O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree

O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree

capitolnowRemember the holiday First Amendment mess at the state Capitol last year? The quirky, I’ll-do-you-one-better battle of the displays that made THIS Washington the laughingstock for once?

The story starts pretty simply: for 20 years, the Association of Washington Business puts up a gorgeous gi-normous lighted tree in the Rotunda and raised money for needy families.  In 2006, the governor lights a menorah.  Then comes a Nativity scene (no live animals, at least). Then the atheists put up a bah-on-Christmas, anti-religion placard. Then come the nuttier requests — How about a “Festivus” pole like on TV’s “Seinfeld”?  How about a sign from a fundamentalist that “Santa will take you to Hell”? (Presumably toasting those sweet little reindeer?) How about the creationists who wanted to depict a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” as master of the universe?  We are not making this up.

Anyway, the sensible folks over at the Department of  General Administration have announced  an ingenious solution that any mom or dad could have suggested: Hey, nobody gets a display of any kind.

The Christmas tree, now cleverly called a holiday tree, is grandfathered in, as is a similar tree erected by Army guys down at the state-owned city square downtown on Tuesday.  (And, no, there will be no tree sponsored by the anti-military crowd.  Nice try.)

Meanwhile, two holiday-themed notes from your Capitol:

– The Governor’s Mansion holiday tours are being scheduled for Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17. For reservations, contact the Capitol Tour Office at 360-902-8880.

– Looking for holiday cheer of the liquid kind?  The state Liquor Board has opened liquor and wine shops in four malls — Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Bellis Fair in Bellingham, The Commons in Federal Way, and Pacific Place in Seattle.  Gift packages and offerings from local craft distillers will be available.  (Are “craft distillers”  moonshiners? Just wondering.) The national Governing magazine gave a shout out to the project Tuesday, saying it’s expected to raise $3.8 million and ease the state’s budget deficit just a bit.  If customers like the idea, more stores will be added during the 2010 holiday season. (Can state Lottery roadside stands and government-run cigarette shops be far behind?  Just joking, we think.)

5 thoughts on “O Holiday Tree, O Holiday Tree”

  1. Oh (insert your choice of deity here — if applicable)!

    I guess the “War On Christmas” is now on.

  2. Christmas/Winter Solstice on state grounds is fine with me so long as you keep religion out of it. Winter Solstice trees are great because they don’t belong to Christians (not too many douglas fir trees in Bethlehem).

    Many people don’t even consider Christmas to be a religious holiday. It’s more of a holiday of excess and over indulgence.

    A beautiful handmade 21-piece manger made by skilled Chinese artists that says, “Look here everyone. This is your god.” is great at your church or on your lawn. We should exclude all symbols of exclusion (nativity scenes, crosses, crecents, 5 point stars, 6 point stars, Flying Spaghetti Monsters, signs calling religion evil, etc.) on public property because they all necessarily exclude someone who had to pay taxes to support it.

    It’s just too bad that the Christian group had to try to force their agenda on the rest of us. Hopefully the Association of Washington Business will still be able to help the needy families that depend on their aid.

    Finally, shame on the state powers in charge of this for not exercising better judgement from the start. You caused the Washington State Xmas wars of 2008/2009. You should have just said, “No, we don’t sponsor any one religious view. We have a state to run and don’t get involved in things beyond the scope of our practice. We do this to honor of our governmental charters and to show respect to our diverse community.” Thanks to ffrf.org for answering a call from our community to help curb religion’s insidious infiltration. We’re not in Kansas Toto.

  3. It’s funny how you put this in so people can respond…then you don’t post them. What’s the point of having this blog besides allowing you to make inaccurate comments on the state page?

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