Leave it to Chaffee so make a yearly tradition go bonkers, what ever you call it, it is suppose to represent the giving and good will to all. IF anyone does not like it, then dont look at it.

What holiday is being celebrated on the 25th of December? Christmas! So its A Christmas Tree! I we had the tradition of putting up a tree on the 4th of July what would he calle it a Holiday Tree?

I wish Chafee would focus on more important matters in this state then whether we have a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree or no tree. The era of being politically correct is really tiresome. We celebrate Christmas on December 25th, end of story. If people don't like it, they don't have to participate.

To nobody's surprise, we have the King of the Patch, Jack Baillargeron, criticizing Governor Chafee and his late father.

Jack must still be fuming about the fact that Romney, Doherty, the no-name that ran against Langevin, the no-name that ran against Whitehouse, the no-name that ran against Paiva-Weed, the no-name that ran against Fox, and the no-name that ran against Kenny Marshall all LOST.

Time to wipe up your tears Jack, admit that you supported a slate full of losers, and admit that the tea party in Rhode island is officially DEAD.

You people really are pitiful! You'll sieze on ANYTHING just to attack each other. Why don't you expend this energy on something productive rather than just sitting there insulting and sniping at each other? NOT everything is political! Get off the stupid computers and DO something that will contribute to something other than your own egos. I suppose I will now be labeled a stalker and internet troll (again), but there it is. You really do disgust me!

Let’s face it, there is nothing more important than a tree if you happen to be a pinecone, a squirrel or a bird looking for a safe perch. But let’s not let those who feast on controversy distort the reality of Christmas.
For those of you who are worried that our cultural celebration is under attack, don’t worry. It is not. You see Jesus was not born in a tree house nor was there a tree in his manger. In fact, the angels who heralded his name were not sitting on trees. The star that was shining so bright was not sitting on a tree and neither Joseph nor Mary were climbing a tree when Jesus was born. The tree is actually along with Santa Claus the greatest risk to the real reason why we celebrate Jesus. The tree is a pagan celebration incorporated into a Christian celebration – hardly a sacred relic. Ironically, there are those out there who have missed the point. It does not mater if it is a holiday tree or a Christmas tree. It does not mater if it is Manny Claus or Santa Claus. Neither has anything to do with the point of Christmas. Sure there are those who are calling the naming of the Rhode Island Holiday Tree an attack on Christmas, an attack on culture, an attack on God even. The real attack came when we added the tree to the manger, a Santa to the holiday and allowed the nuts to fight to preserve a pagan symbol while claiming they are saving Jesus.”

Good 'ol Gump doing his part to usher in the new athiest-socialist america.
Enjoy the oligarchy controlled by the government class. They will turn you all into beggers, who are easier to please.

If not for the birth of Christ, there would be no Christmas, almost everyone gets the holiday off from work regardless of their beliefs but the holiday celebrated is CHRISTMAS on December 25th so it really is a CHRISTMAS tree decorated to symbolize the day.

Its a federal holiday enough said! Mr. Chaffee you can't change the law christmas is a federal holiday! You can't change the fact that federal holidays and a christmas tree celebrating that fedral holiday belong hand in hand. What a joke.. You sure do enjoy your time off at CHRISTMAS don't you.. You are such a joke!!

Hey everyone, just a reminder to keep it clean during the debate; no name-calling. There's been nothing needing to be deleted ... just wanted to send a friendly reminder not to let the discussion devolve.
And to add my two cents ... Chafee isn't launching any kind of attack on Christmas; he's only following recent Rhode Island tradition. Both governors before him referred to it as a Holiday Tree, and there was no controversy then. The intent is to be inclusive, something we should all strive to be, and something the governor is required to be.