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Full-Size Christmas Trees to Return to Seattle Airport [all trees going back up!]
Fox News Online ^ | 12/12/06 | AP

Posted on 12/11/2006 10:13:29 PM PST by TheBigB

SEATAC, Wash. — The Christmas trees are going back up at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Port of Seattle officials had ordered the trees taken down over the weekend after a local rabbi threatened a lawsuit if a menorah wasn't also displayed at the airport.

Airport officials say they took that action out of concern that if they allowed the addition of a menorah, they would also have to display symbols of other religions and cultures, which was not something airport workers had time for during the busiest travel season of the year.

Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky says he never asked that the trees be taken down, and the threat of a lawsuit was withdrawn.

With the threat of the lawsuit gone, airport spokesman Bob Parker says all 14 trees will go back up -- hopefully by tomorrow morning.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: airport; antichristian; bahumbug; bigotry; christmas; culturewar; freep; freeping; hannukah; menorah; merrychristmas; onepercent; portofseattle; rabid; scrooge; seatac; seattle; suecrazy; suescenareo; waronchristmas; xmas
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To: IIntense

I'm glad it happened too. It has shown just how much it matters to most Americans to celebrate Christmas, even in one of the most liberal of our cities!


201 posted on 12/12/2006 8:45:45 AM PST by BonnieJ
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To: Billthedrill
Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah, all

Amen to that!

202 posted on 12/12/2006 8:47:00 AM PST by Albion Wilde (...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Cor 3:17)
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To: Sabramerican
Thank you for the clarification. It was not at all clear on the surface.

I have not been part of any of these threads (until now), and if I had been, I would have stood up against those who said the kinds of things you quoted.

Anyone who hates this Rabbi knows nothing about Jesus Christ. There are many naming His Name who don't know Him, Sabra.

203 posted on 12/12/2006 8:47:36 AM PST by ohioWfan (President Bush - courageously and honorably protecting us in dangerous times, . Praise the Lord!)
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To: SJackson

Yes, that came first.

But that counsel is exonerated from blame.

That all falls on the Jew and his Jew lawyer.

(I should add- From some quarters).


204 posted on 12/12/2006 8:49:57 AM PST by Sabramerican (Says the piano player: America's greatest legacy will be to create a Palestinian State)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Why would a religion that doesn't even celebrate Christmas want to put a Menorah in an airport?

The Federal Holiday we're celebrating is Christmas, not Chanuka.

205 posted on 12/12/2006 8:50:16 AM PST by moondoggie
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To: Fitzcarraldo
Let each group (Jews, Athiests, Pagans, etc.) be allowed to hang one ornament on the trees.

Well that's appropriate since the tree is a pagan symbol, anyway. Still I do love the trees. Was listening to my former Pastor on the radio last week and he was responding to a question from a listener on how appropriate it is for a real Christian to put up the pagan symbol of the Christmas tree. He said he argues with his wife every year they ought not to be putting those things up....and...obviously he is the KING in his castle (having his wife's permission to say so) and there is not only one tree in the home...but multiple trees! He justifies it by saying that yes the tree is a pagan symbol but has become so inextricably connected to the Christian season so as to become benign. Besides...they're beautiful and surely the birth of the saviour is a beautiful event. My pastor has a web site if you're curious. He's rather well known. KEY LIFE And while we're at it....RAPTURE READY?

206 posted on 12/12/2006 8:50:49 AM PST by ExSoldier (Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.)
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To: TheBigB
"Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky says he never asked that the trees be taken down, and the threat of a lawsuit was withdrawn."

Rabbi Elazar is an @ss wipe.
207 posted on 12/12/2006 8:56:31 AM PST by monday
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To: moondoggie
Why would a religion that doesn't even celebrate Christmas want to put a Menorah in an airport?...The Federal Holiday we're celebrating is Christmas, not Chanuka.

As you noted the practitioners of that religion are jerks. Apparently their jerkiness came out on seeing the Holiday Trees, which they misinterprited as having something to do with Christmas.

208 posted on 12/12/2006 8:56:54 AM PST by SJackson (had to move the national debate from whether to stay the course to how do we start down the path out)
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To: ladyjane
If the airport put up nativity scenes then perhaps all the anal-retentive types would have a reason to complain.

I keep repeating over and over again that the USSC has already ruled on Christmas trees. They are considered SECULAR symbols unless featured in a religious display....ie: the nativity scene.

209 posted on 12/12/2006 8:57:55 AM PST by moondoggie
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To: Jim Noble
Q: What HOLIDAY, occurring in December every year, is traditionally celebrated by the placing and decoration of TREES?

Good one. Here's another:

What is the origin of the word "holiday"?

