Whats this world coming to...

[PHiL]

OKLAHOMA CITY - A Christmas tree that elementary school students decorated with discarded lottery tickets was removed from the state Capitol over the weekend after a lawmaker complained it was inappropriate.

 

Rep. Randy Terrill, who opposes the lottery, said he spotted the tree on Wednesday when it was erected as part of the governor's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Republican lawmaker called the Westwood Elementary School principal, who apologized and asked the governor's office to remove the tree.

 

Sherry Fair, spokeswoman for Oklahoma City Public Schools, said the teachers and children did not intend to offend anyone. The teachers went to various convenience stores and got used lottery tickets, which were cut into various geometric shapes and placed on the tree.

 

"They had been studying about the lottery and understood that the lottery money benefits public schools," Fair said. "They came up with a theme about the gift of education."

 

Terrill said the principal had invited him to talk to students at the school.

 

Paul Sund, a spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said the governor's office had nothing to do with decorating the tree and referred questions to the school district. The office of the state school superintendent selects the schools that decorate the trees.

Courtesy-Yahoo News

 

HOW RETARTED...""Rep. Randy Terrill, who opposes the lottery"" ITS SAD THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THEN TO WORRY ABOUT THE SMALLEST LITTLE NOTHING.

[Josh]

While I agree this is silly, there are legitimate reasons for some people to oppose state-funded lotteries.

 

I feel bad for the kids who put all the effort into this, really.

[Big Daddy Bling Bling]

Why were elementary kids learning about the lottery to begin with? I would also be somewhat annoyed if a school was indoctrinating my hypothetical son or daughter with political positions. I don't even care about the lotto one way or the other and this still doesn't seem right. Perhaps these kids had already aced all their standardized tests so there was no reason to waste time teaching them math or reading comprehension.

 

"They had been studying about the lottery and understood that the lottery money benefits public schools," Fair said. "They came up with a theme about the gift of education."

 

I'm sure the kids came up with that theme on their own and weren't coerced into that thought process.

[The Daisy]

I'm afraid it's all part of "The War on Christmas."

 

Glen

[JoeyN]

Its the war on holidays period. None are safe

[Kitlope]

OKLAHOMA CITY - A Christmas tree that elementary school students decorated with discarded lottery tickets was removed from the state Capitol over the weekend after a lawmaker complained it was inappropriate.

 

I'm surprised its still called a Christmas tree and not a holiday tree. At the expense of the majority, we wouldn't want to offend the minority of non christians now do we?

 

I don't understand this whole deal and Rep. Randy Terrils motives. The schools are in fact helped funded through lotteries, the kids thought that using used lottery tickets to decorate the tree would be an good enviromental choice and to show appreciation of the lotteries since the local governments more than likely cut back on eduation.

 

Politicians like this that decide on their own what is right and what is wrong for you and me really piss me off.

[MastaRedSnappa]

That settles it... I'm moving to Oklahoma City! It must be the closest thing to utopia if that's what their government is spending their time on. The article didn't mention it so now I just need to figure out what state Oklahoma City is in...

[kelley]

It offended Jesus.

 

Oklahoma is just like any decent hotel room, free bible in everyroom.

[foogledricks]

I don't care if the subject is based on religion, race, politics or animal porn. When ever someone protests something publicly, my first thought is to think negatively of that person. You're a whiney, Self-righteous jerk until proven otherwise. The worst part of the "information age" is that people with missions have more things to complain about.

[The Daisy]

When ever someone protests something publicly, my first thought is to think negatively of that person. You're a whiney, Self-righteous jerk until proven otherwise.

 

Wow. I can't remember the last time I heard someone that was that opposed to the first amendment.

 

I may not agree with people's points of view, but our country gives them the right to stand on a street corner protesting the amount of Crunch Berries they got in their cereal. Their point may be something completely rediculous or something you don't agree with, but they have the right to do it.

 

Glen

[MastaRedSnappa]

Captain Crunch Berries is (are?) my favorite cereal.

[merlot]

Wow. I can't remember the last time I heard someone that was that opposed to the first amendment.

