Subversive Xmas Tree Ornament Won’t Hang from White House Tree
EmailAs first reported in this morning’s Washington Post, Washington State artist Deborah Lawrence — asked to submit an ornament to hang on the White House Christmas Tree — designed one that featured the text of a House Resolution to impeach President Bush, along with images of her "hero" Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., a co-sponsor of the bill. "The ornament is supposed to represent my state," Lawrence told ABC News just now as she walked to the White House. The design also included "messages of peace," and images from the 1999 World Trade Organization protests and the Washington State suffrage movement — "messages of progressive politics," Lawrence says. "It’s all in minute type so that’s why I think it got past the first censors," she adds. But now comes news that the White House is not going to hang the ornament. First Lady Laura Bush’s press secretary Sally McDonough told the Post of Lawrence’s ornament, "it really is too bad. I haven’t seen the ornament, but I would hope that no one would take this as an opportunity to be divisive and partisan. There is a time and place for everything, and I don’t think this is either."
"So now I don’t know if I’m going to be invited," Lawrence says. "I’m disappointed because the act of making the ornament was really just an earnest wish to represent my state, I didn’t think it would lead to suppression of freedom of speech. I feel a little weak at the knees that they might not invite me in." More to come!
– jpt
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Two thoughts came to mind when I read this. It would have been best to just ignore this and let the ornament be hung. Now it will become a question of freedom of speech that will more than likely be a big focus in the blogshere.
2nd. She should put it on EBAY. along with her atching dress.
Posted by: i am so I can! | December 2, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
I’m disappointed because the act of making the ornament was really just an earnest wish to represent my state, I didn’t think it would lead to suppression of freedom of speech. I feel a little weak at the knees that they might not invite me in.”
_____
If people going to make a “statement” at least do us the favor of avoiding the disingenuous Pollyanna act.
Posted by: Jen B. | December 2, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
“I’m disappointed because the act of making the ornament was really just an earnest wish to represent my state, I didn’t think it would lead to suppression of freedom of speech. I feel a little weak at the knees that they might not invite me in.”
Good Goddess, will the crimes of Chimpy against the artistic community ever end? This shredding of the constitution must end!
Help us, Barack Obama, you’re our only hope!
Posted by: Larry | December 2, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
They could have edited out the impeachment stuff with red and white stripes.
Posted by: kat | December 2, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
I have to agree with Laura Bush’s press sec, this is a Christmas ornament, not a time to be divisive. Christmas should be about peace and love and not about injecting partisan politics into a Christmas ornament. Y’all can say it’s freedom of speech, but I say it’s freedom of choice to not hang the ornament. I wouldn’t want it on my tree either.
Posted by: samhiguchi | December 2, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
“Subversive”…….in who’s mind?
Posted by: JR | December 2, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Being anti-Bush is not subversive. It’s actually pretty mainstream at this point.
Posted by: dem in chicago | December 2, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
The artists apparently were invited according to Lawrence. The best WH press would be to invite her regardless of the ornament. It would also be congruent to the transition taking place – a transition not belaboring of the past.
Posted by: kat | December 2, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
I am not a big fan of Bush – but I must agree that 1. it is a partisan political statment that she is making and not an ornament to celebrate and be a part of the White House Christmas 2. her excuses and lame act of innocence is grating and finally 3. the ornament is not attractive.
Posted by: afbrat59 | December 2, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
samhiguchi
I agree. As much as I dislike the current POTUS, I don’t feel that it’s appropriate to put politics into the holiday season in this way. It was tactless of her to send it to them. And she really expected them to put it up? Give me a break. She simply wanted the attention and knew this would get it.
A political statement of any kind, persuasion or leaning, is not appropriate on the WH tree and I wouldn’t put it up on my own.
Here’s hoping that everyone has a joyous holiday, no matter what one you celebrate (and even if you don’t believe in a higher power). Peace on Earth to all. We sure do need it.
Posted by: Hoping for a better Future | December 2, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
I know…she can paint her house white and hang it on her tree. Poor little repressed artist. :-P A member of NOW, no doubt. No, not that NOW…the “Nation of Whiners”. HA!
Posted by: Stef | December 2, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
That woman’s 5 minutes of fame should just about be up. So typical of the left wing nut jobs.
Posted by: Sam | December 2, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
btw, I do like Mrs. Bush, always have. How insulting and offensive to be given something like this. That’s very hurtful to a woman who has never been anything but gracious and a good First Lady. I feel badly for her having to deal with this thing being thrust in her face by that artist. He is her husband and she loves and supports him. She shouldn’t be treated so disgracefully.
Posted by: Hoping for a better Future | December 2, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
she has deluded myself into thinking that something like her “gift” would be at all acceptable and appropriate as a Christmas gift. The WH is absoluely right in not hanging it and not inviting her. How disrespectful!
