Does This Offend You?

"Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members."

Wow, talking about throwing the toys out of the pram! How could someone so childish become president of anything? Oh wait, it's the USA :-)

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

What got me, from the original article, was this closing line:

"Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members."

Why bother with such a committee if you're just going to get rid of them when they disagree with you? Why not just announce that you're dictator of the Housing Association and be honest about it? Is this Housing Association really prepared to do the same for every complaint, even ones about manger creches, for example?

Good for the committee for standing up and refusing; like the article says, I don't think the homeowner will wind up paying a cent, nor should she.

I am deeply offended. That wreath is obviously a symbol of Satanism. I guess.

And what's with the bit about parents with children serving in Iraq being offended by a peace symbol? Do they actually prefer the continuance of war while their offspring are serving in the military?

Mustafa - technically the symbol represents CND and so is specifically for getting rid of nukes. Maybe the parents felt that she was having a dig at their inability to find the mysterious hidden nuke stockpile in Iraq? Or maybe they reckon their kids would be safer if they were brought home in favour of doing the old glass-parking-lot job on Iraq and feel that the protestor in question is against this option? Or am I clutching at straws...?

"members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything"

This is the offensive part. This public display is OK because it has no meaningful content? If it actually carried a message, it would be a problem and should be removed? Iin America?

Stealing a line from Kissinger:

Homeowners Association (University) politics are so vicious because the stakes are so small

They thought the peace symbol was satanic?! It's sad when you are too ignorant to even be a good bigot. What's next, telling us that "turn the other cheek" is just a hippified version of what Jesus thought?

That nonsense about Satanism ahs been around since the sixties. Ironically, if Jensen did intend it as a Satanic symbol (i.e. a symbol of her religion) she would probably be on much firmer ground fighting the dictator of the housing association. How could he legally justify calling the symbols of one religion divisive while allowing other religions to display the symbols of their mid-winter festivals? He would really have to insist that no one display any opinion or sentiment on any matter whatsoever, ever. What a maroon.

Sadly, in some parts of this country there is a perception that not kissing the ass of the nearest priest or supporting blindly every lunatic or politician that says they talk to God is "Unamerican". That's all this is really about. If its not a "traditional" wreath, or it doesn't have a huge fracking ugly cross glued on it in support of Jesus, its Satanic to some people. And in some places, this stupidity, bigotry and intolerance goes right up to the housing associations, or even city councils and mayors.

Kagehi,

Actually, no. There's a very widespread believe that the CND/Peace symbol is, in fact, Satanic. It makes no sense whatsoever, but then what does in Fundyland?

I also have an amusing personal anecdote to demonstrate this. I went to a private, Baptist grade school. One day, I drew a CND/Peace symbol on my hand, just idly and for no particular reason. Another student saw it and told a teacher, who berated me for displaying a Satanist symbol and sent me to the principal to be disciplined.

So, the Peace == Satanic thing has a real life all its own, beyond any Peace == Un-American idea.

I'm going to Colorado soon for a science meeting, and now I'm scared to. And I thought they were progressive--I heard Boulder was even 'greener' than Ann Arbor, and thats saying something.

Isn't it ironic that a religion supposedly all about peace and love views a symbol of love as its religious opposite?

I'm sure you'll be safe in an academic environment is Boulder. Stay away from Colorado Springs though.

Don't worry.

I grew up in Denver and went to CU Boulder. It's like California in Colorado. Extremely relaxed; beautiful view of the Rockies; close to sking.

This all took place in southern Colorado. Short physical distance, light years in philosophy.

If you go to CU for a conference, you'll never want to leave ;-)

The publicity Shelley brought to this issue has worked:
...A subdivision has withdrawn its threat of $25 daily fines against a homeowner who put a Christmas wreath shaped like a peace sign on the front of her home...

Sometimes public shaming is still effective.

Take that!!!!