Oh wait a minute, I’m sorry. It’s okay, it’s just Sarah Palin being lynched.
Halloween Palin Prop Sparks Controversy In WeHo
A Halloween decoration showing a mannequin dressed as vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin hanging by a noose from the roof of a West Hollywood home is drawing giggles from some passers-by and gasps of outrage from others.
The mannequin is dressed in brunet wig, glasses and a red business suit. Another mannequin dressed as John McCain emerges from a flaming chimney…He says “it should be seen as art, and as within the month of October. It’s Halloween, it’s time to be scary it’s time to be spooky.”
Gee, I wonder if an effigy of Obama being lynched would be described as a “prop” or a “Halloween decoration” and dismissed as a “mannequin”? I don’t think so. Maybe we should also look at this lynching of gay men in Iran as simply a “scary” “spooky” thing that would be fun to re-create on Halloween.
Shortly I will have the contact number for the City of West Hollywood. I think they need to hear from you about this obscene display then seem to be just fine with.
UPDATE:
Here’s the City of West Hollywood contact information. Remember, in calling them be respectful but clear about what you think of this, the danger it poses to both candidates and the obscene insult to women in general. Ask them if they’d be fine with it if this were an effigy of a black man, or of the Iranian teens who were hanged. I think thatmight give them some perspective about what’s “scary” and fun.
City of West Hollywood official site
The WeHo City Council Phone: (323) 848-6460
A link with which you can send “a message”
Remember, be courteous, clear and direct.
Communist slime. Wait until it comes home to them.
If that was Obama the secret service would be out there questioning the people.
Someone posted some interesting questions on another blog I read.
Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on permanent active duty?
Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
Question: What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counter terrorism?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
Question: What U.S. governor has a higher classified security rating than either candidate of the Democrat Party?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
I think she’s qualified.
I would call the city council but they hear from me so much about the construction project across the street I fear they won’t take me seriously.
If one could put up an Obama lynching effigy in West Hollywood without incident, then I would have no problem with the Sarah Palin one. However, I know that an Obama effigy would be considered a hate crime.
Couldn’t you say that the Sarah Palin lynching is demeaning to women and therefore a hate crime??
Which Presidential Candidate refuses to pay women the same rate as men in his Senate Office ?
Which Presidential Candidate refused to choose a woman as his running mate ?
The People’s Republic of West Hollywood? Good luck with them. It’s a threat of violence against a VP candidate: contact the Secret Service instead.
Here’s the answer I got from W Hollywood:
As I’m sure you know, citizens come in all types and belief-systems in all cities, and we cannot weed out who we will and will not allow to
live here. We fully understand your feelings about this. However, while it is certainly in very poor taste and offensive to many, the resident’s Halloween display is their First Amendment right. In addition, it is on
private property and does not violate the City’s Municipal Code in any way. As part of a display of Halloween decorations on private property,
the City has no legal recourse to do anything about it.
We appreciate you contacting us about this, however.
Kathryn Krietzman
Administrative Services Supervisor
City Manager’s Office
City of West Hollywood
Abbi, I actually sort of basically agree with that form letter, but I’d bet you a million dollars their response would be 180 degrees different if it were Obama being lynched.
FWIW, WeHo doesn’t have its own police department: like the majority of LA County’s cities, it contracts with the Sheriff for municipal law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Department isn’t going to be under the city’s thumb here about enforcing state law regarding making death threats. Likewise, as I mentioned before, the Secret Service looks at this sort of thing rather more seriously. The First Amendment does not protect incitements to violence.
I’m fascinated by the response. So, if someone burns a cross on a lawn…their own lawn…is that OK?
Can a citizen put up swastikas on their own private property, in full view of the public …and that’s ok?….as long as it’s Halloween, of course.
I guess there are no Disturbing the Peace laws during Halloween ?
I spoke with Rob Romero who is an Administrative Specialist. His supervisor is Director of Administrative Services, Vivian Love.
Rob informed me he’s been getting calls all day about this. But so far, no attempt has been made to contact these individuals! I told Rob I would be calling again tomorrow to follow up and see if necessary action has been taken. This has to be in violation of community standards.
Imagine if this were Barack Obama!
Let the City know how you feel until they take action.
Dave J, I wonder though after the threats to Obama today if they might pay this guy a visit.
This is absolutely sick and twisted!! I watched the local news cast about this. Apparently, displayed by two spineless wimps who thought they can pick on a woman. They admitted that if it were nobama in stead of Gov. Palin, “we would have rocks thrown through our window.” These guys are lower than whale dung!!
from Brooke Wetzel
to XXXXXXXXXXXXs@gmail.com
date Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 9:22 AM
subject RE: Palin Effigy
mailed-by weho.org
hide details 9:22 AM (41 minutes ago)
Reply
On behalf of the City of West Hollywood, thank you for your expressed concern about the Sarah Palin Halloween effigy. The City has looked into the situation and, while in poor taste and to quote our Sherriff’s department, “stupid”, the resident’s Halloween display is their First Amendment right, specifically, protected political speech.
In reference to free speech, our Mayor Jeffrey Prang has issued the following statement, “I respect that we all have the right to freedom of speech. However, with that right comes responsibility. While these residents have the legal right to the display of Senator McCain and Governor Palin, I strongly oppose political speech that references violence – real or perceived. Politics in America has become extremely polarized in recent years and we all have a responsibility to focus on our political differences in a thoughtful and peaceful manner. I urge these residents to take down their display and find more constructive ways to express their opinion.” He has made that statement publicly and most notably in the Los Angeles Times as of this morning.
In addition, it is on private property and does not violate the City’s Municipal Code in any way. While we agree that it’s in poor taste, the Halloween decorations are not violating any City laws.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Thank You,
Brooke Wetzel
Professional Support Services Specialist
City of West Hollywood