Editorial: Humbug or true holiday spirit?

Friday, Dec. 23, 2005 | 7:29 a.m.

Didn't receive a holiday card from Gov. Kenny Guinn? Don't feel slighted. Nobody outside the governor's family and circle of close friends received a card this year.

But then, nobody ever has. Guinn and first lady Dema Guinn decided not to send holiday cards after he was first elected in 1998, Steve George, the governor's press secretary, said. "They were afraid they would leave somebody out," George said Wednesday, in the wake of a report that names Guinn as one of three U.S. governors who didn't send holiday greeting cards.

The report by stateline.org, which is affiliated with the nonprofit Pew Research Center, says the other two supposed bah-humbuggers are Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

It's evidently a bipartisan lack of ho, ho, ho. Pawlenty and Guinn are Republicans. Richardson is a Democrat. And they may be three wise men, given the national kerfuffle generated by President Bush's decision to send cards wishing "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas."

Maryland's Gov. Robert Ehrlich, a Republican, sent the most cards -- a whopping 40,000 "From our family to yours" greetings that extend "warmest wishes for a happy Holiday Season, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and safe New Year."

Nice sentiment, but their family knows 40,000 people? Sounds more like the holiday greetings sent out by insurance agents -- without the cool refrigerator magnets or stickers.

The Guinns seem to have the right idea. Heart-felt holiday greetings are most appropriately sent to those known for reasons other than campaign contributions.