Hear the audio version here (segments older than 3 weeks may be unavailable)

While Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin was shoving political correctness in his state down the sewer where it belongs and re-establishing the name "Christmas Tree" for the previously re-named "Holiday Tree" in the State Capitol, the liberal Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee was doing the exact opposite:

 

A Rhode Island lawmaker is calling Gov. Lincoln Chafee "Governor Grinch" after he defied lawmakers and decided that the state would have a "holiday tree" instead of a "Christmas tree."

 

The governor defended his decision by arguing that it is in keeping with the state's founding in 1636 by religious dissident Roger Williams as a haven for tolerance - where government and religion were kept separate.

One must wonder whether Captain PC Chafee even realizes that Roger Williams was a Baptist minister.  This is the quality of the liberal intellect today.  Of course, Chafee had his ready-made defense prepared for the conservative backlash:

Instead of arguing over the tree, the governor called on lawmakers to focus their energy on feeding the poor.

 

"I would encourage all those engaged in this discussion - whatever their opinion on the matter - to use their energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders," Chafee told the Associated Press.

This is such a crock, and the left tries to use it all the time.  It's a crock because I or any conservative could easily say that to any liberal like Chafee who takes the time to change the name to "Holiday Tree."  I could say to him, "Rather than spend your time bowing to political correctness and using your energy to change the name of the traditional Christmas tree to Holiday tree, why don't you concentrate on feeding the poor?"

But something like this is thrown out simply to try to make it look like defending the traditional recognition of the holiday known as Christmas is meaningless, frivolous, and a waste of time.  In actuality, it was a frivolous waste of time for Chafee to attempt to be PC.

Hats off to Rhode Island lawmaker Doreen Costa who has risen up to oppose Chafee's ridiculous behavior:

Rep. Doreen Costa, called the governor a "Grinch."

 

"He's just to the left as far as left as you can possibly be," the Republican lawmaker told Fox News & Commentary. "He tries to be politically correct 24-7."

 

Costa sponsored a resolution last January declaring the tree customarily erected in December be referred to as a "Christmas tree and not as a ?holiday tree' or other non-traditional terms."

 

"He is refusing to honor what's passed in the House of Representatives," she said. "That's more concerning than anything else."

Costa said the governor's rebuff has become her line in the sand.

 

"I'm sick of being politically correct," she said. "Nobody's been offended by calling a Christmas tree a Christmas tree. If we have a Menorah in the State House, what are we going to call it - a candle with sticks?"

 

So Costa has decided to erect her own Christmas tree - at the State House. And she plans on lighting it on Dec. 6 - the same day Chafee plans to host the official "holiday" tree lighting event.

 

"We're going to sing Christmas carols and drink hot chocolate," she said. "And I'm going to make a sign - Christmas tree lighting to the right and holiday tree to the left. We'll see who gets the crowd."

Here's to hoping that Doreen's get together is over-flowing with people and Governor Chafee's looks silly in comparison.  I'm all for shaming the man for his shameful pandering to the forces of political correctness.  But ultimately it doesn't matter whether her meeting has more or less people in attendance.

What matters is the continuing spread of this dreadful disease of liberal tolerance that suggests that if anyone is offended, they have a right to change the offending actions simply on the basis of their hurt feelings.  Of course, this applies to anyone except practicing Christians.  If they are offended by pathetic Governors trying to neuter the public recognition of a Christmas holiday celebrated by the vast majority of the population, they just need to get over it...and go feed the poor or something.

Odd that the impetus for "feeding the poor" comes from the very belief system that Chafee finds too offensive to be celebrated publicly.  As I said, pathetic.