3,600 R.I residents complain over "holiday" tree

A large Christmas tree stands in the Entrance Hall on November 30, 2011 in Washington, DC. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Thousands of people have lodged complaints over independent Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's decision to call a spruce erected at the Statehouse a holiday tree and not a Christmas tree.

Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger says his office has received 3,600 telephone calls of protest since Fox News included his office number in a piece on the tree squabble last week. All but 700 of the calls were from out of state. Ninety-two callers supported Chafee.

Chafee says the word "holiday" is inclusive and reflects Rhode Island's origins as a haven for religious diversity. Previous governors also used the term to describe Statehouse trees.

Celebrating the Holidays 2011

Chafee will host a tree lighting ceremony Tuesday evening. A Republican state lawmaker upset with Chafee's terminology plans to decorate a Christmas tree outside her Statehouse office at the same time.

[endurorob_5]

obwan222 December 6, 2011 1:08 AM EST
"3,600 R.I residents complain..."

Where are the other 1,048,967 resident of RI? I guess they more important things to worry about. Or else, they just don't care.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++If you would have read the story completely you would know that all but 700 of those calls were from out of sate.

[smittyc]

Rhode Island has the largest Catholic voter base in the United States. That means Chafee ended his political future.

[bachagaloupe]

Chafee is a moron.Merry Christmas.

[Progress4USA]

Leave it to FOX to make an issue of inclusion for all. Teabagging Tearrorists won't be happy until every x-mas tree has a "whites only" sign hanging from it. OBAMA 2012...keep the country sane!!!!

[Mike_in_USA]

Yoohoo-this is CBS news wbsite. And really, "Teabagging Terrorists" and "whites only". Sounds like you don't want any discussion or reply. It doesn't look like you are 'inclusive' either. Take your meds and lie down for, say 100 yrs. and give us all a break.