A reader reports that many in Montville are upset about the continuing trend of using a generic "Happy Holidays" and official avoidance of using the word "Christmas". Has political correctness gone too far?
"More and more parents are becoming angry about the flyer sent to the schools. I don't have it yet, but section about the mennorah lighting is in bold while the holiday ligthing is in normal type. There is a mention of the Creche but not Nativity Scene which people think it should be referred to. I do not believe that Hanukkah is mentioned and am sure Christmas is not. The governing body needs to do something now to show that they are not afraid to say Christmas. A new flyer can be sent out, and it should be mentioned on the website."
The problem started with the Montville Messenger. The recreation department mentions on page 4 the "holiday" lighting and the "winter holiday season." There is NO menton of the federal holiday, Christmas, however the next paragraph has in bold, "Menorah Lighting" and does in fact mention Hanukkah. I do not know one Christain in Montville who has a problem with the mentioning of Hanukkah or the Menorah. However, the town has reported that there were some complaints in prior years about mentioning Christmas. The governing body needs to take action THIS year and not wait for next year to correct this situation. I cannot understand how anyone is afraid of mentioning Christmas. This is a FEDERAL holiday!Merry Christmas!!!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 3:33 PM
This town is spineless!!
Ive seen this in the Montville Messenger. How can they insult all Christians by deliberately avoiding the term "Christmas" and "Christmas Tree" while appeasing the (ehem) "complainers" with specific mention of all the Jewish terms regarding their holiday?
I'd like to know WHO made this decision and why anyone in this town would allow this crap to stand.
I say call the media and anyone else to bring real attention to Montville Township and let them all know IF YOU'RE CHRISTIAN, YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!!!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 3:48 PM
Why is taxpayer money spent on ANY holiday.stuff?
Signed,
Scrooge
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 4:21 PM
I am outraged with the foolishness of this town. I am a Christian. I have many Jewish friends. We all wish each other a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah. No one is offended by these terms. Lets face it, this is just another way for Montville to alienate their fellow townspeople. You're never going to make everyone happy...but I must say that I for one am extremely upset that we can't have a "Christmas Tree Lighting" or a beautiful "Nativity Scene". It is, afterall, what the season is all about. Our Jewish friends get their "Happy Hanukkah" and Menorah's...what foolishness this all is. Our schools and businesses are closed for the "National Christmas Holiday"...thanks to the Christian holiday.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah To All!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 4:56 PM
Someone should contact the newspapers. Enough is enough.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 5:43 PM
Hey Scrooge, this is America, and Christmas is widely celebrated by governmental agencies, including all Republican and Democratic White Houses, as is permitted by the US Supreme Court. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 5:53 PM
I must say that all this back & forth about what we can & can't say during the Holiday Season is so over done and hyped up, that all I can think of is some legal team out there must be very happy.
The majority of us, simply don't care ~ I will have my Christmas Tree and all the trimmings that go along with it..most of which is not in the least bit religious in my yard and a Cache in my window & someone else down the street will have a beautiful Menorah in their window and if I happen to go to our town hall it would be nice to see both on display along with the lighted trees and reindeer. As far as I know we do have religious freedom and freedom of expression in this country so call it what it is ~~~ Hanukkah, Bodhi-Day, Ramadan, Winter Solstice, Christmas or Kwanza.
When my daughter was dating a Jewish boy, he came to our church for Christmas Mass and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and likewise my daughter enjoyed the Hanukkah traditions with his family and guess what - no one offended.
The problem seems to be with everyone everywhere trying to be so politically correct (which is exhausting) or with some folks always finding fault - my guess is because they are basically unhappy people - to which one can only say "Get over it" !!!
In a few weeks this will all be over and I am sure we will be on to another "issue", so in the meantime, enjoy the peace and goodwill of all the religious holidays that come along or if you don't care for any religious holiday, then just enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the winter season that will be upon us.
