Full-Size Christmas Trees to Return to Seattle Airport [all trees going back up!]

Fox News Online ^ | 12/12/06 | AP

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Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky says he never asked that the trees be taken down, and the threat of a lawsuit was withdrawn.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

[Albion Wilde]

We (Christians) are the grafted branch, that hasn't changed.

Pardon, isn't it Gentiles who embraced Christianity who are grafted, and not the Jews who embraced Christianity? Just checkin'...

[ME-262]

Will our Holiday trees have a star of David on top?

[GovernmentIsTheProblem]

"It's still a national holiday where EVERYBODY benefits in one way or another.

What is your point?"

National Holiday doesn't mean what you think it does, as I showed by quoting the USC, it only means something for Federal employees. In fact, states and municipalities aren't required to do the same. The fact that they do is besides the point.

Can you explain how I benefit?

[Albion Wilde]

False but accurate? Sorry, imagination is no substitute for factual evidence.

[Albion Wilde]

All "national holiday" means is that non-essential Federal employees get the day off, and those who have to work get paid for their time in addition to the holiday pay.

And marriage is just a piece of paper. And a fetus is just a hunk of protoplasm. /sarc

[Alkhin]

I would love to see jewelry like that! I didnt know there was such a thing being made. Thank you!

Is your website is listed in your userpage?

[Alkhin]

I wish you - and people like you - would just let us celebrate Christmas without attempting to dilute the holiday.

Boy I wonder if you'd have the gall to say that to Jesus Himself...considering that HE was Jewish and celebrated Chanukkah

[Alouette]

Anyone who is interested, please FRmail and I will send you a link when the site has been updated with the new items.

[conservative blonde]

It never should have been about Christmas trees because although they are a holiday treat to look at, and to perk up joyful spirits, Christmas trees are NOT a religious symbol of any religion religion. And, neither is Santa Claus a religious symbol. Christmas trees are not tantamount to a creche display of the nativity scene, which would be a religious symbol. Therefore, since Christmas trees are not a religious symbol no religious group has the right to demand equal display at the airport.

[devolve]

Beautifully done potlatch!

[Publius6961]

Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky must have gotten a few expressions from folks not exactly embracing the Christmas spirit.

It is uncredible that Jews and otherwise non-threatening religions borrow from the worst example on earth --- muslims --- to champion ("defend?") their own religion.
The only response they will ever get from me is eternal hostility.

Just sayin...

[CottShop]

I'm going to the middle east and protesting any depictions of Muhamad- wish me luck everyone! (searches for life insurance policy) http://sacredscoop.com

[7thson]

And did Jesus tell the Romans, 'hey, cut out your Pagan stuff and embrace my lord. Or I'll sue.' No, I think the give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's comes into play here. Also, when he said go spread the good word, he did not say if people do not accept it, go find a lawyer and sue.

One other thing - I like how this gets turned around. However, it is best to remember that it was the good Rabbi who tried to force his view down the airports throat. Granted, I thought the airport should have told him either yes, no, or pack sand and take the lawsuit. However, the good Rabbi did not do himself and his fellow Jews any favors by threatening a lawsuit. I bet you that a vast majority of Americans upon hearing of this have now lumped the Rabbi and posibly Jews in with the Muslims.

[potlatch]

Thank you devolve
Beautiful stars falling.

[SJackson]

In Allegheny, because of the setting, displayed with a Menorah during the secular Holiday Season, the Christmas Tree was representative of the Christian religion. Recognition that both faiths, and there could be others, share the season. Were the Christmas Tree not there, clearly the display would have been barred, as it would have been exclusively representative of Judaism, as the Creche was deemed to be exclusively Christian, thus an endorsement. Not because it's a Creche, because it stood alone without recognition of other faiths.

You're suggesting that the Christmas Tree alone would have been OK, presuming like Sea-Tac it was denoted a Holiday Tree representative of all faiths. Being displayed during a multi-faith holiday season, imo incorrectly deemed secular, I'm not at all sure of that. From what I've seen whenever a request to display a Menorah in a holiday display lacking one, or to display a Christian symbol, creche comes to mind, it happens. My guess Sea-Tac will go the snowman route next year, this wasn't about Christmas to them, rather a non-religious display.

[Wormwood]

I bet you that a vast majority of Americans upon hearing of this have now lumped the Rabbi and posibly Jews in with the Muslims.

I'm not sure that's entirely fair.

After all, Muslims would have used a brandished a gun, whereas the Rabbi only brandished a Lawyer.

Hmmm. Maybe that's a bad example. ;-)

[Riptides]

I love being politically incorrect.
All of you that wish to be politically correct can kiss my a$$.

Merry Christmas!

[brad031OIF2]

I work at the Airport. I am serving in the U.S. Military. I am frankly ashamed the Port Authority took down the Christmas Trees in the first place, but not surprised. The Port of Seattle is only concerned about one thing, $ $$$.$$. I work for the Federal Government at Sea-tac, I see it all the time.
It shouldn't surprise anyone else either. We do live in a country where you have to "Press 1 for English". Instead of pressing 1 for Spanish, Russian, or a menu of other languages.

[Wormwood]

My guess Sea-Tac will go the snowman route next year, this wasn't about Christmas to them, rather a non-religious display.

True. I would suggest a snowflake or other design motif with absolutely no connection with Christmas at all.

Or not even bother at all, lest more jackals bearing legal briefs start sniffing about.

[GovernmentIsTheProblem]

"And marriage is just a piece of paper. And a fetus is just a hunk of protoplasm. /sarc"

So you're enumerating the penumbra of what National Holiday means? So much for conservative strict constructionism eh?