As if Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker hadn’t done enough to get under the skin of the state’s intolerant leftists this year, he recently directed the placement of an “evergreen decorated with ornaments and adorned with a star in the center of Wisconsin’s Capitol Rotunda” and declared that it should be called a Christmas tree, not a holiday tree as it has been called for the past 25 years. In making this bold statement, he may have singlehandedly ignited the 2011 war on Christmas.
The governor then sent out a press release statewide, asking art teachers, parents, and youth to help the State of Wisconsin decorate the Capitol Christmas tree, which this year honors 163 years of Wisconsin’s military veterans.
“I am hopeful we receive ornaments from all across Wisconsin so that we are able to showcase the diversity that makes up our great state,” said Walker, adding that he invited “all Wisconsin residents to stop by the Capitol and view our state’s holiday display.”
One person who probably won’t be stopping by is Annie Laurie Gaylor, president of the Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, who has openly referred to religion as “superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds,” and views Gov. Walker’s decision as “rude and insensitive to non-Christians.
Responding to media queries, spokesman Cullen Werwei confirmed that Governor Walker’s decision was intentional. “It’s a Christmas tree,” Werwei said. “In all honesty, I don’t know what more to say about it.” In the Charleston Daily Mail, Don Surber echoed this sentiment, writing, “Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin just ended 25 years of stupidity.”
Deborah Lambert writes the Squeaky Chalk column for Accuracy in Academia.
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