See other Religion Articles
Title: Rabbi appalled by airport's removal of Christmas trees
Source:
www.king5.com
URL Source: http://www.king5.com/localnews/stor ... ABairporttreesSW.1663eccf.html
Published: Dec 10, 2006
Author: www.king5.com
Post Date: 2006-12-10 22:04:55 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 2202
Comments: 138
Rabbi appalled by airport's removal of Christmas trees KING Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky SEATAC, Wash. - All nine Christmas trees have been removed from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport instead of adding a giant Jewish menorah to the holiday display as a rabbi had requested. Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, who made his request weeks ago, said he was appalled by the decision. "Everyone should have their spirit of the holiday. For many people the trees are the spirit of the holidays, and adding a menorah adds light to the season," said Bogomilsky, who works at Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish education foundation headquartered in Seattle's University District. After consulting with lawyers, port staff believed that adding the menorah would have required adding symbols for other religions and cultures in the Northwest. The holidays are the busiest season at the airport, Betancourt said, and staff didn't have time to play cultural anthropologists. Maintenance workers boxed up the trees during the graveyard shift early Saturday, when airport bosses believed few people would notice. "We decided to take the trees down because we didn't want to be exclusive," said airport spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt. "We're trying to be thoughtful and respectful, and will review policies after the first of the year." Bogomilsky had hired a lawyer and threatened to sue if the Port of Seattle didn't add the menorah next to the trees, which had been festooned with red ribbons and bows. Hanukkah begins this Friday at sundown. "They've darkened the hall instead of turning the lights up," said Bogomilsky's lawyer, Harvey Grad. "There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch." 03:53 PM PST on Sunday, December 10, 2006
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: All (#0)
(Edited)
BTW, the Nativity scene with the baby Jesus is a religious display. comparable to a giant menorah. Tannenbaum is an ancient european custom, not a religious symbol.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." This country is fucked with political correctness and multiculturalist "sensitivity." I am sick of it. We are no longer free. Can anyone recommend a state we could take over, start a new country and seceed? [Preferably someplace without LaRaza brownshirt mexinazis] Regardless of how "religious;y" correct Christmas is, it is a tradition long held by many cultures including ours. Those who attempt to rabidly destroy the entire tradition by removing Christmas trees are assholes.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell
Pagan, you mean.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Many old and even pagan traditions have been incorporated into local customs.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Personally, if this makes real Americans hate the Jews just a little bit more, I’m all for it!
Endless victim portrayals...
"It is the old practice of despots to use a part of the people to keep the rest in order; and those who have once got an ascendency and possessed themselves of all the resources of the nation, their revenues and offices, have immense means for retaining their advantages." Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 1798
Truth will out, you bastard.
"First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they fight you. Then you win." --Mahatma K. Gandhi
I don't mind Christmas Trees, in fact I rather like the pine smell. What I find almost hilarious is that the moronic public (Christians and Jews) actually thinks the trees are symbolic of something Christian, when in fact they are purely symbolic of paganism and grove worship similar to that conducted at Bohemian Grove. Ironically, the Muslims seem to be indifferent, not finding it necessary to file suits continually to tear down everyones simple minded pleasures associated with the pagan holidays.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined." Patrick Henry
Let's start with Texas. There's no place like home.
Give 'til it hurts. Gun Owners of America
There's no place like home. Amen ... it is happening in Texas. Austin's dissident community is growing exponentially, and much credit is due Alex Jones, John Stadtmiller, and those that have supported their efforts who will remain unnamed by me. Many of us on this board are Texans and even though we occasionally disagree on the minor issues, we are in general agreement that politics as usual violates our humanity. I heard a caller to AJ's program recommend calling for a citizen's convention. Not only do I think it's a good idea, I believe that if we fail to mobilize before martial law is imposed, our opportunity to do so will be marginalized.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined." Patrick Henry
un-pc bump
Antarctica. Seriously, it's off the beaten path, there's very few people there now and only hardasses need apply. Ideally, the location of a colony would be away from the established research bases, with land exposure (as opposed to strictly ice), good geothermal gradient, etc...
"pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels – bring home for Emma"
I wonder if the fundies who will be outraged by this are smart enough to realize that Israelis are Jews. Probably not. Looks like Israel learned the GOP lesson well. The more you back stab the fundies, and the harder you kick them in the teeth, the more thay will love you and robotically follow your instructions.
.
Something S&M about it all. Happy Holidays indeed.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Well that doesn't quite fit the MSM image of them does it?
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Another Free State for the Free State Project?
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Though I celebrate/observe Christmas I don't get too excited about this new found American dilemma about Christmas observances because I know Christmas was once banned by some of the pre Revolution colonies and it was not observed by the Federal govt until the early or mid 1800s. Another reason I don't pay any attention to this war on Christmas is because Protestants in America tend to be irrational nuts. Protestants go from having problems with Christmas observances (calling them Papist and pagan at times) to now demanding that Christmas get its proper due.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Do you have a link? I can't find this info anywhere.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." An Outlaw Christmas In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday. The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Oh for pity's sake. You're picking out something that Oliver Cromwell initiated as something to embrace!?! The Pilgrims (also gracing my family tree) were absolutely nutty about a few things. The Salem witch trials being among them. Now this Christmas nonsense. And that's not all, they were really strange about sex in general, wearing undergarments at all time. Do you suppose they knew what Gary Condit learned only centuries later? If that's all you've got, that's worse than nothing.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." "Who, me?" Nobody's buying that anymore Rebbe.
You can never tire of counting conflict diamonds.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
You think because it was not declared a federal holiday until 1870 that the birth of Christ was not celebrated until then? BTW, the shepherds on the hills indicates that Christ was born during the summer months (that's according to my 3rd grade Baptist Sunday School teacher).
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." un-pc bump Don't forget Three Kings Day.
You can never tire of counting conflict diamonds.
It was not a holiday until 1870 - the fact Congress did business on Christmas is proof that Christmas was not observed by the founding fathers in a manner you would find acceptable in this 'war on Christmas' hysteria mindset I imagine.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday? The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city's first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America. In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended - in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season. Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday. The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to "spoil" them. As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving. Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Why not?? We do not meed a "more perfect union" but one which respects, first of all, our natural rights. Washington tolerates as customary rule of the many by criminal factions run by and for a few. It may soon find that that it has alienated people of various States to the extent that they may demand freedom from its grip as these factions are proving to be imcompetent and unable to govern a nation. DC may one day wake up to general resistance because in many way it has already seceeded from us.
Give 'til it hurts. Gun Owners of America
The Protestant long removed from the original church tradition kind of forgot why things were done when they were done by the early church and why. Christmas is not a 'birthday' - ancient peoples had no clue what day they were born - Christmas was a day set aside to celebrate Christ's birth - it had no connection with his birth - i.e. he was not born on that day and that was not why the early church selected that day. Many theories exist as to why Dec 25 was picked. It was an available holiday they could pick to avoid and to convert pagan celebrations is one theory I hold to. Christmas is in the language of the old church tradition a feast day.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
It was not declared a federal holday until 1870, that does not mean Christians did not celebrate Christmas before that.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Christ's Mass. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. King William I of England was crowned on Christmas Day 1066.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." I think it's a great idea.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Excuse me - get back on track. The whole point of this conversation is the public celebration/observance of the holiday is in not?
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
Iceland?
Christmas celebrates the birth of the "King of the Jews." What's this guy's problem? Doesn't anyone read scripture? (I know, I know, that's not popular to say.)
People are the public. Federally declared holidays follow the public observance. Get real. Read the history at the Wiki link. Americans before they were Americans celebrated Christmas. The original Grinch, Oliver Cromwell hated everything and everybody and of course Christmas. Maybe you like Cromwell, but no one else does.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Iceland's good.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." Then in America it was not publicly observed until 1870.
