Rhode Island gov. stands by 'holiday tree'

UPI ^ | Dec. 1, 2011

[presidio9]

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee sparked controversy nationwide when he called a 17-foot spruce tree in the State House a "holiday tree."

Chafee cited a 1663 Colonial charter and the legacy of state founder Roger Williams when explaining that not calling the tree a Christmas tree earlier this week is in Rhode Island tradition, the Boston Herald reported.

"I'm just continuing what other governors have done," Chafee said, after dedicating another tree to soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I just want to make sure I'm doing everything possible in this building to honor Roger Williams.

"In my own house, I'm free to have a Christmas tree, and it's with great pride," Chafee said.

Chafee said his office has received a flood of phone calls and e-mails from disgruntled traditionalists.

Parents of children who sang at the State House Wednesday expressed confusion as to why Chafee wouldn't call it a Christmas tree.

"The whole way here, we were getting fired up about it," said Ted Slader of North Scituate, whose fourth-grade daughter, Erica, sang Christmas carols in the State House rotunda Wednesday. "I know he's just a left-wing nut job and everything, but you can't say the word Christmas? The average Joe I talk to,

[Fido969]

I know he's just a left-wing nut job and everything, but you can't say the word Christmas?

lol.

[Tzimisce]

Here’s look down at you!

You people in RI must be so proud. :)

Another day in Obamaland.

[boomop1]

A pecker head is he.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

"I just want to make sure I'm doing everything possible in this building to honor Roger Williams."

Then maybe you should think about calling it a Roger Williams Tree.

[Voluntary Mike]

Although technicalities probably prevent this from being labeled “unconstitutional” it follows the same annoying and dangerous pattern of leftist behavior control and destruction of culture. When we ban prayer from public schools, we are restricting the right of people to practice free speech in a public place. It baffles me that liberals fail to see this issue for what it is. I don’t see the right to be protected “from being offended” in the Constitution. I don’t know when society became so soft, wow.

[SkyDancer]

Doesn’t want to offend the Muslim voters in his state.

[immadashell]

I'll never know how this left wing socialist polliwog ever got on a republican ticket. However, having graduated myself from Brown University in the late 60’s it is no mystery what his agenda is. By the way, Brown has not gotten a penny of my money for a long, long time. When University support for Young Republicans was withdrawn I offered to send them (the YR’s that is) all the money I have not given to my alma mater over the years.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I hope he freezes his “holiday” ornaments off.

[Mortrey]

May he get coal in his stocking.

[GeronL]

The 1953 Lincoln Chafee is not a station wagon, because "station" might be construed as a Catholic thing and "wagon" sounds vaguely reminicent of the Mormon's trek across the prairie. So we are simply going to call it a generic "car".

The handling is horrible, there is a constant sharp leftward lurch. The head and tail lights won't work at the same time because it's really underpowered. There is little legroom, you literally wear this car even before you crash.

okay. I can't always do this off the cuff, I don't claim to be a professional at parody... I surrender.

[beandog]

When federal and state workers get the day off on December 26th this year, do they get a day off for “a holiday” or do they get the day off for Christmas.

There’s know such thing as “a holiday”.

[presidio9]

Then maybe you should think about calling it a Roger Williams Tree.

The exact date of Roger Williams' birth in 1603 is lost to history, but we do know that he arrived in America on Feb 5, 1631. I nominate that we celebrate Christmas on February 5th. Think of the possibilities for retailers if they had amost ten weeks of shopping season after Thanksgiving! Plus no more Christmas advertising in October.

[RightOnTheBorder]

If he dosn’t want to recognize Christians he could put up a Festivus pole but then the airing of greivences might take weeks :-)

[barnstone]

If he doesn’t want to offend anyone,THEN HE SHOULD REFUSE TO THE MONEY PAID FOR CHRISTMAS DAY-FEDERAL MANDATED PAID RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY. HE SHOULD ALSO PAY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS ALL OF THE MONEY THAT HE HAS RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS FOR CHRISTMAS DAYS, THANKSGIVING DAYS, EASTER/ GOOD FRIDAY/ EASTER MONDAY DAYS. I AM OFFEND THAT HE TAKES THE MONEY FOR THESE RELIGIOUS DAYS.

[barnstone]

If he doesn’t want to offend anyone,THEN HE SHOULD REFUSE TO THE MONEY PAID FOR CHRISTMAS DAY-FEDERAL MANDATED PAID RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY. HE SHOULD ALSO PAY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS ALL OF THE MONEY THAT HE HAS RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS FOR CHRISTMAS DAYS, THANKSGIVING DAYS, EASTER/ GOOD FRIDAY/ EASTER MONDAY DAYS. I AM OFFEND THAT HE TAKES THE MONEY FOR THESE RELIGIOUS DAYS.

[Dilbert San Diego]

This is horse blank in a few ways.

He would not call a menorah a candle holder.

He would be careful to use the official Muslim name of the crescent symbol used by Islam. He would not call it a crescent moon or call it by something other than its proper name.

This tree is a Christmas tree. That is its correct name. It’s not a holiday tree.

If we want to talk about the holiday season and not mention specific holidays, that’s a different discussion. If we want to be inclusive and talk about various holidays this time of year, we would not change the name of any such symbols.

So I vote that this is horse blank, and he’s a spineless liberal.

Do these liberals realize that they offend far more people by actions such as this, then the number of those whose favor they hope to curry by such actions?????

[Chode]

and what "Holiday" would that be you stoopid POS you?

[ElectronVolt]

He must really like Roger Williams if he wants to honor his memory so much.

[bgill]

"In my own house, I'm free to have a Christmas tree, and it's with great pride," Chafee said.

Say what?!? He has great pride in having a Christmas tree at his house but he's embarrassed to call it a Christmas tree when it's in the people's house. What a wackadoodle. Then why have one at all. What holiday is it supposed to celebrate? Halloween, Columbus Day, China's Double Ninth Day, or maybe Russia's Civil Unity Day?