I can’t stand Obama, but I would never do anything so tactless and unpatriotic.
What in the heck is wrong with people today? What have we become?
Posted by: theforse | December 2, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
“I’m disappointed because the act of making the ornament was really just an earnest wish to represent my state, I didn’t think it would lead to suppression of freedom of speech. I feel a little weak at the knees that they might not invite me in.”
The above totally contradicts what she first said wich was something like, “…when I first got the invitation, I wanted to vomit. Then I saw it as a chance to make a statement.” She went on to say that she was pretty sure the ornament would be rejected once it was seen and that she would not receive an invitation to the White House and then, low and behold she did! Obviously someone was not paying attention when they unwrapped and hung ornaments.
And for clarification – she was not invited by the White House but by her Congressman/Hero Jim McDermott – each member of Congress was able to invite one artist. The Washington Post covered this much better this morning.
I for one am no fan of George Bush and had been praying that Obama (or Kerry or Gore) would defeat him, but this is just wrong. It’s disrepectful of the Office of President, not just disrepectful of him. People should just grow up for God’s sake!
Posted by: mindy | December 2, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
This reminds me a bit of the embarassing of Denver Democrats by the impromptu “alternate black” national anthem.
I think Obama and Democrats at all levels should be alert to these things especially as he governs pragmatically and not all to the liking of the leftwing ideologues — and how to handle them firmly but gracefully. That is, keep the civil in civil ceremonies but avoid the “dont tase me bro” of Kerry’s university talk.
Posted by: robert b | December 2, 2008, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Too bad. The good news is that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama harbor no insecurities that would cause them to trample freedom of speech.
As Obama has said, he’s been called worse on the basketball court.
Posted by: Jerry Ulibarri | December 2, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Yes, being unable to publicly display derogatory materials at the White House at your whim is a clear violation of your Freedom of Speech. Like being arrested for spray painting on the Lincoln Memorial.
“I feel a little weak at the knees that they might not invite me in.”
“Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I’m being repressed!”
Which one was her and which was Monty Python again? Sorry, I’m having some trouble telling the two apart.
Oh now I know. One is a comedy sketch, a parody of reality so silly as to be a joke… the other was made by the British.
Posted by: Gekkobear | December 2, 2008, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
II think I answered my previous question aabout what is wrong with this ccountry: lack of respect for other’s beliefs and lack of respect for authority.
Posted by: theforse | December 2, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
dont see how her freedom of speech was suppressed. theres a picture of her stupid ornament on abcnews.
Posted by: pa | December 2, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
I think she is so right to remind the world of the crimes this administation has committed. He deserves impeachment then removed and jailed. Our rights have been taken away,people are dying in the 2 wars because of lies. Our planet is heating up and we have been lied to about global warming by the President’s EPA. Hang it on the trees it is the only truth we have seen in the White House. The artist are often the voice for what we ignore or run from…the truth It is a beautiful ornament..peace for all healthy environment more love
Posted by: VjMoon | December 2, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Maybe she should have put on the section of the Geneva Convention that states starting a war is a Crime Against Humanity. Very much in tune with the season.
Posted by: BD from the Left Coast | December 2, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
crybabys
Posted by: jerk | December 2, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Jerry Ulibarri posted
“Too bad. The good news is that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama harbor no insecurities that would cause them to trample freedom of speech.”
_______
Oh? Truth Squad. Smear Teams hunting the Internet.
That said, are any other ornaments such “statements”? Is there a history of this? She wanted to raise a fuss, and was disappointed that “it got past the first censors” and so it didn’t raise a fuss then. Now she’s happy. “Look, I’m on TV/newspapers/the Internet!”
I don’t like Bush, I don’t like Obama, and I don’t “do” Christmas. But this is tacky.
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 2, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
The ornament is not “derogatory”, “inflammatory”, or “subversive”.
Its intent was to honor the man who believes, as do many Americans, that George W. Bush, the worst president in our history, be considered for impeachment.
Impeachment is part of our system. To say that we should not say it out loud smacks of fascism or dictatorship.
Christmas message? Peace. (Which requires suppression of warmongering, which necessitates the removal of trigger happy leaders.)
Bush would have appeared to be the bigger man, had he let the ornament stay, but we shouldn’t be surprised that he didn’t. Small people react in small ways.
Posted by: jerry Ulibarri | December 2, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
Oh good gravy! What a rude woman. Artist, my big toe. She wanted attention, which she got. Now please go away.
I do not blame Laura Bush at all for declining to display this ornament. The level of hatred toward the Bushes surpasses all reason. And I’m sorry, but those of you saying that the Obamas would allow such artistic expressions are deluding yourselves. NOT if the artistic expression insulted Obama himself, or his family. Nor should they allow it, any more than the Bushes should.
