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California Official Orders Removal of Christmas Angel After Complaint
Fox News ^ | Dec 23, 2009 | Joshua Rhett Miller

Posted on 12/23/2009 8:26:45 AM PST by SmartInsight

There's no place for angels atop Christmas trees, according to one California man who successfully lobbied for the removal of religious symbols at county buildings after spotting a yuletide decoration last week.

Stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County on Monday following a complaint by Irv Sutley, a disabled 65-year-old Marine veteran who said the symbols were "extremely offensive" and part of the "cult" of Christianity.

Sutley said he filed the complaint with acting County Administrator Chris Thomas on Dec. 18 after noticing an angel atop a six-foot tree in the lobby of the county recorder's office. Sutley, a lifelong atheist and chairman of the county's Peace and Freedom Party, said he visited the office last week for his re-election bid next June.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: angel; atheists; christmas; constitution; freedomofreligion; religion
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To: SmartInsight
"To avoid any controversy and to satisfy this gentleman's concerns, the ornaments were removed," said Toomey, adding that he knew of no prior complaints concerning the holiday display." Let me get this straight. All you have to do is voice a "concern" and the local politicians will give you whatever you want in order to "avoid controversy."? Well, *I* have concerns, Mr. Toomey and there will be a whole LOT of "controversary" if that e-mail instruction to remove is not rescinded.
21 posted on 12/23/2009 8:50:50 AM PST by Walrus (My congressman is toast in 2010 --- how about yours?)
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To: SmartInsight

some one should have told him to stay in his house if he’s offended....I am tired of assholes numbering 1 ONE changing things for the many...


22 posted on 12/23/2009 8:51:03 AM PST by The Wizard (I support Madame President, the only President in America today)
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To: SCalGal
If I complain about the CA officials, will they be removed?

Feel free to try...And when ya get done there you can start on the the Alabama state officials who ordered the plaque/monument of the Ten Commandments removed from a the state house and into the basement there, a few years back...

23 posted on 12/23/2009 8:54:03 AM PST by dragnet2
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To: NMEwithin
How is a Star a religious symbol?

Well, many people, including _resident Obama, worship this star...


24 posted on 12/23/2009 8:54:39 AM PST by Fresh Wind ("...a whip of political correctness strangles their voice"-Vaclav Klaus on GW skeptics)
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To: SmartInsight

If 98% of the population finds the city action to remove the decorations “extremely offensive,” do we win on the same grounds? Isn’t this a two-way street? We are all victims of a minority on one “offended” individual.

And how, exactly, does an angel atop a tree run afoul of “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” A municipal government’s display of decorations couldn’t possible be more further afield from Congress passing a law to establish a religion.


25 posted on 12/23/2009 8:55:54 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: SmartInsight
The 'atheist' IRVING Sutley is a loser. IRVING Sutley

IRVING was in the Marines though (#1976961) from 62 to 70, but he never went to Vietnam -- kind of odd for a Marine of that era? -- but NOT surprisingly, he never rose above the rank of Private E-1.

It's also kinda funny how all (or most) of these 'atheists' like IRVING and pain-in-the-ass Michael Newdow, who get their jollies suing over every 'Christian Symbol or God' that they see, are of Jewish heritage. And that many like IRVING are Communists to boot.

26 posted on 12/23/2009 8:58:30 AM PST by Condor51 (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits)
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To: SmartInsight

Irv Sutley, get off my planet! Your self-importance is causing the Earth to wobble!


27 posted on 12/23/2009 8:59:52 AM PST by jonrick46 (We're being water boarded with the sewage of Marxism.)
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To: SmartInsight

We have to havbe people who ignore or fight these
type of people. Can’t the good citizen tell
these people to stick it....We miss john Wayne and
Ron. JK


28 posted on 12/23/2009 9:08:21 AM PST by sanjacjake
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To: silverleaf

Apparently he only joined the military to cause trouble:

A personal story; private E-1 Irv Sutley, service number 1976961.
Publication: American Atheist Newsletter

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2369797/A-personal-story-private-E.html

“All of the new enlistees were required to attend one of four religious meetings: protestant, catholic, buddhist, or jewish. In front of a battalion formation, I refused to attend any of these compulsory activities—basing my refusal on constitutional grounds that the government has no right to compel an individual or class of persons to attend any sectarian activity. This refusal enraged my platoon’s non-commissioned officers (the infamous Marine Corps drill instructors) as well as my company’s commanding officer. But despite threats of a court-martial, along with personal and off the record warnings and threats, I was determined to hold my ground.