 

I may not agree with people's points of view' date=' but our country gives them the right to stand on a street corner protesting the amount of Crunch Berries they got in their cereal. Their point may be something completely rediculous or something you don't agree with, but they have the right to do it.

 

Glen[/quote']

I have no problems with people that stand up and speak their mind. I just hate that we, as a society, yield easily to one loud mouth.

 

Honestly though, I never understood people who get offened by xmas trees.

[spubiga]

More Christmas tree related fun (and merry Christmas fun also):

 

A giving tree Christmas tree was removed from an elementary school in the Seattle area because 1 parent was offended by it. They replaced it with the giving counter.

 

Here's the article:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Holiday_Problems.html

 

A

[PoisonJam]

From the linked article above:

 

Using "Merry Christmas" on the menus violated school system policies because "it has a religious connotation for some people," Turner said.

 

This is something I simply do not get. What is the problem with "Merry Christmas", honestly? Are we truly worried about offending non-Christians?? That strikes me as just too far-fetched to be true. I mean, just the mention of a holiday that may have been Christian in origin but is now mostly commercial...just mentioning the name of the holiday on a school menu offends someone? Growing up in an area with a large Jewish population, we always celebrated Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hannukah (sorry about the spellings), etc., and as an (ostensible) Christian it never even occured to me to be offended by it. Celebrating along with a "friend of another faith" is offensive???

 

We all know that political correctness has gone insanely overboard in this country, but this is something I just do not accept. The next time a TV station wishes me "Happy Kwanza", should I call to register my protest? Shall I march against Ramadan? I mean, okay, maybe printing a picture of Jesus on a school menu would be pushing it, but simply wishing kids a Merry Christmas is about the most innocuous thing I can think of.

 

You know what, fuck it. I am hereby abolishing the words "Happy Holidays" from my vocabulary. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

[The Daisy]

I just hate that we, as a society, yield easily to one loud mouth.

 

That's something I totally agree with.

 

To be honest, I don't even think about this whole issue. I'm agnostic, but my wife and I will have a Christmas tree in the house next year for my daughter. Hell, the whole holiday is about rampant commercialism now anyways. I'd rather these people were bitching about something like what their Wal Mart store has done to their community rather fighting against a symbol for a commercial holiday.

 

Glen

[Dave C]

Growing up in an area with a large Jewish population, we always celebrated Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Hannukah (sorry about the spellings), etc., and as an (ostensible) Christian it never even occured to me to be offended by it.

 

You celebrated it in a public school setting?

 

It's unfortunate but there will always be someone of another faith objecting because "Happy Hanukah" or some other holiday wasn't included as well. If your going to list one "religious" holiday or holiday of one faith (and Christmas is supposed to be just that), you should list them all that are happening within the same general time period. Unless of course it is a private school that teaches some denomination of Christianity. Within the Jewish community, Hanukah isn't considered a "religious" holiday. Just a holiday celebrated by people of Jewish faith.

 

I am Jewish and my wife is Catholic. We don't consider ourselves PC. Although we are raising our daughter Catholic, we personally send out photo cards that say Happy Holidays because not all of our friends celebrate Christmas. Personally, I don't think any of my friends would be offended if we sent out Christmas cards, but there are always some people that just don't view it as a commercial holiday. So, why tempt faith? no pun intended.

[General Zot]

Believe it or not, I think this is one of the largest and most pressing questions facing America today. Not this particular tree in OK, but this: Are we democratic citizens first and Christians second, or vice-versa when it comes to our government? Really, you can only choose one master to be loyal to, which is it?

 

I don't have an answer, but I think the day is rapidly approaching when as a nation we have to seriously weigh that question and resolve it.

[General Zot]

I am Jewish and my wife is Catholic. We don't consider ourselves PC. Although we are raising our daughter Catholic, we personally send out photo cards that say Happy Holidays because not all of our friends celebrate Christmas.

 

 

So your wife decided to outsource the guilt rather than deliver it personally? (Catholic vs. Jewish) :lmfao

[The Daisy]

Are we democratic citizens first and Christians second, or vice-versa when it comes to our government?

 

I don't want to go too far down this road, but the two shouldn't ever be connected. In our democracy, we are supposed to be free to believe what we wish, but it seems as though things of late are geared towards the pushing of Christian morals and ideals onto everyone.

