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 ...
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...
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...
Well, many people, including _resident Obama, worship this star...
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.
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.
Irv Sutley, get off my planet! Your self-importance is causing the Earth to wobble!
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
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”
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.
UGH!
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.
lol I saw another FR article and did a brief search and that stuff popped up :)
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.
It is a federal holiday, let him sue. Change the laws that frivilous lawsuits must bear all court costs.
Both are offensive, I hate cutsy Angels that look like girls....Angels are mighty warrior creatures not pansy little cherubs.
Yet he seems content to live off a disability pension from our capitalist government.
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!
You have to be kidding me. I like how the journo’s leave info like that out.
Fools!
His face is extremely offensive. It should be removed promptly!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.