This is getting out of hand...

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#1 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:20 am

Seattle's airport removes Christmas trees to avoid lawsuit from rabbi

Am I the only one, or is this movement getting a bit ridiculous? That Rabbi is going to take so much heat... Great way to set religious tensions off the scale just in time for the holiday season.

Just to keep him happy...

logitech104 · Mon Dec 11, 2006 1:27 am

we're doomed

CNF2002 · #3 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:56 am

That's ridiculous. I should HOPE that this rabbi doesn't speak for the majority of the jewish community. This whole thing is just a childish "if I can't have it well then neither can you!" mentality. The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas. They should be able to put up whatever decorations they want.

It's a shame they didn't post the rabbi's name. Wouldn't it have been nice to have a protest at his community center demanding a Christmas tree be put up next to their menorah?

Loonette · #4 Unread post by **Loonette** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:03 am

CNF2002 wrote:It's a shame they didn't post the rabbi's name.

They did... Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky, who made his request weeks ago, said he was appalled by the decision. He had hired a lawyer and threatened to sue if the Port of Seattle didn't add the menorah next to the trees, which had been festooned with red ribbons and bows.

They even mentioned where it is that he works... said Bogomilsky, who works at Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish education foundation headquartered in Seattle's University District.

What I don't get is, the airport is a private business housing private airline companies (or isn't it?). Would this rabbi truly have any legal standing on this? I understand if people want to bunch up their undies over public property, but how can you sue a private entity for freedom of expression? Yikes...

CNF2002 · #5 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:45 am

I thought they were run by private companies but the airport itself was government property.

anarchy · #6 Unread post by **anarchy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:07 am

Loonette wrote:What I don't get is, the airport is a private business housing private airline companies (or isn't it?). Would this rabbi truly have any legal standing on this? I understand if people want to bunch up their undies over public property, but how can you sue a private entity for freedom of expression? Yikes...

path of least resistance - it just was just easier to remove the whole damn display than try to fight it or appease everyone...

i can't believe the rabbi was appalled by the decision... he got what he wanted - equal representation!!!

bah humbug!!!!

JC Viper · #7 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:57 am

Apparently from my the newspapers here many people are waging a "war" against Christmas. One example of a mother wanting to have Santa banned from public schools, no pictures nothing, because he may be tied to a religious thought.

Then there's the thing about not being allowed to have a Nativity Scene up out in the open.

The Jews, Muslims and Athiests are going a bit far with this one. I thought this season was full of holidays that were about understanding and acceptance of your fellow man. Ah well.

skoebl · #8 Unread post by **skoebl** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:56 am

JCViper528 wrote: I thought this season was full of holidays that were about understanding and acceptance of your fellow man. Ah well.

That's soooo the mentality of like 100 years ago. Now it has nothing to do with kindness and acceptance. It's all about the presents; and the money.

logitech104 · Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:01 pm

skoebl wrote:
JCViper528 wrote: I thought this season was full of holidays that were about understanding and acceptance of your fellow man. Ah well.
That's soooo the mentality of like 100 years ago. Now it has nothing to do with kindness and acceptance. It's all about the presents; and the money.

yeah pretty much, I don't like what christmas has become. Parents ask you what you want for christmas, they secretly go out and buy it for you pretending that they got you something else, then you open it and your all suprised i guess. You thank your parents and thats it. same thing EVERY YEAR>....

It just makes spoiled brats even more spoiled because they don't understand the meaning of "earning" something. Now these days Americans (and yes im american, but not saying i do this) are so sue happy, they sue people for the stu... dumbest things!! If it offends their poor little self, or they don't believe in such things, they go WAY WAY out of their way to destroy such a little thing. I mean come on, someone puts up a wreath of peace and happyness on christmas and they FINED!?? not to mention probably sued for millions. Whats wrong with people these days!? Do they know their children are watching all of this and they are setting a horrible example for them?
now im going to stop before my keyboard katches on fire...
And yes i agree, it's all about the money, and how good people look...

flynrider · Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:27 pm

Loonette wrote:What I don't get is, the airport is a private business housing private airline companies (or isn't it?). Would this rabbi truly have any legal standing on this? I understand if people want to bunch up their undies over public property, but how can you sue a private entity for freedom of expression? Yikes...

Sea-Tac is owned and operated by the Port of Seattle, which is a public organization run by a publicly elected commission. They also run the seaport. If it were a private airport, you'd be correct that the rabbi would have no legal standing.

I think the airport did the only thing they could have. If they had sprung for the menorah decorations, they would then be sued by druids, wiccans, hindus and countless others who are not represented. It's just not worth the trouble to open a can of worms like that.

Sad, but that's how it works in a society that sues at the drop of a hat. The quote from the rabbi saying he's shocked at the outcome would lead me to believe that he didn't really think this through before shouting "lawsuit". He is obviously a product of our litigious society.