Yikes... Just yikes.... Town bans yellow ribbons

[shanek]

http://www.trentonian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7524241&BRD=1697&PAG=461&dept_id=502176&rfi=6

I'm against the war, but this is just despicable.

[toddjh]

Originally posted by shanek
http://www.trentonian.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7524241&BRD=1697&PAG=461&dept_id=502176&rfi=6

I'm against the war, but this is just despicable.

Er, well, it's silly, and probably a pretty dumb move politically, but I don't buy the "gestapo police state" bit.

By what right did these people place ribbons on a city-owned sign in the first place? It seems to me that doing so without consulting the local government first is vandalism at worst, littering at best.

Is allowing individuals to use public property as a medium to express their own opinions something that should be allowed in the general case?

Jeremy

[Rose]

Well, I'm pro-war, but I can't get too worked up over this. The man is right; permitting the display of the ribbons opens the door for the use of public properties for other, potentially less savory groups to demand the same right. Surely there are enough private properties in the area that can put up displays. While it's great people want to show their support to our troops, there are plenty of ways to do this without utilizing public property.

[Pyrrho]

While ago a friend of mine told me about his uncle, who was in some branch of the service. Uncle told his family, "If anything ever happens to me, I don't want you tying any stinkin' yellow ribbons around no stinkin' tree. Just figure that I'm gone and get on with your lives."

[WildCat]

The funny thing is the whole yellow ribbon thing started because of an awful 70's song about a guy who was getting out of prison!:confused:
WildCat

[Pyrrho]

Originally posted by WildCat
The funny thing is the whole yellow ribbon thing started because of an awful 70's song about a guy who was getting out of prison!:confused:
WildCat

Yes, and now I can't get it out of my head. :P

Originally posted by WildCat
The funny thing is the whole yellow ribbon thing started because of an awful 70's song about a guy who was getting out of prison!:confused:
WildCat

Yes, and proper protocol demands they be placed on old oak trees, not public signs. ;)

[shanek]

Originally posted by toddjh
By what right did these people place ribbons on a city-owned sign in the first place? It seems to me that doing so without consulting the local government first is vandalism at worst, littering at best.

If it were just the sign, I could buy that argument. But what about the one on the tree on his business? Does he not really own his business and the property it's on just because it's considered an historical landmark?

[toddjh]

Originally posted by shanek
If it were just the sign, I could buy that argument. But what about the one on the tree on his business? Does he not really own his business and the property it's on just because it's considered an historical landmark?

I've read the article through several times, but I couldn't find a place where it said the tree was on his property. I assumed it was on public property adjacent to the sign. Am I missing something?

Also, I think the article was describing the store as a "landmark" simply to underscore the small size of the town, and not to say that it had some kind of special legal status.

Jeremy

[schplurg]

Well every few years at election time, candidates and their supporters seem free to put up "vote for me" signs anywhere they please. They stick them onto speed limit road signs and just about everything else you can drive a staple or thumbtack into (at least where I live in the SF Bay Area). Not to mention the "garage sale" and "We lost our pet signs" people like to post.

I'm sure the town has every right to remove these ribbons. However, I'm from a pretty small town, and some laws or rules are relaxed occasionally. I don't see that a ribbon is pro or anti war...seems neutral in that they are wishing the best for the troops. I mean it's only a ribbon...no slogans right? Obviously this was a politically motivated move by the town of Fieldsborough. If I were these folks, I'd toilet paper the mayor's house with yellow Charmin :)

Speaking of small towns relaxing their rules: One Fourth of July (U.S. Independence Day) was actually postponed by our city council because the 4th fell on a Sunday! Our city council at the time was 100% Mormon (and may still be). We actually had our fireworks display and parade on the 5TH!!! I wish Jedi was around here at the time! We could have used the support. It was a disgrace.

I have vowed to make sure that never happens here again. I'm getting mad just thinking about it.

[shanek]

Originally posted by schplurg
Well every few years at election time, candidates and their supporters seem free to put up "vote for me" signs anywhere they please.

There are ordinances and restrictions in your area that you have to follow to do that. I got quite familiar with them when I ran for County Commissioner.

They stick them onto speed limit road signs and just about everything else you can drive a staple or thumbtack into (at least where I live in the SF Bay Area).

That may be allowed by your ordinances. Here, it isn't. Although you can put your sign in the ground directly in front of a speed limit sign, as long as it's not covering the sign itself.

[Smalso]

Strange how the way people see things changes; as in:

http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=16482

What was once no biggie is now a matter of patriotism.