Was this wrong?

[ABSTRUSE]

Tree Decorated by Okla. Students Removed



OKLAHOMA CITY - A Christmas tree that elementary school students decorated with discarded lottery tickets was removed from the state Capitol over the weekend after a lawmaker complained it was inappropriate.



Rep. Randy Terrill, who opposes the lottery, said he spotted the tree on Wednesday when it was erected as part of the governor's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Republican lawmaker called the Westwood Elementary School principal, who apologized and asked the governor's office to remove the tree.

Sherry Fair, spokeswoman for Oklahoma City Public Schools, said the teachers and children did not intend to offend anyone. The teachers went to various convenience stores and got used lottery tickets, which were cut into various geometric shapes and placed on the tree.

"They had been studying about the lottery and understood that the lottery money benefits public schools," Fair said. "They came up with a theme about the gift of education."

Terrill said the principal had invited him to talk to students at the school.

Paul Sund, a spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said the governor's office had nothing to do with decorating the tree and referred questions to the school district. The office of the state school superintendent selects the schools that decorate the trees.

 

[impressive]

Geez.

 

[sophia jane]

Not wrong so much as kind of goofy. The lottery is a HUGE deal here in Oklahoma. People are acting like it's a new thing that was created just now for the state of Oklahoma which has been entertaining for me, coming from Texas.

 

[BlackSnake]

And people wonder why everyone is so screwed up.

When I turned 13 y/o, I got a 410, which was an upgrade from my 22 long rifle. Me and my friends walked down the street with our dogs to hunt rabits down by the trussel. No one feared us nor did we fear anyone. When cops passed us by we didn't panic and run, though I didn't much like being called boy, they only asked what we had killed.

Children are being raised in fear of everything. That's why shit's so screwed up.

 

[BlackSnake]

Not wrong so much as kind of goofy. The lottery is a HUGE deal here in Oklahoma. People are acting like it's a new thing that was created just now for the state of Oklahoma which has been entertaining for me, coming from Texas.

I think its insane to remove the tree. It was designed by school kids. I say let kids be kids.

 

[sophia jane]

Abs- are you asking if the tree was wrong or the removal? Cuz my answer was in response to whether the tree was wrong. The removal is definitely wrong- wtf is the problem with it? Now the lottery is offending people?? Get over it.

 

[Halo_n_horns]

Maybe I'm just a friggin' idiot, opinions vary, but I can't seem to get my head around why anyone would even begin to consider that tree decorating as offensive or wrong in any way.

 

[amicus]

CHRISTmas Jesus Christ is somewhat the main figure in a cult religion called CHRISTianity.

No one really cares about the deluded souls that accept that faith, nor do few care about the fools who participate in the Lottery Scams, the absolute worst and most unproductive form of gambling.

What all rational people should object to is the inclusion of these scams to a captive student audience forced to attend public schools paid for by confiscated property tax monies from all citizens.

If there is any justification for "PUBLIK EDUCATION" it should be basic education, reading, writing and arithmetic, it should not include such esoteric subject topics as history, social studies and human behavior. It should be limited to non debatable science and math based studies that cannot be corrupt by belief.

The very thought that a rational person would send an innocent child off to an institution that forced students to accept alternative gay life styles, a drug culture, a black culture(rap music in the hallways) and then above all, confront them with a CHRISTmas tree, is insane.

Those people who subject their children to such foolishness should be charged with child abuse.


amicus.....(well, it got your attention, right?)

 

[Samandiriel]

There always has to be a grinch in the crowd.

 

[Belegon]

The whole PC thing is just too fucked up for words at this point.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Seems to me, the idea of recycling useless paper by-products into a seasonal decoration- should be applauded.

 

[Samandiriel]

Seems to me, the idea of recycling useless paper by-products into a seasonal decoration- should be applauded.

Precisely, I see them littered all over the place here. Those kids not only put them to good use, they got a lesson out of it.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Huh?

I object to the teaching that lotteries support schools. Lottery money does go into the schools kitty, but an equal amount of money that had been allocated to schools via taxes is then sucked out and placed in the general fund. Net: total schools kitty remains the same.

I couldn't give a rat's ass about using tickets to decorate the trees, though. They're all shiny and stuff, much better than plain construction paper.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

What all rational people should object to is the inclusion of these scams to a captive student audience forced to attend public schools paid for by confiscated property tax monies from all citizens.

hear, hear!

If there is any justification for "PUBLIK EDUCATION" it should be basic education, reading, writing and arithmetic, it should not include such esoteric subject topics as history, social studies and human behavior. It should be limited to non debatable science and math based studies that cannot be corrupt by belief.

ah here we go again... those debateable undebateables... LOL

The lottery is what my dad calls the poor man's stock market... but I do find it reprehensible the way schools brainwash the kids that attend them. Lotteries are good for schools. Vouchers are bad for schools. Fundraisers are good for schools. Blah. Good for who? Not for kids... for BUSINESS. Because that's all public education is... a great big lumbering business that is feeding on everything it can to stay alive, even its own inhabitants, student and teacher alike...

 

[Rattlesnake1775]

Lottery

If the tree was taken down because they do not want to glorify the lottery, then I say they did the right thing. Children should grow up in fear of the lottery. Okay, maybe fear is not the right word, but it should clearly not be applauded, reenforced, or glorified.

 

[Guest]

some people are so anal, you can't pull a pin out of their ass with a tow truck.


gimme a break peoples... honestly, haven't we bigger things to worry about?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

gimme a break peoples... honestly, haven't we bigger things to worry about?

sometimes it's the small things that make all the difference...
refusing to give up a seat on a bus...
refusing to show ID...
guess we have to pick our battles... this wouldn't have been my choice, but clearly someone felt strongly about it...

 

[Samandiriel]

some people are so anal, you can't pull a pin out of their ass with a tow truck.


gimme a break peoples... honestly, haven't we bigger things to worry about?

Like global warming? or what happens if a radio falls in that tub you're in?

 

[Guest]

Like global warming? or what happens if a radio falls in that tub you're in?

then i wont have to worry about lottery ticket covered trees or the people who do.

know what, i understand that everyone has a different point of view, but for me, this is very insignificant.

 

[Samandiriel]

then i wont have to worry about lottery ticket covered trees or the people who do.

know what, i understand that everyone has a different point of view, but for me, this is very insignificant.

You're having a bad day aren't you? I'll hug you even though it will burn.

 

[Honey123]

First, the Rev. OPPOSES the lottery...so why wouldn't he be upset!

But, the kids were recycling and that's a good thing..


It's not as if they used lit cigarettes for lights!

 

[Samandiriel]

It's not as if they used lit cigarettes for lights!

I do.

 

[Honey123]

I do.

Must be pretty...and foggy

 

[Samandiriel]

Must be pretty...and foggy

It's expensive but festive.

 

[Honey123]

It's expensive but festive.

See, and that's the spirit!