 

Glen

[Dave C]

I don't want to go too far down this road' date=' but the two shouldn't ever be connected. In our democracy, we are supposed to be free to believe what we wish, but it seems as though things of late are geared towards the pushing of Christian morals and ideals onto everyone.

 

Glen[/quote']

 

No kidding... and you wonder why some of the Islamic faith consider the war in Iraq another religous war (i.e.: Christian crusade).

[Baiter]

You celebrated it in a public school setting?

 

If your going to list one "religious" holiday or holiday of one faith (and Christmas is supposed to be just that)' date=' you should list them all that are happening within the same general time period.[/quote']I understand were you're coming from, but I completely disagree with you. If 98% of a community wants a christmas tree, then let'm have a christmas, err holiday tree. I never understood how anyone's rights were being violated by decorations. :confused: If 98% of the community wants the town hall to be painted red, but 2% want it blue, what color do you think we should paint the town hall?

 

Along the same lines, there are thousands of jewish communities, amish communities, indian reservations, etc, etc. I'd expect them to display items specific to their likings within their own communities.

 

I moved into a new town a few months ago, and I'm happy to report we have lighted trees, reign deer, and even mr and mrs clause all on public property. :tu The kids also dressed up for halloween in school, something many places are no longer allowing.

[Dave C]

I understand were you're coming from, but I completely disagree with you.

 

 

Just to clarify, I was explaining how other people feel about the matter and that I respect how they feel. Personally, I agree with you.

[Cyberwoo]

Why even celebrate something publicly if we cannot properly display/communicate what is being celebrated? Easter? Oh that is about hiding eggs and a giant happy bunny! Christmas? Oh that is about a big fat guy dressed in red who rides a sleigh ,which is propelled by flying reigndeer, which stops at each persons house and the fat guy comes down the chimney and brings presents. Whatever. As a society we make a mockery of these holidays by misrepresenting what they are. It amazes me that someone could think there is a push of christian morals in this country. If anything the opposite is true. All you have to do is turn on the tv to notice that. IMO society has forgotten (or ignored) what this country was founded on. We are a very greedy and selfish society and it is no wonder the rest of the world hates us.

 

Anyway Merry Christmas and God bless. If anyone is offended by those words feel free to ban me.

[General Zot]

I don't want to go too far down this road' date=' but the two shouldn't ever be connected. In our democracy, we are supposed to be free to believe what we wish, but it seems as though things of late are geared towards the pushing of Christian morals and ideals onto everyone.

 

Glen[/quote']

 

 

This is my point though. Either you believe that democracy is sacred and the two must be separated at all costs, or you believe that people's eternal souls are at stake and therefore the government must push religion on all. There isn't really a middle ground there, as a culture we have to definitively decide on which is the value we hold highest - a true democracy, or a theocratic republic.

 

After that decision is made I think the whole Christmas War debate would subside. Kind of like the guy on your block that likes to hang a Confederate flag in his yard for kicks - without an active confederacy to threaten the peace who really cares?

 

You and I are on the same page Glen, democracy is the way to go. But there are A LOT of people that believe a theocracy is mandated by heaven and they will fight tooth and nail for it. Whatever happens, this debate needs to be public and needs to be thrashed out in the halls of Congress soon. If nothing else, so that the rest of us can have fair warning and leave

[PoisonJam]

You celebrated it in a public school setting?

 

Sorry, I should have clarified, but yes. White Plains (NY) public schools are where I learned how to make dreidels (again, spelling, doh!), we learned about lighting the menorah, we learned stories about an oil lamp that didn't run out (obviously it was a long time ago but I remember the gist), we sang songs about Hannukah, we even put on school plays celebrating the stories of both Christmas and Hannukah.

 

Now this was 25 years ago or so and I doubt the schools are still doing the same thing but the point is we learned and celebrated the holidays of both faiths, and the thought of being offended by it never even occured to me. We also had a kid from Hungary in our class and he got up and told us stories of the holidays that he celebrated (which I can't remember now, unfortunately), and I don't remember him getting upset by "Merry Christmas" greetings.

 

People just look for reasons to get offended now, I think.