FIRST NO SMOKE, NOW NO SANTA: MARYLAND TOWN TELLS JOLLY 'OLE NICK TO STAY HOME!

DRUDGE ^ | MATT DRUDGE

[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...

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[LaineyDee]

"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.

***If they're that damned uncomfortable, let THEM stay home and let all the other families in the town enjoy THEIR Christmas celebration!!***

Ummmmm.... why don't the MAJORITY of this town complain that they'll be uncomfortable without Santa Claus, and threaten to boycott the event? Geez.... isn't there anyone in that town willing to put their necks out?

[Brytani]

I just e-mailed letter to the Mayor of Kensington.

In it I asked her if homosexuals offended me would they be banned, if an abortion provider living in kensington offended me, would they be banned. If the city council offended me, would they be banned. Of course the answer, if I receive one at all, would be a resounding no. It's only PC to ban Santa

I also told her my intentions to boycott not only Kensington but Montgomery County (I'm originally from there)and if it offended her well all the better.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Yep.

[ncpastor]

"It's the same old saga - there's a significant vocal minority who do not want to see us regulate a lethal product," fumed councilman Steven A. Silverman.

First of all, let me commend you on the euphemism of "Air Quality Control" legislation. What brilliant politico thought that one up?

Second of all, I do have a question. When is the signficant vocal minority to receive a sympathetic ear? Sounds like Silverman doesn't think this is the case, suspecting that the minority wrongly exerted influence over a "Big Brother" decision ("we know what's best for you - trust us").

On the other hand, in the utopain Kensington, a minority of two families complaining is enough for all the tender, empathic feelings of the city council to come gushing out, as they ban Santa Claus from making an appearance (hey, let's rewrite both history and reality here) at the Christmas tree lighting, so that nobody's feelings get hurt.

What on earth is in the water up there?? Hallucinogens?

As usual, the logic fails when PC is the end goal.

Let's say, for example, two homosexuals were holding hands in public. If two Christian families complained about that, they would be instantly labeled as "intolerant."

Where does it all end? Oh, yeah. Now I remember. It ends with the collapse of the WTC and the partial destruction of the Pentagon, with the presence of numerous terrorist cells deep in our own country, since our lenient policies didn't want to offend anyone by maybe questioning their presence here in the US.

At least, I hope it ends with the WTC.

With the present climate of lunacy among the left, it looks as if some want to limit the US' power to root out terrorism in our homeland, giving preferential treatment to illegal aliens over our own right to defend ourselves.

Gee, I hope nobody's feelings get hurt when our water supply is poisoned or our food supply is infected or OBL decides it's time to plant a 'dirty nuke' somewhere.

Oh, what the hey. Let's just all have a group hug. There. Don't you feel better?

[Woodstock]

Thank you for the PING! I was not even going to post to this because words just defeat me and I feel I can only shake my head.

BUT, Ya' knowwwwwww,these folks make me want to PUKE! Thank GOD I was lucky enough to move away from these PC cripple-minded, ignorant butt-heads. At least Santa is coming here this year. We don't even care if he smokes while flying in his OWN sleigh!!!

[Woodstock]

FreepMail sounds like a wonderful idea!

[PatrioticAmerican]

TWO families versus how many FOR Santa??? Is this another Born-Again "Christian" thing? Born Agains do hate Christmas because they think that it is a Catholic thing.

[PatrioticAmerican]

TWO families: Her's and another politician!

[Woodstock]

Mayor: Kitty L. Raufaste

EMail: mayor.council@tok.org

[Republicus2001]

Perhaps the council might become "Klymerized" as in "...it was a Montgomeried county ruled by anti-American evil-doers"

[Protagoras]

hey Mr. Lawmaker - if you don't want to be an embarrassment - don't do embarrassing things!!!!!

I get your point, but it seems from his statement that he opposed the decision. I'm not sure what else can be expected of him.

[Gabz]

I get your point, but it seems from his statement that he opposed the decision. I'm not sure what else can be expected of him.

