O Tannenbaum, Darn Tannenbaum

I hate to say this, but the Gub's right, and for once I am not alluding to the orientation of his alation.

Wisconsin's governor announced yesterday that the tree going up soon in the rotunda of our beloved capitol building is in fact a Christmas tree, not, as it's been formally called, since 1985, a "holiday tree."

There is no generic holiday tree, unless

of course you count the Festivus Pole as a tree. (Do you know that in 2005 Democratic Governor Jim Doyle did actually erect a Festivus Pole in the Governor's Mansion? It's now in the State Historical Museum.) But an evergreen tree lavishly decorated with strings of lights and shiny objects is, let's be frank, a Christmas tree. Ironically, it is a Christian symbol with avowed pagan origins, a connection to both a pagan past and the present commercialization of Christmas that some of the stricter Christian denominations actually view it as anti-Christian. (Could we make a successful judicial argument for removing the tree from the capitol based on its anti-Christian nature?)

From any perspective, a Christmas tree or a holiday tree does not belong in a government building. Except perhaps the Governor's Mansion, which is, after all, a residence in which a family lives and enjoys free speech. Deck the halls with lights since we are all craving light in the dark heart of winter, but don't string them on an evergreen.

We need to be vigilant about keeping the right of free speech distinct and entirely separate from any governmental right to preach. Let the shops around the Capitol put up trees if they choose.