During my eight year enlistment (all of which I spent as a Private E-1), I never saluted any officer who was a military chaplain”


29 posted on 12/23/2009 9:12:43 AM PST by SmartInsight (Dems in power are a clear and present danger to our freedom and the survival of our nation.)
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To: Conservative Vermont Vet

Lrr Harvey Oswald was an ex-marine too.

Being a Marine is a proud heritage spoiled by dipsticks like this.

One clown claims offense and everybody else has to suffer.

It is offensive to me that this turkey is getting disability from the Marine Corps.


30 posted on 12/23/2009 9:16:25 AM PST by Venturer
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To: SmartInsight

UGH!


31 posted on 12/23/2009 9:18:07 AM PST by AuntB (If Al Qaeda grew drugs & burned our forests instead of armed Mexican Cartels would anyone notice?)
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To: SmartInsight

Tell me one time where this situation went differently? Why do we become outraged? Is our outrage any different than this man’s?

A plastic angel on a pagan tree erected by a godless government entity to give us a false impression that they are righteous. Our great leader mocks us with his own decorations. Our leaders in congress are passing a devious health care bill on the celebrated eve of my Savior’s birth.

Our country turned it’s back on the Lord. It should be no surprise that He is turning his back on us.


32 posted on 12/23/2009 9:52:15 AM PST by PJammers (I can't help it... It's my idiom!)
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To: icwhatudo

lol I saw another FR article and did a brief search and that stuff popped up :)


33 posted on 12/23/2009 9:54:33 AM PST by happinesswithoutpeace (You are receiving this broadcast as a dream.)
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To: SmartInsight

Wonder if the officials of Sonoma County would so the same thing if those atheists who are putting up their signs saying there is no God put one up?

I mean, would the officials of Sonoma county tell the atheists they have to take down their signs because they are offensive to believers?

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.


34 posted on 12/23/2009 9:56:51 AM PST by GloriaJane (http://www.last.fm/user/GloriaJane)
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To: SmartInsight

It is a federal holiday, let him sue. Change the laws that frivilous lawsuits must bear all court costs.


35 posted on 12/23/2009 10:09:54 AM PST by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: mlizzy

Both are offensive, I hate cutsy Angels that look like girls....Angels are mighty warrior creatures not pansy little cherubs.


36 posted on 12/23/2009 10:11:29 AM PST by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: SmartInsight
and our common opposition to capitalism

Yet he seems content to live off a disability pension from our capitalist government.

37 posted on 12/23/2009 10:18:49 AM PST by UCANSEE2 (M)
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To: SmartInsight
This guy is a real piece of work!

He is petitioning to have a cross removed that someone put up to memorialize a person who died because it was put there without a permit! It just doesn't get any lower than that.

He is a Grinch!

It amazes me how atheists simply cannot bare the sight of religious images, especially the cross. If you don't believe, than you should be fine with seeing a cross, an angel, or a star of David.

I cannot believe that ONE person can have this much pull. This happens all of the time! ONE person complains, and the cross, etc. are gone.

Incredible!

38 posted on 12/23/2009 11:13:00 AM PST by Mrs. Frogjerk
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To: icwhatudo

You have to be kidding me. I like how the journo’s leave info like that out.

Fools!


39 posted on 12/23/2009 11:14:32 AM PST by Mrs. Frogjerk
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To: TaxPayer2000

His face is extremely offensive. It should be removed promptly!


40 posted on 12/23/2009 11:16:04 AM PST by Mrs. Frogjerk
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