So we are back to the tree-lighting discussion (ProJo 11.28.12). Governor Chafee had hoped to avoid the whole mishegas by not having an official lighting ceremony, but nooooo, out came the usual suspects. For one, we have roused that cynical demagogue and “Devout Catholic” Bill O’Reilly, who once again aims to inspire the low-information Christians with fear and loathing.
Well then, let’s take a moment to revive one of my favorite Bill O’Reilly memories so we can get a handle on the depth of his faith, and what it really means to him. In 2009 O’Reilly settled out of court a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by one of his female producers. According to HuffPo one of her filings contained this unsavory tidbit.
Defendant then stated he was going to Italy to meet the Pope, that his pregnant wife was staying at home with his daughter, and implied he was looking forward to extra-marital dalliances with the “hot” Italian women.
No room in the pensioni I guess. O’Reilly is now ignoring how things were actually resolved last year when Jon Stewart reported that it had been another devout Catholic, Don Carcieri, the previous Republican governor, who had first used the phrase “Holiday Tree.”
Let’s not forget, Jesus spoke Aramaic; these semantic distinctions were probably lost on him. It is unknown when the tree lighting will finally take place (3am might be a good choice). Who the hell cares at this point. Visitors to the State House rotunda will find several small trees and decorations already in place and illuminated. It looks lovely.