Ho, Ho, Horrible (Or Not)
By Jim Lynch on Dec 20, 2007 in Political Correctness
Unbelievable. Mark Tapscott writes:
Oklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson drew national scorn earlier this year when he arrested Paul Jacob of the Sam Adams Alliance and two colleagues on trumped-up charges that they violated a discredited state law requiring all circulators of initiative petititons in Sooner Land to be residents.
Now the Okie Napoleon is banning Christmas!
I am not making this up (because I am from Oklahoma and this guy is an embarrassment).
Edmondson issued an advisory opinion to officials at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford advising them that the word “Christmas” should not be spoken by any employee of the state school, not written in any official holiday decorations.
The Edmonson opinion is just jaw droppingly sureal. Tapscott quotes from a statement by Matt Staver and Liberty Counsel.
“Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has issued a disturbing policy which requires all employees to refrain from using the word ‘Christmas’ in oral or written form. This directive was given by the university upon legal advice of the Oklahoma Attorney General, W.A. Drew Edmondson. Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to SWOSU following a complaint from a university affiliate.
“John Misak, the Director of Human Resources, recently visited various university departments and employee groups and informed everyone that any decorations featuring the word ‘Christmas’ in any work or public areas of the university must be immediately removed. He also instructed everyone to discontinue the use of the term ‘Christmas’ in their speech while on the job. This censorship specifically includes exchanging greetings of ‘Merry Christmas’ among employees or with non-employees, whether initiated by a non-university employee or not.
You need to read the whole thing. Contact information at the link. (h/t Captain’s Quarters)
UPDATE: Acording to Captain Ed the AG’s office is disputing the story.
So I called there myself, and spoke with Emily Lang, spokesperson for the AG. Ms Lang confirms that they are greeting callers with “Merry Christmas” as a means of refuting this story. AG Edmundson did not issue this order, she insists; they are checking with assistant AGs to see if the advisory ever existed at all. At any rate, the AG does not believe state workers should refrain from Christmas greetings.
Ms. Lang wants people to know that they have a Christmas tree in the office, and hopes everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Mark Tapscott has updated his original piece saying that,
I just got off the phone with Matt Staver of Liberty Counsel who took me through the background of his actions in this regard. He’s standing by his news release.
Hmmmm.
Update: Mark Tapscott updates his day.
Sphere: Related ContentTags: Drew Edmondson, Oklahoma, Political Correctness, SWOSU








Is that egg(nog) on my face? Maybe. Just want to make sure you and your readers see this update: http://www.examiner.com/blogs/tapscotts_copy_desk/2007/12/20/Is-that-eggnog-on-my-face-Maybe
Mark Tapscott | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply