Gov. Phil Bryant’s 26 points of Christmas
If news was happening anywhere other than Capitol Street Wednesday night, the local media probably missed it.
Many of us spent the evening rubbing elbows at the annual Christmas party at the Governor’s Mansion, where Gov. Phil Bryant took his first crack at hosting a holiday reception for the media.
It’s supposed to be an off-the-record, no-notebooks-allowed social gathering, a thank you of sorts for providing a public service and putting up with politicians the rest of the year.
So naturally, spokesman Mick Bullock welcomed the crowd with the announcement that they would be using the evening to unveil the governor’s 2013 legislative agenda.
“I’ve got a 26-point plan,” Bryant chimed in. “Won’t take but about an hour.”
No frankincense this year
When the governor himself took the mic, he addressed the season’s first creche controversy: The Nativity scene in the mansion’s front lawn has just two wise men.
Christians traditionally believe that three wise men visited Jesus at his birth, because the Bible says he received three gifts from traveling Magi.
“We are short one wise man,” Bryant acknowledged. “But do you know how difficult it is to find a wise man this close to the Capitol?”
Touche, governor. In fairness, it’s probably pretty hard to find frankincense these days.
Clarion Ledger
12/9/12
Magnolia Tribune
