Posted on 12/09/2006 10:56:18 PM PST by Coleus
There will be no more Christmas trees at Sea-Tac Airport this season after the Port of Seattle received at least one complaint about them. For more than 25 years, the airport has celebrated the holidays with Christmas trees over its entrances. But overnight, the Port of Seattle ordered all 15 trees removed.
"I think it's very unfortunate. Why lose the Christmas spirit? Christmas is for kids," said passenger Lisa Jones. The Port allowed "holiday" decorations to remain but decided to take down all the Christmas trees after a Jewish religious leader complained they were offensive.
"It's a Christmas tree! It's not like they were displaying crucifixes or menorahs or anything religious, but Christmas trees that have been around here for years," said an employee who asked not to be identified.
The Port of Seattle says it had little choice. It says a Seattle rabbi with the Central Organization for Jewish Learning hired an attorney and threatened to sue if the airport did not erect an eight-foot menorah to balance the message of the Christmas trees.
According to airport spokeswoman the two sides could not reach an agreement before the lawsuit was to be filed, so the trees were removed instead. Angry airport employees have started a campaign urging people to call the Port of Seattle to complain. The Christmas trees are now in storage or hidden in unused areas of the airport where they won't be seen.
The airline companies, which lease space in the airport, are not being required to remove decorations from their check-in counters. Rachel Garson with the Port of Seattle said they would revisit the issue of Christmas trees after the holidays are over. "Since this is the busiest time of year we decided to take the decorations down now and consider a new policy after the new year." said Garson.
I've contaced them. Does anyone happen to know the address of the Central Organization for Jewish Learning? I found the Central Org for Jewish Education, which may be the same.
I'd like to send a letter to the Rabbi expressing my admiration of Judaism, but my extreme disappointment and even anger over his actions.
Why take away somethings because a few people complain ? Christmas is a federal holiday. Screw these people.
I'm tired of leftist Jews and I am tired of leftist Christians. But even leftist Christians don't try to take down Jewish religious displays.
Central Organization for Jewish Education
Chabad Lubavitch of the Pacific Northwest
4541 19th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
Director: Rabbi Sholom Ber Levitin
Telephone: 206-527-1411
Email address: info@chabadofseattle.org
http://www.chabadofseattle.org/
I have no problem with that whatsoever and would venture a guess that no Christian do.
Christian=Christians
When the mohammedans decide to go BOOM, this will be least of everyone's problem- it's coming- only a fool is in denial!
Why did the airport give in so easily?
The thing is that then, the ACLU would have sued, because of the presence of the Meninoria.
Putting up the Menorah would have brought an ACLU lawsuit because the Menorah IS a religous symbol. Public Placement of Menorahs has brought ACLU lawsuits in quiet a few juristictions out east. But, Islamic and Communist desplays don't.
We've lost our core belief in this country...we are quickly becoming a Tower of Babel. How easily we have give away what was paid for in much blood and pain by our ancestors.
Let me call a big effing B.S. on that. They chose to give up because it's easier. I'm tired of this one person complaining trumps everyone else B.S.
I'm offended that this so-called "Jewish religious leader" is infesting my country like some kind of perverted parasite. He needs to pack his bags and move his goatsmelling ass somewhere else. America doesn't need maggots like him. And don't let the screen door hit you in that ass Mr. "Leader."
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Under the circumstances, no menorah, because it would be done under duress. This arrogant jerk needs to TAKE HIS MEDICINE.
Exactly. And we need to burn up the phone lines of these pukes. And the MSM, so the word gets out.
Let me put it this way. I have never had a problem with the Menorah. In this particular case, you are probably right.
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