When I first learned that Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear had succumbed to the will of the politically correct crowd of calling a festive, brightly lit, very large evergreen that was revealed with much fanfare and celebration during the latter part of November anything but a ‘Christmas Tree’, I wrote a letter. I mean, ‘Holiday Tree’? Please…

I quickly got an email reply, the text of which is below:

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October 30, 2009 Michael Bryant

<my street address here>

Jackson, KY 41339-7686

Dear Michael:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. State government is using the same terminology that has been used in the past, which is intended to be inclusive of the entire holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s. What is more important is to remember what this time of the year is all about – family and caring for those less fortunate.

Your views are important to me, and I am grateful for your willingness to be involved in Kentucky’s future. Please feel free to contact me whenever an issue is important to you.

Sincerely,

Steven L. Beshear

 

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Then, just a few short days later, here comes another reply to my inbox:

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November 4, 2009

Michael Bryant

<my street address here>

Jackson, KY 41339-7686

Dear Michael:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. During the first Christmas holidays in 2008 after I became governor, Jane and I had the honor of lighting the Commonwealth’s Christmas tree, and we are looking forward to doing so again this year, and every year while I am governor.

We invite you to attend this year’s Christmas tree lighting Monday, November 30, 2009 at 6:30 PM on the Capitol steps. To Jane and me and other Christians, the Christmas tree is part of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. To people of other faiths, it may hold other significance, and I encourage all Kentuckians to enter into the spirit of this holiday season by remembering their commitment to family and by helping those less fortunate.

Your views are important to me, and I am grateful for your willingness to be involved in Kentucky’s future. Please feel free to contact me whenever an issue is important to you.

Sincerely,

Steven L. Beshear

 

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In the second email, the word ‘Christmas’ is used four times. He also uses the word ‘Christian’ and even invokes the name ‘Jesus Christ’. I am very glad he has come around, but it’s kinda sad that the people of Kentucky had to bombard him with calls and emails to make the change happen. I am not Jewish, but as a Christian I would personally think it offensive to have a big Menorah at the Capital and the Gov. calling it a ‘Holiday Candle Holder’. By the same token, how pathetic would it be to have a big ‘ol Christmas tree and try to make it all-inclusive by simply calling it a ‘Holiday Tree’.

Please… What’s wrong with a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah both at the Capitol if the Gov. wants to be inclusive? I have no issue with that. Heck, have some Kwanzaa candles if he wants. And, yes, yes, yes, a thousand times: yes! I know that the so-called ‘Christmas tree’ has pagan origins, as do many of our current traditions. But, come on, a Christmas tree has been in use as a part of the celebration of Christ’s birth since the year 1521 (in Germany). Surely, in that amount of time I think it fair to say that we can call it a Christmas tree.