posted December 15, 2006 08:11 PM              

AOL Wire Services
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Dec. 14) - Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen was "stunned" to learn that a U.S. high school choir had been ordered to stop singing Christmas carols at a holiday show because she is half Jewish, her mother said on Thursday.

Conflict Over Christmas
Talk About It: Post Thoughts
A city employee, accompanied by a police officer, approached the Rubidoux High School Madrigals at the Riverside Outdoor Ice Skating Rink just as they launched into "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and requested that the troupe stop singing, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Thursday.

Cohen, the 2006 Olympic silver medalist and 2006 U.S. National Champion, had just finished her performance at the rink on the downtown pedestrian mall, and was signing autographs.

The employee, special-events worker Michelle Baldwin, could not be reached for comment. City Development Director Belinda J. Graham confirmed the incident.

"This request was simply made by a staff member who was attempting to be sensitive to the celebrity guest, without considering the wider implications ... or consulting with her supervisor for guidance," Graham said in an e-mail to the newspaper.

Most Popular - Last 24 Hours

* Georgia School Board Says 'Harry Potter' Can Stay
* Miss USA's 'Personal Issues' Scrutinized
* Reports Say Duke Rape Accuser Is Pregnant
* Man Runs Over Deer With Seven Legs
* Army's Top General Warns Force 'Will Break'

Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, who called the incident "unfortunate," apologized to the choir. "You kind of wish people do a little checking first," he said.

Cohen, who is half Christian and "celebrates everything" during the holidays, learned only through news reports that the choir had been cut off on her account, the 22-year-old skater's mother and manager said.

"Sasha was stunned. We both thought the voices were just lovely, they were doing such a wonderful job," Galina Cohen said. "Christmas carols are part of celebrating the holiday season."

To some, the incident appeared an example of excessive political correctness in the United States over the celebration of Christmas -- which some conservative commentators have characterized as a "war on Christmas."

Cohen's mother said the skater had taken part in Christmas tree lighting ceremonies at New York's Rockefeller Center and in California.

posted December 16, 2006 01:18 PM              

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And If you dont like It **** you!!

Im sorry this is long but at least its not a chain letter this is something. I wrote from the HIZeart!! with an article by lou dobbs on the bottom that makes me feels soo much better because it made me realize im not the only one who feels this way!!
ENJOY!!!!!!