Dec 19, 2011
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The official White House holiday card makes no mention of the word ‘Christmas’ and instead focused on Bo the First Dog based on the wishes of the First Family.
“From our family to yours, may your holidays shine with the light of the season,” read the inside of the card, featuring the presidential seal.
The front of the card features Bo the First Dog lounging by a fireplace. Holiday greenery is draped over the fireplace mantle. Holiday presents are placed on a table underneath a poinsettia – instead of a Christmas tree.
Los Angeles-based artist Mark Matuszak told the LA Times that he was asked to create the card by the White House social secretary.
“They wanted to do an inside shot, something home related,” Matuszak told the newspaper. He said one of the ideas was to focus on the Obama’s family dog. “So we thought, let’s put Bo in front of a fireplace.”
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin told Fox News & Commentary that she found the card to be a bit unusual.
“It’s odd,” she said, wondering why the president’s Christmas card highlights his dog instead of traditions like “family, faith and freedom.”
“Even stranger than that was his first year in office when the Christmas ornaments included Chairman Mao,” Palin said. “People had to ask that it be removed because it was offensive.”
President Obama’s Christmas Cards have been the subject of controversy in the past. His 2009 greeting card made no reference to Christmas, drawing the ire of Republican Congressman Henry Brown.
“I believe that sending a Christmas card without referencing a holiday and its purpose limits the Christmas celebration in favor of a more ‘politically correct’ holiday,” the South Carolina congressman told Fox News Radio in 2009.
Former President Bush did not mention Merry Christmas in his cards, but had a history of including Bible passages on the White House Christmas Cards.
For his final Christmas in office, the president sent a greeting card that included a verse from the Gospel of Matthew.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” the card read.
Palin said the majority of Americans can appreciate the more traditional, “American foundational values illustrated and displayed on Christmas cards and on a Christmas tree.”
As for the Obama card, she replied, “It’s just a different way of thinking coming out of the White House.”
FOX News Talk
Some of you don't realize that Obama is president of all Americans which include Christians, non-Christians, atheists who love Christmas, and Christians who think Christmas trees are pagan. Personally, anything representing Palin's warped concept of traditional values–including letting her teenage daughter's boyfriend staying overnight or consulting witch doctors–should be left out of Christmas.
I think it's a very lovely card and screams Merry Christmas well maybe calls out Merry Christmas:-)
I wouldn't be too concerned with all these insane paranoid comments….. like "Anne Marie Naquin Flint"…………….. If you guys haven't noticed, most of these insane ignorant conservative/religious scared individuals are practically one foot in the grave anyway. Its just a matter of time before this crazy old school ignorant mentality dies off. Unfortunately, we still got a few stragglers lingering around. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Can somebody please tell me what I'm supposed to be offended about so I can be properly angry?
@ Steve; you can go to hello, Hon. I won't stand in your way.
@Juanita You prolly know the way
Why shore…drive to the polling station and vote Obama back in. Pure hell. LOL!
Pretty funny, Look at the Bush and Reagan Christmas cards, Oh NO no baby Jesus or mention of Christmas! Better yet look the FOX Christmas cards, It shows two cartoon foxes roasting the NBC peacock over an open fire…the other fox card shows a fox on a sled winning a race with other sleds marked abc, cbs, and nbc, No Christams tree, no family (unless the foxes were related) no manger, no three wise men….oops I guess Sarah forgot to look at the fox cards. At least the Obama card did not show the dog being roasted,,, nice Christian sentiment and principles on display, does this insinuate they are going to eat the peacock ,,, killing the bird, ripping out it's feathers, and then eating it, the big three for Christmas, murder, torture, and cannibalism. Should I even mention vanity, gluttony, and disrespect.
peace,,, bill
Fox has really step up the war on the Obama's this year.It's almost sickening now.
The staggering irony of the story – get people torqued up with fears and distrust over Christmas. And the "Christians" fall for it! Hey, guys, try this: sit down and read about Jesus for a few minutes. That will help you feel a little less fearful and distrustful of your fellow man and your President, maybe it will make you feel – I dunno – peaceful and loving. Just an idea…
Don't worry, in a week you can go back to the irrational hate and the birth certificate and all that. Merry Christmas.
President Obama can't do anything right, right! So this just adds fuel to the fire. If this be the majority in this country so be it. But for me, Merry Christmas and God bless everyone!
Why you calling it a "Holiday Card" Fox? Why isn't it a "Christmas Card"? Bunch of Jesus haters you are.
Fox, you have to realize how idiotic you sound. You have to! No one can be this dumb. I think you secretly work for the Onion, because this is truly an Onion type story, one that I would read and laugh at because it is patently ridiculous. You do realize that many people do not have a mention of Christmas in their cards because political correctness says you can't even say the word Christmas anymore because it may offend someone who celebrates differently, so you have to call it Holidays, as in Happy Holidays, your cards are holiday cards, your tree is a holiday tree, and your kids bring treats for the holiday party. If this is a practical joke, and you secretly ARE working for the Onion, well you got me!
