Holidays ruined and tradition being lost..

[trooper]

I want some perspective on my situation that occurred last night.. I work part time for a local charity that gives to a majority of immigrants and low income families... Here is what happened about a week ago we put up a Christmas tree in a big chain name store as we do every year and long with a giving tree for the elders and children.. Yesterday we get a call to came down and take the Christmas tree down because a single Muslim out of 200 plus employees felt offended.. This is the explanation we got.. As for the giving tree it was moved from the front of the store to a part of the mall that has no traffic..

I am from Minnesota with one of the highest Muslim population in the country if not second.. Half of your clientele are Muslims and come and use our facility to live or for groceries and also money for rent or bills that they fall behind on or vouchers for gas or work clothes to get started.. I know what i would do to make my point but, it's not possible.. It really left a sour taste in our staffs mouths and felt totally dismayed..

I truly had nothing to say that was positive or comforting to them.. I guess i just wanted to vent along with a possibility of thoughts or ideas... Thanks

Edited November 25, 2011 by trooper

[jeepguy]

hello trooper !!!! sorry for the mess they gave you ,,,, if you were not imployed by the so called folks at the place this was set -up for ----- i would pust it back too the original spot--- put a sign on it --- that reads -----> WELCOME TOO AMERICA,,, WHERE WE HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED OUR BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS ,, you may leave anytime you wish don`t let the border door hit ya in the butt on the way out -------

Edited November 25, 2011 by jeepguy

[DinarDana]

I want some perspective on my situation that occurred last night.. I work part time for a local charity that gives to a majority of immigrants and low income families... Here is what happened about a week ago we put up a Christmas tree in a big chain name store as we do every year and long with a giving tree for the elders and children.. Yesterday we get a call to came down and take the Christmas tree down because a single Muslim out of 200 plus employees felt offended.. This is the explanation we got.. As for the giving tree it was moved from the front of the store to a part of the mall that has no traffic..

I am from Minnesota with one of the highest Muslim population in the country if not second.. Half of your clientele are Muslims and come and use our facility to live or for groceries and also money for rent or bills that they fall behind on or vouchers for gas or work clothes to get started.. I know what i would do to make my point but, it's not possible.. It really left a sour taste in our staffs mouths and felt totally dismayed..

I truly had nothing to say that was positive or comforting to them.. I guess i just wanted to vent along with a possibility of thoughts or ideas... Thanks

This is not right - This has got to end.

[wizard1]

Thats beautiful, I love it

[AZ Native]

Unfortunately, (in my view) you have just experienced the shortcomings of the 21st century with all its political correctness in tow. How pathetic!

No traditions or family values seem to be acceptable. (Well, that depends, on which side of the fence you’re on and it seems to me that I’m on the wrong side of the fence according to them)

This Land of the Free and home of the Brave seems to have been tossed in the back of the closet. Never, if they have their way, to be seen in the light of day again.

Everyone needs to wake up before it’s all gone, or the values and traditions of so many will be just stories handed down in families.

In spite of all that I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and will have a Merry Christmas.

Sorry if I said something somebody doesn’t like, BUT I’m not political correct. I’m an AMERICAN citizen.

[Get your skinny]

I think a little bit on educating them on the fact that the needy and immigrants isnt subjected to discrimination or segregation this is a cause that helps humans alike in need!

[OregonHopeful]

Well, I guess that shows who is in charge of America.....

We would not be able to go to France and make them all change to our beliefs, or go to Russia and make them change to our beliefs and culture...

This has got to stop. We need to have basic values and our own culture and if other people don't like it ---- it's a free country ---- LEAVE

I love that phone message

[Mick373]

I would replace the Christmas tree, place the star of David above the store and buy a pig and tie it to the front door.

[BrokeNoMore]

This is unbearably disheartening.

I don't understand why management didn't tell their Muslim employee that it's a tradition here that we're not going to stop because you're here, you are free to work someplace else. We're not asking to put it in your new Mosque. We're putting it where we've been putting it for xxx years. Get over it or leave. I mean really. I'm offended that it's acceptable, even honorable, for them to come here and get offended.

