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O Tannen-Mao? The right-wing's White House Christmas tree freak-out

December 23, 2009 12:54 pm ET — 34 Comments

Taking a cue from Andrew Breitbart's BigGovernment.com, several conservative media outlets have reported on three ornaments on the White House Christmas tree depicting President Obama's face superimposed on Mount Rushmore, Mao Zedong, and Hedda Lettuce. Despite the suggestion that those three Christmas tree ornaments (out of hundreds) indicated a "political statement" by the White House, according to the first lady's office, the tree was decorated by community groups, and the White House was unaware of those specific ornaments.

Breitbart's BigGovernment.com posts WH Christmas tree "exlcusive"

BigGovernment.com: "Transvestites, Mao And Obama Ornaments Decorate White House Christmas Tree." In a December 22 BigGovernment.com entry, "Capitol Confidential" posted photos of the three ornaments, writing:

Why let a holiday season come between the White House and making some political statements? The White House pegged controversial designer Simon Doonan to oversee the Christmas decorations for the White House. Mr. Doonan, who is creative director of Barney's New York has often caused a stir with his design choices. Like his naughty yuletide window display of Margaret Thatcher as a dowdy dominatrix and Dan Quayle as a ventriloquist's dummy. For this year's White House, he didn't disappoint.

Fox News, conservative blogs pick up the story

Fox News' Special Report highlights "interesting ornaments." As documented by Media Matters for America's Jeremy Holden and Jeremy Schulman, the December 22 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier featured a "Political Grapevine" segment on the ornaments, during which Baier reported:

BAIER: They include the communist leader Mao; drag queen -- celebrity queen -- Hedda Lettuce, who boasts on her Web site about her ornament being featured in the White House; and Mount Rushmore with a familiar face [President Obama] added.

Washington Times blog: "Chairman Mao adorns White House Christmas tree..." A December 23 entry to The Washington Times' Water Cooler blog linked to and quoted a December 23 entry on David Horowitz's NewsReal blog attacking the White House for choosing "a lovely ornament featuring China's mass murderer, Chairman Mao, to adorn our national Christmas tree at the White House."

NewsReal: White House "denigrating our Christian traditions." The December 23 NewsReal blog post to which The Washington Times linked further asserted:

Considering Obama's hostility to Christianity, as shown by his celebration of every religion except Christianity, Americans shouldn't be surprised. After all, the first thing any successful dictator must do is banish God from the public square and make fealty to the state primary.

Undoubtedly, Obama and Michelle are just expressing themselves, as is their right. That they choose to do so by denigrating our Christian traditions in such a disrespectful fashion however, is akin to a dog peeing on a Bible. And that's just not very presidential.

Gateway Pundit: "What a complete shock. A real stunner." From a December 22 GatewayPundit.com post, linking to BigGovernment.com's "Exclusive":

Barack Obama's White House Christmas Tree this year includes mass murderer Mao Tse-Tung ornaments.

[...]

You've gotta hand it to the Obamas. At least they're consistent.

Maybe they have yuletide tapes by G-D AmeriKKKa Reverend Wright playing in the background?

Steyn: Ornaments are "the new Democrat Holy Trinity." Guest-hosting Rush Limbaugh's radio show on December 23, Mark Steyn cited BigGovernment.com's story and commented: "I don't know what this is, the new Democrat Holy Trinity. And lo, the angel Gabriel appeared to the drag queen and said, 'Thou shalt conceive a child from Chairman Mao, and his name shall be Barack, and the star -- and he shall shimmer like a star in the west, blotting out Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore.' "

BigGovernment.com's "exclusive" undermined by facts, common sense

White House: Tree was decorated by community groups. As Media Matters noted, Baier, in his Fox News report highlighting the ornaments, undermined BigGovernment.com's reporting by noting that the "first lady's office says local community groups were asked to decorate hundreds of ornaments but that they are unaware of these specific decorations."

Conservative blogger: "most likely explanation" that "they really didn't know what was on the ornaments." In a December 22 entry, HotAir.com blogger "Allahpundit" dismissed BigGovernment.com's "exclusive" as nonsensical, writing:

Laying aside the fact that spotting a right-wing dictator on ornaments in the Bush White House would have had Media Matters stumbling towards its fainting couch, isn't the most likely explanation here that they really didn't know what was on the ornaments? Why court PR trouble with a deliberate provocation via something this trivial?

— S.S.M.
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    • Author by shaggles (December 23, 2009 1:07 pm ET)
      13 3
      "...akin to a dog peeing on a Bible." What? How could a dog peeing on a bible be disrespectful? Dogs know nothing of human religions. Maybe he should've said "...akin to US interegators flushing a Koran down a toilet."
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Conchobhar (December 23, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
        7 1
        allahpundit maintained his "con-cred" with that sideswipe at MMFA, but he was right. Smells of desperation and, while it may soothe the wingnut fringe, this has got to look ridiculous to adults.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by southerngal (December 23, 2009 1:29 pm ET)
          6 1
          It's the stupidest thing yet from these people. Just more evidence that whatever has them in knots at the moment is nothing but manufactured nonsense.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 24, 2009 12:11 pm ET)
            4 2
            Going off topic...

