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Courtesy of US Forest Service and CapitolChristmasTree2012.org
The Capitol Christmas Tree is harvested Friday at the White River National Forest.
Updated at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday: Christmas is on its way to the U.S. Capitol.
The 73-foot Engelmann spruce that will serve as the official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was cut down Friday in Colorado’s White River National Forest, NBCWashington.com reported Saturday.
A crane lifted "Colorado’s gift to the United States" through the air before setting it on a huge flatbed truck, NBCWashington.com reported. Crews will wrap it up and prepare it for a national tour.
But first, according to CapitolChristmasTree2012.org, "The People's Tree" was getting a community sendoff in Meeker, Colo.
US Forest Service and CapitolChristmasTree2012.org
Capitol Christmas Tree celebrants sign a tree banner Saturday in Meeker, Colo., as "The People's Tree" at right awaits transport to Washington, D.C.
Saturday festivities included a street fair, tree banner signing, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a formal presentation ceremony by the U.S. Forest Service, government officials and three Ute Indian tribes, young singers and a parade and fireworks.
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Last week, the Colorado state Forest Service harvested 75 subalpine fir trees from the Colorado State Forest near Gould to accompany the Capitol Christmas Tree, the Herald Times of Rio Blanco County reported. The companion trees will spend the holidays in U.S. government offices, the Herald said.
The Capitol Christmas Tree and companions will travel through 10 states on custom-decorated Mack Trucks before arriving in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26. Santa will blog the whole way.
The tree also has a Facebook page.
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Leave a Comment:
"The People's Tree?" What are we, Chinese, Russian, Cuban, Venezuelan? WTF?
um..American? Yeah, that's it. It is the Capitol tree, the Capitol is the Peoples center of government.
all this PC $#!T,
but when it comes to a holiday of another country,
it's also PC to call it cynco demayo or any other crap that comes along.
No, not American. "The People's tree" is not American. "The Capitol's tree" or the "National Christmas Tree" or the "White House Christmas Tree," or the "Citizen's Christmas Tree," etc - yes, that sounds American. "The People's tree" sounds so un-American but what the hell. Whatever.
I just want a new President for Christmas.
Awesome! Me too!
And how does the Deptarment of Homeland Security sound to you?
you will get a new president in 2017, Hillary.
Be a Hell of a Christmas -- We are all broke -- Obama (except you, your wife, kids and cronies) -- Thanks for all the promises. Take another 4 year vacation.
I'll bet there's people in the US that could eat for a few more months for what it's costing us for a friggin Cristmas Tree.
This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, a 73-foot Engelmann ... Private donors and sponsors are paying most of the transportation costs.
This string is proof again that 4 miserable years of Obama has done nothing but to separate our Nation.
unconstitutional?
How so?
It will probably be the next thing banned from Washington.
Why would that be?
Sheeee! You are not supposed to mention the Word Christmas in Washington. It's too politically incorrect. Instead the Holiday Tree is the correct name .
What a waste of an awesome tree. What a waste of money. What a shining example of political waste and snobbery.
Your tax dollars at work...just curious as to who exactly is paying for the transportation of the "Peoples' Tree" to the White House and where is the money coming from for all the decorations? I wonder if they will invite all the People whose homes and businesses were destroyed by hurricane Sandy to come and view their tree since many won't have one this year....just curious. And, it will always be a Christmas tree to those who believe. That's one thing the government can't change...no matter how hard they try.
Actually, local children from where the tree was harvested will be crafting the ornaments.
Your tax dollars at work...just curious as to who exactly is paying for the transportation of the "Peoples' Tree" to the White House and where is the money coming from for all the decorations?
The cost was covered by donations. Decorations were made and donated by kids, and organizations across the state of Colorado. Mack trucks donated trucks and fuel to the transportation cost. Not to mention others who donated too. The tree was "offered" to be the Capitol tree. And out of many entries it was selected. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusion about where the money is coming from.
This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, a 73-foot Engelmann ... Private donors and sponsors are paying most of the transportation costs.
For those here screaming and moaning about it not being called a Christmas tree, you surely are not proving to have the Christmas spirit. Second its not a Christmas tree...the US is not only a christian country.. period.. your argument stops right there. Un-American you say? There is NOTHING more American than a Holiday tree.. we are in fact the melting pot of the world, and again not only christian... got that yet???
It has been known for a long time as a Christmas Tree and your BS PC garbage is just about to end in a few days...we will have our Christmas Tree, Santa Claus and Manger Scenes....if you don't like them then look away. My husband's grandparents came to America from Russia and they were very happy to abide by America's rules and customs. They did not come here as some do to try and change our ways...
Patriot-Not really. No one cares. Happy Holidays
Patriot, we didn't have all those things during the Bush years? Why would the next administration be any different? You know, the next Obama administration. YOU can still call it a Christmas Tree. No one cares what YOU call it. I am a liberal and really, I still call it a Christmas Tree. No one cares about that either or should they. Santa has nothing to do with Christ's birth and manger scenes can still be displayed.
Maija, the costs comes from private donations. Perhaps you would like to contribute? Most of the decorations for the White House trees have come from donations over the last 200 years. Some of the modern ones come from school children. The White House staff is paid, that is true, but they would be paid if they decorate or not. Some even work on their own time. Every year we have to endure this craziness and it doesn't even matter what party is in control. Get over it. It is nothing more than national pride.
Well said Patriot !!!!!
The National Christmas Tree is what it is! Geez, the People's Tree sounds just a little too China like to me. I am surprised Obama allows us to have a tree since he admitted long ago he and his family do not celebrate Christmas. Ummm, who states they are a Christian but admits they don't celebrate Christmas. Please Santa this year can America have a new President by the name of Romney??? While I am begging you for that gift I will also being praying to God for the same gift.....