Tonie Daughtry
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 7:27 PM
Toni, You are a very wise person. Did you ever consider running for Mayor?
Sincerely, Tim Braden
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 9:25 PM
Tonie
Where do you find the nerve?
Your response to the TOWN caving in to remove all reference to Christmas and Christmas Tree yet falling in locked step with the specific terminology of Chanukah and Menorah is "Get over it"?
It's people like you that prefer to let inequality and favoritism fester and spread that multiply the problem due to your arrogance and spaghetti spine. If it's so insignificant, why did you post a 5 paragragh response?
You wouldnt be trying to take the heat off the people in the municipal bldg, would you? Pathetic!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 29, 2007 9:41 PM
Tonie, think I owe you an apology.
I may have misinterpretted your post to mean we shouldnt care that the terms Christmas and Christmas Tree were removed.
Upon reading your post again, I see your point was the people finding offense to every little thing are the problem. If that is accurate, then I misunderstood your post.
Merry Christmas
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 30, 2007 8:50 AM
My family's opinion is that all holidays should be celebrated together with a Christmas tree, Santa a menorah, etc., in our schools and in our town. We are not asking you to create a new tridition. We are asking you to CONTINUE the school and town's tradition. Children, as well as adults need to respect and hopefully embrace the differences in religion. And, I to wonder who is making ALL these decisions without consulting the community? Whatever happened to the good old vote? Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kawanza and A Happy and Healthier NEW YEAR TO ALL. Love, Anette Angelini who is NOT ANONYMOUS God Bless Us One and ALL!
Ron, This is a great commentary. All should read. Click on Ben Stein.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
November 30, 2007 8:02 PM
This is just another example of the pendulum swinging all the way in one direction. This happens over and over in our politically correct (read corrupt) world. One thing is certain: the Christians in the United States need to work together to retrieve what was taken away from us. I can't even believe that we let it happen in the first place. I agree that we need to see action taken this year, not next. It starts in small towns. Then maybe the pendulum can swing to the middle and we can live and let live (and love) Merry Christmas (read "For God so loved the world, that he gave us His only begotten Son") We celebrate His birth on December 25th every year.
I'd like to know who's responsible for taking out Christmas and Christmas Tree but leaving the Jewish holiday language. Can anyone post a name?
Then I'd like to know what people at town hall have stated they will not make any changes. Again, name names.
This is so annoying and such a double standard it's worthy of pursuing in the newspapers, tv & radio shows etc.
What kind of government do we have in this town that will allow Christians to be slapped in the face like this? Why arent our friends in the TC making their positions known on this forum?
It's time all this politically correct BS starts coming to an end. People need to do what's RIGHT and do it NOW or let's give them the kind of attention they surely dont want to have.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 1, 2007 1:12 PM
WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE TAKE A DEEP BREATHE, RELAX AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 1, 2007 6:27 PM
Take a deep breath while you're being discriminated against.
You're a real Einstein.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 2, 2007 1:01 PM
Discriminated??? You honestly feel discriminated against.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 2, 2007 8:58 PM
Twas the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,* *Not a Christian was praying* *Nor taking a stand.* *See the PC Police had taken away,* *The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.* *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* * December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* *Something was changing, something quite odd! * *Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* *In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.* *As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* * At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.* *At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* *You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.* *Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!* *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* ; * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* *The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* *So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* *Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!*
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 3, 2007 11:04 AM
Christmas and Easter are national holidays and you think your discriminated against
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 3, 2007 3:59 PM
Easter is on a SUNDAY...most business and post offices closed on Sundays anyway. IF you are talking about Good Friday, it is usually an optional day to stay open, most business are open.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 3, 2007 4:15 PM
Many years ago I lived with my cousin the Daugthry's and I must tell you that it is an emabarrassment to see people so worried about political correctoin, rather than the meaning of Christmas. Rememeber folk, christmas as been here long before we were ever born. It was when CHrist was born..Lest we forget..Get over the nonsense and put Christ back in Christmas weather in be Hannukah, Kwansa or Christmas...the birth is was start all this ridiculous politcal "shoulds"..At the end of the day this to shall pass and we can move on to debate another silly issue.....
