Menino To Light Menorah Today at The State House,, I wonder If Prof. Goldberg Will Object Options

[TOPPER]

Isn't having a bunch of pols lighting a huge menorah situated on public property, the State House, a little "insenstitive" to Catholics etc.? Where is the outrage here?

[Adog]

Isn't having a bunch of pols lighting a huge menorah situated on public property, the State House, a little "insenstitive" to Catholics etc.? Where is the outrage here?

Topper, do you think that Menino can pronounce "Menorah"?

[anotherformerguest]

Isn't having a bunch of pols lighting a huge menorah situated on public property, the State House, a little "insenstitive" to Catholics etc.? Where is the outrage here?

Are jews also on your list with the coloreds?

[TOPPER]

Are jews also on your list with the coloreds?

Sorry you're too stupid to appreciate the legitimate Constitutional/hypocrisy issue here.

[Mike Qube]

Topper, do you think that Menino can pronounce "Menorah"?

mememrah.

[TOPPER]

Topper, do you think that Menino can pronounce "Menorah"?

Got Dropkick Murphy on a traila.

[sixpinelbow]

I will pay good money to hear Menino say the words "menorah" and "Hannukah" in the same sentence.

[Rev. Brixx]

this thread may have legs!

[TOPPER]

this thread may have legs!

Hope so, bra! The State House should be a Shylock free zone, bra!

[Rev. Brixx]

Hope so, bra! The State House should be a Shylock free zone, bra!

Exactly, bra! Let them try n weasle their way into the FEDERAL RESERVE!

[RJC]

Meanwhile just down the hill is the 'Holiday Tree' in the Commons because they were too afraid to call it a Christmas tree.

I say either be 100% PC or 0%.

[me_]

Isn't having a bunch of pols lighting a huge menorah situated on public property, the State House, a little "insenstitive" to Catholics etc.? Where is the outrage here?

doesn't menino light the christmas tree every year?

[TOPPER]

doesn't menino light the christmas tree every year?

Correction Holiday Tree. Ya know what's really funny, when shit-stirring Jews and ACLU types pounce on the whole Christmas Tree thing as somehow representing some heavy religious theme, when in reality, there's almost no religious value to a tree. When you think of a Christmas tree, do you all of a sudden have this messianic vision of Jesus on the cross, or do you remember the times when you were little and got cool presents and played with your cousins? On the other hand, there's nothing subtle about a menorah: It's all Jew all the time.

[John D]

Will the ceremony be shown on the Jumbletrom?

[Kennedy]

"Holiday Candelabrum"!






Who knew?

[sixpinelbow]

TOPs, I'm with you 99% of the way on this, but a Christmas Tree ultimately is a religious symbol, even if it is indirect. What's traditionally found on top? An angel or a star (like the one in the book). True, it's not as heavily handed religious symbol as a menorah, but in the end people put it up to coincide with the Christian holiday of Christmas. It's not like people are milling about on the 27th looking for a good deal on a 7 footer with needles that aren't too dry...

[TOPPER]

TOPs, I'm with you 99% of the way on this, but a Christmas Tree ultimately is a religious symbol, even if it is indirect. What's traditionally found on top? An angel or a star (like the one in the book). True, it's not as heavily handed religious symbol as a menorah, but in the end people put it up to coincide with the Christian holiday of Christmas. It's not like people are milling about on the 27th looking for a good deal on a 7 footer with needles that aren't too dry...

True, but my point here is that we all need to lighten up a little about this shit. Personally, I don't give a shit If Menino wants to light a menorah. I'm not afraid that he's now gonna start pushing Judaism on everyone. The point of The Establishment Clause is to preclude the imposition of a state religion, not to take the joy out of what's largely become a mostly secular holiday. Also, I get pissed when Jews get thert menorahs, and their Holocaust memorials, and then they have the balls to bitch about a stupid tree. It's really foolish and petty.

[sixpinelbow]

True, but my point here is that we all need to lighten up a little about this shit. Personally, I don't give a shit If Menino wants to light a menorah. I'm not afraid that he's now gonna start pushing Judaism on everyone. The point of The Establishment Clause is to preclude the imposition of a state religion, not to take the joy out of what's largely become a mostly secular holiday. Also, I get pissed when Jews get thert menorahs, and their Holocaust memorials, and then they have the balls to bitch about a stupid tree. It's really foolish and petty.