            Hey rightON - no white christmas for Copenhagen...

            And in case you try to wiggle out of it again here is a webcam showing no snow on the ground...

            So I assume you now concede that the snow during the climate change conference was a coincidence and not irony?

            Report Abuse
            • Author by southerngal (December 24, 2009 1:41 pm ET)
              1 5
              It is off topic. And I suggest instead of checking Copenhagen weather forecasts you should be checking out a dictionary for the correct meaning and proper usage of the word irony.

              Irony meaning an incompatible event, a snowstorm during a global warming conference is incompatible for obvious reasons. What happened in Copenhagen is ironic and some may consider it a coincidence as well. They are not mutually exclusive.

              Whether you obsess over it any further, or accept it, is irrelvant.

              Merry Christmas.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 24, 2009 2:06 pm ET)
                6 2
                Just as I thought - unwilling to accept the truth.

                Here's you, just last week...

                Well, Denmark has a milder climate than other countries in Scandinavia, actually - they haven't had a white Christmas in 14 years, apparently. So when one happens it's relatively rare, and when it happens during a conference on global warming, it's ironic.


                Which you followed up with this gem...

                No, trying to tell me that a snowfall that hasn't hit Denmark for Christmas in 14 years happens to blanket the city this Christmas during a conference on global warming is a "coincidence" and not "ironic". That isn't exactly parsing, that is just silly.


                So 15 years without a white Christmas now.

                Oh and this beauty...

                So your argument is that it's not Christmas yet? Are you banking on a quick snow melt so your point is proven, that yet another year has passed without a Danish white Christmas?

                Check back in a week and if the snow is gone, you win.


                I win! I win!

                Now run along you disingenuous little man.

                Happy Holidays!
                Report Abuse
                • Author by southerngal (December 24, 2009 2:09 pm ET)
                  1 7
                  Oops, you do win on that point, that the snow did melt so no white Christmas, apparently. But you have yet to prove that the snowfall was not ironic, sorry can't give you that one. You will have to settle with one win.

                  Pat yourself on the back. Enjoy.
                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 24, 2009 2:16 pm ET)
                    6 2
                    Nah, it's all a win. See, you've been exposed and that's also a win.

                    Oh, and this might help you.
                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by southerngal (December 24, 2009 2:20 pm ET)
                      1 5
                      Actually it did, this is situational irony. Thank you for conceding the point, even though I don't think you meant to do that.
                      Report Abuse
                      • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 24, 2009 2:53 pm ET)
                        6 1
                        I concede nothing to the likes of you.

                        So your contention is that situational irony would be applicable? From the link.

                        Recognize an example of situational irony when a man makes his living examining air bags in a factory to make sure that they are in working order, but dies in a car wreck because he failed to check his own airbag.


                        Take a remedial reading course.
                        Report Abuse
              • Author by DellDolly (December 26, 2009 1:16 am ET)
                2 1
                Again, you don't understand the definition of Irony. What you are describing is coincidence! And I already provided the definitions of those two words on that previous thread.

                You've been caught again, you liar and you fool.
                Report Abuse
      • Author by jcalton (December 24, 2009 3:19 pm ET)
        3  
        I'm pretty sure they meant a black dog, subconsciously.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by edrossinoelwein9669 (December 24, 2009 4:56 pm ET)
        1 4
        Merry Christmas Shaggies.
        Maybe you don't remember: "NEW YORK — Newsweek on Monday retracted a story alleging interrogators at Guantanamo flushed the Koran down a toilet in front of detainees.

        "Based on what we know now, we are retracting our original story that an internal military investigation had uncovered Koran abuse at Guantanamo Bay," editor Mark Whitaker (search) said in statement released Monday evening."
        Or maybe you are just a liar.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Old_Benjamin (December 24, 2009 6:29 pm ET)
          4 1
          Not flushed, peed on...

          http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4608949.stm
          Report Abuse
    • Author by DellDolly (December 23, 2009 1:13 pm ET)
      8  
      Why let a few facts ruin a perfectly good smear?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by epkklk851 (December 23, 2009 1:23 pm ET)
      7  
      When I visited the White House in 1994, there was a decoration of President Clinton and 9 other people running to illustrate "10 Lords a-Leaping." And the Bush White House had a troll, a bridge and some goats for the theme of "Fairy Tales and Stories." This year the theme was "Reflect, Rejoice, and Renew." And 60 different community organizations from around the country were given older White House ornaments to recycle and renew. The Obamas are not responsible for what 60 groups chose to do with 800
      ornaments!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by draftedin68 (December 23, 2009 2:08 pm ET)
      9  
      As always...

