How the Mayor Stole Christmas… Updated: Now Washington has OUTLAWED 100-Watt Ligthbulbs!

Updated 12/19/07: Michelle Malkin reports:

You know the energy bill that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law today? Tucked into the legislation is a provision that mandates the phase-out of the 125-year-old incandescent bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of trendy, supposedly energy-efficient Gorebulbs. (More)

(hat-tip: 1389)

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(original post, 11/29/07):

This news release from the Mayor of Seattle:

Nickels launches “Operation Save Santa”

Helpers will hand out free energy-efficient light bulbs at Westlake tree lighting

SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels today launched “Operation Save Santa” to help protect the North Pole from the ravages of global warming. The mayor will enlist helpers in Santa hats to hand out 2,000 free energy efficient light bulbs prior to the tree lighting celebration at Westlake Center at 4 p.m.

The mayor kicked off the campaign today with an open letter to Santa.[*...]

Concerned by the record ice melt in the Arctic Ocean this summer, Nickels reassured Santa that Seattle and 728 other U.S. cities are making progress protecting their communities, the planet and the North Pole from global warming. As he pointed out when he launched the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005, Nickels is convinced that in the absence of federal leadership, cities must take action together.

“Some say that if we don’t do something to cut greenhouse gas emissions soon, the North Pole might be ice-free in summer as early as 2030. That’s why we’re launching “Operation Save Santa,” Nickels wrote in his letter.

Nickels asked Santa to recognize that Seattleites should be on his “nice” list for all of their efforts to conserve energy. They helped make Seattle the first city in the nation to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 8 percent below 1990 levels. And they continue to make a difference through Seattle Climate Action Now, a grassroots campaign to help people reduce climate pollution at home, at work and when making transportation choices.

“I’m really proud that Seattle is making progress on protecting our climate. I know a few light bulbs won’t fix the ice maker at the North Pole, but it’s a start. And when we all work together, we can make a difference,” Nickels wrote.

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Office of the Mayor

*Then, he sent the following letter to Santa:

Talk about thin ice! It sounds like you had one doozy of a summer up in the North Pole, and quite frankly I’m worried.

I read the stories about how the Arctic sea ice shrank to a record low this year and that scientists are pointing the finger at global warming. Some say if we don’t do something to cut greenhouse gas emissions soon, the North Pole might be ice free in summer as early as 2030.

Reindeer fly, but can they swim, too?

I for one would rather not find out. That’s why we’re launching “Operation Save Santa.”

Michelle Malkin reports, Seattle mayor warns kids: Take these eco-light bulbs or Santa and the reindeer will drown:

Via Orbusmax, KVI talk show host Kirby Wilbur in Seattle heard from a listener who attended Mayor Greg Nickels’ Christmas holiday tree-lighting ceremony. All religious references are discouraged by the local government “except if the religion is environmentalism…”

The Mayor of Seattle has obviously forgotten the meaning of Christmas. I hope someone reminds him, before he ruins it for a lot of kids.