Santa won't be visiting you. He was checking his list and re-checking it. He found Romney lied about Jeep. Santa does not look kindly on lying little boys.
Hmmmmmmmm IF And I do mean IF the president actually says what you allege that he says, afte all I have read hundreds of acconts where someone claims that someone else has " said " this or that and it turns out to be totally erroneous. For instance, it was alleged that Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussien were in callusions with respect to the 911 attacks when Bin Laden hated and despised Saddam, and on more then one aoccasion called him an infidel and a puppet of the west. But any way, IF Obama and family does`nt celebrate Christmas does that make him a non christian ??? Only the BIBLE has the authority to discribe what a christian is. And cellebrating Christmas or not cellebrating Christmas is NOT a criteria. The BIBLE is very clear in it`s description of the worlds first people that were called and identified as Christians.
The truth 101. According to the Bible, Obama is about as far away from being a Christian as man can get.
I knew it wouldnt be long before a few turn a joyus holiday event into a political cicus. Would you all die and wither away if you hadnt nothing to whine about?
I cant afford a tree, presents, or whatever becuse the gov't is disfunctional. Three yrs unemployed, skill set current, interview after interview negative. NYS Cuomo does just as little. Glad more of OUR MONEY could be wasted on a f>>>>>>> tree. What about the people who put him and the family in the White House????????
Promises are not edible, do not pay bills, and are it appears actually lies, well past the promise level.
Happy Holidays America (not).
Randy, you are a moron. Maybe yu will get a brain for Christmas. Then u can use it before making a stupid comment. That's why I don't ever read comments. The people who usually comment are not exactly ......., thus have to be ignored. God u r dumb. Unreal.
Gary
You must be a republican filled with hatred because you lied.
That's why I don't ever read comments
You read Randy's comment and all you came back with was calling him a name that could fit you to a (T). If you had a brain and knew how to conduct your self during a job interview, you might not be unemployed for 3 years now. All Randy was doing was pointing out that even during the holidays, there are people that will whine about EVERYTHING, and you stepped right up and proved it to all of us that he was right. GET A LIFE !
I would expect nothing less from a Marxist/Communist imposter in the White House. He, obummer, wouldn't know a Christian if he/she jumped up and bit him on his derriere!!!
Doubt the Mormon Romney would either.
23 million unemployed, two idiots running for office, spending a billion $ to get it, shipping a tree across the country, boy don't you just love it??? If our for Fathers could see us now, they would most likley lose the war to England. Some Frenchman (I forgot who said we would last no more than 240 years), boy was he right. Elect a bunch of Idiot's to run our country, and spend our money. I was wrong, their are 430 some congressmen running and 33 1/3 Senator's, may the 1/3 one will be good. Question why are there not comments about the illegals, is that because both Obama and Romney both need their votes?
This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas tree, a 73-foot Engelmann ... Private donors and sponsors are paying most of the transportation costs.
The waste of a magnificent tree to satisfy a pagan custom.
Yeah..... let's call it the Obama Victory tree, since he will be our President for FOUR MORE years. LOL!
Could have used the money that it cost to get that tree to help fix the problems from the hurricane, mabey?
all costs of tree was donations
And your point is? The donations could be put to better use. I have always said and will continued to say, grow a frigging tree. Why take one down every year and do all of this. There are more important things that need to been done. BTW: I have Christian and non-Christian friends.... we all call it a "Christmas" tree.
They tried that, it lived for 3 years, then died.
At the Very Least when the Holidays are over they should donate the Tree to GIBSON Guitars since they Screwed them about importing wood....Good Quality Engelman Spruce is getting hard to come by...
Better would be to Hit up a few of those Environmental Lobbyists for a few million and have a really Nice Artificial Tree built so Colorado wouldnt have just a Stump left over!! Washington has become to our Sovereign States like the big bad Parent that tells all of us to "DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO" 1930's Germany and 2012 USA are looking Very Similar.....Welcome all to the NEW United Police States of America!!! Oh, and If I offended anybody, I really don't give a crap!!
Why would we be offended because you're stupid?
We're actually quite amused! It's like watching a zoo monkey smear poop all over himself. No banana for you, today, Todd!
And if that offends you... well, we really don't give a crap.
Yeah god and your response just shows that you act as if stupidity is a virtue. Get a life!
What a bunch of miserable cry baby whiners on here. Oh gee the president screwed me and I'm broke. Oh gee my poor tax dollars ... Oh gee it's the governments fault for all of my shortcomings in life. Oh gee it's the governments fault that I can't afford to buy a Christmas tree or any gifts... blah blah blah
Sucks to be most of you that's for sure. Buck up and grow a pair you irresponsible wussies.
Glad to see our Tax Dollars hard at work...Unbelievable,like livin on "Fantasy Farm"...Gather around and sing "Kumbuyaaaaa next...
It's the White House Christmas tree.Christmas trees have nothing to do with Christ or the Christian religion.It started as a German tradition.People love the tradition so many of us put up a Christmas tree.It brightens up the normally bleak winter month of December.A Muslim family that I know put up a Christmas tree.They immigrated from Pakistan,became citizens and own a business.The family, in spite of being practicing Muslims, have celebrated Christmas since coming to America.This Muslim lady told me she doesn't see why people don't say Merry Christmas and nobody should be offended by the word Christmas.
Maybe if I, personally, was trillions of dollars in debt, I could get a huge tree carted across the country to my doorstep too!!!!
Let's let the Christmas tree run the country and send Obozos azz packing. The tree would do a h*ll of a better job running the country.
VOTE Ignorance & Stupidity, VOTE Obama-Biden 2012
I see he has already purchased watermellons to decorate it with.
I see he has already purchased watermellons to decorate it with.