaching "tolerance" have proven to be the most intolerant of all. But if Santa came in drag kissing on an elf, they'd make him the star of the show.
Doubtless they have some euphemism for it to make it more palatable to the communists amongst us.
Something like "Festival arborage" or some crap like that.
In years past, Santa would arrive on a fire truck and light the tree with the mayor
PLEASE, if there is anyone from this town on FR, contact the council and tell them how "offended" you'll be if the mayor, or the council shows up! Tell them that the concept of an elected official offends you. Trees offend you as well. Even better, show up in a Santa suit.
^&*&^#@!, I'm offended by all the offended people in this country!
Time to unite a few states...Calmarymassny has a nice ring to it...then drop it from the US roster.
FMCDH
hey Mr. Lawmaker - if you don't want to be an embarrassment - don't do embarrassing things!!!!!
I admire their consistancy and idealistic purity, even if I find them culturally pecuiliar.
What's the matter with the rest of the town? No one is objecting to just 2 families in the community dictating terms for the rest? Sounds to me like no one gives a hoot.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,Are we sure that the Santa ban isn't just another manifestation of the War on Tobacco?
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath...
I guess you could say the same thing about the Taliban during the peak of their power, too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.