When it comes to the State House Christmas tree, it seems we can't win for losing. Several seasons ago when then Governor Linc Chafee actually made NATIONAL news for calling it a HOLIDAY TREE instead of a CHRISTMAS TREE. It was a dominant topic on local talk radio at a time when EVERYONE'S scrambling for red meat on the terrestrial talk circuit. When Gina Raimondo was elected, she recognized the negative press created stressing it would be a CHRISTMAS TREE during her administration. When an Associated Press story uncovered the not so startling news that needles were falling off the tree was picked up by the New York Post, the tabloid throttled up the news calling it "The saddest state capital christmas tree." West Greenwich tree farmer Big John Leyden was quick to recognize a promotional opportunity offering a substitute tree or consulting services. People, it'S A live TREE and no matter how much water you put in the tree stand, the needles are going to eventually fall off. It's not as though Cousin Eddie's dog SNOTS from CHRISTMAS VACATION was drinking out of the stand. Still, let's just hope Uncle Lewis doesn't light one of his stogies next to it.