Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
Politico debunks yet another breathless email circulating among the dull and the credulous, this one telling people that the Obamas have banned Christmas at the White House.
One of the chain emails circulating around in-boxes claims that "a friend at church who is a very talented artist" got a letter from the White House saying not to send any ornaments painted with a religious theme."Just thought you should know what the new residents in the WH plan for the future of America," concludes the email hoax. "If you missed his statement that 'we do not consider ourselves a Christian Nation' this should confirm that he plans to take us away from our religious foundation as quickly as possible."
This is not a hoax, it's a lie. Let's call it what it is. Someone consciously decided to start this lie circulating and untold numbers of ignorant people mindlessly swallowed that lie and passed it on.
The White House Historical Association has been receiving calls and emails about an alleged Obama decree that the Christmas trees in the White House would now be known as "holiday trees." And artists submitting designs for ornaments on the Blue Room tree were not allowed to depict Christian themes."It's strange," said Maria Downs, the historical association's spokeswoman. "They're almost saying, 'Are you aware of this?'"...
The truth is the White House has already made plans to celebrate Christmas this year. In August the National Christmas Tree Association announced that a couple from West Virginia will "present the official White House Christmas Tree to First Lady Michelle Obama for the 2009 Christmas season."
There is no claim too stupid that the religious right rank and file won't fall for it.
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For all the Christians out there:
James 3: 3 - 12
Taming the Tongue
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The language is old and symbolic, but the intent is pretty damn clear.
Posted by: Jim Ramsey | October 21, 2009 9:26 AM
The amount of people that believe these emails is worrying, the Obama tax one done the orunds befire the electiond and rememebr the Al Gore stopped Oliver North looking for Bin LAden one from ages ago?
Posted by: Naughtius Maximus | October 21, 2009 9:35 AM
I heard the Obama's are going to be serving aborted fetuses at the White House Christmas dinner and listening to heavy metal music. Let's see how long it takes for fundies to start passing this one around.
Posted by: Skip | October 21, 2009 10:28 AM
It's not that they've banned Christmas from the White House. It's just that they don't have time, what with all the dog walking they do.
Posted by: chris | October 21, 2009 10:42 AM
IMHO, still doesn't quite fall to the same measure of stupidity as those Religious Righties who thought the Onion's article on Harry Potter causing children to become Satanists was real.
Posted by: Adrienne | October 21, 2009 10:58 AM
I confidently predict that Christmas doesn't get banned in the White House all these idiots will happily claim that they rpevented it by protesting against it, or with their prayers.
Posted by: Valhar2000 | October 21, 2009 11:37 AM
There's little that the religious right - now the voice of the Republican Party - won't say.
When this short satire was produced a few months ago, it seemed far-fetched -- but not any more!
http://bit.ly/fxv3G
(satire)
Posted by: maxfolger | October 21, 2009 12:15 PM
I got a right-wing propaganda email about the Eid stamp from a co-worker today. After pointing out that the claims in the email were false, and linking to an official USPS press release proving it, the guy who sent the message came to my desk and admitted that it was false and that he didn't care whether or not what he was sending was true, as long as it made a Democrat look bad. He showed no remorse whatsoever, even after being exposed as a liar.
The very idea of truth is alien to these people. The whole of their thought processes have been reduced to "Democrats Baaaaaaaad." For the good of America, the Republican party needs to crash and burn. Maybe someday something sane could arise from the ashes.
If I hear from this fuckwit again, I'll point out that he claims to be a christian, and ask him which figure in christianity is referred to as "the father of lies".
Posted by: phantomreader42 | October 21, 2009 12:25 PM
phantomreader42
Wont do any good to question his christianity. The concept of Liars for Jesus has attained celebrity status. He'll be proud of that just as he was for the Eid stamp spam.
They've been issuing Eid stamps for years. I use them for all my holiday mail.
Posted by: MikeMa | October 21, 2009 12:30 PM
Oh, I know it won't do any good, he's made it clear that he's proud of his dishonesty. He actually said that he didn't give a damn whether or not what he's saying is true, as long as it makes a Democrat look bad. It just amuses me to point out what morally bankrupt asshats these guys are, and what a horrible job they do of representing their imaginary god.
Though I think I'll pick up some Eid stamps and send a holiday card to my crazy right-wing aunt. :)
Posted by: phantomreader42 | October 21, 2009 2:37 PM
"There is no claim too stupid that the religious right rank and file won't fall for it." And we all know that's just what all the perps of all these lies count on.
