Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Philly Postpones Decision On "Christmas" Tree

Here's more from today's Philadelphia Daily News:

The city's official tree-lighting ceremony, originally scheduled for today, was postponed until tomorrow due to forecasts of heavy rain - giving city officials another 24 hours to decide whether to call it a "Christmas tree" or a "holiday tree."*
The City of Philadelphia and its Managing Director have gone and created an imbroglio where none really existed -- and where none needed to exist.
It all started when the Managing Director decided to rename the traditional European German Christmas Village near City Hall. The new name was to be "Holiday" Village. The word "Christmas" was removed from a large lighted arch over the Village. But then the Managing Director said he wasn't renaming the Village, he was just ordering the word "Christmas" removed. What?!?
Then, the entire arch (along with the word "Village") was removed.
Now, the City can't seem to decide what to call its own CHRISTMAS tree.
Philadelphia has its share of problems -- crime, poverty, corruption, a growing budget deficit -- and yet the Managing Director is occupying his time with this nonsense. And he's trying to justify all of this in the name of "inclusiveness." Forget all the other problems, we all need to sing Kumbaya, get ready for the Winter Solstice and be inclusive.
Hey, this isn't inclusiveness and it isn't about inclusiveness. And this isn't about  "tough decisions." This all smacks of cowardice and stupidity.
And from a public relations standpoint, it's a nightmare.
Plus, why is Mayor Michael Nutter so strangely silent on all this?

*For the record, the City still seems to be inclined to call the tree a "Holiday" tree. Outrageous!
Click here for more from the Philadelphia Daily News.

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