KPLU Local News
(2009-12-21)
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This small sign for the Seattle Atheists is the other holiday display on the lawn at the Washington statehouse.
Austin Jenkins photo
Full story
A year ago, Fox News Host Bill O'Reilly had Washington in his crosshairs.
Bill O'Reilly: "Does Washington state believe attacking religion during the Christmas season is appropriate?"
O'Reilly was fired up about an atheist display under the Capitol dome that disparaged organized religion. It was next to a Nativity scene. Then came a request to erect a Festivus pole inspired by the TV show Seinfeld.
Seinfeld: "But out of that, a new holiday was born. A Festivus for the rest of us."
That's when the state drew the line. Flash forward a year and all is calm, all is bright comparatively on Washington's Capitol Campus. Except for an official holiday tree under the dome, displays are now prohibited inside the Statehouse. Instead celebrants of different and no faiths are relegated to the capitol lawn. Here you'll find a Menorah that lights up at night and a toned-down message from the atheists. Capitol Campus spokesman Steve Valandra says he's surprised there aren't more.
Steve Valandra: "We thought we'd get a lot of displays again this year like we did last year. But I think with things being outside people decided it wasn't worth the trouble."
So no Nativity scene and so far no Festivus pole. I'm Austin Jenkins in Olympia.
Newspage picture caption: This lighted Menorah is one of two holiday displays this year on the lawn at the Washington statehouse © Copyright 2012, N3
