Sign of the times: Pagosa Springs, CO homeowner Lisa Jensen's peace symbol wreath. Photo credit: AP.It seems as though often you just can't win as southwestern Colorado homeowner Lisa Jensen is finding out. In the spirit of the holidays she decorated the side of her home with a festive wreath that also communicated what some Christians say is the true message of Christmas. And still people managed to take offense (bolding mine):

"Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said."

A handful of loonies is objecting to Jensen's wreath on the grounds that it violates the subdivision's prohibition against advertising, billboards and signs without prior consent from the architectural control committee. Jensen who is being fined $25 per day until she removes the wreath is not deterred. She says she'll leave the wreath up until after Christmas despite the fines exceeding the $1,000 mark.

I have to wonder though if this isn't so much about the culture wars as it's about politics. Jensen is a past president of the homeowner's association so it makes me think there might be a little bit of bad blood between Jensen and Kearns, unless Kearns is just a total jerk. Which he might be:

"Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members."

tng's blog | 4 comments

The Cardiff Giant: The Cardiff Giant has become known as the greatest hoax ever conceived.

What does a 2,200 pound hunk of rock lying beneath a tent in Cooperstown, NY tell us about the religious right? Quite a bit more than you might think, especially the lying part. And, if you're real good (or at least real quiet), you just might get another one for Christmas...read more »

tng's blog | 6 comments

As an atheist Christmas is no longer a religious holiday for me. But having been raised in a Christian home, Christmas carols and Christmas decorations bring back happy childhood memories of gifts, decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols in the car as we drove downtown looking at the store windows, the big family dinner, and the pleasant exhaustion we all felt as the light of day waned.

In those days the theme of Christmas was "Peace on Earth, Goodwill To Men" The newspapers were full of stories about Jews volunteering to work at hospitals, manning the police phones, etc. so Christians could spend this very special day with their families. It seemed as though people bent over backward to be kind and considerate of other's feelings and religious beliefs. Even my freaky fundy parents taught us to outwardly respect the beliefs of others.read more »

GOPFighter's blog | 3 comments