Montgomery County (MD) Closes Church Christmas Tree Lot
From our “About as dumb as it gets” department comes a news flash from Montgomery County, Maryland.
It seems that the great minds of the ruling fathers of Montgomery County have an ordinance on the records that prohibits the sales of Christmas Trees before December 5. It seems that this law has been on the books now for at least 30 years but enforcement has been about as slack as it gets.
Now, all was going well for the folks of the North Bethesda (MD) United Methodist Church, who for about six years now has been opening up a Christmas tree sales lot right after Thanksgiving. Well, in the true spirit of Christmas, the knuckle dragging grinches of Montgomery County, acting on an anonymous tip, decided to enforce the law and close down the church’s sales lot.
So, here in a country which was founded on capitalism and freedom, a country where stores are allowed with impunity to start selling their Christmas trinkets and other toys starting somewhere after the Fourth of July, the great minds of Montgomery County decided to close down a church for selling Christmas trees. It would stand to reason that if there was going to be any laws passed it out be one that banned all these stores from diluting the spirit of Christmas by rushing to put their goods, special sales, buy early and often from US mentality that seems to permeate the merchant world. But that would make too much sense and probably cost the county some tax revenue loss.
Gone is the true spirit of Christmas. It seems to have been replaced with greed, cheap gimmick advertisements for junk that people are supposed to exchange as gifts during Christmas. And to adding insult to injury, people like the management of what is generally referred to in the DC metro area as “Monkey country” would seemingly rather replace a church selling trees with chain stores pushing their wares long before the season begins.
I just don’t get it.
At times like this, I have to really wonder what is going on in the mind of the One whose birth is actually celebrated at this time of year. Somehow, I don’t think he’s very merry about the whole idea.
Frankly, if you think this is as stupid as I do, how about emailing them and saying to. I suggest you email Ike Leggett, the county executive at ocemail@montgomerycountymd.gov and then the county council at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov. I’m sure they’d love to hear your thoughts on just how stupid you think this is.
…and to all, a good night.
I’m Don Rima and that’s the way I see it, From Where I Stand.
PS, if you want to see a really nicely done e-Christmas card, checkout http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1698092386990&source=jl999
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