Media Gives Sea-Tac Rabbi a Bad Rap

Rabbi gets hate mail over airport Christmas trees...

Got to give a tip of the ole hat to O'Reilly on this one. I too was pissed at the Seattle Rabbi that  "ruined Christmas"!  And I got a lot of mail from angry readers as well. But, we were wrong.

Thank the jihad media once again for stirring the pot and putting its leftarded slant (with a healthy dose of Jew hatred) on an otherwise innocuous story. The jihad media claimed the beleagured Rabbi was going to sue the Seattle airport to remove the trees  if they didn't display a menorah.  Blackmail! Of course the Rabbi could not refute the lies because the story broke on Friday night into Saturday ...... you know the deal. Shabbat.

Lies lies lies ...............we have to listen to the jihad loving media talk about the alleged "humiliation" of the 6 terror imams, but a Jew wants to display a menorah? Ass-ume the worst?  Horrors........
 
Maintenance workers boxed up the trees during the graveyard shift early Saturday, when airport bosses believed few people would notice.

Christmas trees at Seattle airport removed after rabbi complaints  LIE

There is a damper on Christmas cheer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: A rabbi's complaint led to the removal this weekend of synthetic Christmas trees that have decorated the entrances every holiday season for the last 25 years.

Rabbi: Removing trees was airport's call hmmmmmm, why did they do that?

"Everyone should have their spirit of the holiday. For many people the trees are the spirit of the holidays, and adding a menorah adds light to the season," said Bogomilsky, who works in Seattle at the regional headquarters for Chabad Lubavitch, a Jewish education foundation.

The Christmas trees are going back up at the sirport here.  Remember that detective series? Friday, the Rabbi was slimed.

Thanks O'Reilly and Happy Chanukah to all of my readers.

Comments

[HelyeahWinnie]

All the Rabbi wanted to do was add a little light! Who would object to a Menorah? The more light the better in these dark times.

[prairiemain]

I have absolutely no objection to a Menorah, anytime or any place.

But I fell for the media lies. I should've known the "anti-Zionists" would be up to old tricks (and smears).

What troubled me, before you just exposed the truth, is that the Rabbi went immediately to "I'll sue!" rather than trying a more diplomatic approach first. I think that one passage about him suing is what got a lot of people up in arms. This is an example of the damage a misinformed and biased media can do.

Thank you for clarifying this, Atlas.

Sometimes I want to pick up a very large stick and begin "lecturing" the media on fairness. Is it ignorance, incompetence or prejudice???

I think Menorahs are perfect for the season.
Christmas trees, too.

prairiemain

[DoctorDentons]

Once again the divisive media shows its colors.

[Underzog]

The drive by media is spreading anti-Semitism. I know some Chabadniks and they're good people.

"There's no need to fear; Underzog is here!"

[PMarc]

On the surface this is about idiots at the airport not wanting to "offend" anyone. Dig a little deeper, however, and there may have been the perceived opportunity to "remove religion from a public place," never mind the fact that an airport is not a government building. Who cares if some rabbi is blamed?

Dig a bit deeper, and there's the media trying to drive a wedge between Jews and Christians. The real question is, What, or who, is driving the media? Whatever/Whoever it is has an investment in dividing us.

As I've said before, more than once, we Christians and Jews must not allow "them" to trick us into turning on one another. We've got to be smarter than that. We must put aside ancient issues of distrust and prejudice and stand together. We must gratefully reflect upon the fact that we come from the same cultural root, and that that culture has given to the world the best that civilization can provide.

In that spirit, to Pamela, her family, and her Jewish readers, Happy Hanukkah to you all.

[Syndic Nuruodo]

I don't like zealots...
If this rabbi is jewish, then why does he act muslim? lol

[prairiemain]

To PMarc

I've always thought following the "money trail" can reveal a lot of things.

The Saudis learned an important lesson -- you don't have to bribe all Americans to get political results, just a few key players in key institutions.

The anti-Jews haven't gone away -- they've just learned to hide better.

I suspect we'll see more of this sort of thing over time. It will pay to be alert to it.

[PMarc]

Absolutely, prairiemain. My thoughts exactly (hence my use of the term "investment").

[DoctorDentons]

SN: Did you even READ the article and posts ?

[Syndic Nuruodo]

C'mon, guys! It was just a typically scandalous MSM coverage, that's all.

[Harcourt Fenton]

Of course, in the end, the Christmas trees went back up, but no Menorah was installed. Somehow, the Seattle airport has to examine the other winter holiday traditions and it will take them more than a year to do so. Just put up a Menorah, a Kwanzaa menorah and the other displays. What's the harm.