This is not a matter of artistic freedom. The woman is free to create, display, and sell any sort of art she wishes. The residents of the White House, however, also have the right not to share her “artistic” taste and to decline to display this tasteless, rude, inappropriate ornament.
I wish people would allow the Bushes to enjoy their last holiday season as residents of the White House. I keep being chastised for not being more nonpartisan and more supportive of incoming president-to-be Obama. Yet blind hatred of George Bush is still as fashionable and accepted as ever. That’s a shame.
Posted by: moderate | December 2, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm
Let’s compromise, as follows:
A. Tacky ornament is hung on First Tree.
B. Present Bush imitates William Powell in “The Thin Man,” shoots ornament off tree with air rifle.
C. Hilarity ensues.
See? Problem solved!
Posted by: Wayne M. Sarf | December 2, 2008, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
Mr. Sarf,
Capital idea! LOL
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 2, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
“..I didn’t think it would lead to suppression of freedom of speech.” Of, good grief! These people don’t understand the meaning of free speech AT ALL, do they! She had a right to make any ornament she wanted. The White House had the right not to display it. Getting real tired of these folks always claiming their rights are violated when they aren’t allowed to violate someone else’s right!
Posted by: Linda S | December 2, 2008, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
a little late in the game, wanting to impeach him i mean, don’t you think?
Posted by: andrewolfgang | December 2, 2008, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
let her hang it on her own christmas tree. if she even has one. i’m no fan of President Bush but why should he hang her ornament that calls for his impeachment on the white house christmas tree? it’s stupid. and i agree with this “free-speech” getting out of hand (and i am a proud liberal). if someone makes a big ornament with Osama Bin-Laden on it should it hang on the tree? too many people have a right to free-speech than there is space to place ornaments on the tree! what happened to stars and drummer boys and those purple reflective ones?
Posted by: Paul Wall | December 2, 2008, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
I am from Washington State and am appalled that people such as Deborah Lawrence and the Stupids who put up the athiest poster in our state legislature. We have come soooo low in our ethics. And for Ms Lawrence to thing she would get an invitation for such an appalling idea is akin to giving an invitation to a hate monger. I hope she gets her correct invitation to a court where she should be charged with disrespect for the USA with this type of garbage.
Posted by: Ron Walker | December 2, 2008, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
for pete’s sake! the freakin’ tree is 20-ft. tall–and covered with 100s, if not 1000s of ornaments. hang it on the tree at about the 12-ft. level and nobody would ever see it…
also, the tree is not the bush’s tree. it is OUR tree, the american people’s tree. if she was the artist selected to design the ornament for the state of washington, it should go on the tree.
Posted by: antijake | December 2, 2008, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
Bush shouldn’t worry about impeachment. If I were him, I’d be more concerned about a War Crimes Tribunal.
Posted by: Mark | December 2, 2008, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
Let me ammend my previous statement. Bush and CHeney should worry about a War Crimes Trubunal.
Posted by: Mark | December 2, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm
Evil. Cruel. Nasty.
“Who you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who is this woman trying to fool, with her deadly, ugly, phony earnestness?
What Christmas cheer she brings!
Posted by: Thank God for Karma | December 2, 2008, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Bush has been a disaster and nightmare as President. HOWEVER, that does NOT justify this ornament. The tree is not a place for partisanship, political comment, or controversy. It should be a celebration. It should be the exact thing that Bush has not been – unifying.
Posted by: Lee | December 2, 2008, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
That was mistake by bush. Nothing turned into bush again becoming censorship president. What are mindless dude that
we had for last 8 years.
Posted by: G. Bush | December 2, 2008, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
After how GWBush has messed up my beloved home America, I wouldn’t give him the time of day much less a Christmas tree ornament. Sad that I can’t wish the Bushes happy holidays, but I don’t think much of the Bush family.
Posted by: buzzie | December 2, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
Another sad Dhimmi seeking attention.
Posted by: Tusk | December 2, 2008, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
Yes, there’s more to come. Will a subversive tactic to the Romans from 2000 years ago be directed towards Ms. Lawrence? Could the cheek turn in response to not rescinding the invitation? We anxiously wait to see if a Bush pardon on this occurs. If turkeys can receive presidential pardons, cannot an artist who may not have used her talent in the wisest of fashion receive one also and experience a White House Christmas? I say, let the true spirit of Christmas prevail there!
Posted by: kat | December 3, 2008, 12:21 am 12:21 am
The artist should mass produce the ornament and sell it, she will probadly be a millionaire by Dec 25, I would like one for my personal tree at home, then on Jan 20, 2009 Bushes last day all who bought one and who come to the swearing in cermony could meet at the White House and hang them from the fence
Posted by: Rick | December 3, 2008, 1:37 am 1:37 am
When will Republicans learn that reading is important?!
