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November 29, 2012

Governor Gives Thirty Minute Notice For Tree Lighting

Monique Chartier

Yes, you read that correctly: thirty minutes. Governor Chafee deliberately excluded the people of Rhode Island from the lighting of THEIR tree (whether "Christmas" or "holiday") at THEIR State House.

Chafee's office announced at 11:31 a.m. on Thursday that the governor would host a lighting of the tree at noon. Typically, several days' notice is given for such events.

Chafee said before flipping the switch at the sparsely attended ceremony that he gave short notice this year because last year the event turned into a "disrespectful gathering."

The Governor chose to adhere to his characterization - "holiday" - of the State House tree again this year. By giving effectively no notice for the tree lighting, the Governor was attempting to minimize the consequences to himself of this inexplicable decision by putting the lighting ceremony behind him. "See? I held a tree lighting. Now let's move on." Regrettably, however, at noon today, he only succeeded in exacerbating and dragging out the situation.

Comments

Congratulations! You've successfully ended the tradition of singing Christmas carols as part of the holiday celebration (at least when a Republican is not in office). Well done... that is, if that's what you folks were hoping for.

Posted by: Russ at November 29, 2012 2:24 PM

Every time I read a Christmas/Holiday Tree story I lose brain cells. A fittingly stupid end to such a stupid issue.

Posted by: Dan at November 29, 2012 2:33 PM

Will Gov Gump be lighting the Menorah this year?...

Posted by: JTR at November 29, 2012 2:51 PM

I predicted to friends last night that he would pull some sort of scumbag move. Sure to please lowlife jerks like Russ Conway.

Posted by: Tommy Cranston at November 29, 2012 7:03 PM

Watching Lincoln Chafee and his loony leftie friends make international fools of themselves is an early yet oh so joyous Christmas gift for me and many other Rhode Islanders. Thank you Santa!

Russ thank God the tradition of singing Christmas carols, at an event sponsored by the Governor of the State of Rhode Island where the Christmas tree has been banned, has ended.
It should!
Thankfully our old tradition of singing Christmas carols around a Christmas tree in the Statehouse will begin anew in 2 years when a mature and levelheaded adult is elected Governor of the State of Rhode Island.

JTR of course Gov. Gump will light the Menorah. It's only secular symbols with the word "Christ" in them, i.e., the Christmas tree that offend Roger Willia....err Linc Chafee.
Statehouse celebrations featuring Jewish religious symbols such as the Menorah are fine.

Posted by: Linda at November 29, 2012 7:39 PM

I don't think any Jewish community leaders or organizations ever complained about a Christmas tree lighting.The fact that this idiot governor decided to show utter disrespect for Christmas,which is a national holiday and then he held a menorah lighting ceremony is a testament to his own lack of adult judgement and disregard for stirring up inter-religious tensions for no reason at all.It's not on the Jewish community but some people will use that as an excuse to vent biased emotions.Fact is,none of the major Jewish congregations even showed up last year-only a fringe Rabbi representing a small group of people.I personally don't follow Judaism but my family was Jewish and therefore I find myself drawn into such manufactured controversies against my wishes.Russ protests a little too loudly methinks.He seems to be a Chafee devotee.
Bottom Line:Our "governor"is a dunce and makes sure the whole world knows it.

Posted by: joe bernstein at November 30, 2012 10:55 AM

"disregard for stirring up inter-religious tensions for no reason at all."

Yes, regrettably correct.


"It's not on the Jewish community"

Nope, nothing to do with any particular religion and everything to do with a marked lack of consistency by one of the state's general officers.

Posted by: Monique at November 30, 2012 10:39 PM