"The desire to rule is the mother of heresies." -- St. John Chrysostom
No, it's already its own nation, and it's close enough to the UK and US and strategic enough that there'd be a big armada there pounding the crap out of the folks declaring independance straight away. The place needs to seem to be a worthless pesthole, at least until the enterprising freedom lovers get enough numbers and prosperity going to be able to form a credible defense...
"pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels – bring home for Emma"
Then in America it was not publicly observed until 1870. No, the public observance preceded the federal declaration by several centuries.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." What you need is some bad PR for a great place. Or, we could find a way to give a great place a really bad reputation.
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer."
Comments (42 - 138) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#2. To: robin, lodwick (#0)
(Edited)
All nine Christmas trees have been removed from the Seattle- Tacoma International Airport instead of adding a giant Jewish menorah
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX
#3. To: robin (#1)
Tannenbaum is an ancient european custom, not a religious symbol.
#4. To: Destro (#3)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#5. To: robin (#0)
Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, who made his request weeks ago, said he was appalled by the decision.
#6. To: robin (#0)
"There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."
“Yes, but is this good for Jews?"
#7. To: karelian, robin (#5)
(Edited)
said Bogomilsky, who works at Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish education foundation headquartered in Seattle's University District.
Those Looney Lubes
#8. To: robin (#0)
"There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."
#9. To: robin (#4)
#10. To: IndieTX (#2)
Can anyone recommend a state we could take over, start a new country and seceed?
#11. To: randge, Indie Tx, All Texans (#10)
Let's start with Texas.
#12. To: IndieTX, Destro, robin, all (#2)
Please fast-forward me to 2 Jan 07...
-Thomas Paine
#13. To: IndieTX (#2)
Can anyone recommend a state we could take over, start a new country and seceed?
#14. To: robin (#0)
#15. To: ... (#14)
Looks like Israel learned the GOP lesson well. The more you back stab the fundies, and the harder you kick them in the teeth, the more thay will love you and robotically follow your instructions.
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#16. To: noone222 (#9)
Ironically, the Muslims seem to be indifferent, not finding it necessary to file suits continually to tear down everyones simple minded pleasures associated with the pagan holidays.
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#17. To: randge, IndieTX (#10)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#18. To: lodwick, IndieTX, robin, ferretmike, all (#12)
(Edited)
#19. To: Destro (#18)
I know Christmas was once banned by some of the pre Revolution colonies and it was not observed by the Federal govt until the early or mid 1800s.
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#20. To: robin (#19)
#21. To: Destro (#20)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#22. To: robin (#0)
"They've darkened the hall instead of turning the lights up," said Bogomilsky's lawyer, Harvey Grad. "There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."
#23. To: robin (#21)
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
#24. To: Destro (#23)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#25. To: lodwick (#12)
Please fast-forward me to 2 Jan 07...
#26. To: robin (#24)
You think because it was not declared a federal holiday until 1870 that the birth of Christ was not celebrated until then?
#27. To: robin (#21)
You think because it was not declared a federal holiday until 1870 that the birth of Christ was not celebrated until then?
#28. To: robin (#17)
(Edited)
#29. To: robin (#24)
BTW, the shepherds on the hills indicates that Christ was born during the summer months (that's according to my 3rd grade Baptist Sunday School teacher).
#30. To: Destro (#26)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#31. To: Destro (#29)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#32. To: randge (#28)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#33. To: robin (#30)
It was not declared a federal holday until 1870, that does not mean Christians did not celebrate Christmas before that.
#34. To: Axenolith (#13)
Ideally, the location of a colony would be away from the established research bases, with land exposure (as opposed to strictly ice), good geothermal gradient, etc...
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#35. To: Robin, Brian S, Christine, Honway, Aristeides, Diana, All (#0)
#36. To: Destro (#33)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#37. To: who knows what evil, Axenolith, Diana, randge (#34)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#38. To: robin (#36)
Federally declared holidays follow the public observance.
#39. To: who knows what evil (#34)
#40. To: Destro (#38)
Federally declared holidays follow the public observance.
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#41. To: Axenolith, randge (#39)
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
.
.
.