Rhode Island Governor Gives In: Agrees To Call It A ‘Christmas Tree’

Democratic Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee was just following the tradition set by his predecessor, Republican Donald Carcieri, by calling it a “holiday tree.” In fact, that tradition goes back to the state’s founder, Roger Williams, an advocate for religious tolerance.

But after a “brouhaha” broke out over the matter, Chafee said he’s ready to give opponents what they want. The “Christmas tree” will be lit on Thursday.

“In 2011, my first year celebrating December in the State House I gave a simple six word instruction to the planners of the annual tree lighting: ‘Do what they did last year,'” Chafee said in the statement.

“Despite the myriad of pressing issues facing Rhode Island and the nation, this presumably happy event became a focal point for too much anger. Strangely lost in the brouhaha was any intellectual discussion of the liberties pioneered here in Rhode Island 350 years ago in our Charter. Because I do not think how we address the State House tree affects our ‘lively experiment,’ this year’s invitation calls the tree a Christmas tree.”

Stand by as the right-wing declares a minor victory in the War on Christmas.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.