The Governor of Kentucky has been apparently nicknamed "the governor that stole Christmas" due to his recent decision to call the annual Christmas tree that is put up downtown a "holiday" tree in respect to people who don't celebrate Christmas.

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Gov. Steve Beshear has angered some Christians with his yuletide terminology.
A giant evergreen that will brighten the Capitol lawn this winter won't be called a Christmas tree. Instead, the Beshear administration has dubbed it a "holiday tree."
The Rev. Jeff Fugate, pastor of Clays Mill Baptist Church in Lexington, said Christians find the change troubling.
"If you call it a holiday tree," Fugate asked, "which holiday are you talking about? We don't put up a holiday tree for Easter or New Year's or Thanksgiving. We put a tree up for Christmas."
Beshear administration spokeswoman Cindy Lanham said the tree will be in celebration of a variety of winter holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah.
"This is a special time of the year for many Kentuckians," she said.
The spat in Kentucky is only the latest in an ongoing Christmas debate. Some retailers, including Wal-Mart, have returned to greeting customers with "Merry Christmas" after coming under attack for directing employees to say "Happy Holidays."
In Kentucky, political foes are using the issue to bash the Democratic governor and his administration.
"Steve Beshear in his continued swing to the left shows that political correctness is more important than Kentucky values," said Republican Senate President David Williams of Burkesville. "It is difficult to see how anyone could take offense at the cherished tradition of Christmas at the Kentucky Capitol."
Beshear spokeswoman Jill Midkiff said the terminology is intended to be inclusive.

"Obviously, to Governor Beshear and the first lady, who are both Christians, it is certainly a Christmas tree," Midkiff said. "What is important is to remember what this time of year is all about — family and caring for those less fortunate."
Using the term "holiday tree" typically is intended to avoid offending people who are not Christian, said Paul Simmons, an ethics professor at the University of Louisville. And he said "holiday tree" is the more fitting description, considering the tradition started out among pagans and was later blended into the Christian celebration of Christmas.
"It really is a more generalizable symbol," Simmons said.
The Beshear administration sent out a public call on Monday for Kentuckians who think they might have the perfect "holiday tree" to consider donating it to the state. The solicitation called for a pyramid-shaped tree between 35 and 50 feet tall.
Sounds like a Christmas tree to Martin Cothran, spokesman for the Family Foundation of Kentucky.
"It's the administration that stole Christmas," Cothran said. "I think their heart is two sizes too small," he said, quoting a line from How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
Fugate said he believes the Beshear administration has caved to political pressure.
"What's bothersome about this is that it's not the majority opinion," Fugate said. "There is a groundswell of Americans who are fed up."

What do you think about his decision of a "holiday" tree? Are people overreacting? D&D.

We have aChanukahbush lol.

Quoting Emma♥Ethan:“ The Governor of Kentucky has been apparently nicknamed "the governor that stole Christmas" due to his ... [snip!] ... of Americans who are fed up." What do you think about his decision of a "holiday" tree? Are people overreacting? D&D.”

So what...Its fine to call it a Holiday tree. Im a Christian and I see no problem with it.

it seriously annoys me that people allow political correctness to interfere with how life is lived .... I call the so called holiday tree at city hall the christmas tree and anyone else who calls it otherwise gets promptly corrected lol ... city hall did not steal MY christmas  



but seriously that irritates me

it seriously annoys me that people allow political correctness to interfere with how life is lived .... I call the so called holiday tree at city hall the christmas tree and anyone else who calls it otherwise gets promptly corrected lol ... city hall did not steal MY christmas  



but seriously that irritates me

It doesnt really matter one way or another to me what others call it. Personally I call it a Christmas tree

I think that seeing as how he is talking about a tree that is going to be publically displayed on State property that people should understand that he is being "politically correct".

I could care less what anyone calls it, but politically he did the right thing.

Its the same as stores telling employees not to say "Merry Christmas" but to say "Happy Holidays" instead. Its all about the politics.

I'm kind of on the fence with this. I see both sides. If they decorate the tree to represent all winter holidays that would be cool but if they make it look like a Christmas tree they should just keep  calling it that. People take holidays way too seriosuly sometimes. Its supposed to be a time to celebrate, come together, and spend time with family. Not get mad because someone says "merry Christmas". No one ever says that to try to be rude. They are trying to be nice.

Pst...... I have Corzine. I'll trade.

Quoting Just Smiling to Smile.:“ I think that seeing as how he is talking about a tree that is going to be publically displayed on State ... [snip!] ... same as stores telling employees not to say "Merry Christmas" but to say "Happy Holidays" instead. Its all about the politics.”

 

He did the right thing. Our Mayor's "Christmas Tree" that goes up in Kansas City has been called a "Holiday Tree" for a few years now and I don't recall anyone pitching a fit about it.

Good grief.

Quoting Emma♥Ethan:“ The Governor of Kentucky has been apparently nicknamed "the governor that stole Christmas" due to his ... [snip!] ... of Americans who are fed up." What do you think about his decision of a "holiday" tree? Are people overreacting? D&D.”

I'm curious, (& this may come off racist but w/e) how many people who were born in the US and who's families are from the US celebrate a holiday other then Christmas?

Because here almost everyone celebrates Christmas, and the ones who don't are Jewish, and celebrate Hanuka. But I'm not saying Real Americans celebrate Christmas, I'm just curious, because I don't know of any Canadians who don't.

I'm just curious if this could be linked back to the debate about people leaving other countries, coming to the US & Canada and changing it. Such as the national anthem in schools, as one example.

Quoting sratrat:“ I'm kind of on the fence with this. I see both sides. If they decorate the tree to represent all winter ... [snip!] ... Not get mad because someone says "merry Christmas". No one ever says that to try to be rude. They are trying to be nice.”

I agree with you.

Everyone calls it a Christmas Tree at home   He didn't do anything but choose a side to pander to really..

Quoting Amanda & Princess[CLD]:“ I'm curious, (& this may come off racist but w/e) how many people who were born in the US and who's ... [snip!] ... leaving other countries, coming to the US & Canada and changing it. Such as the national anthem in schools, as one example.”

Re-reading that, it is really worded poorly. My question is, is there another form of Christmas that American's celebrate? Or is it just people who come from other countries?