Wisconsin Capitol Building's "Holiday Tree"

[skylark]

Slight hijack...

This thread reminds me of a clip of the new Huckabee holiday ad. Has anyone seen it aired? It features a bookcase that looks like a cross in the background (Huckabee says it was a coincidence) and Huckabee talking about the birth of christ, then wishing everyone a merry christmas. Huckabee was on the Today show and basically said people are too sensitive if they find the commercial offensive. Maybe he doesn't care about the Jewish voters out there?

Other politicians have holiday ads, like Obama. I'm pretty sure, though, that he says something like "happy holidays" if I remember the clip correctly.

I guess I would just hope that even though a majority of americans celebrate christmas, we know enough about the potential tyranny of majoritarian rule to acknowledge and respect the faiths of minorities as well, rather than telling them "suck it up -- you live in MY country and so you have to stand back and watch the government honor MY religion's holiday and don't even think about forcing me to acknowledge your inferior beliefs." That's at least the attitude I interpret from many "merry christmas" emphasizers these days.

[Thetagirl218]

Originally Posted by skylark

Slight hijack...

This thread reminds me of a clip of the new Huckabee holiday ad. Has anyone seen it aired? It features a bookcase that looks like a cross in the background (Huckabee says it was a coincidence) and Huckabee talking about the birth of christ, then wishing everyone a merry christmas. Huckabee was on the Today show and basically said people are too sensitive if they find the commercial offensive. Maybe he doesn't care about the Jewish voters out there?

Other politicians have holiday ads, like Obama. I'm pretty sure, though, that he says something like "happy holidays" if I remember the clip correctly.

I guess I would just hope that even though a majority of americans celebrate christmas, we know enough about the potential tyranny of majoritarian rule to acknowledge and respect the faiths of minorities as well, rather than telling them "suck it up -- you live in MY country and so you have to stand back and watch the government honor MY religion's holiday and don't even think about forcing me to acknowledge your inferior beliefs." That's at least the attitude I interpret from many "merry christmas" emphasizers these days.

Ok, I have to touch on this....

I have to admit I was little shocked at the Huckabee ad, but then think who is voter base is? Christians. In fact that is one of the main reasons he has jumped in the polls. One of the points he runs on is his religious roots, he was a Baptist preacher before he entered politics!

I liked the ad, and I thought it was funny everybody copied after him....

I have many friends who are Jewish, and they don't know mind if someone tells them Merry Christmas, they just wish Happy Hannukah was addded occasionally...

[Marie]

I've never understood why Christians fight so hard for the Christmas Tree, in particular, when it is not really a Christian symbol.

Anyway, I'm in agreement with whomever said 'why does the tree need a name anyway?' Is there a sign up that says Christmas/Holiday Tree?

[skylark]

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218

I have to admit I was little shocked at the Huckabee ad, but then think who is voter base is? Christians. In fact that is one of the main reasons he has jumped in the polls. One of the points he runs on is his religious roots, he was a Baptist preacher before he entered politics!

I liked the ad, and I thought it was funny everybody copied after him....

I have many friends who are Jewish, and they don't know mind if someone tells them Merry Christmas, they just wish Happy Hannukah was addded occasionally...

Totally agree -- the Christian base is exactly why he is doing it. I'm sure he doesn't care that he alienated other religions. He probably figures he won't get their vote anyway.

I guess that I am just a little put off when any politician panders to a specific religion. I think it minimizes the less religiously-charged issues like the environment and poverty to issues like abortion and gay marriage. I'd like to see some other issues discussed this year... I think whatever your position is on these issues, we could stand for taking some time off from issues that the government is never going to solve anyway.