December 9, 2016

The anti-Trump Festivus pole, installed next to the 100-foot-tall Christmas tree in Delray Beach, and the Satanic pentagram in the park in Boca Raton.

It's interesting reading about these 2 displays the morning after my last law school class — which was about how sometimes the government gets itself into the position where it has to accept displays like this. (There's a Supreme Court case that said the city of Columbus, Ohio violated freedom of speech when it refused to allow the KKK to put up a cross on the statehouse grounds.)

The pentagram display in Boca Raton doesn't seem to be from an actual Satanist:
The man behind the display is Preston Smith. The city of Boca Raton gave him a permit to put up the display and the Freedom from Religion Foundation provided a Bill of Rights banner that accompanies the pentagram. In a statement, Smith said in part, "Love trumps hate. The First Amendment must be protected, including the freedom to offend."
Local "interfaith clergy" put out a statement saying they believe in freedom of speech but:
The use of satanic symbols is offensive, and harmful to our community’s well being. We find it a shameful and hypocritical way to advocate for freedom from religion. 
I think what we need here is for some real Satanists to step up and object to the hate speech against them. Why is their tradition being appropriated by nonbelievers as a symbol of hate? The proponents of non-hate seem to be hating on a minority group that has traditionally been marginalized and subjected to opprobrium. How is kicking this group around a call to love? Twisted thinking!

Meanwhile, in Delray Beach — a quick 9-mile drive — you've got your Festivus pole — wrapped in an upside-down American flag and topped with a "Make America Great Again" hat and stuck with a safety pin. The man behind the pole, one Chez Stevens, characterizes the pole as an anti-Trump statement.

Unsurprisingly, the hat has been stolen. The pentagram, for its part, has attracted spray paint.

Random skirmishes from the Florida front of the war on Christmas.

21 comments:

David Baker said...

Well, they're singing their satanic verses to the liberal choir here in Palm Beach County. Especially in Boca Raton - where comedian "Jackie Mason" said every second bedroom is filled to the ceiling with purloined packets of "Sweet & Low."

Meade said...

"interfaith clergy"

Moral entrepreneurs.

Wilbur said...

"A dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority. "
Eric Hoffer

Karen of Texas said...

What makes you think the true satanic worshippers aren't objecting? Ritually. Don't worry. I think they take care of those playing fast and loose with their beliefs. ;)

rehajm said...

Is it Festivus already?

You people disappoint me!

Rusty said...

Meade said...
"interfaith clergy"

"Moral entrepreneurs."

Thread winner right there.

MisterBuddwing said...

The pentagram display in Boca Raton doesn't seem to be from an actual Satanist

As astute persons here have pointed out, a "Satanist" is likely to turn out to be an atheist who doesn't believe in the Devil any more than he or she believes in God; it's just a way of mocking the devout.

tds said...

Belief in Satan implies belief in God. Not sure whether some satanists are aware of that

Lyssa said...

You've got your Festivus pole — wrapped in an upside-down American flag and topped with a "Make America Great Again" hat and stuck with a safety pin.

A travesty. Don't they know that a Festivus pole is not supposed to be decorated? That's the whole point. This is canon, people.

rehjam said: Is it Festivus already? You people disappoint me!

I've got a lot of problems with you people. And now you're gonna hear about them!

Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...

Desecration of a Festivus Pole with the upside-down flag is, frankly, offensive.
Nonetheless, Hammond defends and supports the right of free speech.

tim in vermont said...

The airing of the grievances. It's nice to see some traditions maintained.

clint said...

"Smith said in part, "Love trumps hate. The First Amendment must be protected, including the freedom to offend.""

The cognitive dissonance is strong with this one.

Yes. The free expression includes offensive expression.

But, no. Intentionally giving offense to people is not an expression of love.

Darrell said...

So Satanists--like Chuck--are anti-Trump. Good to know.

Darrell said...

perhaps "as with" might have been a better choice of words.

Anonymous said...

Decorating the pole is only one of the ways Liberal Festivus is different. They also omit the Feats of Strength, to allow more time for the Airing of Grievances.

mockturtle said...

I almost hate to admit this but I never found Seinfeld funny.

Darrell said...

The Airing of Grievances never stops for the Left.

Bill Peschel said...

I kinda hope that, in the spirit of the thing, other people come up with their special way to offend others.

Burned crosses wrapped in rainbow flags.

Bob Ross hung in effigy.

Barbie Dolls in bondage gear.

A creche with Anton LaVey kneeling before Jesus.

A free speech zone where everything goes and everything's protected, with prizes for the most creative use of invective and shocking images.

C'mon people! If we're going to shit in our nests, let's flood the zone!

William said...

Blasphemers should take a moment during this busy holiday season to honor the memory of the Charley Hebdo staff. Perhaps they could erect some kind of monument in their honor under the Festivus pole.

mockturtle said...

William, as you may know, the Hebdo staff has changed their tune and now has turned their venomous 'humor' toward Jews, Christians and critics of Islam. Terrorism works!.

mikee said...

If they don't do the Feats of Strength, can they be banned as non-believers next year? If not, I've got a complaint to air next December!!!