I can't believe the ignorance of some of the comments here. It's ignorance seeded either by blinding hatred for the fine man who is our president, or ignorance seeded in abject stupidity. It's been four years people, and soon it will be for more years. He's here, he's a Christian who understands that not every American is a Christian, and he is sensitive to that because he's an intelligent, educated, well rounded human being. He's also an American by birth, and he put out a holiday card that was sensitive to every American – Christianity does not have possession of the holiday season, and the Christmas you all scramble to observe is nothing more than a corruption of it's buried significance. Today's Christmas is nothing more than a commercial exploitation, a travesty of consumerism and ridiculousness that has not a single godly reference anymore. See it for hat it is – one time of year where families from all ethnic backgrounds can spend time together, some of you wrapping up ipods and x-boxes, decorating trees stolen from pagan rituals and calling them Christian symbols – whatever, but for Christ's sake and your own, get over yourselves. Many of us despised George Bush, and still do for the absolute mess he made of this country, but we didn't invent our own version of his existence to fuel our hate, we stuck to the facts which were plenty good enough. Those of you perpetuating these false claims against President Obama do so because the facts side with him – so you make stuff up. So, you all must be bigots.
What a lovely card! Happy holidays!
http://youtu.be/3k_q_UMI3tQ
uh oh – Bing and Fred must have been Muslims!
Good thing John Lennon stuck with what's important – calling it Christmas!
http://youtu.be/yN4Uu0OlmTg
OK. Try to understand this: Obama is NOT A MUSLIM. He was born in Hawaii, a state of the United States. He even went to a Catholic school for a time as a child.He did produce and SHOW YOU a legitimate birth certificate. He is a Christian who practices his religion more faithfully than those who break that Commandment: "Thou shall not bear false witness". That means you should not tell lies. I love his Christmas card. It shows what Christmas is all about – a warm and loving home with a beloved pet by the fireplace. Come on. Maybe you folks should brush up on your Jesus. Try the Gospels.
The only thing offensive here is the egregious use of Painter.
more of the same.
Palin, Get off running the GOP, cuz u don't make no sense… what does Obama's beautiful Christmas cards have to do with the real world issues? I ain't gunna vote for u, Palin. U trash talk. No one likes Trash talk.
Palin, Get off running the GOP, cuz u don't make no sense… what does Obama's beautiful Christmas cards have to do with the real world issues? I ain't gunna vote for u, Palin. U trash talk. No one likes Trash talk.
it takes and idiot to rile up the idiots.
Utterly myopic story. Look at actual cards from past Presidents, including Reagan: http://read.bi/v0pfON.
Sure is a good thing that Fox used Christmas on their holiday card! http://www.mediaite.com/online/fox-news-holiday-card-celebrates-success-at-the-expense-of-other-networks/ Sure is hilarious.
So basically a repeat of not mentioning God in the Thanksgiving address…
Why is anyone still talking about Sarah Palin? She's a personality on par with Kim Kardashian and about as intelligent…who cares what she thinks!
Hear that sound? That's the clock ticking down Sarah Palin's 15 minutes of "fame." They're almost up. Say goodbye Sarah!
I'm so tired of hearing the nitpicking.maybe Palin should run for president again.lose again.then chew on a big mouthful of shut the fuck up.
As a Christian, I'm mystified by the overwrought rhetoric devoted to the notion that there is some sort of conspiracy at work against my faith, and that a President's choice of a greeting card aimed at ALL Americans (not just the Christian majority) is further proof that our faith is embattled. Seriously? What most threatens our faith is the same evil that threatens the faith of our brothers and sisters in Abraham. It isn't Obama, it isn't socialism, it isn't even right or left wing extremists (although they aren't helping) — it's materialsm.
Nothing is more indicative of a free nation than the existence of "Christmas Card Police".
Its not just about the card, its another example of the thinking in the White House. We have ( admit it or not, be in denial if you will ) a non american socialist who has no business whatsoever running a country let alone ours. Wake up people, November 2012 is near. Do the right thing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28
This should end the M uslim talk….
Nick
No one is forcing you to do anything. Just insult people. Nutjobs. So anyone that is wondering why Xmas is being exterminated is a nutjob? The M uslim the American people put in office are nutjobs as well as the president.
Merry Christmas to all, I took the time to read all the comments below, & it goes beyond general comments, when the Bush family for a total of 2 two term presidents, sent their cards out as Happy Holidays, with or without bible content was not a problem, but as soon as you get a president in with a different set up, makes your blood boils, take a look at all the Presidents cards prior to your negative comments, & respect the right to send a card as you so see fit, & leave it at that. FOR THEIR ARE MANY WHO ARE NOT BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, WHICH SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS & GIVE GIFTS FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING FUN, DRINKING, PARTIES, GIFTS, & CAN CARE LESS, SO MOvE ON.