Mary Grammas proud to to call December 25...CHRISTMAS!
Posted by
Mary Grammas/Alyssa's Aunt
on
December 3, 2007 10:12 PM
The bias going on is shocking.
The mayor is a good man and there are good people on the TC. Where do you stand on this issue?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 4, 2007 7:57 AM
Sorry, but all this has escalated to a unnecessary frenzy to me & other members of the TC. So maybe a few words are necessary to quell the angst. An honest mistake was made by someone at Town Hall, period. No big scheme to promote one group over another. I am pretty active in my church and I wasn't offended by the flyer. My faith comes from above & within, not what someone else puts on a piece of paper. 2 quotes come to mind - 'let he who is without sin cast the first stone' & 'turn the other cheek'! Now maybe someone will chastise me because I used the politically incorrect 'he' - almost anything one states can be taken apart in order to make it sound offensive to someone. I choose to look past human failings and look to the good things. If we continue to focus on the small things we'll never see the greater big picture. The K of C ran a Santa Breakfast, the Town had a Christmas Tree lighting and will have a Menorah lighting on Thursday night, tomorrow the Kiwanis will sponsor a party for special needs people. All this and like events bring us together as friends & neighbors. So let's not worry about a few words on a piece of paper that will soon be in the trash - let's use that energy to make someone else smile. :-) May you realize the joy of your religious beliefs by looking for the good in others!
Posted by
Jim Sandham
on
December 4, 2007 8:01 PM
Jim, Great post
Now lets put an end to this useless ridiculous thread
Happy Holidays to all
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 4, 2007 9:10 PM
Right. Theres so many more important things to get offended about
Jim, Thank you for speaking out, as usual you provide a sensible and logical response to unnecessary and wasted energy. You are correct that it would be productive if this much effort was directed toward really important issues (the big picture, not a snapshot. I wish you, the TC and your families a wonderful holiday season.
George Drexl
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 5, 2007 9:22 AM
Nice thoughts Jim and I believe you to be honorable.
However, in your own words is acknowledgment "An honest mistake was made by someone at Town Hall".
I doubt anyone would make a big deal over this issue if that was the beginning and end of it.
Rather nobody in Town Hall, to my knowledge, has taken that position until you. Instead, the Star Wars Missle Defense System was activated and we've been told 'our lawyers say there's nothing illegal about it' or we dont find anything wrong with it.
Yet, your post clearly admits the MISTAKE!
Frankly, I dont think it's a mistake. The Christmas language was purposely omitted in favor of the few that complained. In view of this, no remedy has been offered.
Now your position is "let's not worry about a few words ". Well, where were you when the few that complained influenced Town Hall to take action about A FEW WORDS, were you worried then?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 5, 2007 9:42 AM
happy festivos to the rest of us...
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 6, 2007 6:54 PM
Jim, when was there a Christmas tree lighting? Please do tell us when and how this was posted if at all. According to what was advised by the recreation department, they received a couple of complaints about the word, Christmas a couple of years ago, and purposefully left out the word in the Montville Messenger and subsequent flyer to appease the callers. I don't think that anyone in the town did any act to purposefully offend Christains, but they should not have caved into these unreasonable people and purposefully left out the word, Christmas. We have been told by your administrator that the "holiday lighting" to welcome the "winter holiday season" will remain generic. If someone has agreed to return the terminology to Christmas lighting and Menorah lighting, please do tell us!
