County Executive orders "religion-neutral" Christmas (and blames 9/11 Attack)

King County Executive ^ | 11/30/01 | Ron Sims, King County Executive

[ppaul]

TO: KC Global Announcement to All King County Employees

FM: Ron Sims, King County Executive

RE: Holiday Celebrations

With the post September 11 tragedy climate and the religious holidays starting, we at King County want to ensure that any upcoming holiday celebration at the workplace is held in a respectful, inclusive, and sensitive manner that does not favor one religion over another. Particularly in public areas, this means that any holiday recognition or celebration should be religion-neutral.

Examples of religion-neutral practices include: naming the celebration(s) "Holiday Celebration" or "Winter Celebration;"

using general greetings such as "Happy Holidays" or "Holiday Greetings;"

using decorations that are commonplace - poinsettias, evergreen boughs, lights - but not using religious symbols nor practices; and

obtaining the concurrence of all affected employees prior to holding a holiday social and/or food gathering. Care should be taken that employees who do not concur with holding a gathering are protected from retaliation.

Cultural information sharing about various religious holidays in the name of diversity is allowable when it is done in the context of employee education and is inclusive of various religious celebrations such as Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas, etc.

I encourage you to contact Maria Batayola, at (206) 263-7380, should you have any questions and/or comments.

cc: Robert S. Derrick, Director, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)

Maria Batayola, Manager, Diversity Management Division, OHRM

King County Executive, RON SIMS

:

[mlocher]

i see ron simms likes having a target painted on his back.

[DManA]

Hope I spelled it right? Don't want to offend any persons of culture?

[ppaul]

This has to be a joke.

It's for real.
Check with Marie Batayola, Manager,
King Co. Diversity Management Division @ (206)263-7380

[mlocher]

thanks. i just sent e-mail through the site.

[Benny3740]

As do I, I was shocked when they let Pastor Pete go.

[Right_Wing_Mole_In_Seattle]

Why did they get rid of him?

They never said. My guess is that his ratings were low. I'm curious to see if Carlson's doing any better in the 3 to 5 slot. It would seem to be a tough spot for anyone.

I liked Peter because he was the voice of my skeptical side.

[Calpublican]

For just "ol' sox" you put together an impressive letter.

Your name doth not do you justice, good sir.

[Benny3740]

John said he was let go because of very poor ratings

[Calpublican]

Christians need to start putting nativity scene pics in their car windows and park near the office of this insipid nitwit every chance they get.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Even Mr.Sims with his PC Grinch edict suggests "Winter Holiday." You don't suppose he is unaware that the root word for "Holiday" is Holy Day do you? BWAHAHA.

I suggest the residents of King County and all King county government offices should remain open since they are not celebrating anything that would offend anybody.Oh, and the schools should remain in session. Just tell the kids you don't want to offend anybody. All the working stiffs might as all well go into work and keep the economy moving!

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks for the ping, Paul. RWMIS - I thought Peter was insufferably boring.

[goodnesswins]

"Lets start a Merry Christmas campaign."

I'm with you there....already implementing....whenever someone wishes me "Happy Holidays" I respond with "Merry Christmas." I'm also NOT sending anything OTHER than religious Christmas cards....HE is the REASON for the SEASON, after all....doesn't mean I don't enjoy Santa and all the other celebration, but just my way of rebelling.

[tom paine 2]

Here's my e-mail.

Dear Mr. Sims:

Christmas and Santa Claus are American traditions. They are THIS countries traditions and, frankly, we don't care about Rhamalangadingdong or any other countries traditions. You don't see the Indians forbidding their people from expressing their cultural traditions DO YOU! You are a typical politician, a spineless weasel. You and your fellow county executives should be taken out and horsewhipped and then you should be tossed into a sack of hungry bobcats

Merry Christmas and God Bless America Tpaine2

[weegee]

If I lived there, I would be sure that all Christians who felt the same way as I did would decorate their homes exactly the way they always did and even moreso!

If this becomes a nationwide trend, I would suggest abandoning the colored lights/red-&-green decorations theme and go more overtly Christian (Nativity sets, etc.).

There is no need to punish your kids (no gifts, no tree, etc.) but as the season becomes more increasingly secularized in the public arena we need to bump up signs of our faith (and the reason for the season) where we can do so (on our cars and in our yards, until the homeoweners' association joins in this "religious-neutral" thing).

[ppaul]

I suggest the residents of King County and all King county government offices should remain open since they are not celebrating anything that would offend anybody.

Great idea!
And all in the name of diversity, inclusiveness, and sensitivity too!

[Salvation]

The Grinch

[BearCub]

You aren't exposing yourself as an employee, are you? Though I certainly appreciate the information, some organizations don't take kindly to having their memos blasted all over the internet

Perhaps. But since the memo was produced by a public servant using taxpayer-owned equipment, seems to me it's public information.

-bc

[Hila]

These people are a joke and must be held accountable of their bias. It is obvious and those who celebrate Christmas must be vocal now - now is the time to complain, whine and demand freedom of speech and religion. It is now or never.

[Walkin Man]

Christians are under a full assault...

How can a person celebrate CHRISTmas in a "religion(Christian)-neutral" manner?? Why doesn't he command Muslims to celebrate Ramadan in the same way or Kwanza in a non-racial way??? You are correct, it is an assault on Christians. I've got a better idea, why don't all non-Christians butt out of our holidays!