Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Governor Who Stole Christmas: Beshear Administration to put up "Holiday Tree"

Judging from a politically correct announcement today from the Beshear administration, the heart of the Beshear administration is about two sizes too small.

The Kentucky Finance Cabinet tells people in an announcement today that it wants Kentuckians, in the words of Charlie Brown's sister Sally, to "just send money" for the state's "Holiday Tree."

"The Commonwealth of Kentucky," says the release, "is looking for a property owner who is willing to donate a tree that will stand in front of the State Capitol as the Commonwealth Holiday tree."

Holiday Tree? One wonders about the blockhead who came up with this idea. Surely no one in the administration really wants to prevent Christmas from coming.

"The individual or family that donates the tree will be recognized at the tree lighting ceremony held at the Capitol."

Surely there is a Scrooge out there somewhere willing to donate a tree, particularly if it is in the cause of redefining the holiday to remove itsChristian origin.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://kpac2.blogspot.com/2009/10/naming-rights-for-evergreen-donation.html

An interesting take on the topic, and not a bad idea.

Art said...

So, exactly (day, month and year) when was Jesus born?

Martin Cothran said...

No one knows for sure. Your point?

Lee said...

Obviously, the point is that Jesus didn't have a birthday. Right?

Art said...

Um, no, Lee.

But if Dec. 25 isn't Jesus' birthday, then why call it Christmas? What's that all about, anyway? How do I explain this little white lie to my kids?

Martin Cothran said...

Art,

That assumes Christmas is "Jesus' Birthday," which it isn't. But I see you have bought into a common historical oversimplification. Congratulations.

Christmas is the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, a feast day in the Liturgical Calendar. It has nothing to do, calendarwise, with the actual birth date of Christ.

Art said...

So Christmas is a Catholic holiday? Durn - what about the Protestants?

Was the date chosen for some deep theological reason? Some actual connection with something of religious or historical significance? Or was it just a roll of the dice?

Martin Cothran said...

Art,

I see you are still struggling with the concept of Christmas, as well as a few other things. You are apparently also under the impression that liturgy is unique to Catholics. I suggest you visit an Episcopal, Lutheran, or Methodist church some time--or Eastern Orthodox. Or you could simply visit any protestant church on Christmas or Easter.

The date has primarily to do with the fact that Saturnalia and the Yule celebrations where held on or near that date, and the Church took over the pagan holidays.

But you still don't seem to have come to your point. Which is?

Also (and I'm almost afraid to ask this question), do your children believe in Santa Claus?

Art said...

So, Martin, you're ticked off at our guv because he isn't properly correcting a long-running error perpetrated by our churches? Maybe you could step up and help him give the winter holiday a truly accurate and honest name.

Martin Cothran said...

Art,

Sounds like a great idea. And can I look forward to you (being a science guy and all) trying to implement alchemy in all the chemistry classes out your way, since chemistry's historical origins are in alchemy?

It's hard trying to implement the genetic fallacy consistently, isn't it?

Art said...

You are apparently also under the impression that liturgy is unique to Catholics. I suggest you visit an Episcopal, Lutheran, or Methodist church some time--or Eastern Orthodox. Or you could simply visit any protestant church on Christmas or Easter.

So, Protestant denominations co-opted the pagan celebration of the winter solstice independently of the Catholic Church? That would be sort of like convergent evolution.

Why not strive for accuracy? As I recall, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem for something to do with taxes. Wouldn't it be a bit more historically accurate if Christmas was celebrated on April 15? For the secular amongst us, we could wrap it up with a bigger and better celebration of Patriot's Day (a holiday long under-appreciated in this country).

Give the pagans back their holiday and symbols (such as those fire-hazards that we put up in our houses, or the bizarre plastic apparitions that have come to replace them).

Martin Cothran said...

We loooooove that genetic fallacy, yes we do. Just can't figure out why we don't apply it in our own back yard. Bring back alchemy!