Grinchmas: New York City uses police buses, plastic sheets to block view of Rockefeller tree lighting

Screenshot: Twitter

Grinchmas: New York City uses police buses, plastic sheets to block view of Rockefeller tree lighting

Posted by: | |Categories Caught on Camera, Featured, Must Reads
Share:

NEW YORK CITY, NY – In what appears to have been an attempt to hinder crowds from gathering to view the famous tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center, NYPD buses were lined up with black plastic sheeting taped in between them. 

However, if this was an effort to prevent crowds from gathering for the Dec. 2nd lighting, it seems to have been a failed endeavor — as a crowd  managed to amass anyway despite the very limited view. 

While this year’s tree lighting didn’t attract the thousands who normally congregate to watch the lights get switched on, it was still a spectacle.  

Video published by FNTV showed the police buses  lined up and connected by the black plastic sheeting to form a visual barricade. 

Ironically, this crowd that had bunched themselves together to get what limited view they could muster might be a tad worse than what would’ve normally transpired with ample room — but that’s merely speculative. 

Apparently someone present in the crowd had the wherewithal to simply remove the plastic sheeting that was placed in between two of the buses — affording at glimpse of the 75-foot-tall Norway spruce in all its glory.  

Following the lighting of the tree itself, a host of new rules have been established for locals and tourists who wish to go rockin’ around the Christmas tree this season. 

The plaza where the tree is located is closed to the public, and those looking to gaze at the holiday splendor must do so from what’s been dubbed “specific tree-viewing zones” on either side of  the plaza in Manhattan. 

But it’s not quite as simple as heading over to these tree-viewing zones. 

Would-be spectators will have to scan a QR code to reserve a spot in a virtual line. They will then receive a text message when it’s their turn to make their jolly way over to the designated viewing area. 

These designated viewing areas will have specific pods, which can hold up to four people who may then look at the tree — for up to five minutes. 

Of course, these measures run in concurrence with mandated masks and social distancing being practiced. 

Some out-of-towners are a little disappointed with the Rockefeller Tree experience this time around. Heather Ruark, a visitor from Maryland, remarked on how this year’s experience is going to pale in comparison to her 2019 trip: 

“We actually brought the kids here last year and they got to see the tree and go ice skating and it was wonderful and, unfortunately, we were hoping to have a similar experience this time.”

Simone Jackson, from Florida, is merely appreciative that the tradition of lighting the tree was at least upheld during the era of the pandemic: 

“It’s beautiful. It’s a tradition. They’ve done it every year, so I think it’s everybody’s dream to celebrate Christmas in New York and get to see that monumental tree.”

So while the traditional ceremony of flipping on the switch to the 50,000 lights was a little marred this time around, at least people will still be able to see the tree this year – even if it’s for only five minutes at a time. 

Do you want to join our private family of first responders and supporters?  Get unprecedented access to some of the most powerful stories that the media refuses to show you.  Proceeds get reinvested into having active, retired and wounded officers, their families and supporters tell more of these stories.  Click to check it out.

LET Unity

Columbia professor: Cancel Rockefeller Center Christmas tree because ‘Toxic Relationship’ of ‘Nature and Capitalism’

November 29, 2020

The following article contains editorial content written by a retired Chief of Police and current staff writer for Law Enforcement Today.

—

NEW YORK, NY – In a year where liberals are attempting to suck the fun out of everything from The Fourth of July to more recently Thanksgiving, we now present another loon, this time from the field of academia, although that should come as a surprise to nobody.

Breitbart notes a professor at Columbia University is suggesting the cancellation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Manhattan because it represents a “toxic relationship between nature and capitalism.”

Do you ever wonder why young people seem to be offended by everything? Here you go. People like this are teaching your kid in college. Scary.

In speaking of the Christmas tree, Columbia Professor Brian Kahn wrote in an op-ed:

“Its appearance was a metaphor for this year of pandemic, a slapdash coup attempt, and a general drubbing of American exceptionalism.”

Yeah, ok.

 Kahn is identified as a “journalist covering climate change.” His claim to fame? He apparently was “a ski bum across the western US.”

Cool.

Kahn, who fits the very definition of a “tree hugger,” called the tradition of cutting down a tree and transporting it to downtown Manhattan, where it might be enjoyed by New Yorkers and tourists (when the city had tourists) alike, a “toxic” symbol of how nature is treated while adding that this year’s Norway spruce “should be the last” if we want to see any “justice.”

