Lincoln Chafee’s ‘holiday’ tree

New York Daily News ^ | AP Staff

[rjsclassics]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Carolers singing "O Christmas Tree" crashed Rhode Island's Statehouse tree lighting on Tuesday after Gov. Lincoln Chafee unwrapped a holiday hubbub by calling the 17-foot spruce a "holiday" tree.

Chafee insisted his word choice was inclusive and in keeping with Rhode Island's founding as a sanctuary for religious diversity. But his seasonal semantics incensed some lawmakers, the Roman Catholic Church and thousands of people who called his office to complain that the independent governor was trying to secularize Christmas.

"He's trying to put our religion down," said Ken Schiano of Cranston, who came to the tree lighting after hearing about the controversy. "It's a Christmas tree. It always has been and it always will be, no matter what that buffoon says it is."

Chafee did not address the several hundred people who filled the Statehouse to watch the tree lighting. Afterward, he said he was surprised by the heated reaction to his word choice. Chafee argues that he is simply honoring Rhode Island's origins as a sanctuary for religious diversity. Religious dissident Roger Williams founded Rhode Island in 1636 as a haven for tolerance, where government and religion would forever be kept separate. Chafee's immediate predecessor also referred to Statehouse trees as "holiday" trees.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/rhode-island-gov-lincoln-chafee-holiday-tree-remark-angers-thousands-roman-catholic-church-article-1.987823#ixzz1fsnZHPxs

[rjsclassics]

Ah, yes boys & girls It's that time of year again. Atime for Holiday Claus and his tiny reindeer, Holiday presents, the decoration of the Holiday tree, a holiday baby in a manger, holiday Eve and of course the most special dfay of all Holiday Day. Thank you Governor Chafee. You are indeed a total moron.

[Celerity]

If other religions used the tree in their holidays, then I could see that.

But this is exactly like calling a Menorah a “Holiday Candle”. It’s a Jewish symbol. There is no-one to offend here.

Christmas Trees are used in the celebration of Christmas. Not any other holiday.

[all the best]

Conifers are cut down and decorated for Christmas and only Christmas. If anybody knows of another so celebrated holiday, let us know. There is possibility that I am unaware of one. And is it in December?

[Old Sarge]

Festivus. It’s for the rest of us.

[massgopguy]

Oh it's for “tolerance”. Why the bleep didn't he say so in the first place? So, the holiday “candelabra” should be going up soon.

[massgopguy]

Oh it's for “tolerance”. Why the bleep didn't he say so in the first place? So, the holiday “candelabra” should be going up soon.

[muawiyah]

Jule

[Jack Hydrazine]

Let’s call it a Spiritual Tree or Spiritual Candle so no one can be offended!

[BfloGuy]

Ah, yes. Lincoln Chaffee. The man who, more, perhaps, than any other, inspired and personified the term Republican-In-Name-Only.

[AmericanInTokyo]

As I have always said, people should learn the song in Spanish "Feliz Navidad", and then sing it loud around these so-called "holiday trees". When the intolerant Denken Polizei "thought police" come back with "Hey, YOU stop that! Why, it's a Christmas song! The horror of it all!!", counter with their own political correctness and call them "Racists!" and "Anti Hispanic!!". More than one way to skin a cat, and have fun in the process. Really, I also believe some great flash mobs singing Handl's Messiah should show up on the spot and just blast it forth; they can't arrest everyone you know. One three minute version of "Alleluia", and then everyone out of there in separate directions. I can see the announcements over the PA for people to stop it, and then such a video going viral over YouTube. It is time for some passive-aggressive resistance, folks, in the great Culture War.