What is wrong with people? Tradition is tradition. I hate living in a time when the pendulum is swinging too far. First it was women having no rights, and slave ownership, and now we're swinging off the deep end the other way.

I want the ten commandments in the courthouses. I want kids that want to pray in school to be allowed to do so. I want to see Christmas trees and Nativities everywhere I go from today till the middle of March.

I'm offended every time I drive thru the countryside and see a Mosque. Can't we tear them all down because I'm OFFENDED?

[trooper]

Thank you for your comments... Everyone that we feed in or kitchen and give groceries to all get the same thing and are very appreciative and 9 times out of 10 give back.. But we have bent over backwards to accommodate the Muslim community.. It cost us extra money for each family because they don't eat what we give them.. In the soup line or the store.. Here is a list that we have to abide by

Global Tolerance

Which ingredients are forbidden?

Pork, lard or any porcine substance

Gelatine from animal source which is not halal

Meat that is not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic way

Meat coming from a lawful animal which died before slaughter

Blood (direct or indirect)

Any food or drink with alcohol in it (all intoxicant and hazardous drinks)

Any human substance or part

All carnivorous animals and birds of prey

Some non halal additives (E numbers like E120, E441, E542 etc)

So in turn we have to give them more money to go to specialty market to get their groceries. The list goes on and on... A lot of entitlement issues and never a thank you..

Edited November 25, 2011 by trooper

[BrokeNoMore]

Thank you for your comments... Everyone that we feed in our kitchen and give groceries to all get the same thing and are very appreciative and 9 times out of 10 give back.. But we have bent over backwards to accommodate the Muslim community.. It cost us extra money for each family because they don't eat what we give them.. In the soup line or the store.. Here is a list that we have to abide by

So in turn we have to give them more money to go to specialty market to get their groceries. The list goes on and on... A lot of entitlement issues and never a thank you..

Let me get this right. You are a charitable organization.

Do you get government money for your charity, or are you run solely on donations?

I'm not understanding why you have to accommodate anybody? Can't you just say "we don't provide halal food?" Why do you have to give them more money for their special groceries??? Even if this were done with gov't money, the more money part doesn't make any sense to me. Do these special grocery markets take food stamps?

This has got my dander up...if this is government money, then I'm paying for peferential treatment for MUSLIMS? Now I'm gonna blow!

[trooper]

Government, UW, Foundations, Donations... Yes they do take EBT cards and yes also federal allocation in special housing and programs designated to integration of the Muslim society in non Muslim communities...That is separate from the income base help we provide..

[trooper]

Government, UW, Foundations, Donations... Yes they do take EBT cards and yes also federal allocation in special housing and programs designated to integration of the Muslim society in non Muslim communities...That is separate from the income base help we provide..

This is all the detail that i really can give without getting into to much trouble.. (D) To fulfill its responsibility to provide for the basic needs (including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation for job interviews and training) of each refugee resettled and to develop and implement a resettlement plan including the early employment of each refugee resettled and to monitor the implementation of such plan.

[Tiffany23]

Trooper....was this reported in the local media? If you could send us the link, that would be great.

On a quick review of your postings, especially your topics, it shows a vast majority are anti-Government and specifically anti-Obama. That's not necessarily rare on this site, but it does raise an eyebrow on possible motivation why this would be posted. Seems to me, someone like yourself would be the first one to bring it to the local press and you would actually relish in bring it to national attention. Even now you could call up Fox News and remain anoynmous.

So...can I pls ask for evidence...let's just pretend I'm from Missouri..the Show me State.

Personally, I would think that this could quickly be resolved by the parties willing to celebrate all religious holidays...

[BrokeNoMore]

Trooper....was this reported in the local media? If you could send us the link, that would be great.

This kind of crap doesn't even make the local media, Tiffany. Trooper already identified, before your request, that he could not make an issue of it publicly. When it is hush-hush between the manager of the mall and the manager of an agency... Let's all be quiet, not offend anyone.