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 7, 2007 1:13 PM
Toni Daughtry, your assumption that a legal team must be very happy is incorrect. No one is being any attorney to do anything. It is sad that the Town's official position as per the administrator is that the lighting will remain a "holiday" lighting while the Menorah lighting will remain just that, but next year the administrator will look more closely at what is printed. No one has the guts to just flatly say, there will be a Christmas lighting and a Menorah lighting. What is the big deal? So, the people who complained to the town about the word, Christmas will be annoyed. They are unreasonable. I don't know one Christain that has a problem with the Menorah or the Menorah lighting. Why did the town cave in some years back and change the lights on the trees from red/green to white? The next thing we will hear is that there will no longer be any Easter Egg Hunts. I just heard that the planning board required St. Pius X Church to lower the height of the crucifix they planned to install for the new eidition because someone complained that they didn't want to look at it. This is really getting out of hand.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 7, 2007 2:12 PM
note to the poster above. the Zoning Board of Adjustment requested St Pius lower the steeple and not the planning board. Dont know why the church caved. The chinese church off 202 near Lincoln Park border (in Montville) has a higher steeple!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 7, 2007 11:34 PM
The Daily Record had a letter to editor on Wed 12/5 stating government officials should use "Merry Christmas" since 90% of population is christian. Below r reader comments:
Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays are not used because they are "less offensive". They are used because they are more inclusive. Our society is multicultural, and many traditions are celebrated. Many have significant celebrations at this time of year, and therefore wishing someone Happy Holidays is a simply a way to acknowledge that.
It is not some "attack" on Christmas. How could Christmas, which is celebrated by a majority of people, ever be "attacked"? Such a naive thought. I get so tired when members of the majority feel that they are attacked simply when they are asked to recognize that a significant minority does live with them.
Personally, I don't care how you greet me. Say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, or even Have a Super Solstice. Any of them is fine, and I will take it with the spirit it was intended.
Maybe this time of year, everyone should embrace and embody the ideals of compassion and community celebrated now, instead of perceiving how others greet them as a threat.
I'm more left leaning than most people who post here but I couldn't agreee more. My view is, it's "Merry Christmas", if you celebrate something else please feel free to correct me and I'll offer you a "Happy" whatever it is you celebrate.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 8, 2007 8:56 AM
Thank you poster above for the information about the zoning board of adjustment. If you know any other facts, please share.
To the other above poster who referred to comments by a newspaper reader, I do not know one member of the "majority" who has ever even suggested that all other religious holidays should be acknowledged and celebrated. Members of the Christain faith are NOT the ones who called town hall in the past to complain about the red/green lights that used to be on the trees outside of town hall and who complained about the word, Christmas being used in the Montville Messenger or to refer to the now "holiday" lighting. These changes were made in response to those complaints. My problem is why. If there is a Menorah lighting, why not a Christmas tree lighting. Why deliberately change your wording if you are already including Hanukkah and the Menorah lighting. If the "majority" were complaining about mentioning Hanukkah or the Menorah lightinhg, I would say that they were being unreasonable too. It goes both ways.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 8, 2007 3:07 PM
I just found out about this website and I'm happy to see some free speech in action. I am Christian and have quite a lot of friends in town who are Jewish.
My Jewish friends want our town to call it a "Christmas tree lighting" because they don't want the town to change their special lighting to be called a "Candle stick lighting" if a couple people complained. They too would be offended if that happened.
Just because a couple of people are intolerent of Christmas should not mean that the government listens to these ignorant people. I don't think it's right for someone of another religion to tell me how to celebrate my religious holiday. I would never think of doing that to someone of a different religion.
If people don't like the sight of a Christmas tree or the word "Christmas", something is not right with those individuals. Clearly the town should not be listening to them. We have freedom of religion in the US. Plain and simple. I'd like to know what the town is going to do next year. Reading the above posts, the administrator in town isn't quite sure what will happen and I'd the to know.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 8, 2007 4:05 PM
The Township Committee is a group of 5 and no one individual TC member can make a unilateral decision. Therefore, no TC member has given direction to the Administrator. I'm sure this will be discussed at Tuesday night's meeting, as I plan to bring it up so that we make a decision, stop wasting time & energy and focus on the spirit of Christmas, Hannukah and all of the seasonal holidays.