      ... the Daily Show has the best investigative reporting. on this outrage.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by cugagcmu805031 (December 23, 2009 3:59 pm ET)
        8  
        IMO, the best part of the video was at the end when the student told the reporter, "Woman go take your pills." Ah, the wisdom of children.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Conchobhar (December 23, 2009 4:15 pm ET)
          6  
          My favorite was, "Do you think before you speak?" Clearly the dark-haired Foxbot can't, or won't.

          Nollaig Shona to all, and to all an oíche maith!
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Conchobhar (December 23, 2009 4:15 pm ET)
          6  
          My favorite was, "Do you think before you speak?" Clearly the dark-haired Foxbot can't, or won't.

          Nollaig Shona to all, and to all an oíche maith!
          Report Abuse
      • Author by fantagor (December 23, 2009 4:12 pm ET)
        6  
        Fox Nabobs kicks the craziness into high gear at Christmas time. Noelle Nikpour's faux outrage over ornaments is precisely the type of manufactured controversy that will keep the GOP in the minority for years to come. While these sub-morons are doing battle over decorations, the Democrats are addressing substantive issues of the day. They really need to cease the gossip politics and get on the road to formulating an actual strategy for romancing the moderate vote, which doesn't include Sarah Palin's death panels or decoupage bashing.

        Randy
        Report Abuse
    • Author by sluggo (December 23, 2009 2:33 pm ET)
      17  
      This shows the absolute disdain the White House has for Capitalism. Rather than ask community groups to decorate these ornaments for free, Obama could have sold advertising space on them to various large corporations. By doing so, he could have collected some money and thereby reduced the deficit.

      This clearly shows that Obama wants to bankrupt the country!!!

      Report Abuse
    • Author by LKL (December 23, 2009 2:49 pm ET)
      7  
      I love that they can't even be consistent in their silly attacks:

      Considering Obama's hostility to Christianity, as shown by his celebration of every religion except Christianity, Americans shouldn't be surprised. After all, the first thing any successful dictator must do is banish God from the public square and make fealty to the state primary.


      So, which is it? Is Obama celebrating all religions but Christianity, or is he banishing God from the public square?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by rrastro (December 23, 2009 3:00 pm ET)
      3 8
      Who cares? evergreens are a symbol of pagan solstice worship. If we celebrated christmas correctly in june ("...there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." Luke 2:8 Shepherds sleep in the open after shearing is done...) the tradition would not have caught along with yule logs and drunken celebration...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (December 26, 2009 1:23 am ET)
        3  
        If you didn't "care", you wouldn't have posted on this thread.

        But what you "care" about is derailing a thread with your nonsense.

        And clearly the people who pay you fired or laid off all the good, capable trolls and you were all that was left.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by rrastro (December 26, 2009 1:35 am ET)
            3
          Nope not derailing. Who cares what baubles are hung on the pagan symbol at the wrong time of year?

          Not me. Now a sign saying Gad is dead, or a cross in urine might bother me...or not?
          Report Abuse
    • Author by gg (December 23, 2009 3:10 pm ET)
      7  
      Isn't this just a rehash of Hillary's X-rated Christmas ornaments from 1994 as described in Gary Aldrich's book "Unlimited Assess".
      Can't the rightwing ever come up with something original?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by John Paradox (December 23, 2009 10:39 pm ET)
        8  
        Can't the rightwing ever come up with something original?

        Look at the bright side, they believe in recycling.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by RightWingPsycho (December 23, 2009 9:06 pm ET)
         
      What a buncha dweebs.

      1. I find it hard to believe that school children created ornaments with MAO and Heada Lettuce.

      2. This is an insult to the office of the presidency and the tradition of Christmas.

      If you can't see this, you are intellectually and morally bankrupt. :)
      Report Abuse
    • Author by koolmax2 (December 23, 2009 11:37 pm ET)
         
      Only three ornaments? hmmm... I think the athiest in California saw only three ornaments resembling christmas too, and that ONE man won his debate, those three ornaments are now off the Christ- mas tree. Hypocrites!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Grace Nearing (December 24, 2009 6:46 am ET)
         
      Here's a silly question: Is this story true? There are all the makings of a classic punking here: an unnamed source; easy-to-fabricate "evidence"; photos taken in extreme close up with absolutely no confirmatory background evidence; and the wingnut trifecta of communism (Mao), transvestism (homosexual agenda), and Mount Rushmore (Obama's "arrogance").

      Report Abuse
    • Author by swlarch (December 24, 2009 9:28 am ET)
      8  
      This is not stupidity and these people are not stupid. They have calculated that christians are stupid and will swallow this crap as another reason why Obama cannot be trusted.
      Report Abuse

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