I'm sure you're right, and even when I read the article, I assumed (shame on me) the un-named county lawmaker was Subin. With that said - there is much that he could have done - like help convince some of the others of the cans of worms they were going to be opening with some of these ridiculous pronouncements to start with???????

The spin that Kensington is trying to put on about the whole Santa fiasco is only digging them in deeper. If they weren't going to reverse the position they should have just sat down and shut up - istead of issueing a press release about the situation!!!!

[Helix]

You're welcome. I heard this topic was covered by Brit Hume on FOX last night and a few other media outlets are starting to cover it. Perhaps there's hope yet.

[Hail Caesar]

"Kensington Town Council: Your uninvited guests have arrived. We have just come from church and are mad as h*ll - we mean heck - :-) and we're not gonna let you commit cultural tyranny upon our families anymore."

The battle begins 3:30 p.m. upon the 2nd of December in the Year of Our Lord 2001. Join us! - All FReepers welcome!!

Details here:
"Operation Infinite FReep - TRT commandos/FReeper militia to raid Kensington anti-Santa ceremony 12/2"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/580536/posts

Onward Fellow FReepers. ;-)

[kstewskis]

"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.

anyone who would take away Santa Claus from a child is pure evviiiiiiiiiiiiill.

[Flyer]

I'm offended by all the offended people in this country!

Ditto.

[earlybirdnj]

pollwatcher- you can add the eastern shore to that new state. i have long said that the eastern shores of maryland and virginia and the southern half of delaware should form together to make the state of delmarva. it would probably be more conservative than any other state in the union.

[GeekDejure]

PRESS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2001

Not even Dr. Suess could have attracted this much attention to our annual Tree Lighting in Kensington, but we feel all the attention is missing a key point: this year is different than most years. The events of September 11 require a different kind of ceremony.

We want to be responsive to all those who need to come together for a moment of unity and family togetherness this holiday season. That's why in October, at our Town Council meeting, we made changes to our program to accommodate our response to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

We now suspect that Santa Claus(es) will show up one way or another. Santa is always welcome and we sure won't send him to the hills above Whoville, even if he doesn't have a formal invitation from the Town of Kensington.

One way or another, we will have a ceremony that celebrates our local heros from the firefighters, police, postal workers and military. We will show that the Town of Kensington knows how to come together and knows not to take itself too terribly seriously. Most of all, we will have some fun with our kids which is what this event is all about in the first place.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Kensington, Maryland - Like many other communities around the nation, the Kensington Town tree will be lit up in red, white and blue this holiday season. On Sunday, December 2nd, the community will celebrate the American spirit and will honor the first responders to the tragedies of September 11th and its own fire fighters, police officers, mail carriers and military with lights and music.

In a flyer mailed to all Town residents earlier this month, the modified annual tree lighting ceremony was announced as an opportunity to come together as "we aspire for peace and unity throughout the world." "This year, more than ever," the Mayor said, "we need to come together as Americans and celebrate our freedoms and the men and women who have risked their lives to ensure our freedoms."

The festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with music performed by students from the Levine School of Music who will be on hand to perform some of the songs that bind us together as Americans. Community members will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies during the performance. Children have been asked to bring decorations of peace to be placed on a Banner of Peace. The Banner will be displayed in Town Hall throughout the holiday season.

The ceremony will be capped by the traditional lighting of the tree. This year the community has decided that instead of Santa at the switch, the Mayor will be joined by a local firefighter, police officer and U.S. Postal Service mail carrier. The tree will be lit in red, white and blue lights.

During the ceremony, charitable donations will be collected for Crossways Community, a residential/day care facility in Kensington for underprivileged children. Residents have been asked to bring diapers, baby wipes or formula which will be delivered to the Crossways Community nursery.

[Flyer]

We now suspect that Santa Claus(es) will show up one way or another

Beat me on getting this posted. They STILL won't invite Santa, but it is apparent they are aware of the Santa invasion that is coming.

[Sir_Ed]

I work at Kinko's, and there is not one single reference to Jesus, Jesus's birth, Christianity or anything religious in all of our greeting cards or Christmas cards...nothing but snowflakes, snowmen, holly and candy canes. It's truly bizarre. Ed