[x_dhimmi]

Harcourt Fenton, No harm at all, whatever is displayed. As stated before, I ignore what doesn't apply to me or my ideals or beliefs (until it tries to trample my beliefs, that is). Live and let live. There's too much "offence" in this culture that we've been trained to care about - the United States of the Perpetually Offended. Sometimes an expression not of my own belief catches my interest, and I take the time to learn more about it; sometimes not. Shouldn't matter to anyone ...repeating for emphasis, as long as it does not tread on someone else's freedom, then it's cool. If it floats your boat, sail with it. Just keep it from draining my pond.

[pigpaws]

When I first seen this story, nowhere did the rabbi object to the Christmas trees, he just wanted a menorah added. I think the airport was a tad assholish about it. While I agree with them, that they are not anthropologists, why couldn't they tell the rabbi he could either have a spot to place his own, or have school children make ornaments with Jewish symbols and place them on a tree - thus a 'Jewish' tree.

Trees stay, airport doesn't have to do religious studies, Hannukah is acknowledged, everyone is happy.

[Fritz]

The silliest aspect of this is that a Christmas tree is not a Christian icon. Like bunnies for Easter, an evergreen tree is a pre-existing European seasonal symbol that got appropriated by the Christian religion when they conquered. Now if SeaTac had creche displays up, then the rabbi would have good reason to want a menorah.

[VerityINK]

Thank you so much for put this story out there. I LIVE in Seattle--and I have plenty up about it, too:

http://dudratreview.blogspot.com/2006/12/let-me-set-record-straight.html#links

http://dudratreview.blogspot.com/2006/12/think-i-dont-know-people.html#links

What you say is smply the truth.

[VerityINK]

After looking at your site, I am pleased to list you on my Blog Roll. If you wish me to remove your link, please let me know!

http://dudratreview.blogspot.com/

[Ripper]

Chanukah is not a major Jewish holiday! (I am Jewish by the way). Christmas celebrates the birth of the Christian messiah. The Rabbi should have kept his mouth shut.

[VerityINK]

The Rabbi only made a simple request. I believe that THAT is still allowed in this country. You ignore how this has been spun.

[Gary]

Fritz, where do you get 'Conquered' by the Christians? The pagan nations surrounding and equally pagan Rome were conquered by Pagan Rome. Rome was falling apart by the time Christianity took hold in the majority there. Most of the Senate was STILL pagan at the fall of the empire. Christianity looked good to a lot of pagans and they shifted gears to take it up.

and Yes, I know all about various things that happened, such as the destruction of pagan books. But the gist of things is as I just posted.

[Syndic Nuruodo]

re: DoctorDentons

I did read the article and I have nothing against Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.
But there's no need to be overzealous and make it a problem. This "multicultural" obsession is ridiculous. Isn't it better to celebrate your traditional holiday, instead of "celebrating diversity"?

[VerityINK]

Hanukkah IS a legitimate, traditional holiday that happens at the same time. Kwanzaa is not--and Ramadan is long over.

[Irish Cicero]

http://tinyurl.com/szy9w

Wouldn't be the first time a mid-level manager ran from the phantom spectre of an inchoate suggestion of a potential lawsuit. No doubt he wears bunny slippers to bed.

I'm not convinced the media necessarily pulled a dirty on purpose. I think they're characteristically hysterical, reflexive, untutored where religion is concerned, dainty where daintiness isn't required and heavy-handed where a touch of class might be good, and, in general, anxious to see the piranhas feed. It's never a good idea to leave minor children at home with a journalist.

Well, from this Gentile's point of view, it sure would be nice to have Christmas back. To me, a "holiday tree" is something you'd take a laxative for.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!

[wxjames]

The macaca strikes again. Only the news that's fit to mislead you and create racial and religious separation. MACACA !

[turn]

The best part (to my thinking) of this story was not included in anything above.

Within 2 days of the cowardly removal of the trees at SeaTac, the individuals working the desks and reception started to bring their own mini-trees and decorations and set them where passengers could enjoy as well.

This showed personal courage that I have to respect.

[clyde]

A question: what the hell is a "Kwanzaa menorah"? Other than a made-up holiday, I have no idea.

One other thing: the Easter bunny someone mentioned above HAS been banned by the city government of Minneapolis (last year) because it might "offend" non-Christians. No kidding. The Easter bunny. Apparently Easter eggs and plastic grass were offensive as well, for they all had to go in the spirit of "inclusiveness" which is alive and well in beautiful downtown frozen Minneapolis.

