News, 'Holiday' parade angers some in Tulsa. (Ada, Dewey: legal, authority)

[JD59]

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A holiday parade in Tulsa, Okla., should be denied a permit because it does not have Christmas in its name, the head of the city council says.

Council Chairman Rick Westcott told the Tulsa World he will vote against the application for the annual Holiday Parade of Lights Tuesday unless "Christmas" is restored to its official name.

'Holiday' parade angers some in Tulsa - UPI.com

[StillwaterTownie]

It's utterly astounding such an issue is occuring in one of the reddest most church going cities in the nation.

[Bill236c]

Tulsa mayor Dewey Bartlett acknowledged the reality of the situation. "If it was up to me, I'd call it a Christmas parade, but I also understand that we have a diverse community, and I'm sensitive to the importance of the many cultures and traditions that make up our city," he said.

As the voice of reason, which until now I didn’t know had a presence on the city council, Council Member G. T. Bynum said that there is “a world of difference between Sen. Inhofe’s personal opinion on the parade and the council’s legal authority to prevent it. I’m embarrassed that we’re even talking about it.”

As a proud Tulsan, who loves throwing back a few too many Sam Adams at McNellie’s, I am too. My proposal is to drop any pretense that this parade has anything to do with Christmas and rename it The McNellie’s a Keg on Every Corner Drink Beer Until you Puke Parade of Lights. See ya’ll there.

Hey John1960 -
I see from looking at your other posts that you somehow find it useful to post news items in a multitude of citydata forums where each news event took place. Why?

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by John1960

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A holiday parade in Tulsa, Okla., should be denied a permit because it does not have Christmas in its name, the head of the city council says.

Council Chairman Rick Westcott told the Tulsa World he will vote against the application for the annual Holiday Parade of Lights Tuesday unless "Christmas" is restored to its official name.

'Holiday' parade angers some in Tulsa - UPI.com

So?

[Ecovlke]

I'm for respecting all people and their diversity, and I'm also not Christian. That said, I think we'd do well to remember the history of this parade, and what it's supposed to represent. It's a Christmas parade, and it's always been meant to be a fun celebration of the Christmas holiday. Any one of us can choose to participate or not. If someone doesn't want to celebrate Christmas then don't, but non-Christians shouldn't expect Christains to change their celebration in order to 'respect' non-Christians. That's sort of twisted, IMHO.

[tookey]

There is always something in Tulsa that ruffles somebodys feathers. We have much bigger issues to deal with. It's just a smoke screen to get our minds off the important things that need doing.

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by Ecovlke

I'm for respecting all people and their diversity, and I'm also not Christian. That said, I think we'd do well to remember the history of this parade, and what it's supposed to represent. It's a Christmas parade, and it's always been meant to be a fun celebration of the Christmas holiday. Any one of us can choose to participate or not. If someone doesn't want to celebrate Christmas then don't, but non-Christians shouldn't expect Christains to change their celebration in order to 'respect' non-Christians. That's sort of twisted, IMHO.

Very true. Great post.

[ERISAjunkie]

Originally Posted by Ecovlke

I'm for respecting all people and their diversity, and I'm also not Christian. That said, I think we'd do well to remember the history of this parade, and what it's supposed to represent. It's a Christmas parade, and it's always been meant to be a fun celebration of the Christmas holiday. Any one of us can choose to participate or not. If someone doesn't want to celebrate Christmas then don't, but non-Christians shouldn't expect Christains to change their celebration in order to 'respect' non-Christians. That's sort of twisted, IMHO.

I agree. If you want to celebrate a different holiday put together another parade.

[flyingcat2k]

It is my understanding the Holiday Parade is an independent (ie. non-governmental) non-profit organization that VOLUNTARILY CHOSE to name itself a holiday parade rather than a Christmas parade. Isn't this the cart before the horse?

This group chose to change the name and someone in some church that is not a member of the organization wants them to change their name to something else? This type of intervention is wrong when changing a Christmas parade to a Holiday parade. It is wrong the other way too.

Pretty petty and shameful to me. It wasn't a controversy until Councilor Westcott opened his yap.

[Goodpasture]

I always have a problem with those that don't do anything bitc*ing about what someone else is doing.