Let the games begin. There’s a poll going around on Facebook (based on a made-up email) that the Obamas have outlawed the use of the word “Christmas” to describe the green thing that holds up ornaments during the month of December, and insist on calling it a “holiday tree” instead. Anyone who is not a paranoid, gullible, racist, religious moron could smell from a mile away that this doesn’t pass the stink test but it turns out that a surprising number of my Facebook friends are paranoid, gullible, racist, religious morons.
I checked Snopes, the email rumor busting web site, and sure enough, they’ve researched this one. Not only will the Obamas refer to their decorations as being of Christmas in nature, they are even reversing previous Bush-era policies that barred the use of religious symbols on the Capitol Christmas Tree, which is set up on the West Lawn of the Capitol on the Mall.
The Capitol Christmas Trees are cut each year from a national forest, and this year the tree is being provided, ironically enough, by Arizona, Sen. John McCain’s home state. School children, Brownie troops, and retirement community residents in the Grand Canyon State have been busy making ornaments for the tree that reflect Arizona-ness, and according to the photo gallery on the tree’s web site, CapitolChristmasTree2009, we’re going to see a lot of decorated gourds, metal stars, Mr. Sun Faces and cacti. The only Forest Service imposed requirements (and the Forest Service and Architect of the U.S. Capitol are in charge here) were that ornaments had to be weather-proof, not made of glass or plastic, and meet size requirements.
I’m sure this won’t be the end of it. Every year, the “It’s O.K. to say Merry Christmas to me” folks claim to be the victims of a conspiracy of politically correct language that prohibits good Christians from using the word “Christmas.” To level the score, they go ballistic when anyone uses the word, “holiday” instead. The result is a draw. It becomes impossible to know whether it’s more politically incorrect to say “holiday” or “Christmas,” so people sit at keyboards consumed in doubt, not knowing how to proceed.
This year, what with the worked-up birthers, tea baggers, anti-taxers, death panel believers, Klan fans, gun nuts, and anti-government anarchists out there, we can expect even more idiocy.
At Pensito Review, we know exactly what to do. It’s not O.K. to say merry Christmas to us, unless you really mean it and aren’t making an angry political statement.
I’m confused… are we talking about the White House Christmas Tree or the Christmas tree in front of the U.S. Capitol. Aren’t they two different trees?
Sorry confused. Yes, they are two different trees, but the Obamas will be referring to both as “Christmas trees,” not “holiday trees.”
Curious, given how many Christmas trees have become “holiday” trees, how does believing this is one more instance make one a racist? You call people that twice. And you’re not paranoid if they’re really after you, and the PC crowd certainly has had “Christmas” in their sights for a while. While I was one who figured this was not true- simply because Obama is too politically savvy to do this right now- lumping people who would be alarmed were this the case in with “Klan fans”- along with the other name calling you did- seems both unwarranted and demeans your argument.
Note: “Pensito Review reserves the right to eliminate spam, hate speech, personal attacks, abusive language and other objectionable material.” Given your own disclaimer against both hate speech and personal attacks, your own article then needs to be moderated.
It’s funny how you use the phrase “paranoid, gullible, racist, religious morons” as if they are related. Does not believing in Obama’s politics make you a “paranoid, gullible, racist, religious moron”?
“Note: “Pensito Review reserves the right to eliminate spam, hate speech, personal attacks, abusive language and other objectionable material.” Given your own disclaimer against both hate speech and personal attacks, your own article then needs to be moderated.”
Good point! Trish, yours is the only real hate speech I’ve seen here so far.
If you believe a virgin can give birth, you’ll believe anything.
Merry Christmas to Pensito Review! And yes that’s an angry political statement but less angry than the snarky and hysterical statements you made about anyone who believes or thinks differently than you. How about some tolerance this Christmas? and Madison, obviously the mysteries of Faith are beyond you so if you prefer to believe in nothingness, I hope that works for you.
Keep writing these articles. Just because some readers are clueless does not mean that the rest of us don’t appreciate them.
Its funny that if we are against Obama we are racists. Get over your self. What I’m against is big government which is everything he stands for.
Get over this racist thing.
He should just put up a Hebrew Hedge and tell everyone to shut the fug up!
Too bad we can’t have a definitive separation between enjoying the holiday season(s) and sore looser chatter…
Although I agree with the general sentiment of this article, yeah, saying “paranoid, gullible, racist, religious moron” is about as offensive as it gets. What the heck?
Yes, Bonnie, and anyone else who was offended. One word:
Hyperbole: “Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.”
I do not view my Facebook friends as paranoid, gullible, racist, religious morons but I am asking anyone who would accept this ridiculous, half-baked poll (now I’m being serious, not hyperbolical) to think about it a minute.
Ms Ponder, Whether you do not view your facebook friends as you first stated, it was not very nice to speak that way abou those who may believe this! They do not allow any reference to Christ or the Nativity scene in schools or apartment lobbys etc.. We as Christians do not seem to have many rights any longer! The world changed & while I AM IN NO WAY AN IDIOT, I do know change is inevitable! That does NOT mean it is for the better or in good taste!Little by little those of us that are over 40, are seeing everything of our generation & that of my precious parents & grandparents etc, disapear into oblivion!Whatever the President & the rest of this so called “America” decides to do, remains to be seen! Frankly, I no longer care. SO BE IT!I am not well right now & very tired. I believe that what has worked for many years, has now been decided is not applicable anymore! Some things are better if left alone & this is one of them! God Bless you & have a GREAT CHRISTMAS!(not holiday!!)
johnine, sorry to hear you’ve been feeling bad. I hope you will be back to 100 percent soon, and wish you a very merry Christmas as well. Thanks.