And a very merry Christmas to you too, Commissioner
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miss diane “love and tolerance for all” loud (right) with friend
It all started on December 2nd when Lisa Desmond, a Dedham public library branch supervisor, took to Facebook to alert people to the fact that she had been told that Christmas trees could not be put on display in the town’s library or in front of it because it was offensive to some people.
“I found out today that my beautiful library will not have [its] Christmas tree this year,” Desmond wrote. “Zero explanation. When I asked, I was told “people “ were made uncomfortable last year looking at it. I’m sorry WHAT? In my 28 years at the Dedham Public Library, I have never heard a negative comment.”
She went on to note that she was all about inclusivity, and was disappointed that officials apparently didn’t feel the same way.
“Those who know me and my family know we celebrate Christmas Hanukkah,” she said. “My Muslim friends and Western Indian friends invite me to their celebrations. What an amazing gift.”
“Please bring Christmas back to my beautiful library,” Desmond pleaded.
In response, the story went viral, with Jesse Watters from Fox News giving it some attention and numerous Boston-based media outlets filing up-to-the-minute reports.
The ensuing outcry nationally and locally from outraged residents led to town officials reversing course Monday and allowing Christmas tree displays at both of their libraries.
One town official who was extremely upset with the debate over the issue was Dedham Human Rights Commissioner Diane Loud, who zeroed in on Desmond and those who agreed with her in an expletive-filled rant:
“Lisa Desmond: F*** YOU. You knew what you were doing. You spent days batting aside the people who asked you to ratchet this back,” Loud claimed. “Everyone will tell me that you are a selfish f***ing b*tch who does not care about anyone but herself. For a tree? For a motherf***ing TREE? You have put people’s lives in a lot of danger. A LOT of danger. For a motherf***ing Christmas tree.”
Loud concluded by writing this: “In closing, I would like to add a F*** YOU, YOU PIECES OF TRASH. I hate each and every one of you and I do wish great suffering on you. You are terrible, terrible people. And you did it all because you didn’t get your way. You are despicable.”
Miss Loud has since “retired” from the Dedham Human Rights Commission, which must be quite a loss to the town.
