Woman with peace-sign wreath faces $25/day fine

The Christmas wreath upsets some members of the homeowners association. "Some people have kids in Iraq and they are sensitive," says the association president. "I just wanted to put a message of peace out there," says Lisa Jensen, who hung the wreath Nov. 19. (Durango Herald)

Comments

[JDubs]

...and after a large wreath that was shaped into a peace sign was erected in Colorado, the world took notice and from that day on there was peace on Earth.

[Beav]

I think you've got to be some kind of psychopath to look at a peace symbol and see a broken, upside-down cross. ("Paging Dr. Rorschach.") It seems a bit silly to ban peace signs. I can understand that some of the more hawkish folks can take any wish for peace as an attack on "the war," but really...

If Christmas isn't the time for "Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men," when is?

[WZ]

Doesn't advertising sort of imply some financial gain? In which case her wreath is neither a sign, a billboard, or an advertisement and isn't covered by the ban on those things.
I mean, I'm very, very far from an expert. But this is just... obnoxious, banning something like a symbol of peace.
It also ooged me out that there was such an emphasis on Christianity - the sign being taken as anti-Christian, some of the remarks made. (And no, this isn't an anti-Christian thing at all - I'm just confused as to why some random neighbor celebrating the season in whatever way they choose is supposed to conform to one particular group's - or person's - idea of Christianity or they have to take down their decorations.)

[Swangirl]

This is one of the reasons why, in general, I think home owner's association are ridiculous. The true intentions are good (making sure people mow the grass, etc.) but it ends up becoming a joke. These associations are usually headed up by people with no lives who have nothing better to do with their time than spy on their neighbors and throw their imaginary power around.

I'd much rather see a peace wreath than those overpriced inflatable contraptions so many people are putting in their yards. Bet they wouldn't outlaw those.

[Bill]

If a Peace Sign generates a fine of $25.00 a day, a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament in the driveway should be $18.75. Other than one line the two symbols are identical.

Personally, I would rather they go after the Mercedes owners, but thats just me.

[Ryan]

Echoing what Swangirl said, this is why you never move into somewhere with a homeowner's association. The heads are invariably retired control freaks.

A friend of mine once got a parking ticket at one. His offence? His car was too long. No, it's not a real offence, yes, the ticket got thrown out in court, but the fact he had to take the head of the association to court over the length of his car is asinine.

[Ambs]

Housesitting for my parents once, the sprinklers came on at the wrong time. I had an HOA water patrolman -- yes, he had a uniform with "water patrol" on it, and essentially his job was to make sure people's sprinklers weren't on at the wrong time -- show up at the house to yell at me. It was actually kind of satisfying to tell him I had no idea how to turn them off.

[Flash]

This is why I will NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!!! buy a house or live in a homeowner's association, a condo or anything like that. These people are all control freaks! These people are ANTI-EVERYTHING!! I will pay more to live in a area where I own the land as well as the house...and I do. These types of people can pass rules like prohibiting the ownership of American cars that are older than the year one is living in for Christ's sake, orplaces like Flossmoor, Illinois that prohibit its residents from owning pickup trucks.

[pnwgal]

I must agree. I hope this woman perseveres...HOA's are a bunch of freaks.

My sister-in-law and her husband just moved out of a HOA development. My brother-in-law got cited for cutting down a tree that was growing in his own yard. Ridiculousness.

[ReginaFilangee]

Move out here to the middle of nowhere in the country, and you can put up whatever you want! :D

I'm going out right now to set up a giant inflatable snowglobe just to annoy Swangirl. Then, I'm putting one of those fake 'faces' on one of my big oak trees.

And I happen to think that a peace-sign wreath isn't such a bad idea for everyone to consider...no matter what your religious beliefs.

[ReginaFilangee]

I also would think that it would BE the parents of our country's servicemen and women who would wish for peace most of all.

*sigh*

[Just Me]

I am a member of my HOA and I hate those bastards. I tried to be a member of the board to make worthwhile changes, such as allowing direct TV dishes, but those jerkoffs are fighting me tooth and nail over it. The guy who's fighting me the most doesn't even live here, he rents out his place.

[Sue]

Where can I get one of these wreaths??
Here in Oregon, no one would freak, that's for sure!

[ReginaFilangee]

I think that a very telling part of the article was where it was reported that the architectural committee of this particular board was consulted, they unanimously refused to endorse the HOA president's recommendation, and were therefore ALL asked to resign...so they did.