Like a good liberal, Kahn wants to suck the life out of everything because he is no doubt an angry individual who, since he probably has no joy in his life, wants to remove joy from others’ lives. He cried:

“This year’s tree is also perfectly poised to reflect something more than our national mood: It reflects the toxic relationship we have with the natural world and the need to rapidly reverse course.

“If this year’s tree sees any justice, it’s that it should be the last.”

Kahn decried the tree being removed from its habitat and being transported to Manhattan, claiming that “everything about this tree tells a piece of the story of our past century-plus relationship with nature and extractive capitalism,” and that the tree lost its “dignity” when it was transported to the city. Pardon us, but we did not know trees had feelings.

Our apologies.

Kahn wrote:

“The tree is a Norway Spruce, which, as you can likely guess from the name, is not native to the U.S. That in and of itself reflects how upended our relationship with nature is.

“In its previous home, though, it had an iota of dignity lost completely once it was transported to Midtown Manhattan.”

Hopefully, the tree does not require psychological counseling. Perhaps Kahn can refer it to one of his colleagues at Columbia.

Not only is Kahn upset with the tree being removed, but he is also mortified that the town whence it came was itself previously an old-growth forest.

He wrote that the very process of cutting down the tree — including the rescue of an owl found within it — reflected how “we’ve subjugated nature to our whims.”

Kahn whined:

“The Rockefeller tree was cut down in a town itself carved out of what was, more than a century ago, an old-growth forest. And an owl was scooped up in the process of cutting down the tree and transported to New York.

“All this reflects the ways in which we’ve subjugated nature to our whims. And really, the evolution of the Rockefeller Center tree tradition is a very apt stand-in for that.”

Kahn switched to the owl. He spoke of how the owl was symbolic “of our toxic relationship with nature.” 

He noted that that specific owl is not considered an endangered species currently, however, he said, “the climate crisis fueled by unending growth and fossil fuels will eventually come for it too.”

Kahn, who must be partially psychic, also acknowledged that he would more than likely be referred to as a “tree hugger,” and a “total killjoy” for his words.

Well, we nailed tree hugger but missed the part about a total killjoy. We apologize.

Kahn wrote:

“I know I’ll likely receive many furious emails cussing me out for being a tree hugger perpetrating the war on Christmas and a total killjoy.

“But my point isn’t that we should end joy and piss on Santa. It’s that now is the perfect moment to consider what we truly value.

“When I saw the Rockefeller Center tree propped up as it shed entire boughs to the cold plaza ground this year, I felt no elation.

“I just felt sad that we venerate the continued subjugation of nature at the expense of unfettered growth and consumption—or even simply because we, like those who suffered through the Great Depression, want to feel something like normal again.”

Felt no elation? We would guess this guy does not get too excited or happy about much, especially since he found it necessary to write an ode to a tree.

Kahn believes the tree tradition is “an icon of American exceptionalism.” People like this typically hate America, which is evident from his comments.

Kahn continued spewing:

“Its story has humble roots in the Great Depression when workers building Rockefeller Center decorated a tree as a pick-me-up for a beleaguered city.”

Now he says it has “morphed into a made-for-TV spectacle to sell ads against and draw onlookers, wowed by a towering Norway spruce set at the center of the beating, concrete-and-steel heart of capitalism.”

God forbid.

Kahn’s take isn’t surprising. It is all part of the cancel culture, which has become a liberal tradition. Instead of celebrating our differences, liberals like to cancel anything they disagree with, be it a book, a television program, a speech, a person on Twitter, an actor, or a Christmas tree.

Face it, folks. They are coming for you. It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow, but they’re coming. We have already seen them attempt to cancel law enforcement because it is all that stands between them and being able to run roughshod over the country.

We have already seen them come after two of our most treasured and time-honored traditions — the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.

Lest you think they would not come after Christmas, think again. They have seen an opening with the coronavirus, and they will not waste the opportunity.

—

Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost.

Make sure you click “following” and then click “see first” so you don’t miss a thing! (See image below.) Thanks for being a part of the LET family!

Facebook Follow First

Share:
Submit a Correction
About The Author

Gregory Hoyt is an I.T. Marketing and Sales professional based out in Sierra Vista, Arizona. While being a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, Gregory Hoyt also has the experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison as well. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.

Related Posts