Friday, December 16, 2005

Makes you glad there's no flag burning amendment...




You can't make stuff like this up.


WASHINGTON -- Saying Christmas is under attack, Virginia Rep. Jo Ann Davis sought passage Wednesday night of a resolution expressing support for "the symbols and traditions of Christmas."

The largely symbolic resolution, scheduled for a House vote as early as today, triggered a partisan culture clash in the House chamber. Conservative Republicans applauded the measure, but many Democrats criticized it as religiously insensitive...

Her resolution, if adopted, would put the House on record as supporting the use of Christmas symbols and traditions, while opposing "attempts to ban references to Christmas."

"It was just something that was burning inside me," Davis said in an earlier interview.

"At what point did Christmas become so offensive?"

But many Democrats protested the resolution, saying that Congress has no business praising one religious holiday over others.

"I'm offended by this," said Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., who's Jewish. "You've drawn me out. Why not protect my symbols?"

Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y, asked Davis to amend her resolution to include symbols of other holidays, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but Davis refused.

"The attack has not been on the menorah or any symbols of the other religions," Davis said, referring to the Jewish candelabrum used to celebrate Hanukkah.

"I will leave it as the resolution stands."

The divisive public battle appeared to surprise Davis, a Republican and member of the Assembly of God church.

"I didn't realize there would be some opposition, but apparently, there is," she said before the House floor debate.

An amended version of her resolution, which expressed support for Christmas symbols "for those who celebrate Christmas," did little to dampen the opposition.

"You can always tell when the right wing is in trouble," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., who's Presbyterian. "They invariably cook up some kind of culture war."


Yep, these people want special rights for Christians.

Why not express support for those who ridicule religions?

No comments: