NationStates Jolt Archive

I mean, how DARE anyone bring that horrible notion into their celebration of the holidays (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061127/ap_on_re_us/anti_peace_sign)

It's evil I tell you! It has the devils mark upon it!

DENVER - A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.

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.

"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said in a telephone interview Sunday.

Lisa Jensen said she wasn't thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing."

Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she's not going to take it down until after Christmas.

"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said. "What if they don't like my Santa Claus."

The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive."

The subdivision's rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.

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.

Homeowner's associations are a blight upon this Earth.

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.

Land of the free indeed.

Kearns is a dick.

Homeowner's associations are a blight upon this Earth.


Yeah, I deal with a condo association, and they suck dead green donkey dick.

Homeowners associations are pure evil. They are an expression of everything that is wrong with american society.

Kearns is a dick.

I second this.

Do you know who many violations of a homeowner's association's rules I would chalk up? Hell, I'd have new rules named after me. :)

Do you know who many violations of a homeowner's association's rules I would chalk up? Hell, I'd have new rules named after me. :)

Don't tell me they have anti-mud rules.......

Don't tell me they have anti-mud rules.......

Wouldn't surprise me. I bet that if I made a big mudhole in my front yard and had co-ed naked mud rugby games every saturday night with blackjack and hookers, the homeowner's association would complain. :(

Wouldn't surprise me. I bet that if I made a big mudhole in my front yard and had co-ed naked mud rugby games every saturday night with blackjack and hookers, the homeowner's association would complain. :(

Invite them. It's what I do with the neighbours when I want a late night party. Then once you have the incriminating naked mud rugby photos of the members you can do whatever you damn well please ;)

Wouldn't surprise me. I bet that if I made a big mudhole in my front yard and had co-ed naked mud rugby games every saturday night with blackjack and hookers, the homeowner's association would complain. :(

If you did that I'd move across the street from you and become a regular in the co-ed naked mud rugby and blackjack. And hookers.

Invite them. It's what I do with the neighbours when I want a late night party. Then once you have the incriminating naked mud rugby photos of the members you can do whatever you damn well please ;)

My god, it's so simple, yet so elegant!

Mmmm...hookers...

Mmmm...hookers...

Yeah - but the CoEds are free.

Yeah - but the CoEds are free.

Indeed they were, when I was at uni. ;)

Homeowners associations exist to steal people's money. If I wanted that, I would vote for...hmm, who exists just to steal people's money...the Democrats at least use it for social programs...the GOP cuts taxes...the Soviets were pretty good at it. Yeah, the Soviets.

Homeowners associations exist to steal people's money. If I wanted that, I would vote for...hmm, who exists just to steal people's money...the Democrats at least use it for social programs...the GOP cuts taxes...the Soviets were pretty good at it. Yeah, the Soviets.

Surely the obvious thing to do would be to just ignore these people and their rules and refuse to give them any money.

Surely the obvious thing to do would be to just ignore these people and their rules and refuse to give them any money.

The article said, if I remember correctly, that the offending person didn't think the homeowner's association could make her pay. Really, if city governments can't make people pay their taxes, homeowner's associations are about as strong as a feather duster going against a mountain lion. What are they going to do, charge her interest on the money?

Yeah - but the CoEds are free.

True, but sometimes you want a pro. *nod*

She should sue them for the hassle.

Frankly, what I find most interesting is the idea that those residents with children serving overseas seem to be the people it indicates are most offended by the wreath.

Of all the people living there, shouldn't they be the people who would MOST want to hope for peace in order that their loved ones could return home safely?

Hmmm, I guess that any carollers this Christmas better be careful too. That first verse in Hark the Harold Angels Sing would have to deemed as offensive too using the logic evident in this news item....

Okay, being new to this whole 'Homeowner's Association' concept, I just have one question: How the hell can anyone tolerate this sort of thing?

What's a Homeowners Association?

Hmmm, I guess that any carollers this Christmas better be careful too. That first verse in Hark the Harold Angels Sing would have to deemed as offensive too using the logic evident in this news item....
Should we rewrite the lyrics to make them feel better?
"Hark! the herald angels sing:
'We're in Iraq and we're not leaving"?

What's a Homeowners Association?

Gated communities are often ruled by a committee of residents elected by the homeowners. They're supposed to oversee things like landscaping, public areas, community events, etc. They mainly serve to protect the property values of the community. Unfortunately, many committees believe that this can only be achieved through draconian regulations. So, many communities forbid things like basketball hoops in the driveway, outdoor decorations, unconventional house colors, etc. Anyone who violates these rules is fined or harassed. It's really stupid, if you ask me.

Silly Homeowners Associations :p They seem to be like an elected Mafia!

Ill say the same thing I said in regards to the issue with the signs at the Grand Canyon:
Stupid people with a stupid overrreaction to a simple sign which they most likely misinterpretted.

Just because somebody has a peace sign/bible verse in the form of a wreath/sign in front of their house/the grand canyon doesnt mean theyre a rabid-anti-war-freak/religious nut trying to convert you.

At least our homeowners commity is sane. Although its run by the company that build the houses until further notice, so it remains to be seen how long it will STAY sane after they go away.

"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said. "What if they don't like my Santa Claus."

She's one of those people with like, a black santa or something, isn't she?

Every time I start to feel that humanity isn't horrible, shit like this pops up. Just so you all know, if I ever have access to the big red button, I'm pressing it.

Looks like the ACLU has something new - the anti-peace homeowners association that thinks peace symbols are the subtle sign the devil is coming for us! :p

Yes, because promoting peace is the work of the devil.
The level of stupidity of some people.