Just Me....I'm surprised your HOA even allows rentals! LOL

[Soo]

Sue:

Just make one. Get two wire coat hangers and reassemble them into the appropriate shape. You may have to cut the hangers a bit--I'd leave one hook on to make it easier to hang.

Then go to the dollar tree and buy some of their cheap "pine garland." Wrap, hot glue, hang, done.

/I'm a Vet, married to the military.
//Brother in the military who's a war Vet
///Dad's a war Vet, 2 granddads as well
////We say fly all the peace and/or anti-war symbols you want--it's your right!

[Michael Puswound]

I agree with the homeowner's association. The peace symbol violates the very spirit of Christmas.

[David]

How dare they have a peace sign wreath in a Christmas display!!! And it looks like it might be homemade too!!

How anti-christmas can you get! Next, they'll be roasting chestnuts and stringing popcorn or something equally seditious...

[Swangirl]

Regina, I'll be sure to drop by at your country place with a giant needle. ;-)

Seriously, I agree with you. I would think our brave men and women in uniform would want peace more than anybody else right now.

It is ILLEGAL for an HOA to prohibit the installation of a DirecTV dish or an outdoor TV antanna!! Regardless of what they say!!! That is FEDERAL LAW!! Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996!!! TELL THEM TO GO SCREW!!!!!

[jg]

it's a crying shame that to hope for peace would be considered unpatriotic

[notapunk]

Yet another example (as if I needed any more) of why I'll NEVER live somewhere with a HOA.
What's the point of owning a home if what you do with it is going to be dictated by others?
I had a friend who's family wanted to move into a certian subdivision, but opted not to when they realized the HOA required them to put up Christmas decorations - which just so happened to be against their relgious beliefs.

[Vegas]

I have never heard of anything so moronic in my life !
Just ask anyone in the military, and they'll tell you that Peace On Earth is their number one wish. That HOA should be ashamed of themselves.

[Zwxphtt]

After I ripped that commie peace "wreath" down she signed me the peace sign with her fingers. ARRRGGGHHH! I couldn't stand that!! I immediately called the HOA, I'm sure their boiling her in oil right now!
:-)

Come on! Peace is not an anti-war sentiment.

[Jimmy Va]

Typical Home Owner Association control. I too agree, that HOA's are rediculous and I will never live under the control of one. This is America people. You have a right to express your views, um, except in this neighborhood. We need peace on earth right now.

christmas is about peace on earth and being peaceful to others. it doesn't make me think anti-war protestor at all. it doesn't make me think it is satanic. this isn't about the war in iraq. it is about a holiday that wants peace...what's the problem here?

this is from an iraq war supporter who loves the christmas holiday

[grandma]

I have a son in iraq in the heart of the fighting in bagdad. I would love to hang that wreath just below my american flag.

[many]

These people who are offended by the peace symbol are also people who complain about the political correctness of happy holidays.

The solders that have served, fought and died for this country and it residents right to display a peace sign, among other forms of expression, I hope the courts tell these bozos where to go.

[JO]

HOA's are taking away the rights that are being faught for.

[Chad]

Wow...do people really not know the difference between the peace symbol and a pentagram?

[Brenda]

If i had the money I would pay their $25 a day fine so that I would be certain they would leave the wreath up.
I am a vet wife and mother. my oldest son was injured in Iraq, and my youngest has joined the Reserves and will change to regular army as soon as he graduates.
We are all hoping for peace, that is WHY WE ARE FIGHTING IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!
Sheesh... do people think that Americans just like to fight other nations???
This HOA is really giving Americans a bad name, it makes others think that we are all bad people who don't want peace on earth,,, ever...
well, that is my opinion adn thanks for letting me vent.

[ol'dog]

If I remember right, the letters l-o-v-e were the lines of the Peace Symbol. My high school years were from 68 thru 72. No satan, no anti Christ, just peacelove and happiness. Does this mean I have been mistaken all my life on this too? Oh well, the sky is pretty in my world.

[Mike]

I had trouble believing that the peace sign as an anti-Christian symbol was trotted out yet again. It is the two semaphore signs for N and D for Nuclear Disarmament combined.
Just another excuse for controlling the neighbors. Guess that like Marx (Groucho) I wouldn't want to join a club that would have me for a member.