It's a little juvenile to do that but thank god for juveniles!

Like the vetting on Sarah Palin (Todd Palin), this is yet another 'Bush moment'. It's all show, Xanax face and pasted smile.

Surely she knows what a mess her husband has made of this country. She must like what her married into family has done to the place. Goering would be damn proud...

As much as I'll be glad to see the last of W, Lawrence's work was, let's face it, petty, sneaky, childish, and, yes, inappropriate for the circumstances. If I had done such a thing, I imagine I would have felt fairly sheepish at Laura Bush's subsequent graciousness. Lawrence only seems excited at the extra attention. Not every moment in life is for political theatre; maybe someone will give HER Miss Manners' book for Christmas.

I only read this article because I thought we actually were going to impeach Bush for Christmas.

Is made out of recycled trash. Then I hang it with little yellow stars.

...that would be Lawrence's ornament I'm talking about. It's like obnoxious "performance artists" that commit acts of vandalism for "their art", or whatever. Part of living in a democracy is accepting a certain level of public decorum and respect, even if you dislike the policies of those people currently in office. Now, you might argue that Bush & his crew have shat on that level of public decorum - and I would agree with you. That doesn't mean that those who oppose him need to stoop to that level. If Lawrence wanted to make a point, she could have made an inoffensive ornament celebrity pacifism, honor, or just plain honesty - the point would have been clear enough, but it wouldn't have been a direct "fuck you" at the tradition of White House Christmas tree ornaments. That's really what this ends up being - an attack on that tradition, rather than on the Bush administration (whether that's what she intended or not - and given what she's said, I don't believe that was her goal). Some things need to be out of bounds, because we don't want the other side going there when they're on the outside and we're on the inside. How would you feel if next year around some pro-life Christian artist sends a nice little aborted fetus ornament to the Obamas? All of this just cheapens the discourse, pure and simple - we need to repudiate that sort of thinking, not encourage.

Wow, I shouldn't write anything before my second cup of coffee, should I? A few typos there - celebrity should be "celebrating", and and the last sentence should end "not encourage it."

What did the STUPID lady think would happen?She should have known that a hate filled ornamnet would not be put on the tree.I wonder if the ULTRA-LEFTIST LIBERAL NUTCASES will ever stop trying to ruin Bushes life and start accepting some of the blame for this Nation's woes as they should since the Democratic Party is to blame for most of the Problems this Nation is facing.I for one will not hold my breath since most of them are to arrogant and Ignorant to ever stand up and take the blame they so rightfully share.

What, exactly, does this mean? Peace not being an element like copper or gold, I wouldn't expect it to have its own atomic symbol, but according to this article it does, or at least it did in 1972. But a quick internet search pulled up no information about this supposedly controversial Nixonian tree-topper. Is there anyone with more information about what exactly this ornament was, or why it was so incendiary? Aside from Olshan's article, the only significance attributed to the 1972 tree in National Christmas Tree history is its status as the last cut tree to be used.

I declare a war on Christmas!

Where can I get one of those ornaments. and JW... your stuff is hilarious...

Y'all forgot to add the Crusades into the mix... and I wonder if any of the troubles in the Middle East are linked to religiosity... or believe in a supreme being?

"imagine there's no heaven...."

it is inexplicable how 349 OTHER artists do not spit in the face of der fuhrer (or at least the proportion of those artists who are against how this nation is being run into the ground).

this is not a liberal/conservative issue. It is not a left/right issue, it is an issue of RESPECT for maintaining proper functions of government, checks and balances, rule of law, etc.

nobody ought to be ashamed to speak their mind openly TO THE FACE OF THE BEAST.

Frankly, I am shocked so many people, ESPECIALLY ARTISTS [who are supposed to be iconoclastic] become complacent little sycophants when in the thrall of power-- even if they are only handmaidens to the order, forgotten and thrown away like the Christmas tree in spring.

For shame. The media does not speak up. The corporations do not speak up. The people do not speak up. NOT EVEN THE GODDAMN ARTISTS SPEAK UP when given the chance to be HONEST.

This country's toast. you think unicorns and rainbows Obama is going to IGNORE the engines of control that have been placed in front of him? How about the NEXT Republican president?? We ALL live in fear now until this country is, unfortunately, either completely reworked from within or collapses (or is taken down by someone).

Part of living in a democracy is accepting a certain level of public decorum and respect, even if you dislike the policies of those people currently in office. Now, you might argue that Bush & his crew have shat on that level of public decorum - and I would agree with you. That doesn't mean that those who oppose him need to stoop to that level.

I begin to understand more and more why I feel there is not TWO sides, right and left, but only ONE effective side-- to EVERYONE'S utter loss.

You are not ashamed to type what you just typed above? God, what pusses.

If one is to be considered RESPECTABLE or an ADULT, one needs to stand up and have the NUTS to challenge tyranny.

Obviously, the feminist flooded pussified masses that think they are oh so pure have no clue about ANYTHING.

No wonder bush got reselected. They damn well KNOW there are no real MALES on the left, hence no opposition.

I long ago gave up on this country emotionally. Now I need to go find a nation where real guys still exist, real people who still believe in something other than knuckling under.

you remind me why I cannot stand my former friends who were all liberals. PEH! the shit makes me SICK.