Posted by
Jim Sandham
on
December 8, 2007 4:53 PM
Thank you Jim. I think what the Christian's in town want and deserve are the following (all of our Jewish friends agree by the way):
1.Calling the Christmas tree lighting, "A Christmas Tree Lighting", not a Holiday lighting. There is no such thing as a holiday lighting and it's insulting to all Montville Christians.
2.Using the word Nativity in all flyers (which include the ones that go to the schools)when advertising the Christmas tree lighting. The Christian parents at the schools were very upset.
3.Changing the Christmas tree lights back to red and green.
4.Lastly, use the word Christmas.
Nothing that I wrote above hurts anyone and my old town that I grew up in still does the above. Montville should as well.
A link that talks about leaving out the word Christmas and replacing it with Holiday.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 9, 2007 9:46 AM
Jim,
It's insulting that a TC member states I should "stop wasting time & energy" on this. You are supposed to be representing the townspeople here and not telling them what should be important to them.
For the SECOND TIME, I ask you:
Why were you so quiet when all the Christmas references were removed?
Was it important then when those few complained and Montville caved to their demands?
Why didn't you tell them to "STOP WASTING TIME AND ENERGY" on this?
You appear to be very 2 faced.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 9, 2007 6:40 PM
You have gone from upset to hysterical. Why don't you use your time and energy volunteering at a soup kitchen instead of driving a wedge between residents.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2007 6:50 AM
To 6:40 poster understand that jim sandman is a politician. He is up for re-election in 08.... Not hard to figure that one out...... And NO I don’t think any of the council members complained about "Happy Holidays" in the last few yearsand at least a couple of them have greeted us that way......
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2007 10:00 AM
There is no such thing as a "winter Holiday season", it's Christmas for goodness sake. I am very unhappy with this town's anti-Christmas stance and I'm too old to try to understand it. I hope the town committee members bring all of the old Christmas traditions back to Montville.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2007 5:07 PM
Whoever posted at 6:50am talks about posters driving a wedge through the residents of Montville. The town did it by acknowledging the Jewish holiday and dismissing Christmas.
I wish the town just admitted it was a horrible error of judgement they made and will bring back all of the old traditions Montville had for the Christmas season. Then, we would all be satisfied.
I'd love to meet those couple of people who complained about the word Christmas and our red/green lights on the Christmas tree. They must be the most miserable people around.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 10, 2007 6:46 PM
To Anons on 12/9 at 6:40 p.m. & 12/10 at 10 a.m. - First, the 'we' that I referred to as wasting time & effort was the TC. I certainly have no right to tell others what to do, altho positive suggestions always get a better response from me. Sorry, I have but 1 face that doesn't change for 'election' years (altho more wrinkles seem to appear every year!) Long before I was a TC member Montville had just a 'tree lighting'; this year a town employee (a Christian, go figure) wanted to make it more seasonal as a Holiday Tree lighting. (Sorry, I don't micro manage town employees on a hourly basis so I didn't see the flyer beforehand.) OK, it didn't quite work for everyone, but it was done out of good intentions, not any malice.
To Anon on 12/8 at 5:48 pm. - I agree with your point 1 about Christmas Tree lighting, but not all Christians are not offended; on #2 I agree Nativity is more 'American' wording; on #3 - I see lights on Christmas trees in all colors and those in my church are white...; on #4 - those in a majority have to be extra careful to respect those in the minority, but they also do not have to give up thier own rights. If workers get off on 12/25 for the federal holiday 'Christmas', then I think Montville should use it too. Sorry, but on a personal basis most of this didn't bother me. I will say whatever greeting is appropriate to my friends, Merry Christmas in church and Happy Holidays to those I don't yet know so well. Whatever words were put on a paper (with good intentions) will not dampen my faith or joy on Christmas morning!