[Joseph]

I love Christmas trees and Menorahs. Anything else doesn't interest me.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

America, a Judeo-Christian country. That's what matters to me.

[yonason]

And when the ACLU tries to stifle public religious expression, see here, and here, where's the press?

. . . BUT . . .

...when a pro-terror group wants to spew it's propaganda....
The ACLU are right there to defend them.

Also, this link has some good material on the ACLU's perfidy from a humorous perspective.

[BillBowen]

Pamela, in most cases you and I are on the same wavelength, but on this one I think you're at least partly off base. Here is why.

I just got done listening to a podcast of the 1st hour of the Michael Medved Show from Monday, 12/11. Michael had on Rabbi Bogomilsky and Rabbi Daniel Lappin. Michael is friends with both the rabbis.

Now according to what Rabbi Bogomilsky said in his own words, this whole thing "went south" when his lawyer threatened to sue the Port of Seattle if they did not accede to his request for the placement of the menorah in the SaeTac Airport Terminal.

Now put yourself in the shoes of the SeaTac management. Someone threatens to sue you, so what do you do? Now remember as well that government agencies are chicken as hell when it comes to 1st Amendment lawsuits (thanks to the ACLU and their bullying tactics they have refined so well over the years). So you take the path of least resistance - you remove the trees! That way there is no basis for the suit. And yes, I think that Rabbi Bogomilsky could be rightfully be accused of bullying (when someone says "lawsuit" what other way are you supposed to take it?).

Now let's look at the alternatives. You could say "go ahead, make my day" and let him sue, and spend taxpayer dollars defending the suit (and catch a tonne of flack from everyone over that) OR you could accede to the Rabbi's demand and have every other group you want to name saying "I want to place my holiday symbol there too". BTW, a menorah is for sure a religious symbol - a tree is not (now if it has been a manger scene with a kresh, Rabbi Bogomilsky would have had a valid argument).

Rabbi Lapin I think had it right: he believes that Rabbi Bogomilsky was wrong in the first place and even MORE wrong when he attempted to play the "lawsuit card".

Now did the media screw up in their reporting? Yes, they did, but not as bad as you would suspect: the rabbi DID threaten to sue, though not to have the trees removed. Could they have been a bit more careful in their reporting? Sure, but a number of people in this entire story seem to be talking out of multiple sides of their mouth trying to put the best "spin" on it for their respective side. I'm no friend of the drive-by media, but I don't believe they are the biggest offender in this case - Rabbi Bogomilsky's lawyer gets that prize.

That's my take - if any of you are interested, you can go to the following web site and download the podcast of the show and listen to it for yourself:

http://www.townhall.com/talkradio/Show.aspx?RadioShowID=4

Scroll down the page to the podcasts and D/L 12/11/2006 Hour #1

BTW, you might also want to take a look at 12/11 Hour #2: an interview with Brigitte Gabriel that was EXCELLENT!

[Deana]

Bill -

I agree. Normally I'm right there with you, Pam, but in this case, the second article (the one from UPI) does not in any way "prove" that the ABC article is misrepresenting what happened.

Both articles clearly state that the Rabbi wanted to ADD the menorah. The second article, however, did not address whether the Rabbi was threatening to sue, what deadlines were being discussed, etc.

If it is correct that the Rabbi was threatening to sue, he apparently went to the Port authorities at the last minute and presented them with a threat of a lawsuit that would cost money right during the port's busiest season. The fact that the port responded in a way that the Rabbi may not have anticipated is not the Port's fault.

Ideally, the Rabbi should have approached the Port in March or April or even August and asked to add the menorah at that time. I am confident the Port would have listened to him but if they had not, I would completely understand why he would sue.

In the end, I would love to see a beautiful menorah in the airport (and elsewhere!). Menorahs remind me of peace and of being around people who believe in miracles and the abiding presence of God. My concern, however, is that it won't be ok if we have just Christmas trees and menorahs in public places. We are going to start having to allow every group their representations in various public places. If we don't, there will be lawsuits, hurt feelings, etc. And personally, the spectacle of this is simply taking away any desire I have to see public places accommodate everyone. We are rapidly getting to the point where it is better to have nothing.

Pam - Again - I don't agree with you on this one but KEEP PREACHING!!!! I read you every day and am grateful for your work.

[hanukkah]

There is a great article about this from Chabad at http://www.chabad.org/455712