<high five>

[me_]

the way Hanukah was explained to me, by my former (Jewish) in-laws is that it is NOT a holy day. No holy observance is made. It is to commemorate what was viewed as a miracle, the oil lasting long enough to produce more oil, after taking back the temple. Also, it needs to be said, all Christians are just as much entitled to celebrate Hanukah, as the miracle in question is found in the Old Testament portion of our bible, the five books (?) that is the Hebrew Bible (Torah). Just like Passover. It is technically a Jewish celebrated thing, BUT, it's also actually a part of Christian history. My ex-father in-law was shocked that I knew what Passover was. I was like, uh, hey, it's in my bible too. The CHRISTMAS tree is there to celebrate the day that CHRIST was born. Now, if we look at this as we are celebrating some dude's birthday by putting up a tree and giving gifts, fine. But, Jesus Christ is celebrated on his birthday because Christians believe he is the lord and savior. If you don't believe he is lord and savior, why celebrate the day of his birth? In fact, you can't celebrate it and be right with most non-christian religions. However, what is the harm in embracing diversity and looking on quietly as others share their traditions and holidays? Tolerance means tolerating that we don't necessarily believe in or embrace, does it not? It doesn't mean forcing people to put their beliefs and celebrations in the closet. Or something.

[John D]

True, but my point here is that we all need to lighten up a little about this shit.

Couldn't agree more.

Quick story. My nephew sings in the high school a capella chorus and they did a short holiday program (mostly traditional Christmas songs) this past weekend at a local candy store. A bunch of my family attended, and part of the thrill for the little ones was that they got to pick out some Christmas candy. After perusing all the chocolate Santas, angels, snowmen, etc., my 6-year old niece's choice? A blue and white Hannukah lollipop. She just liked the colors. Loved it.

[me_]

true story - my little town had a CHRISTMAS parade this weekend. there was a float of little angels and one with Santa shouting HO-HO-HO and people on every float saying "Merry Christmas" and as far as I know, no plans for a Holiday/Hanukah/Kwanzaa parade in site. Of course, if someone wanted to pull something together they wouldn't be denied a permit, but there you have it.

[Orbitron]

I think they should put a menorah and a xmas tree up, and I dunno, a statue of Allah too. (Of course the muslems will get their knickers in a twist because you're not supposed to show any representation of Allah. They should do something about this, I think their lack of happy icons is part of what makes them so cranky. Really they need something festive, a star, something!)

I'm tired of the non-religious or other-religious acting like it's a affront to their existence to see a xmas tree. I can see a menorah without feeling like I have to claw my eyes out. I don't care that it's taxpayer money (it's not even taxpayer money in most cases anymore, it it?). It's festive. It adds to the quality of my life to have various signs of religious festivals around. Fuckers have sucked all the fun out of xmas and made it just an orgy of consumerism.

/rant

[me_]

I think they should put a menorah and a xmas tree up, and I dunno, a statue of Allah too. (Of course the muslems will get their knickers in a twist because you're not supposed to show any representation of Allah. They should do something about this, I think their lack of happy icons is part of what makes them so cranky. Really they need something festive, a star, something!)

I'm tired of the non-religious or other-religious acting like it's a affront to their existence to see a xmas tree. I can see a menorah without feeling like I have to claw my eyes out. I don't care that it's taxpayer money (it's not even taxpayer money in most cases anymore, it it?). It's festive. It adds to the quality of my life to have various signs of religious festivals around. Fuckers have sucked all the fun out of xmas and made it just an orgy of consumerism.

/rant

this morning I switched to Oldies 103 and Little Drummer Boy was on. It made me feel all happy and like when I was a kid. Something is going right for me this Christmas, the magic is back.

[John D]

On the rotary in our town center we have white lights on the trees, a Christmas tree and a Menorah that is lit appropriately throughout the Jewish holiday. I think it's cool.

[me_]

I'm a believer in the whole idea of greater knowledge creating harmony amongst the religions. Put up the tree, the menorah, the broom (that's the Kwanzaa symbol, isn't it? jumping over the broom or something?) encourage people to investigate what it all means.