Posted by
Jim Sandham
on
December 10, 2007 9:59 PM
Mr. Sandham admitted on 12/4 that an honest mistake was made. give him credit for admitting it and lets move on.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 6:19 AM
No, let's not move on. Let's continue to beat this dead horse. Let's get Chevy Chase over here to decorate Town Hall. Let's have a live Nativity with the township committee members playing the parts. Let's have the Mayor dress up as Santa Claus for the next meeting and have the rest of the committee wear elf outfits. On second thought, let's just move on.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 7:31 AM
I spoke with the woman at town hall and she told me that it was called a "Christmas tree" for years until a few years ago when the town decided to be more "politically correct" once they moved the tree to town hall.
Also, I'm American and this is America so call a Nativity a Nativity.
The reason the town changed the red/green lights on the Christmas tree in town was because a few non-Christian people complained that is was "too Christmassy". That is what I was told by the same woman st town hall. So,to change the lights to white from green/red to appease a few intolerent people is ridiculous. That is all we are saying, a few people at town hall made some bad decisions that were just not right.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 9:35 AM
Now that it's Holiday this and Holiday that for the Christians....and Menorah this and Hannukah that for the complainers....let's move on?
I guess things are the way you'd like them now, huh?
and Jim...you continue to play the "this doesnt bother me" card...well, it's not just about you. It happens to offend some others and it's plain as day that one faith's holiday is being identified by specific name while another (Chrisitan's) is being identified generically. Now, you've said it was a MISTAKE (honest or otherwise) and it's clear that Christmas is being short changed here.
WHY DONT YOU FIX IT instead of taking the position of let's move on??????????
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 9:46 AM
Thanks Jim for your honesty. I've got Hindu and Muslim neighbors and they disagree with you about the Christmas tree issue. By taking the traditions away little by little, it actually makes it harder for the minority group because it looks as though they are wanting it and that creates anger towards them. And, they both love Christmas in America. It's fun and joyful to them and their immigrant families.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 10:16 AM
I agree with the above comments. I too don't believe that taking away Christmas stuff helps the minority population in town. I think it too makes the majority upset with the minority and frankly that is how wars begin. Keep Christmas in Montville and forget about trying to make everyone happy because it's impossible.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 3:31 PM
We all will be watching what tonights meeting will bring....I hope the board admits the big errors they made, apologies and then makes sure next year that they recognize and celebrate Christmas for the majority of Montville residents. I don't want this on Fox news.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
December 11, 2007 3:53 PM
At last night's TC meeting I asked that the issue be addressed. The Administrator had already thought of a proposed solution - for the flyers and signs to have a generic Holiday Celebrations with specific Christmas Tree and Menorah lightings. The TC concurred.
Posted by
Jim Sandham
on
December 12, 2007 8:23 PM
For all the time I was on the Committee, the meetings were started with a prayer and I always thought that was a good idea. I can't think of a better group to seek higher wisdom then a group of elected officials about to do the public's business. The prayers always asked for God's wisdom. This topic can be divisive and people can be hurt by it but making it as inclusive as possible is better. Making this about a minority attack on Christian's and their symbols is wrong. There ought to be room for everyone's beliefs. The tree is a "Christmas Tree" and the "Menorah is a Menorah." It serves no purpose to worry about the size of the print on a notice and all that does is create unneeded division. The purpose of the displays is to celebrate those religious traditions and no one should take offense at those displays or any other display of belief. I don't believe the "complaints" come from the various religious institutions in the Township but what we don't need is a lot of bickering about whose is bigger. It should simply be a recognition of the diversity of the Township and a celebration of all that is good in each tradition in this season where the spirit of giving is primary and that each tradition adds to the general good. It should never be about Government sponsorship of a particular tradition and there has to be room for all in their proper context.
Posted by
Dan Grant
on
December 13, 2007 3:57 PM
Ditto. Thank you, Dan.
