11/18/2009 10:01:00 AM
Brewer tosses politically correct holiday terminology out the window: 'It's a Christmas tree,' says governor
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 | By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services |
PHOENIX -- The war by the governor's office against Christmas is over.
Christmas won.
And, for that matter, so did Chanukah.
For the first time in years, the state is going to have an official "Christmas tree' in the lobby of the executive tower.
There has, in fact, been an evergreen presence in the lobby annually.
But Janet Napolitano, who was governor through this past Christmas, repeatedly refused to link its presence there directly with the Dec. 25 holiday. She instead dubbed it the state's "Holiday Tree.'
What holiday did Napolitano believe the tree symbolizes?
"I think we're celebrating a number of holidays," Napolitano told Capitol Media Services when the subject came up two years ago. She conceded that only Christianity has a holiday associated with a tree.
And Napolitano refused to provide a name for the other display in the lobby: a candle-holder equipped to handle nine candles.
But Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday said she was having no part of those word games.
"We're going to have a Christmas tree in the Capitol,' said Brewer, whose duties include lighting the tree every year. "That's what it is.'
She said it is a celebration of Christmas. Anyway, Brewer continued, "that's what I have called it my whole life.'
Brewer also said she intends to call the display with the candles by the name it has in Judiasm: a menorah.
And what of political correctness?
"I think it's politically correct to call something what it is,' she said. "It's a Christmas tree. And it's a menorah.'
What it isn't, the governor said, is a "seasonal decoration.'
Napolitano's beliefs about trying not to offend began even before voters elected her governor in 2002.
When she was state attorney general, her office put out a memo listing "acceptable seasonal decorations' in common areas.
They included snowflakes, icicles, garlands, poinsettia plants and wrapped presents -- but not trees under which gifts could be placed. And Santa himself was persona non grata.
Napolitano said at that time the memo was crafted by a staffer, without her input, and appeared to be "overkill.' But she said some restrictions were appropriate for an office where people go to file discrimination complaints.
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Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
Joe P.
I want my Kwanza!
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Granny
May God Bless You, Gov, Brewer for having the "guts" to let us celebrate "Christmas" the way it should be in America.Janet left Arizona a mess and now she's in Washington. Does that tell us all a story? The best presents this year will be"striving to bring our great country back to what it used to be".
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
M Walker
Thank God some one is right on for once .Way to go
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Article comment by:
Good call by Gov.
Wow...Brewer has a backbone. I'm tired of all the tiptoeing around calling things what they are because we may offend someone. Get over it!
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Caroline Weimer
THANK YOU!!!!!! It is about time the majority of the people WIN! It SHOULD be called a Christmas Tree!!!!!
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Finally
Way to go Brewer. Thanks for having the guts to call something what it is.
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Chris C
Put Christ back in Christmas- join the movement and go to http://www.headingtoheaven.com/event.christmas.html
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