About Contact Archives RSS Columns Photos

Christmas trees out, “Peace and Harmony” firs in

By Michelle Malkin  •  July 13, 2007 03:30 PM

Who says the War on Christmas isn’t real? You may recall last December that Sea-Tac airport removed Christmas trees after a local rabbi protested.

Well, a new committee has followed up with its recommendation on what the airport should do this coming year. And the verdict is…Christmas trees out, “Peace and Harmony” first in. No, this is not an item in The Onion. It is real, gentle readers. All-too-real. Via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer today:

Welcome to the port’s holiday forest.

There may be firs or hemlocks, spruces or pines at Sea-Tac Airport this holiday season, but there will not be a Christmas tree.

Not by definition, anyway.

Nor will menorahs or Buddhas be present.

So recommended the Port of Seattle’s Holiday Decorations Advisory Committee on Thursday.

“No specific religious symbols should be used,” recommended the committee, formed after the port was slammed internationally for yanking down — then reinstating — its airport’s nine Christmas trees last December.

In trying to craft holiday decorations that won’t offend or exclude anyone, the decorations committee — chaired by K + L Gates counsel Fredric Tausend — kept it neutral.

“The use of light and color is especially appropriate in Seattle due to our dark winter travel season,” the recommendation read. “The use of fabric, garlands, color and light in decorations or celebrations is common to cultures worldwide.”

…During the three meetings held by the committee, some members argued that fir trees might be OK, depending on how and if they are decorated.

Decorations should reflect the Pacific Northwest environment and our diverse community, and convey universal values, such as peace and harmony,” the two-paragraph recommendation read.

“Those values have roots in many religious faiths and cultures. Our goal is to create an inclusive and warm environment at the airport.”

Behold the impeccable logic of political correctness: We will be “inclusive” by excluding. We will create a “warm environment” by freezing out anything other than globalist, “universal” pabulum.

Bah-humbug!

Next steps? The Port of Seattle Commission will review the design plan that the Sea-Tac Airport staff creates. Weigh in and contact the commissioners here.

Posted in: Idiots

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. RazorPress » early jump this year
  2. Conservative Dialysis » Blog Archive » Political Correctness Run Amok in Seattle
  3. The American Pundit » Blog Archive » Christmas Peace and Harmony in July!
  4. California Conservative » Support Christmas — Sign The Petition
  5. War on Christmas heats up! | Help Save Christmas

Trackback URL

Comments

  1. #1
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pm, Sir Loin said:

    Why put ANY decorations up? Somebody somewhere will be offended no matter what, so they might as well just be Scrooges and not even acknowledge the holiday season. “Peace Tree” my arse.

  2. #2
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:38 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Piles of lettuce perhaps.
    Chertie will feel the Peace and Harmony of the Season if he visits Seattle.

  3. #3
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:45 pm, Joshua P. Allem said:

    My Uncle said it best when someone told him that the removal of Christmas Trees was to keep from offending anyone who didn’t believe in Christianity. He responded, “Well, you’re offending those that do!”

  4. #4
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:46 pm, Regulus said:

    Behold the impeccable logic of political correctness: We will be “inclusive” by excluding. We will create a “warm environment” by freezing out anything other than globalist, “universal” pabulum.

    You nailed it, Michelle. But “peace and harmony” have nothing to do with it; like most PC/multi-culti claptrap, the real statement is one of self-loathing and hatred; the proffered explanation is a dishonest reationalization meant to deflect attention from the true motivation.

    Liberalism is a mental disorder.

  5. #5
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:48 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    “Decorations should reflect the Pacific Northwest environment and our diverse community, and convey universal values, such as peace and harmony,”

    Happy diverse-universal-community-harmony day everyone!

    Q: How can it be diverse and universal all at the same time???

  6. #6
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:49 pm, shooter said:

    This is a type of Sharia in effect. Thanks Rabbi, you’ve helped the enemy.

    I will not visit Seattle ever again.
    Boycott Seattle & Wa. products.
    __________________
    Just curious, but don’t a majority of cut Christmas trees come from Washington State?

  7. #7
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:51 pm, shooter said:
  8. #8
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:53 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    We all send them a Christmas card!

  9. #9
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:54 pm, shooter said:

    BOYCOTT:
    SEATTLE AND PORTLAND
    WASHINGTON AND OREGON
    THE ENTIRE NORTHWEST!

  10. #10
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:54 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    We SHOULD all send them a Christmas card!

