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YourHub.com \\ Denver \\ Stories \\ Holidays \\ Hanukkah

The Brad Side of Things (Holiday Edition)

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Contributed by: Brad Bettag on 12/11/2006

The Rabbi who Stole Christmas

I know it's been awhile but let's just say this semester wasn't too kind to my free time.

So if you have been following the news recently the name Elazar Bogomilsky should ring a bell. If not, he is the Rabbi from Seattle who threatened to sue the Port Authority for their lack of having a large menorah to accompany their large Christmas tree display in the lobby.

In response, the port authority, lacking funds and time, decided to avoid incident and take down the display. Now Mr. Bogomilsky is shocked and surprised that the port would take down the trees and that he never meant for that to happen.

I have one question for the Rabbi.... Who do you think would pay for the menorah display Mr. Bogomilsky, tax payers, the airline... your synagogue? Don't make me laugh. I'm sorry but you really aren't rising above the stereotype. To expect the Port Authority to kowtow to your one request and spend money out of its own budget to erect a giant candle holder is beyond me. The fact of the matter Mr. Bogomilsky is that this is primarily a Christian nation, although I really hate to say that. If you look at the statistics, according to Wikipedia, the United States is 78% secularized Christian. Now please explain to me with your superior tax knowledge how it would be appropriate to spend tax dollars to erect a monument that, according to the 2002 statistics, less than 1% of the US population would appreciate.

Now don't get me wrong, I hate far right wing christian conservates with the best of 'em, but you don't see me threatening lawsuits against the manger displays in Colorado Springs. During this time of year political correctness needs to take a needed vacation to Puerto Rico and let people celebrate whatever they want to celebrate and not care about what other people are doing at this time of year. Like my earlier story on here, Live and Let Live...

But then to expect the Port Authority to set aside time in their busy schedules in this holiday rush, to build the display, how greedy and obnoxious can you be Mr. Bogomilsky? I am not sure what exactly the Menorah symbolizes besides the age old story of how the first one stayed lit with such little oil, but as for us who celebrate Christmas, it's about giving and being courteous. I have no idea how threatening lawsuits and causing a social disturbance at this time of year comes anywhere close to giving and being courteous. Yes, there is a right for people to display menorahs as you argue, but it is not a right to make others give away their time and money just so you can be happy on the first day of Hanukkah. As I am sure you encourage people to be open and learn about your culture, I honestly ask you to read the book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Mr. Bogomilsky, I'm sure you will find it quite entertaining.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Brad Bettag

Lakewood , CO

Brad Bettag has posted 40 stories and 46 comments since joining on 3/22/2006. Brad Bettag 's average story rating is 3.72.

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