There is a controversy brewing in Nipomo, California over the right of a resident Ron Lake to display a decoration on his lawn depicting Jesus shooting Santa Claus. Neighbors want the display removed, but Lake insists that it is a work of art.
Lake insists that it is a political statement against the commercialism of Christmas. He added “[y]ou can tell your kids and make it as if there’s a Santa Claus, and let them believe all that, but you can’t explain these things or ignore this thing. I don’t get it.”
On the law, there is a first amendment right here that must be protected. Even under common law nuisance, such aesthetic nuisances claims are heavily disfavored even without the free speech elements.
Well, there is a difference between opposing the commercialization of Christmas and forcing it on passing children. I entirely support Lake’s right to have this display but I strongly disagree with his decision. While you may disagree with the commercialization of the holiday, this is a very traumatic image for young children who pass by the house. The display shows Jesus pointing a double-barreled shotgun at Santa’s dead body as Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pickup truck nearby.
Lake insists that “It’s an expression of my repressed creativity.” Some creativity, Mr. Lake, might be better left repressed. Indeed, many of us call it restraint.
For the story, click here.
you guys are silly. im making one of these things this year. its why theirs freedom of speech. not everyone is going to approve of this? whoooo caaaarrrreeeeessss i bet your all church people.
I no longer believe that shielding young children from something graphic is the best way to protect them. It is much better off to do everything possible as guardian to educate the children regarding the underlining messages of such a display, instead of us merely giving a blanket statement that children are too young to grasp anything and to cry woe when they encounter the unpleasant things.
FF LEO–
I somehow missed your comment addressed to me on December 19 at 1:58 PM. Thanks for that video. I love the Muppets. I used to crack up when I watched the show with my daughter.
One of my all-time favorite Muppet sketches was the Swedish chef and the lobster banditos.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RByK19LSltQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Tootie,
Although you are ultra-religious and I am an ultra-irreligious ex-Southern Baptist, I do like you.
My first response was laughter.
But then, sobriety overcame me. Don’t scare the kiddies.
A song pardy, I learnt from livin’ a real life with real people.
To the tune of ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’
I saw Jesus shootin’ Santy Claus
Underneath the manger scent last night
God didn’t see me creep downstairs to take a peep
And I thought *he* knew all, even where we eat n’ sleep
Then, I saw Jebus blastin’ Santy Claws
In his snowy beard now turned red from white
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If only Daddy had seen
Jesus wastin’ Santy Claus last night.
——-
Mommy? Oh Mommy, shouldn’t you dial 911!?
Mommy! Who *is* that other man kissin’ you, Mommy!?
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Merry Christmas!
Sally,
That was an interesting read. And from a Ukrainian to boot.
Nal,
Good show. However, you are on the wrong side of the thread. Corrections, Corrections, Corrections. Thats where its at. Like in Real Estate, Location, Location, Location.
This is a wonderful art piece.
WoeFatCat, LOL, your wickedly funny satire is greatly appreciated.
Nal : “Consider a display that showed Santa holding a double-barreled shotgun over the splayed body of Jesus. The message being that secularization has killed Christmas. Talk about your outrage.”
——-
Agreed, that seems to be a more appropriate representation of what is eating at Mr. Lake anyway. Mr. Lakes’ Jesus is a man that isn’t very Christ-like 🙂 I don’t mind him having his art or his political statement but if kids are walking by I’m of the mind that he’s a Grinch. I’m all for majik and would let kids keep theirs for a few years. He’s also sending a pretty perverse message about Jesus if his point is a defense of Christmas as the birth of The Prince of Peace.
WoeFatCat,
ROFLOMAO
That’s just good humor.
“A school bus stop is just outside the fence that separates the display from the town’s main roads.”
There probably isn’t much they can do to get the display removed but could the local authorities get that school bus stop moved? He could well have some antisocial tendencies and I wouldn’t want my children anywhere near him or his property.