• Holly day: a day when people decorate with holly.
• Holiday: a day when people say "Holl with work; I'm outa here."
• Holy day: a day when people celebrate an event of religious significance.

210 posted on 12/12/2006 8:59:00 AM PST by Albion Wilde (...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Cor 3:17)
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To: TL04
Next December - trees AND menorah or maybe just snowmen

Based on Sea-Tacs statements, they're Holdiay Trees, they're very old, you'll be seeing snowmen and snowflakes. Per Sea-Tac's spokesperson

“I suspect you’ll be seeing a lot of snowmen and snowflakes,”

211 posted on 12/12/2006 8:59:53 AM PST by SJackson (had to move the national debate from whether to stay the course to how do we start down the path out)
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To: TL04
Next December - trees AND menorah or maybe just snowmen

Based on Sea-Tacs statements, they're Holdiay Trees, they're very old, you'll be seeing snowmen and snowflakes. Per Sea-Tac's spokesperson

“I suspect you’ll be seeing a lot of snowmen and snowflakes,”

212 posted on 12/12/2006 8:59:53 AM PST by SJackson (had to move the national debate from whether to stay the course to how do we start down the path out)
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To: RobRoy
Sorry, no tribal scars, no Kwanzaa bush. Rules are rules.

If I can't have my Golden Bull - do you realize how much those things cost? - then I'm gonna sue.

213 posted on 12/12/2006 9:00:46 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: CharlesWayneCT; Sabramerican

Sabramerican's is a bizarre fantasy of ignorance.

The display of non-religiously decorated trees at Christmas is not a religious display per the Supreme Court.
The Rabbi had no standing for legal action, but it would have cost a couple grand for Seatac to find this out (and he could have proceeded anyway though he was going to lose). Also there were PR and political problems. For a hundred bucks the maintenance crew could make all the problem go away.

The display of the menorah or other religious symbol has to be done in a way that doesn't cross the Supreme Court's lunatic 'Lemon Test'.
Which leads to all sorts of complications...





214 posted on 12/12/2006 9:01:26 AM PST by mrsmith
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To: SJackson
"Sea-Tacs contension that the Holiday Trees aren't religious whereas a Menorah is wouldn't have held up. "

Yes it would as you know.

215 posted on 12/12/2006 9:02:32 AM PST by mrsmith
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To: juliej

They are a separate and distinct people, no insult intended. The Scriptures tell me so, and they have been such since time began, they are God's chosen. Who's their biggest supporters? Once again everyone, Christians--who understand them more than anyone else, providing they have read/studied their Scriptures, studied the word and understand their place. We (Christians) are the grafted branch, that hasn't changed.

And, as I once asked a dear friend, who happens to be a Jew, "How can I understand you people??!! (in exasperation)" and he laughed, put his arm around my shoulders and said, "Keep trying--I love it!". He isn't so thin skinned...


216 posted on 12/12/2006 9:03:50 AM PST by brushcop (Men of B-Co 2/69 3ID, do you now feel betrayed after all your efforts & sacrifices in Iraq?)
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To: moondoggie
"I keep repeating over and over again that the USSC has already ruled on Christmas trees. They are considered SECULAR symbols unless featured in a religious display....ie: the nativity scene. "

When people want to get emotional they don't want any facts.

217 posted on 12/12/2006 9:06:49 AM PST by mrsmith
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To: mmmRamen
Posted by mmmRamen (i could use a clever tagline)

Why bother, when your screen name is so hilarious? :-D

218 posted on 12/12/2006 9:07:26 AM PST by Albion Wilde (...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Cor 3:17)
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To: mrsmith
"Sea-Tacs contension that the Holiday Trees aren't religious whereas a Menorah is wouldn't have held up..."Yes it would as you know.

I can show you thousands of posts and reams of media attention which seem to indicate that the "Holiday Trees" do in fact have a religious component. Despite what Sea-Tac says. You and Sea-Tac contend that in this circumstance they're not at all religious. Perhaps a court would agree with you, but I doubt it. That said, it's a silly controversy. Holiday Trees are Christmas Trees, and Christmas Trees have a religious connotation to most people. They see them and think of Christmas. Which is a religious holiday.

Can you point me to several cases where "Holiday Trees" were displayed, other religous symbols, were specifically barred, and the courts said "fine"?

Christmas Trees are associated with Christmas, what's wrong with recognizing that?

219 posted on 12/12/2006 9:11:27 AM PST by SJackson (had to move the national debate from whether to stay the course to how do we start down the path out)
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To: TheBigB

About time! Chalk up another one for Christ the Lord!

WOOT!


220 posted on 12/12/2006 9:15:07 AM PST by Danae (Anail nathrach, orth' bhais's bethad, do chel denmha)
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