Seattle airport removes Christmas Trees to avoid lawsuit...

[CountryWolf07]

Ok I wasn't sure where to post this.. but I thought. "Hmmm.."


"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.

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."

Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, who made his request weeks ago, said he was appalled by the decision. He 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.

"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.

Hanukkah begins this Friday at sundown.

"They've darkened the hall instead of turning the lights up," said his lawyer, Harvey Grad. "There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."

[RedHedd]

AGH. Sad isn't it? These people really DO need to get lives! As was explained on my talk radio show this weekend, the Trees are a non-denominational symbol of the season of giving. It's a sad state of affairs when we have become so fear driven of offending anyone that we have to take such extreme measures. I guess they're going to "politically correct" all the joy out of the season. Bah humbug! May they all get lumps of coal in their stockings - if they deign to even hang such offensive items of festivity in their homes!

[RICHARD]

I saw this rabbi on the news this morning and he wants the trees back up...
he used the "S" word...

Instead of the Jewish community being portrayed as a "grinch" why not lay the blame on an over zealous rabbi?

[lizbud]

Ok I wasn't sure where to post this.. but I thought. "Hmmm.."


"There is a concern here that the Jewish community will be portrayed as the Grinch."

This man should have thought about that before he ever opened his
mouth in the first place. Bah, Humbug.

[lizbud]

Richard, What's the S word?

[Cookiebaker]

I can't even begin to express how sad I am about how Christmas has become so POLITICALLY charged. A guy at our Church handed out Christmas cards to his co-workers, and one put up this huge fuss (making a scene and everything) and insisted that he take it back.

For myself, I am stable enough in my beliefs that it does not offend me if somebody wants to hand me something that is outside of my beliefs. And I can't fathom others who want to just be a constant downpour on other's traditions and beliefs.

I just don't get it.

[ramanth]

Agreed the rabbi should of kept his mouth shut. Trees and wreaths are ambiguous to the season. Now had their been a nativity scene at the airport but they refused a menorah, that'd be a whole other can of worms.


Anna, that's just insane!! I feel bad for the guy you know.

[CathyBogart]

Bah, the tree is a pagan symbol anyways.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

This reminds me of a story one of my former professors told me. My professor was a school librarian for a long time, and one of the students in the school actually cut down a tree from her house to bring into the school library.

Well, the principal told her that they couldn't have a Christmas tree...some people might get upset. So, instead she decorated it differently and made it a "winter tree." How could she really get rid of it when a kid had cut it down and brought it in for her?

The Seattle airport should just put up a sign that says "Happy Holidays tree" or something. Of course, then some people would get upset because it doesn't say anything about Christmas (there are actually people boycotting stores that use the slogan "happy holidays")....it's all a bit ridiculous.

[elizabethann]

We actually had this issue at work. We put up a Xmas Tree for years and then we added a menorah for all our Jewish co-workers. They complained that they felt left out...so we purchased a menorah and they would light a bulb each day.

But now we just don't put anything up....don't know why really. I think the tree got to be too much work. The menorah was easy...just plug in a light.

[Luvin Labs]

Bah, the tree is a pagan symbol anyways.

Yup it is

The rabbi didn't want the tree taken down... he wanted a menorah (sp?) put up beside it. I have no problem with that.

The Seattle airport should just put up a sign that says "Happy Holidays tree" or something. Of course, then some people would get upset because it doesn't say anything about Christmas (there are actually people boycotting stores that use the slogan "happy holidays")....it's all a bit ridiculous.

they should just call it a holiday tree and be done with it. Those who are boycotting stores because they say "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas" really need to look at the history of the real reason for the season, considering its really a pagan holiday celebrating the solstice and a lot of traditions christians are calling theirs are actually pagan (carols, gift exchange, tree, yule log, etc). that or they refuse to admit the facts.

to me its a time for giving, a time for family, and especially for kids. no matter what my beliefs are. i've got a christmas/holiday/winter tree up, decorations, etc.

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays

(sorry for the babbling)

[RICHARD]

Richard, What's the S word?

IT's code for "Contacted A Legal Professional to Make Me Famous/Money".

[JenBKR]

oh geez.......PC is going just a bit too far.......

[wolflady]

....it's all a bit ridiculous.

Isn't it? I just find it sad that everything has to be so bloody PC these days. Personally, I feel like I can't express my freedom of speech when there's the possibility of offending someone and getting sued. It's all too rediculous.

Do you know how hard it was for me to find "holiday cards" for my company? We have so many restrictions because we can't offend anyone, so I had to be as bland as possible. To me, that's not the meaning of this holiday...


I don't get offended if I see other religions depicted, or if someone gives me a greeting card for one of their religious holidays. In fact, I feel honored that someone felt like including me for their special occasion. I have many Indian friends, and I get wishes for Diwali, Pongal, Holi and other holidays, and I think it's great!
Trees have always been put up during the holiday season in stores, companies, airports etc. It's one of the many reasons why I love the holidays...because the trees, the lights and the festive mood is lovely, until the big PC brother raises his ugly head.

It only takes one person to ruin it for many...

[Husky_mom]

I respect as I want to be respected.......If someone said Merry Christmas and I were offended, they would be too if I said Happy Hannukah......but I think a better world is one to bend the rules a little and have more consideration to some other people´s beliefs, I particularly celebrate Christmas, but I would have no problem calling my tree a winter tree or adding a jewish celebration item to my decor......

And as for Happy Holidays I tend to use that as for ALL the holiday season.....so I see no wrong in that......Merry Christmas for THE day, and Happy Holidays for the rest of the season...........I don´t get why people are so.............(fill in word here).......

For myself, I am stable enough in my beliefs that it does not offend me if somebody wants to hand me something that is outside of my beliefs.

Now had their been a nativity scene at the airport but they refused a menorah, that'd be a whole other can of worms.

exactly!!

after all the season is to be happy, in peace and full of joy......why do they want to change that??

I feel sorry about jews being brought into the stage with this rabbi statements.......I´m part jewish........