AMERICAblog: Because nothing says "Christmas" like a burning cross in your front yard
Soundboy_jeff_meanie
· 1 year ago
a burning cross... how appropriate.
sorta OT, not completely.... just got back from the San Diego rally for equal rights. There were definitely more people this Saturday than last.... they figure there were 8-10,000 people that marched from Hillcrest to North Park last weekend.
I'd estimate 15-20,000 people did the march downtown today. My feet are killing me, I need a shower, and I feel like I was a part of something.
oh, by the way, I'm a people watcher.... constantly watching what's going on around me. I noticed a total of four people protesting against our rights standing by the side of the road. one of them was apparently waiting to cross the street when we arrived, no sign... just a thumbs down as we walked by. the other three had signs about the 'sanctity of marriage'.
it says something when 52% of california votes against your civil rights but only three people show up to voice their views.... I guess the mormons didn't put any money behind advertising for this.
John, I think you should do a thread asking about stories from other cities... there were over 240 cities, all doing a protest march at 10:30AM Pacific time.
It'd be interesting to see what the turnout was around the country... CNN mentioned protests, didn't give any numbers and didn't give any actual coverage. But they DID follow the tidbit about the protests with news about the mormon church supposedly receiving letters from "homosexual activists" filled with white powder.
I guess the mormon thing was bigger news than the protests for civil rights?
lucky hussein
· 1 year ago
please post any other rally info..
houstonray
· 1 year ago
Weather was a bit cold and windy today (for Houston anyway) and I'm sure it turned some people away. I had to work or I would have been there. Here is an article about it.
HOUSTON -- Thousands of gay rights activists gathered around the country on Saturday. They were protesting against California's Proposition 8 which prohibits same sex marriage.
One of the protests took place in Houston.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of Houston City Hall to voice their concerns over California’s constitution that now bans same-sex marriage.
The supporters of Proposition 8 believe marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman, but the opponents believe it that sex doesn’t matter.
“It’s civil rights and not somebody's religious beliefs that count. Everybody is entitled to their religious beliefs, and that's fine. But their religious beliefs don't have anything to do with people's right to do and live how they want to live their lives," said Greg Hartman, protestor.
Similar protests were held in other Texas cities. In Austin, about 200-people gathered, and in Dallas, about 700 protestors showed up.
They were met with counter-protestors, who support the ban on gay marriage. They stood across the street and prayed.
Gay rights activists said they organized protests in all 50-states and the District of Columbia.
cyninbend
· 1 year ago
It used to take a two-thirds majority to revise the California Constitution. I wonder when that was changed to a simple majority? (I don't live now.) The founders knew that the Constitution was an important document and should be free from changing political whims. When just a 50% plus one vote can revise basic principles, we get junk like Prop 8....but let's hope 50+1 can change it back...
Webster
· 1 year ago
Towleroad has albums of photos up from around the country.
sukabi1
· 1 year ago
Oh great, now the KKK will claim that they're just "Burnin' a cross for Jesus" as they're terrorizing neighborhoods...
I guess this is just a natural blending of extreme ideologies...
MiamiDude
· 1 year ago
Just sent on the AFA website:
" This product is astonishing in its insensitivity: Large 5.5 foot (210 lights) CROSSC-LARGE.
Have you even closely looked at that item? It's a "Burning Cross" for "Christ's sake!" And at a time when this nation just overwhelmingly elected an African American as its President. Shame on you. Shame.
That is just unacceptable and I am pleased to see that this atrocious item - and your equally as vile website - is starting to get extensive coverage this weekend all over the internet for such a heartless holiday offering. It will be a major national matter within the next week, you can be sure.
Why don't you just remove the AFA and replace it with KKK? "
.... Let's get this out there. I'm posting John's link in a number of other forums.
Butch1
· 1 year ago
" . . . to remind your friends, family, neighbors, and all who drive by your home, office, or church of the real meaning of Christmas . . ."
Really?! I thought the real meaning of Christmas was the birth of Jesus, not the death of him. Wouldn't that be Easter? The fools.