Posted by: Roadrash548 | October 21, 2009 4:11 PM
Snopes mentions that this seems to have started from a memo about the Capitol Christmas Tree, which has banned ornaments with a religious or political theme - over the past few years. In other words, years prior to Obama taking office.
Posted by: BobApril | October 21, 2009 8:08 PM
What's an "Eid" stamp?
Posted by: Richard Gere's gerbil | October 21, 2009 9:13 PM
Not only has Obama not banned Christmas from the White House, he's also started a new assistance program for Israel - the Judeo part of Judeo-Christian.
The new Obama program is called 'Hams for Hanukkah" and it's purpose is to collect donated hams to feed needy Israelis.
So far two southern senators are the biggest donors.
Posted by: Rob Jase | October 21, 2009 9:47 PM
New email I just received and wanted to share with everyone:
Now I don't believe this email is true at all. I think it is clear that it is intentionally false, using the same techniques that the right is using against the Obama Administration. But doing a google search, I am not able to find any evidence to disprove this email. And I think it would be very easy for Glenn Beck to simply show us his financial records, and prove that he hasn't given any amount of money to the family of a young girl who was raped and murdered in 1990.
Posted by: Jordan G | October 21, 2009 10:51 PM
What's an "Eid" stamp?
http://www.snopes.com/politics/stamps/eidstamp.asp
Posted by: Matty | October 22, 2009 5:59 AM
Technically, it's a "dirty heathen pagan tree", which dear Jeremiah (Jer10:3-4) was against. Poor, poor Jeremiah. People keep skipping over his words for those of the bible's big guns, Paul & Moses.
...
Oh, and Jesus.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | October 22, 2009 7:50 AM
Thanks for posting this, Ed. It's the sort of thing I'd like to beat you to once in a while -- but it's delicious enough, and enough down my alley that I posted on it anyway.
And sure enough, I was able to find a few bloggers who continue the hoax, though they do it in all gullibility, without a clue as to how to tell whether these things are false or not.
They must like it that way, having a world where their president is a dolt, but an especially evil one. Masochists of the first order.
Posted by: Ed Darrell | October 22, 2009 3:08 PM
The White House staff picked out the Official Blue Room CHRISTMAS TREE just a few days ago. It will be presented to First Lady Michelle Obama just after Thanksgiving.
http://www.christmastree.org/whitehouse.cfm
Posted by: The Christmas Tree Guy | October 23, 2009 10:35 AM
Personally, I shall not rest until America starts following Biblical standards on which she was built! f there were any Christians at all in either the House or the Senate,
they would have, as their first and only concern, the desire to create
an environment in which citizens can reasonably be assured of Eternal
life at The Right Hand of God.If a thief can't pay back four or five
times the value of what he stole, sell him into slaveryDecapitate the
heads of enemy states!
Kill everyone who disagrees with the command of the KING (monarchy
being the form of government God approves of)
Cripples can't be allowed into church!
Men should be allowed multiple wives!
Legalize slavery!
Beat fools!
No women in any place of authority over a man!
AMEN! As it is, the vast majority of the supine lollygaggers, merely
spout the odd Christian sentiment to garner to votes of the gullible
and ignorant.
I urge all readers to write to their representatives, at all levels,
and ask them directly what they are doing to help others to
Salvation™. He who puts the laws of men before the grace and glory of
God shall surely lament hi choice upon the day of judgment, for his
iniquity shall be like a stain upon him, a blemish, and he shall not
be permitted into the eternal glories of the great city of twelve
gates and pearls and gold.
Posted by: TRUECRISTIAN | October 23, 2009 6:30 PM
"Personally, I shall not rest until America starts following Biblical standards on which she was built! f there were any Christians at all in either the House or the Senate, they would have, as their first and only concern, the desire to create an environment in which citizens can reasonably be assured of Eternal life at The Right Hand of God."
My goodness, please tell me this is some sort of parody.
Posted by: daniel rotter | October 24, 2009 12:07 AM
"supine lollygaggers"? - Who knew Monty Burns was such an expert Poe? (Or perhaps he was inspired by Satan [aka Waylon Smithers] "Get behind me Satan." Mark 8:33) :) - DJ
Posted by: DingoJack | October 24, 2009 12:26 AM
I think the "TM" after "Salvation", and the "Legalise slavery" bit, make it fairly obvious that this is a parody (and not even a very amusing one).
Posted by: Walton | October 24, 2009 5:47 AM
You're just bitter, Walton.
Posted by: Modusoperandi | October 24, 2009 9:12 AM
So waita minute...you mean the fundies think the Antichrist should be celebrating Christmas...wouldn't that be sacreligious or something?
Posted by: RCHughes | October 24, 2009 9:19 AM