On a quick review of your postings, especially your topics, it shows a vast majority are anti-Government and specifically anti-Obama. That's not necessarily rare on this site, but it does raise an eyebrow on possible motivation why this would be posted. Seems to me, someone like yourself would be the first one to bring it to the local press and you would actually relish in bring it to national attention. Even now you could call up Fox News and remain anonymous.

On review of the majority of your postings, most of them are anti-Christian. So no surprise that you want to imply that this didn't happen at all.

[bamagirl]

Trooper that is highly honorable work you do, kudos to you...sorry for all the grief ya'll are getting over a tree.

[Hamels]

Plus +1 to ya!

There's an auto parts store near here that has a voice mail when the phone is unattended that says " We are not in so at the tone leave a message" like many other phones but first it says "press 1 for English to leave a message or press 2 to disconnect until you learn to speak English"! Don't know how long they will get away with it but it's been there for a couple of years now.

now thats a keeper +1 for ya

[bamagirl]

Btw, it is offensive to me that I have to be scared to go to the mall or out to eat with my children because a radical muslim may be in the building and think its okay to blow us all up so they can go to their 'heaven'. I worked as a waitress after 9/11 and let me tell you, I was TERRIFIED when I saw people from ME descent come into where I worked, It was not from me being prejudice or racist it was because THEY taught me to be that way...

Edited November 25, 2011 by bamagirl

[trooper]

Trooper that is highly honorable work you do, kudos to you...sorry for all the grief ya'll are getting over a tree.

Thanks Bamagirl... It's really sad because it really contributed to the local areas nursing home, foster homes and juvenile centers with dinner's, gifts, therapies and necessities...

[Tiffany23]

This kind of crap doesn't even make the local media, Tiffany. Trooper already identified, before your request, that he could not make an issue of it publicly. When it is hush-hush between the manager of the mall and the manager of an agency... Let's all be quiet, not offend anyone.

On review of the majority of your postings, most of them are anti-Christian. So no surprise that you want to imply that this didn't happen at all.

Ah..you couldn't be more wrong. I'm against anyone that isn't willing to give equal rights to the minorities. I've challenged the validity of statements that people make about religion, race or creed. I admit I've put up pro atheist postings, but that is a long way from being Anti-Christian. Pls retract your statement.

Yes, it's always easy to make up something to prove your point and then give an alibi on why you can't provide facts to back them up. Bet I can do one better, I've always enjoyed creative writting, here goes:

Girl Blames Pregnancy on Holy Spirt

An unwed Baptist teenager found herself in the "family way" told her parents last week that she hads never known a boy sexually. Instead, she blamed the pregnancy on an encounter with an invisible ghost who compimented her on being so surprisingly free of sin. She was immediately slapped senseless by her annoyed parents and sent to the Pastor, who threw her out of Chruch. "The whole idea of a spirit flattering a young girl in hopes of diddling her lady parts is such a preposterous, lewd proposition", said Paster Deacon Fred. "Frankly, I don't know where this little scallywag got the idea for such an outrageous, bald faced lie".

Ok, so I plagiarized some of it...but I'm sure I can provide facts to back it up.

Sorry, until he posts a local media website, I'm pulling out the BS card.

[dog53]

I think most the responders to this post have totally missed the mark. It`s not the 1 Muslim that complained that's the problem It`s how WE handled it. It`s WE who made the decision to take down the tree. It`s US that allows them to have their way. WE make the rules. WE are to blame. As Americans we must fight this new idiot political correctness. and try to bring some common sense and sanity back to our once proud nation. Stop blaming the immigrants and blame those in charge that allow it. Sure they will take advantage why not all they have to do is whine a little and WE give them what they want.

WELL LETS STOP THEM FROM GIVING THEM WHAT THEY WANT!!!!!!!!!!!.

VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

VOTE NOT FOR POLITCAL CORRECTNESS BUT FOR COMMON SENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

FIRE EVERY POLITICION THAT DOES NOT COMPLY TO THE PEOPLES WISHES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WoW that felt good

[skitealwedrop]

Plus +1 to ya!

There's an auto parts store near here that has a voice mail when the phone is unattended that says " We are not in so at the tone leave a message" like many other phones but first it says "press 1 for English to leave a message or press 2 to disconnect until you learn to speak English"! Don't know how long they will get away with it but it's been there for a couple of years now.

I love that! Thanks for the chuckle.

[trooper]

Tiff google it.. Christmas trees are being banned in every walk of business.. This isn't the first and definitely not the last time.. As much as this is hard to believe for your sheltered mind ... I will not jeopardize the greater good of the charity .. I'm sorry i can't give you names and phone numbers... Anti gov or anti Obama is irrelevant to this topic.. Again your are trying to twist a topic to fit your views... If you approve or disapprove stick to the topic at hand..

[CrappieShark]

I have constitutional rights as a citizen of the USA. I see no mention anywhere that if someone is offended because of my speech or belief that I lose my freedoms as a citizen. If they dont like the religious celebration I use then open your own charity and your own shop and worship your own way and give out your own kind of food. I dont have to take mine down or change my belief system because you dont like it. Become an American or leave America. If we have Chinese, Muslims, Koreans, Italians, South Americans, Mexicans, Africans, French, and on it goes that remain true to their own country and are also now Americans then we are in grave danger. Read history. When any nation became a conglomeration of nations there was insurgencies during conflict that eventually was the downfall of that nation that allowed such. To say I am an American and since we have allowed all of these minorities to enter our country I now have no rights that my forefathers fought to procure for me means I am no longer free but bound. If you dont like America and the constitutional laws set forth by people who gave their life to make this country what it is leave. If you are in office and you want to change our constitution leave. I say we displace them and make them leave before we become a socialist nation which is what this one world economy is based on anyway. Socialism has never worked and never will. Read History.

[markchem]

I have constitutional rights as a citizen of the USA. I see no mention anywhere that if someone is offended because of my speech or belief that I lose my freedoms as a citizen. If they dont like the religious celebration I use then open your own charity and your own shop and worship your own way and give out your own kind of food. I dont have to take mine down or change my belief system because you dont like it. Become an American or leave America. If we have Chinese, Muslims, Koreans, Italians, South Americans, Mexicans, Africans, French, and on it goes that remain true to their own country and are also now Americans then we are in grave danger. Read history. When any nation became a conglomeration of nations there was insurgencies during conflict that eventually was the downfall of that nation that allowed such. To say I am an American and since we have allowed all of these minorities to enter our country I now have no rights that my forefathers fought to procure for me means I am no longer free but bound. If you dont like America and the constitutional laws set forth by people who gave their life to make this country what it is leave. If you are in office and you want to change our constitution leave. I say we displace them and make them leave before we become a socialist nation which is what this one world economy is based on anyway. Socialism has never worked and never will. Read History.

Read more:

While I totally agree with your opinion, I would like to put a different twist on what a lot of people are saying. The adage is true that if you don't like what we in America have, leave. It is many here in America who created this mess.

One of the beautiful designs of America was the concept of a melting pot. We welcome your culture and diversity and, over generations, it may ASSIMILATE into our overall culture. The freedoms of America allow one to keep their cultural values (as long as they pose no harmful or unlawful threat to others) along with freedoms of speech, press, religion, and assembly. America was created, however; along certain guidelines. English was the spoken language, the Constitution and associated bill of rights were the principles for prudent government and civilization. And for almost 200 years this thrived well with input from many distressed cultures finding new life and safe haven in America. The Italians, Eastern Europeans, Irish, Germans, Japanese, Latin Americans, etc. have had generations immigrate to America both learning and adding to the culture that is America.

Now we allow, even favor, those who come here to reap the benefits of America with more rights than citizens of several generations. In the spirit of political correctness, those who do not even embrace citizenship are given priority and are catered to the wishes that may represent less than 10 per cent of the majority. How is this equitable or politically fair? And a rapid and drastic departure from that which was meant to be the ideals of our founding fathers! America and Americans need to find some way to recapture America. Then, and only then, can the proper perspective be given and EXPECTED of those who wish to JOIN and EMBRACE our freedom and way of living.