  11. #11
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:57 pm, Evenstar said:

    you know, at least they are finding an excuse to put up decorations. i agree that the politically correct nature of the “description” is rather stupid, however i would rather have generic fir trees, accompanied by linens and lights, than absolutely nothing. everyone just needs to keep saying “merry christmas” indiscriminantly to everyone and be cheerful. the spirit of christmas is in the people, not the decorations.

  12. #12
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm, josetheguerilla said:

    The same people that preach diversity, are the first ones to silence. This is Hugo Chavez crap. Next step out of the Hugo playbook: Control the media.

    check.

  13. #13
    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:59 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    I guess its better then the anti-America art displays at the Portland airport.

  14. #14
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:05 pm, walterc said:

    If these people are so offended by christian holidays celebrated by a nation founded on christian principles, why don’t they move to a non-christian country? I hear the christmas celebrations are pretty muted in Tehran. And if they are offended by muslim religious celebrations (such as the forced anorexic month of Ramadan), I don’t imagine there are many religious celebrations in North Korea (unless you count the parades for Our Dear Leader Kim Jong (mentalee) Il).

  15. #15
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:09 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    Decorations should reflect the Pacific Northwest environment and our diverse community

    Does that mean they will have an ornament of two guys humping each other? You know, for diversity’s sake!

  16. #16
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:09 pm, wherestherum said:

    I make it a point to say “Merry Christmas” during the holiday season, no matter what. Every thank you is followed by a Merry Christmas. Jeez, I celebrate the holiday so why I can’t I wish everyone else a happy Christmas? If they want to sue me, bring it on.

  17. #17
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:12 pm, englishqueen01 said:

    My Uncle said it best when someone told him that the removal of Christmas Trees was to keep from offending anyone who didn’t believe in Christianity. He responded, “Well, you’re offending those that do!”

    The common perception is either that Christians have been “offending” for so long they deserve it or that Christians cannot be offended because they’re not “diverse” enough.

    What a joke.

    As GK Chesterton says, “Tolerance is the virtue of a man with no convictions.”

  18. #18
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:13 pm, JohnM said:

    Heh, this is why I like Texas, despite the idiots taking Pesos. When people try this crap we walk up tell them they’re idiots and to leave the damn state. More often than not it even works. “Texas is too damn (Conservative) Republican,” they say as they leave. Merry Christmas to us.

  19. #19
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:22 pm, Just A Grunt said:

    Hari Krishna, Hari Krishna, ulu ulu ulu,
    Sorry lost my head when I saw the word airport.

  20. #20
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:28 pm, CC said:

    What utter cr*p. What unbelievable stupidity.

    Last year, I noticed more people than usual saying “Merry Christmas” because they resent these little socialist jerks forcing their views on us. I responded the same way every time, and we all knew what we were doing and what was going on.

  21. #21
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm, AlturaCt said:

    Piles of lettuce perhaps.

    LOL!

  22. #22
    On July 13th, 2007 at 4:47 pm, tony the tiger said:

    #15

    Does that mean they will have an ornament of two guys humping each other?

    OMG!
    So true…

  23. #23
    On July 13th, 2007 at 5:04 pm, 24Klady said:

    I’d walk from So. Padre to Juneau before I’d land at SEA-TAC again. Same goes for Portland, OR. Last Christmas both DFW and DEN were beautifully decorated. Noticed the retailers were all wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and meant it.

  24. #24
    On July 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm, Numenorean said:

    Hey — if the Muslims can have their footbaths, I want my Christmas tree!

    Good luck getting retailers to change the name of their best selling product to “peace and harmony firs!”

  25. #25
    On July 13th, 2007 at 5:16 pm, 24Klady said:

    Forgot to add on my #23 - DFW has a volunteer program of greeters for welcoming incoming soldiers during the holidays. It’s a wonderful thing to witness, with food/drinks and big cheers go up when they come in. Too bad other cities don’t have similar programs. Amazing how many fellow passengers get caught up in it also.

  26. #26
    On July 13th, 2007 at 5:39 pm, Chairman of the Board said:

    George Carlin had it right. Americans have run soft. You people in the PacNW need to TOUGHEN UP. SOrry if your feelings are hurt- this PC thing has been out of hand for years, ruining everyday life, and now its ruining a massive American holiday.

    People are just too soft.

  27. #27
    On July 13th, 2007 at 5:42 pm, gayle said:

    Maybe a tree with tacos for ornaments will suffice.