Posted by
Jim Sandham
on
December 13, 2007 9:53 PM
I enjoyed this email:
Subject: One of the BEST stories EVER
Here's a 'today' Yule story that occurred 6 weeks ago ~ AND NOW, in time for the holidays, I bring you the best Christmas story you never heard.
It started last Christmas, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops. "We have to let them know we care," Vivian told Bennett. So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3.
The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it. Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin - native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I commish - is one of them.
He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard. One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and '62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby's body to D. C. for burial. "That's a lot of history for one car," says Bennett.
He and Vivian wanted to revive a tradition that endured from 1936 to 1975, during which trains carried Army-Navy spectators from around the country directly to the stadium where the annual game is played. The Levins could think of no better passengers to reinstate the ceremonial ride than the wounded men and women recovering at Walter Reed in D. C. and Bethesda, in Maryland. "We wanted to give them a first-class experience," says Bennett. "Gourmet meals on board, private transportation from the train to the stadium , perfect seats - real hero treatment."
Through the Army War College Foundation, of which he is a trustee, Bennett met with Walter Reed's commanding general, who loved the idea. But Bennett had some ground rules first, all designed to keep the focus on the troops alone:
No press on the trip, lest the soldiers' day of pampering devolve into a media circus.
No politicians either, because, says Bennett, "I didn't want some idiot making this trip into a campaign photo op."
And no Pentagon suits on board, otherwise the soldiers would be too busy saluting superiors to relax.
The general agreed to the conditions, and Bennett realized he had a problem on his hands. "I had to actually make this thing happen," he laughs.
Over the next months, he recruited owners of 15 other sumptuous rail cars from around the country - these people tend to know each other - into lending their vehicles for the day. The name of their temporary train? The Liberty Limited.
Amtrak volunteered to transport the cars to D. C. - where they'd be coupled together for the round-trip ride to Philly - then back to their owners later.
Conrail offered to service the Liberty while it was in Philly. And SEPTA drivers would bus the disabled soldiers 200 yards from the train to Lincoln Financial Field, for the game.
A benefactor from the War College ponied up 100 seats to the game - on the 50-yard line - and lunch in a hospitality suite.
And corporate donors filled, for free and without asking for publicity, goodie bags for attendees:
From Woolrich, stadium blankets. From Wal-Mart, digital cameras. From Nikon, field glasses. From GEAR, down jackets.
There was booty not just for the soldiers, but for their guests, too, since each was allowed to bring a friend or family member.
The Marines, though, declined the offer. "They voted not to take guests with them, so they could take more Marines," says Levin, choking up at the memory.
Bennett's an emotional guy, so he was worried about how he'd react to meeting the 88 troops and guests at D. C.'s Union Station, where the trip originated. Some GIs were missing limbs. Others were wheelchair-bound or accompanied by medical personnel for the day. "They made it easy to be with them," he says. "They were all smiles on the ride to Philly. Not an ounce of self-pity from any of them. They're so full of life and determination."
At the stadium, the troops reveled in the game, recalls Bennett. Not even Army's lopsided loss to Navy could deflate the group's rollicking mood.
Afterward, it was back to the train and yet another gourmet meal - heroes get hungry, says Levin - before returning to Walter Reed and Bethesda. "The day was spectacular," says Levin. "It was all about these kids. It was awesome to be part of it."
The most poignant moment for the Levins was when 11 Marines hugged them goodbye, then sang them the Marine Hymn on the platform at Union Station.
"One of the guys was blind, but he said, 'I can't see you, but man, you must be f---ing beautiful!' " says Bennett. "I got a lump so big in my throat, I couldn't even answer him."
It's been three weeks, but the Levins and their guests are still feeling the day's love. "My Christmas came early," says Levin, who is Jewish and who loves the Christmas season. "I can't describe the feeling in the air." Maybe it was hope.
As one guest wrote in a thank-you note to Bennett and Vivian, "The fond memories generated last Saturday will sustain us all - whatever the future may bring."
