DRUDGE REPORT WED NOV 28 2001 11:14:49 ET

FIRST NO SMOKE, NOW NO SANTA: MARYLAND TOWN TELLS JOLLY 'OLE NICK TO STAY HOME

A Maryland town in the very same county that tried banning cigarette smoking in homes, has now told Santa Claus to stay away from a public Christmas tree lighting!

The Montgomery County community of Kensington has banned the jolly old man from its annual tree lighting ceremony this Sunday. "Because two families in our town felt that they would be uncomfortable with Santa Claus being a part of our event," Mayor Lynn Raufaste said.

The Town Council banned Santa after the complaints.

In years past, Santa would arrive on a fire truck and light the tree with the mayor. But on Sunday, the mayor will do the honors herself.

"This is a part of the American life, and I just think it's a shame that we can't have one in our town this year," Raufaste said.

Montgomery County lawmakers recently passed legislation that would have regulated smoking in the privacy of people's homes.

The county reversed course this week after a rash of worldwide attention and a public opinion backlash.

"At least now Santa can stay at home and smoke, if nothing else, since he is now banned from the tree lighting," mocked one Montgomery County lawmaker on Wednesday. "We have become a national embarrassment."

The political correctness is nauseating in this country. Everyone wants everything their way. How selfish is that? I am not comfortable with many things that go on in this country, but most of them should go on. Thats what this country is all about.

Let me know what you think.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), November 28, 2001

Answers

heard about this on the news. I would love to hear from the "2 families that would be uncomfortable",, why?? religious reasons?? if so,, someone should tell them,, SANTA has NOTHING to do with religion,, some people get dumber every year

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 29, 2001.

Stan,

I agree with you on the people getting dumber each year. I don't know if it is religiously based, but if Santa is a problem, then the tree, holly, poinsettia,and even the date should be af a bigger concern. They are all based in pagan origin. That should be a bigger problem than santa in my book, but I probably don't know better. Who's to say.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), November 29, 2001.