  28. #28
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:02 pm, aaron said:

    On July 13th, 2007 at 3:54 pm, shooter said:

    BOYCOTT:
    SEATTLE AND PORTLAND
    WASHINGTON AND OREGON
    THE ENTIRE NORTHWEST!

    Yes the Pac Norwest does a lot of stupid stuff, but this is just as bad. Boycott us and you hurt those of us who live and are trying to start businesses.

  29. #29
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:38 pm, radio relay said:

    What really torques my jaws about any of this politically correct B.S., is that if a thousand God Fearing Christians complain to these morons about being “offended” to the point of disgust, by the slap in the face to the Christian religion, the self righteous clowns on this sanctimonious committee will studiously ignore their complaints.!!

    The bastards could care less about our hurt feelings!!!!

  30. #30
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:44 pm, DesertLover said:

    Weyerhauser, Boeing, Microsoft and of course we can’t forget Starbucks

    Just thought I’d list a few of the companies you are wanting to boycott that are home-based in Seattle … lol …

    And I doubt that most of the Christmas Trees actually come from that area because all the Tree-Huggers won’t let you cut them down … they are looking forward to being able to have the next Tahoe fires there …

    Remember … when you see the abbreviation PC it actually means Pure Crap

  31. #31
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:44 pm, gippergirl said:

    Still waiting for the nutroots to say we can’t do Christmas trees b/c it’s bad for MotherEarth…God help us all…

  32. #32
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:47 pm, terrig said:

    Wow, I just don’t get it. But like Gippergirl I’m also waiting for the green militia to outlaw a real Christmas Tree.

  33. #33
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:51 pm, Al in St. Lou said:

    Last year, I was told that the “war on Christmas” was a Bill O’Reilly invention and that nobody was being prevented from celebrating Christmas. This was from a person who believes CBS and the NY Times are the sources of record. Scary!

    I just googled and Business Week, Media Matters, Think Progress, and a Fox News piece on the LA Times all popped* up with that same claptrap. (Clarification: Fox News was reporting that the LA Times reported that the war on Christmas was a Bill O’Reilly invention.)

    *I had to fix a typo. I’d originally typed that these sites “pooped up.” Freudian slip?

  34. #34
    On July 13th, 2007 at 6:54 pm, gippergirl said:

    speaking of starbucks…
    href=”http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55564″>

  35. #35
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:02 pm, gippergirl said:

    THAT didn’t link quite as expected…Starbucks has this “thought provoking quote from a customer” on it’s cup: “Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure”

  36. #36
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:02 pm, gippergirl said:

    Anyone care to answer the poor lost lamb’s answer?…

  37. #37
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:04 pm, DesertLover said:

    gippergirl

    Just cut and paste the portion of your link that is inside the ” ” into the address bar of your browser and it will still work …

  38. #38
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:27 pm, gippergirl said:

    thx!!!

  39. #39
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:39 pm, Al in St. Lou said:

    I think gippergirl wants to know what someone thinks of the inane question on the Starbucks’ cup. The link should show us the saying. The saying just demonstrates how little the moonbats understand the culture they live in.

    This is a test. I made this link using the link button above the input box.

  40. #40
    On July 13th, 2007 at 7:39 pm, Al in St. Lou said:

    Okay, so I was wrong :(

  41. #41
    On July 13th, 2007 at 8:37 pm, Dianeces said:

    So why have any trees at all. What is their purpose if they can’t be Christmas trees. What other religion or event takes place during that time using the tree as a symbol of said religion or event?

  42. #42
    On July 13th, 2007 at 8:58 pm, Bear said:

    Was not the original Christmas Tree a pagan symbol?

  43. #43
    On July 13th, 2007 at 9:19 pm, citizen said:

    Hey, wouldn’t it be great if SeaTac area drivers would put Merry Christmas and a creche and some tinsel on their cars and parade thru the departure and arrival concourses about once an hour for about ten days?

  44. #44
    On July 13th, 2007 at 10:15 pm, reine.de.tout said:

    On July 13th, 2007 at 9:19 pm, citizen said:
    Hey, wouldn’t it be great if SeaTac area drivers would put Merry Christmas and a creche and some tinsel on their cars and parade thru the departure and arrival concourses about once an hour for about ten days?

    Oh, yes, this is a great idea! Can’t you picture it if we got us a convoy . . .

    My Jewish friends and co-workers last year made a point of saying “Merry Christmas” to us Christians, all season long. God bless them, God bless us, and please God, help everyone else.

  45. #45
    On July 13th, 2007 at 10:55 pm, feralcat said:

    new committee - “and convey universal values, such as peace and harmony”

    Peace and harmony are not universal values.

  46. #46
    On July 13th, 2007 at 11:20 pm, marsouin said:

    The way we are going, other holidays will vanish as well. Eventually, flags will be banned on the 4th of July. Crazy? Who would have guessed that Christmas would be under such an assault 20 years ago?

  47. #47
    On July 13th, 2007 at 11:58 pm, olsantaroy said:

    Yes indeed, the Christmas tree was a pagan symbol, but olsantaroy will not be a “peace and harmony’ claus during the Christmas season.

  48. #48
    On July 14th, 2007 at 12:06 am, Lennie said:

    It’s shocking—and offensive, that in a free country that supposedly protects religious freedom, Christians are being disrespected and having our freedoms removed. It gets worse each year. Yet, no one is daring to assault the Jewish religion or the Buddhists, Scientologists, etc.

  49. #49
    On July 14th, 2007 at 2:46 am, feralcat said:

    “There is no surer sign of decay in a country than to see the rites of religion held in contempt.”

    - Niccolo Machiavelli.

  50. #50
    On July 14th, 2007 at 4:32 am, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:

    Hey Michelle, I once wrote a decent little poem about the state of secular affairs and Christmas celebration. I never took it anywhere. Shall I post it here?

  51. #51
    On July 14th, 2007 at 12:24 pm, greenfairie said:

    “Peace and harmony” like that Portland airport artwork, right?

  52. #52
    On July 14th, 2007 at 2:46 pm, Avi Green said:

    To Michelle and all,

    I am very surprised, though maybe I shouldn’t be, that you actually believe that the rabbi you speak of “protested” the Christmas trees at the Seattle airport. However, if you’d like to take a look at the following topic on my blog, you will see that it was nothing of the sort: all he wanted was that some menorahs be stood there along with them. When the airport balked and he told them that he’d sue if they refused to add some menorahs, they reacted absurdly by just taking out the trees instead of taking a couple of menorahs and adding them to the holiday display.

    Perhaps you’d like to make an update that tells everyone the story that conservatives this time may be guilty of overlooking? I admit, even I might’ve thought otherwise considering that this is Seattle we’re talking about, but as it turns out, the real story here is that the rabbi only asked for some menorahs to be put on display, and NOT that the Christmas trees be removed. Got it?

  53. #53
    On July 14th, 2007 at 10:32 pm, bird said:

    Hey — if the Muslims can have their footbaths, I want my Christmas tree!

    The thing with us Christians and/or Conservatives, is we are not “lawsuit happy” like Atheists/others/Liberals are.

    We go home and pray about things, we have quiet talks with one another, we write in blogs and read thoughtful replies about issues and concerns (and delete the garbage otherwise) (it’s almost always from Liberals deprocating a Conservative concern)…

    In this case, because the only threat of or actual lawsuits were from “offended” Liberals, they forced the removal and silencing of Christian and Christian-referencing symbols.

    BUT CHRISTMAS IS A CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY, centered around the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. So it’s not a general holiday as in a day off work or even a governmentally defined one as is Memorial Day and such, but a RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY.

    But because there are no lawsuits by most Christians, what happens is we don’t use the level of threat that Liberals do to silence Christian references.

    All it would take is massive lawsuits by Christians in the same behavior as, say, Muslims for the footbaths and daily five prayer times (and room to do all that at someone else’s expense and property), or, similar…

    This is both an insensitive and a stupid ban on mere words. Someone should have just told the complainers to get lost because their complaints are pitiful and equally stupid, If a person is so offended by a Christamas Tree and the holiday itself, let them look away or move away to wherever there are no Christians. Surprise, they’ll still find people wherever celebrating the Birth Of Christ as Christmas. It’s the nature of the complaint that is sick here, not the Holiday, nor the Trees, for Heaven’s sake.

  54. #54
    On July 14th, 2007 at 10:40 pm, bird said:

    Let’s see…Easter and Christmas, these are our Christian holidays every year that are widely enjoyed and celebrated (at least taken advantage of and no one minds) by most people the world over, and of course here in the U.S.A.

    It’s not like Christians and Christianity is knocking down doors and breaking windows and hauling people off to force them to “join Christianity” or destroying people or otherwise engaged in bad things. No, these are GOOD and beneficial holidays that most people enjoy and find entertaining, even when they are atheists and don’t care for the religiousity involved. And Christians aren’t bashing them about that, either.

    I don’t go around yelling at anyone who “observes the high holy days” or stores that sell chocolate wrapped as gold coins or gefelte fish and matzohs. I don’t scream at guys wearing Orthodox clothing in the East Coast, I don’t denigrate anyone for any religious purpose, nor get “offended” when people display reference to their religious holidays and beliefs.

    Thus, this effort to “silence” the mere MENTION of Christmas and to eradicate Christian symbols, including the most significant to Christians, the Christmas Tree and reference to Christ, these are untoward and inhumane (and undemocratic) insistences by others.

    I said “Merry Christmas” last year to all I encountered during the Holidays and EVERYone smiled and welcomed the greeting and eagerly responded in kind. NOT ONE PERSON was “offended” nor recoiled (maybe one fellow at a grocery store checkout but that was all).

    I really think something needs to be done to redirect these sort of solutions away from suppressing Christmas celebrations and symbols and toward solving the problem in he or she who complains about it. Because, otherwise, our world’s going to be a cold, dark, meaningless, dreary nothing right here in the U.S.A., all in the name of “diversity.”

  55. #55
    On July 15th, 2007 at 1:31 pm, JohntheChristian said:

    I just threw up a little in my mouth.

  56. #56
    On July 16th, 2007 at 12:12 am, ThackerAgency said:

    I can’t believe I missed this one when you posted it. Why is it that people are afraid of offending every culture but AMERICAN culture? Can we not at least agree that celebrating Christmas and Easter are parts of AMERICAN culture? People in America, visiting America, immigrating to America should expect to see something dealing with AMERICAN CULTURE!

    As far as offending religious sentiments, the Christmas tree is not in the Bible, and is not religious. If the name ‘Christmas’ offends and should not be spoken, then Washington State might need to read the first ammendment dealing with ‘free speech’ which protects even offensive speech.

    There is no wonder this area produced a ‘preacher’ who didn’t know that it is impossible to be both Christian and Muslim. They are completely ignorant of Christian AND American culture, and want everyone else to be ignorant too.

    UNBELIEVABLE - thank you for sharing.

  57. #57
    On July 16th, 2007 at 3:49 am, Mack08 said:

    Too bad the “Peace and Harmony” trees don’t get any Peace and/or Harmony when they are so mindlessly felled by (obviously) Neo-con-Christian chainsaws then tossed into the nearest rubbish pile instead of being sent to the nearest state-run tree rehabilitation center.

    Wait, these evergreen trees CONTRIBUTE to Mother Earth’s global warming? CUT THEM ALL DOWN NOW!!!! OUR MOTHER MUST BE SAVED!!!! AHHH!! THE TINFOIL IS HURTING!!!!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Stupid business model of the day

November 24, 2008 01:28 PM by Michelle Malkin

73 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

You can pay whatever you like.

Conspiracy theory vid of the day: Fear the low rainbows!

August 8, 2008 11:54 AM by see-dubya

75 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

“And now it’s happening now!”

Mother of the year award

August 1, 2008 01:43 PM by see-dubya

47 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Take your daughter to work day. Plus: cops rule chainsaw decapitation was “not suspicious”.

Leftist clergy want to perform same-sex marriages

July 21, 2008 08:32 AM by see-dubya

313 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Come down off the cross; we need the wood.

Daily Kos diarrhist urges you to pray for Michelle’s death

June 23, 2008 06:50 PM by see-dubya

114 Comments | 1 Trackback

Like school in July.

And now: Pump rage

June 11, 2008 10:37 AM by Michelle Malkin

71 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Calm down.

Obama The Lightworker

June 8, 2008 12:17 AM by see-dubya

103 Comments | 12 Trackbacks

Paradise Lost. UPDATED. (Um, the post is updated, not Paradise Lost.)

Illegal alien Hezbollah/CIA double agent sentenced

May 13, 2008 09:57 PM by see-dubya

26 Comments | 2 Trackbacks

Ow, my wrist!

The death of the grown-up, part 99,877

May 10, 2008 01:04 PM by Michelle Malkin

75 Comments | 5 Trackbacks

“Cuddle parties.”


Categories: Idiots


Belmont Club

» Good enough

Belmont Club

» Crusader Rabbit