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GOV. OTTER RESISTS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, CALLS IT A CHRISTMAS TREE

Posted on: December 04, 2007

By Bryan Fischer, Executive Director Idaho Values Alliance

GOV. OTTER RESISTS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, CALLS IT A CHRISTMAS TREE

Arizona’s governor decided to call the state’s annual tree a “Holiday Tree” this year. When asked what “holiday” the tree symbolizes, the governor fumbled around saying, “I think we’re celebrating a number of holidays,” before lamely admitting that only one religion – Christianity – has a holiday associated with a tree.

Besides which, “holiday” means “holy day,” meaning this euphemism hardly gets around the mythical separation of church and state barrier anyway.

Finally, Gov. Napolitano threw up her hands and said, “You can call it whatever you want.” Arizona’s Secretary of State was amused. “It’s a Christmas tree,” she said. “Who are you trying to kid?”

(Missouri State took down its Christmas tree after receiving a single complaint, but quickly reversed course and put it back up the next day, although officials promised it would not have any “religious symbols” on it.)

Fortunately, Idaho’s chief executive officer has more common sense and more respect for America’s traditions than Arizona’s governor.

Idaho’s state tree, which will be lit officially tomorrow night, is being called a “Christmas” tree by Gov. Butch Otter.

In fact, the word “Christmas” appears six times in the governor’s press release on the subject.

The Idaho National Guard’s 25th Army Band and the Children’s Choir from Meridian’s Cecil D. Andrus Elementary School will perform at the lighting of the state’s Christmas tree, and Albertson’s is donating cookies and apple cider while Starbuck’s is donating coffee and hot chocolate for refreshments.

Due to renovation work on the Statehouse, this year’s tree is, for the first time, a live tree, and is at the intersection of Capital and Bannock streets in downtown Boise. The tree-lighting ceremony itself is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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