Posted by: Common Sense | December 3, 2008, 7:26 am 7:26 am
Obama isn’t even a citizen!!!!!
Posted by: Dave Milborne | December 3, 2008, 7:34 am 7:34 am
And he doesn’t know how many states are in this Republic…talk about stupid. 57 with 2 more to visit? Who is the idiot here….Obama or the morons that elected him?
Posted by: Kim Massey | December 3, 2008, 7:37 am 7:37 am
Better idea for an ornament:
Copy of “The Pet Goat”, autographed by the President, with a CD insert of the inside-trader data from the WTC hard drive disks.
Posted by: ghostofchristmaspast | December 3, 2008, 7:41 am 7:41 am
To clarify who “chose” Ms. Lawrence to contribute an ornament in the first place– it was NOT the White House. She was NOT the chosen artist to represent the state of Washington, either. Actually, this year, every member of the House of Representatives was allowed to invite one person from their district to create an ornament. A congressman from Seattle is responsible for the inclusion of Ms. Lawrence. I think a little more vetting on his part might have been appropriate. Is that really how you want your district represented– as disrepectful, rude, and crass?
Posted by: moderate | December 3, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am
the arrogance of the left–now that obama is in, it will probably will be worse–that woman is very typical–trample on the rights of others to prove she has “rights”. Something akin to Ayers trampling the American Flag while McCain was being tortured by the enemy for his right to do just that! Ayers and this “artist” belong in the same category. The WH belongs to us all–not just close-minded liberals and many of us love the Bush’s and how they have helped protect us the last 8 years.
Posted by: janey | December 3, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am
janey
How about 2 hand crafted ornaments shaped like ‘gold stars’,. that say respectively:
‘bring it on’ & ‘mission accomplished’.. just to remind the president what he is responsible for.
arrest, trial, impeachment and incarceration for Bush, Cheney et. al.
Posted by: Blue | December 3, 2008, 10:26 am 10:26 am
janey
re: “Ayers and this “artist” belong in the same category. The WH belongs to us all–not just close-minded liberals….. ”
Have you been living in America and reading or watching the news about the Republican administration for the last 8 years….?
,…. the only thing you were close on in your analogy was that Ayers and ‘artist’ both begin with the letter ‘a’.
Posted by: Blue | December 3, 2008, 10:32 am 10:32 am
“I’m disappointed because the act of making the ornament was really just an earnest wish to represent my state…”
So, by implication, you’re saying that ALL of Washington State feels the same way you do? I think NOT!
Posted by: Kanica | December 3, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Holy co jones the true believers, Bushies are rampant in this thread. Drinking the Bush koolaid may warp the mind forever, it seems after reading some of these comments. C’mon Bush Wacks, the ornament was a razz. One little jab in jest at Bush and his Junta runs around with their hair on fire. Does anyone remember the Dixie Chicks? Or Woodward’s book on Bush? GOPs demonized such Bush detractors with crazed vengeance in their hearts until they coould stomp no more and careers were over. Now that I know the Bushie hate still abounds, I oughta make a few of these same ornaments myself. For get backs. :)
Posted by: buzzie | December 3, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
The First Lady hit it spot on…
“Theres a time and a place for everything.”
Christmas is not the time, nor the White House Christmas Tree the place, for radical left wing sentiment…
Posted by: BartSD27 | December 3, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
Freedom of speech?
What is this mentally ill liberal talking about?
She gets a chance to have her work on the tree and this is what she does with it?
I invit her her to take a class in art and fashion, she clearly has no clue about either.
Posted by: TDPro | December 3, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
I think the person (or person s) who designed this ornament should use their energy to design a positive way to bring peace to our country (not divisiveness)
Posted by: joan | December 3, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
“Christmas is not the time, nor the White House Christmas Tree the place, for radical left wing sentiment”
Maybe they could hang pictures of aborted fetuses to make the right wingers feel more welcome.
Posted by: The Right Wing lost | December 3, 2008, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
The amount of hate that those on the left spew is astonishing. What would we do if they weren’t the more educated, inclusive and tolerant among us?
Posted by: CJ Hames | December 3, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
CJ Hames
re: ‘ The amount of hate that those on the left spew is astonishing. What would we do if they weren’t the more educated, inclusive and tolerant among us?”
Rush, Coulter, Hannity, O’reilly, FOX, Pallin,
Boortz, Dobson on and on….. et. al…
now, what was that about ‘enlightenment’ on the ‘right’…
I take it you haven’t been in America for the last 8 years either…..
Posted by: Blue | December 3, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm