Terrorists In My City?????? (1025 hits)
Category: NewsRating: 1.2 on 38 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by L.G. <el2tha.g.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-02-11 11:38:33 EST
I saw this on the news last night.
http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/4184282/detail.html
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- From cable news shows to local television, a political statement made by the owners of a house in Sacramento's Land Park neighborhood quickly became national news Wednesday and renewed debate about the right to express unpopular opinions.
In a symbolic protest, a soldier's uniform hung by a noose dangled from the roof of the home. The words "your tax dollars at work" were inscribed on the chest.
A man who was passing by ripped down the display, leaving some neighbors thrilled and others outraged.
"I am delighted that people have come by the house and showed that they cared ... I'm just happy that it's gone," Land Park resident Marque Cohen said.
"I'm never thrilled to see someone's rights taken away from them, and that's what it was to pull it down. You're taking away his right to express himself," Land Park resident Ann Edwards said.
In a statement, the owner of home, Stephen Pearcy, wrote: "Those who find our effigy offensive should also find Bush's policy regarding Iraq offensive. It's ironic ... they now seek to suppress our speech here at home."
Police said the act of removing the display is considered a misdemeanor and that they are looking into the vandalism.
"I'm happy it came down but I'd rather see it come down by Steve himself," neighbor Pete Miles said.
"People have to be respectful of other people's convictions," Land Park resident Cece Williams said.
With the soldier ripped from its noose, some neighbors said they wonder what will go up next. An American flag has already been hung by the same noose and message for those who voted for President George W. Bush has also been on display.
Pearcy said he will hang another solider from his roof in the coming days and that if police catch the man who vandalized his home he will press charges.
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So, a man put an Iraq and Palestinian flag in his windows, along with a fake us soldie in uniform, hung by a noose, with a sign that read "Your tax dollars at work." Some people saw it, got pissed, and tore it down. The owner said he will put it back up and has no intentions of keeping it down. The argument on the news last night was this; free speech, or did he go too far?
Personally, I think that if he was putting up the flag of his home country, there would be no problem with that. However, with a name like Steve Pearcy, I strongly doubt he is from either Iraq or Palestine. The dead soldier, I think, may have been a little much. I'm not saying he can't do it, but with the amount of people who have loved ones that have either died or are still in service, it can be pretty offensive. The viewer's responses were a mix of opinions. Some called him a traitor, some said the people who tore down the display should be ashamed. What do you guys think?
User Reviews
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-02-15 21:50:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Uh, so. Let's have a conversation. Uh, I think we'll find that we have
very little in common.
-- Homer Simpson
The Last Temptation of Homer
Submitted by Ed_0150 (user info) at 2005-02-15 21:35:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:47:34 (#)
Ranking: 2
He should be shot for sedition.
Submitted by HadToBeDone (user info) at 2005-02-12 11:05:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
AlwaysAnEAgle, SunGod, it' so cute that you both fell for that "Land of the free" shit hook line and sinker. Where did you think you were, Canada? Welcome to America, kids.
-GWB
Submitted by TheSunGod (user info) at 2005-02-12 10:41:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
an excellent quote, alwaysaneagle. it's just too bad it came from a movie and not from an actual politician. i would love to hear any American President say something so pure with such conviction as michael douglas' character did.
as Americans and "free" people, we have the *liability* and *responsibility* to protect the Steve Pearcys of the world, whether we agree with what they are saying or not. hell, we need to protect him even when he hangs a uniform from his house with a sign that reads, "fuck America and fuck all the dead soldiers". if that is his message, it must be protected.
in the conservative southern city where i live, it often seems like i am the only white person who has no problem with black people, gays, etc. it makes me want to scream every time i hear the words "nigger" or "faggot" (which is several times a day), but i would fight to my last breath to protect the rights of any person to say them if they wish.
freedom is not about having the right to say whatever other people think you should say. it is about having the right to say anything at all.
Submitted by AlwaysAnEagle (user info) at 2005-02-12 09:32:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Didn't make me smile, but good food for thought.
"You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing at center stage advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim that this land is the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that...show me that. Defend that. Celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free." - The American President
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-02-12 09:25:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
An effegy huh? Nothing burns like an effegy.
-Homer Simpson
Submitted by Bizdorph (user info) at 2005-02-12 01:39:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
free speech, or did he go too far?
_________________
If you use the term "free speech", the statement indicates that you are FREE, and that you cannot in fact take it too far.
I think the right to free speech should be expanded to the right of free speech and assassination for just such presidencies as these.
Submitted by Joemama (user info) at 2005-02-11 23:15:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Hey Jack.....Kensington here
Submitted by Auf-Der-Maur (user info) at 2005-02-11 20:13:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Enjoying your rights is treason, eh? And I used to think this was such a great place to live
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 18:53:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by HadToBeDone (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:42:57 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:47:34 (#)
Ranking: 2
He should be shot for sedition.
Bastard.
Fuckin' California!
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Yes, he should be shot for something which isn't illegal. Fucking brilliant, Jack.
--
I stand corrected. I was in error.
He should be shot for treason.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 18:44:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:34:45 (#)
Ranking: 1
He should be shot for sedition.
Bastard.
Fuckin' California!
____
Jack, not all of California is like that...San Francisco is so far out of touch with reality it's not funny anymore.
If there ever is another terrorist attack, I hope it goes of in Berkeley - no one will really get upset.
--
Don't tell me, I'll tell you. Where the fuck do you think I live? Why the fuck do you think I'm so pissed all the time?
I'm surrounded by a buncha fuckin effeminate ass-bandit bleeding heart hippie liberal left-wing scum.
Every day is a struggle.
Submitted by EAZEDZT (user info) at 2005-02-11 16:57:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"To suspend or impede free speech in any way is only appropriate if democracy itself is threatened."
That is what these freak, liberal, communist, jackoffs are doing. Our country is rotting from the inside
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2005-02-11 15:46:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I can only shake my head and be glad I have the sense to find that "display of free speech" disgusting, revolting and disrespectful.
Submitted by BoogieFevuh (user info) at 2005-02-11 15:25:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yeah, its shitheads like this that make liberals look bad. I don't agree with this war, but I'm not gonna dishonor all the brave soldiers we've got over there. I don't care what message he was trying to get across, that's fucking disrespectful.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 14:05:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
but this country is sinking further into the abyss of shit if you can no longer state your opinions.
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So true. Censorship has already gone way too far.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-02-11 14:02:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I think that you have the right to say whatever you want to, this is supposed to be a free country. I also think that his neighbors have the right to say what they want to in response. Clearly this is in bad taste, but then again so are all of those tacky ass cheap plastic Santas that people stick in their yards. The guy who tore it down should be arrested for vandalism but this country is sinking further into the abyss of shit if you can no longer state your opinions.
Submitted by HadToBeDone (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:42:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:47:34 (#)
Ranking: 2
He should be shot for sedition.
Bastard.
Fuckin' California!
----------------
Yes, he should be shot for something which isn't illegal. Fucking brilliant, Jack.
I do (ACK!) agree with domenad, though. It's too far, even for someone as set against the war as any person can be, but to do something as un-American as remove his right to express himself? Those "patriots" are more un-American than anyone else in this country.
As is anyone who advocates vandalizing his house or breaking the law to show their displeasure. Freedom of speech really DOES apply to unpopular speech too.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:26:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I dread when you have to leave for class
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:15:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Whoa eeey oohhh I look just like Buddy Holly... Oh oh and your REALLY FUCKING HOT!!
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:10:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
psssst....Tigerlilly and Lojope naked?
http://www.ubersite.com/m/59342
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:09:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Someone slipped some crack into my coffee this morning...
That makes me HOT
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:07:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
mmmmmmmmm hot!
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 13:05:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I just noticed the name... Stephen Pearcy? The guy from RATT? haha...
http://www.juancroucier.com/Ratt%20Pictures/ratt-10.jpg
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ATTN GHEY MENZ
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:58:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I just noticed the name... Stephen Pearcy? The guy from RATT? haha...
http://www.juancroucier.com/Ratt%20Pictures/ratt-10.jpg
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:58:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I just thought of something. What if it had been in Iraq? What if it was an Iraq citizen putting up an American flag, and a fake Iraq soldier? Someone would have bombed the shit out of that house.
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:54:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
But shouldn't he be expecting trouble with such a statement?
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You know, the guy is a total asshole. Total. But thinking about it, I guess he does have the right to say what he wants to say. Should he be expecting people to come onto his property and mess up his political statement? Isn't that hte same as the people who vandalized the 9/11 memorials that were put up? The guy is a prick, a bitter and lonely prick. But he has a right to say what he wants to say, abhorrnet as it is.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:52:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I agree with the sentiment, but the prick deserves whatever he gets for insensitivity to deceased soldiers family.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:47:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I agree that he should be able to maintain his right to free speech. But shouldn't he be expecting trouble with such a statement? There is a difference between voicing your opinion and going too far. You want to protest the war with some kind of sign? Fine. But a fake dead soldier? A little too much.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:37:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for bringing up the story. I think the guy is a scumbag traitorous moron and probably should have his ass kicked the second he sets foot off his own property.
If you do stupid shit like this, you almost deserve shit to happen to you and your property.
The people probably shouldn't have torn it down...they should leave it up so everyone knows what this guy is like. They should have thrown a brick through his window and left it at that.
Why do people volunteer their stupidity to get people to hate them and chase them out of the neighborhood?
I'm not surprised by this show of stupidity, as it is in every liberal that walks and talks in America that loves the muslims. I bet if that asshat went over to the West Bank he would survive about 10 seconds...so much for "supporting" them.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:34:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
He should be shot for sedition.
Bastard.
Fuckin' California!
____
Jack, not all of California is like that...San Francisco is so far out of touch with reality it's not funny anymore.
If there ever is another terrorist attack, I hope it goes of in Berkeley - no one will really get upset.
Submitted by the_mysterious_stranger (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:30:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Why did that asshole say "they" take our rights away? It wasn't the FBI that took the thing down, it was just some guy who got pissed. And I don't blame him, it IS pretty tasteles, after all. However, he should be allowed to keep the soldier up. Free speech (and the ability to freely voice dissent) is essential to any democracy. "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" (Voltaire). To suspend or impede free speech in any way is only appropriate if democracy itself is threatened. (See the rise of the Nazis in Germany, which could had been avoided, had the Nazi party been forbidden.)
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:21:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It's obviously an effigy. It should be burned. Along with the rest of the house. And the occupants.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-02-11 12:08:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I saw this on the news last night. The guy who ripped it down was crying like a pussy (maybe because he fell off the ladder he was standing on and into the bushes).
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damn i missed that part. what a little bitch
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:51:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw this on the news last night. The guy who ripped it down was crying like a pussy (maybe because he fell off the ladder he was standing on and into the bushes).
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:49:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I think our government wants to control us.
Submitted by ellsmall (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:48:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
We have free speech in this country so whoever tore the display down should be horse-whipped. On the other hand if I ever meet the guy who hung the soldier up on his house I'd love to stomp his ass to a bloody pulp. Goddamn commie.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:47:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
He should be shot for sedition.
Bastard.
Fuckin' California!
Submitted by hairycoo (user info) at 2005-02-11 11:40:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I didnt read this
jajaja