Perdue's office yanks 'holiday tree' announcement
The Associated Press
Published on: 12/02/05
When it comes to Christmas, political correctness apparently only lasts about a half-hour in Gov. Sonny Perdue's office.
A press release sent by Perdue's office to members of the media Friday afternoon announced plans for a "holiday tree" lighting ceremony at the governor's mansion.
Exactly 30 minutes later, a second release blamed the wording on "a politically correct staff brain-freeze."
"It is, in fact, a Christmas tree," said the second release. "The staffer responsible can be contacted at P.O. Box 432, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501."
This year, religious conservatives, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, have objected to the use of the term "holiday tree," saying it seeks to minimize the Christian origins of Christmas.
Falwell, founder of Liberty University and the defunct Moral Majority, has e-mailed 500,000 followers to urge support for the "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign" aimed at public officials, schools and retailers.
Spokesman Dan McLagan said there's no doubt where Perdue, a Republican, comes down on the issue.
"When the governor learns that one of my staffers even inadvertently used the words 'holiday tree,' I am probably going to be in trouble," said McLagan. "It does go to show the pervasiveness of the media influence that that word would even occur to someone to use in that context."
..........................................................
No Christmas
OK now I am pissed.
KOD
The Associated Press
Published on: 12/02/05
When it comes to Christmas, political correctness apparently only lasts about a half-hour in Gov. Sonny Perdue's office.
A press release sent by Perdue's office to members of the media Friday afternoon announced plans for a "holiday tree" lighting ceremony at the governor's mansion.
Exactly 30 minutes later, a second release blamed the wording on "a politically correct staff brain-freeze."
"It is, in fact, a Christmas tree," said the second release. "The staffer responsible can be contacted at P.O. Box 432, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501."
This year, religious conservatives, including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, have objected to the use of the term "holiday tree," saying it seeks to minimize the Christian origins of Christmas.
Falwell, founder of Liberty University and the defunct Moral Majority, has e-mailed 500,000 followers to urge support for the "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign" aimed at public officials, schools and retailers.
Spokesman Dan McLagan said there's no doubt where Perdue, a Republican, comes down on the issue.
"When the governor learns that one of my staffers even inadvertently used the words 'holiday tree,' I am probably going to be in trouble," said McLagan. "It does go to show the pervasiveness of the media influence that that word would even occur to someone to use in that context."
..........................................................
No Christmas
OK now I am pissed.
KOD