I think some of us sense that Obama has ulterior motives and don't trust him. Period. Yes, he is free to send out whatever Christmas card he wants to. He is free to say "Merry Christmas", free to quote scripture is he so desires. And IF he did that, do you think all the atheists and people who erroneously think he SHOULD NOT be allowed to do that would be screaming against that. Yes, they would.So there is a LOT of hypocrisy going around!!
Fine and dandy to say 'shut up and move on' but that can work both ways.
What's amazing to me is that you're debating over a holiday who's only value has become how much in retail sales it generates. The only American Tradition Christmas represents is profitability. By the way, 62% of all seasonal card sales in the U.S. do not use the word "Christmas." Check your bullshit at the door. People like Eisner, Weaver and Loerzel…you've been sucking on that Fox News teat way too long and lost your perspective. I've heard the argument: only Fox is truth, yet every relevant poll says that Fox viewers are the least informed. The same old arguments are wearing real thin in the face of the facts. Besides, think of it this way: he's going to win in 2012 because the GOP can't seem to get its act together enough to produce a credible nominee. (Dear Lord, please give us Newt Gingrich to run against.) You'll get to whine for another four years.
You know, people are just wasting their time arguing with these wackos. It has nothing to do with the Christmas card. If Obama's card had the baby Jesus and virgin Mary plastered on the cover they would still complain about it. I would bet my life that Fox news would become the warriors of diversity and complain that the card is not inclusive enough. It's just another way for the racist bigots to complain about Obama.
BTW it seems that all the comments by "devout Christians" are all babbled nonsense that don't even try to argue the intelligent responses of some people here. Christmas is not going anywhere-Where Ilive, Christmas decorations are EVERYWHERE-and I live in a liberal town. People say "Happy Holidays" but they also say "Merry Christmas"- Saying "happy Hanukkah" (my holiday) is not even an OPTION. I'm really starting to dread Christmas every year now-not because of the festivities and the pretty lights and trees (which I love, BTW), but because of all the hate-spewing bigots whose only achievement is sucking the joy and goodwill out of the holiday season.
Sarah — Sorry to disagree but if Obama's card had baby Jesus and virgin Mary there would be hysterical yelling, screaming and rabid hatred spewed forth, not by Christians, but by the atheists, by the ACLU-types, liberal agnostics and the such. Maybe even by you? And disagreeing with Obama doesn't make you a racist. Only a race-baiting person would even say that. The people who talk about racism the most are the most racist of all!! Could include you also since you made the statement. So people who disagreed with Bush — they were racists right??
They are Muslims and did not want to appear Christian. I think it is important because one really wants transparent leadership and to know who your leader is. This guy and his family really are Muslims and not hiding it. Burn a Quran, an American flag, and a Bible on the street in front of the white house and see who goes to jail.
So true Merry. The anti-Muslim police are out. If you dare say a word against them and their tactics then down with 'ya. But stomp on a bible, burn a flag — -who cares? Good point. I can't believe the level of hypocrisy here — and the level of hatred and potty-mouthed people. I don't think they support Obama's right to say 'Merry Christmas', they just tout it about when he DOESN'T say that. They glory in that. Very transparent people here — with their hatred and rabid comments.
Did any of you actually listen to or watch the video of the president's weekly radio address? http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address I think that clearly puts the issue of Christmas and the Obamas to rest. Now we can move on to something else to complain about regarding the president. As former President Clinton said, "there is nothing patriotic about hating your country, or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government." Let's try keeping the important things important – the content of the White House card definitely being in the NOT IMPORTANT category!
I heard parts of it but, because you provided the link, I watched it. Thank you. And — I like what he said. In that address he wasn't afraid to use the word Christmas, to refer to the event that we celebrate at Christmas. He referred to himself as Christian. Yes, I like that. I am sure, though, that many of the people on this thread that were calling people names and putting Christians down DON'T like the address. I do admit that I don't respect a lot of what this President has done, and said. Respect is earned. But I do want to honor the position of POTUS. Obama also was completely against the effort in Iraq, against funding for support of the troops. Now that things have been a success there, in spite of his efforts against it, he is reveling in the glory of it. — that is unmistakable! But you have a good argument and you don't stoop to the level of some here who have potty mouths!
Did any of you actually listen to or watch the video of the president's weekly radio address? http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address I think that clearly puts the issue of Christmas and the Obamas to rest. Now we can move on to something else to complain about regarding the president. As former President Clinton said, "there is nothing patriotic about hating your country, or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government." Let's try keeping the important things important – the content of the White House card definitely being in the NOT IMPORTANT category!
Bottom line,,,,,,,,, JESUS is the reason for the season!
Christmas is a wonderful time of faith, family, and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. For all who would come to him, a wellspring of life is waiting! And here is Obama, whom many of you have hoped would usher in a new era of godlessness, stating just that! Hallelujah! So —– even though his Christmas card didn't mention Christmas, his address certainly did. So, according to many here, he was wrong in his address? Come on hypocrites — respond! Dare 'ya.
And that was a problem because?