Jim Olson
· 1 year ago
Yeah, funny thing about American Protestantism sometimes...this is what happens when you no longer have a properly educated clergy.
Butch1
· 1 year ago
That's assuming they have actually gone to a seminary. Unfortunately, many of the back wood thumpers are "self-ordained" and get their "diploma" through a mail-house diploma mill.
"You too can be a reverend, just send in $4.99 to us and we'll mail you your "certificate of authentication"."
Now go out 'n get yer self a flock.
Butch1
· 1 year ago
Sheep will follow anyone. ;-)
lucky hussein
· 1 year ago
someone pls make a bumper sticker that I can buy: "Keep Christ out of Christmas" or "Chrimstas for all, not just Christians" or "Celebrate Christmas without Jesus" anyone with a clue knows the christians hi-jacked christmas for baby jesus, it was celebrated as a non-religious holiday first, with trees, gifts, santa and all the trimmings... "real meaning" my ass. bastards.
Jim Olson
· 1 year ago
Um, no. Christmas - Christ's Mass was first celebrated in Carthage in the 4th c. There is not really sufficient evidence to suggest that it was used to usurp the Roman Sol Victus festival or the Pagan solstice festivals at the time, although it is not a stretch to think so. Sorry lucky hussein, but this one is Christian...it is secular society that has turned it into the consumeristic orgy that we know today.
LowKey
· 1 year ago
BWAHAHAHAHA
ANd I thought it was just the mormons who invented their own history.
lucky hussein
· 1 year ago
Um, no. I don't give a crap about 'Christ's Mass' whenever or wherever the hell that was. I'm talking about Santa, gift-giving, celebration, tree-decorating, trimmings, a sense of egalitarian 'commonality' , 'equalness', 'celebration'. I beieve some of it even dates back to BC. Here is some of my 'evidence': http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type... http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0007WFULA... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas From wiki: ""There is no month in the year to which respectable authorities have not assigned Christ's birth," according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.[5] "
It's not 'secular society' that has screwed it up. It's commercialism. ie, corporations
Yonatan
· 1 year ago
But...but...it's too short...only 5.5 ft high....sigh
kevinbgoode
· 1 year ago
Well, the AFA DID say there was a "war on Christmas." Now we know that they are the ones waging it. . .
UncleGlenny
· 1 year ago
It's a particular obsession of Bill O'Reilley, is it not? Rush? Just to make sure the Public knows how badly it's going.
Older_Wiser
· 1 year ago
At $81, I don't think they're going to be a big seller...something you could get at WallyWorld for $10...besides, wouldn't you rather have a reindeer?
P. S. When someone tells me the 60s are over, I tell them, no they're not, I'm only 67.
UncleGlenny
· 1 year ago
How much do those reindeer and sleighs made up seemingly entirely of lights, that have been popping up in the last few years, run? I doubt it's anywhere near that much.
They need the bucks, and it's a way to get them in the ever-increasing Battle On Christmas.
AllesK
· 1 year ago
Christ! Would it kill them to spell check their copy? SepArate not sepErate...
green_libertarian
· 1 year ago
Nothing like the smell of a REAL burning cross in your yard in the morning. This pale imitation just doesn't cut it.
Nancy_Beth
· 1 year ago
Couldn't it be a sign of progress that their burning crosses on their own front yards instead of somebody else's?
Indigo
· 1 year ago
The family that hates together . . .
Joneses
· 1 year ago
KKK
boloboffin
· 1 year ago
Wait until they come out with the Immaculate Eggs and the Easter Nativities.
vkobaya
· 1 year ago
I don't know. That cross stinks of hateful bigotry. However, I find it a bit of a stretch to say it is a response to Obama's election as our president. The development and production lead time for this thing is too great. However, will be more telling to see what the AFA says in reaction to the accusation. I would guess such a product would need a lead time of a year or two, including financing. No question they are bigots and racists but this is rather blatant and I'd guess open them to too much well deserved criticism. I think it is more stupidity and insensitivity than that they have produced this just for the Obama presidency. It is very shameful that we should even have to consider whether a religious group can possibly be so hateful. We must also be careful on our side where we fling our accusations.
kh7463
· 1 year ago
They could have started production when the marriages were first allowed.
vkobaya
· 1 year ago
I think the burning cross is more of an anti-black thing than an an anti-gay thing. Like the noose it is aimed at Obama. If they started production in May when the Cal Supreme Court allowed gay marriages (about the same time that Obama won the primaries), they would have had to been in development well before that and sought financing even earlier. It is all so unlikely. I don't think it is intended to intentionally attack Obama, and I doubt they would be so blatant as to intend it as a general attack on all Blacks. Yes, they are bigots, but it is too contrary to their shiny, polished image as Christians. We know they aren't good people. They are simply insensitve and calloused that the cross is both an attack on all Blacks and also an accidentally very hateful attack on Obama.
Very telling though that they don't mind portraying an image that is so very, very close to the main symbol of the KKK.
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
Me? I think its just STUPID.
Ben Dover
· 1 year ago
And my leather bondage nativity scene pissed them off...I can't believe they were able to out-do me with a burning cross on the porch.
I'm just going to have to try harder this year <sigh>
kh7463
· 1 year ago
They got their holidays all way out of whack. A cross is for their Easter, not Christmas. Sheesh. Even I know that.
UncleGlenny
· 1 year ago
That odd feature of the building behind it made it at first look to my failing eyes as if there was, in fact, some smoke, even without visible flames.. But I looked closer and realized it was actually a giant phallus - one can make out the glans at the top.
But then maybe I'm just demented.
Of course, there was the "Little Mermaid" video fiasco years ago.
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
Its subliminal "sex in advertising." It is supposed to help the church sell more product.
cowboyneok
· 1 year ago
My G-d! ...and don't get to close, kiddies, or nothing will say Christmas like self immolation!
elperropatron
· 1 year ago
Wait till the see my Burning Baby Jesus Nativity Scene
Cymbaline
· 1 year ago
The cynical side of me wonders if this might have something to do with our president-elect.
daniel thomas macinnes
· 1 year ago
I posted about this on my own blog, Videogames of the Damned, using a photo directly from the AFA site. I think you'd be surprised (maybe, maybe not) at some changes they've made to this photo. They've cropped the photo and added in a plant and Christmas present, which are very obviously photoshopped in. This change was reflected on my site, but thankfully you still have the original photo. I think there needs to be a follow-up on this. Is there any way I can help?
All Comments
sorta OT, not completely.... just got back from the San Diego rally for equal rights. There were definitely more people this Saturday than last.... they figure there were 8-10,000 people that marched from Hillcrest to North Park last weekend.
I'd estimate 15-20,000 people did the march downtown today. My feet are killing me, I need a shower, and I feel like I was a part of something.
oh, by the way, I'm a people watcher.... constantly watching what's going on around me. I noticed a total of four people protesting against our rights standing by the side of the road. one of them was apparently waiting to cross the street when we arrived, no sign... just a thumbs down as we walked by. the other three had signs about the 'sanctity of marriage'.
it says something when 52% of california votes against your civil rights but only three people show up to voice their views.... I guess the mormons didn't put any money behind advertising for this.
John, I think you should do a thread asking about stories from other cities... there were over 240 cities, all doing a protest march at 10:30AM Pacific time.
It'd be interesting to see what the turnout was around the country... CNN mentioned protests, didn't give any numbers and didn't give any actual coverage. But they DID follow the tidbit about the protests with news about the mormon church supposedly receiving letters from "homosexual activists" filled with white powder.
I guess the mormon thing was bigger news than the protests for civil rights?
KHOU.com staff report
HOUSTON -- Thousands of gay rights activists gathered around the country on Saturday. They were protesting against California's Proposition 8 which prohibits same sex marriage.
One of the protests took place in Houston.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of Houston City Hall to voice their concerns over California’s constitution that now bans same-sex marriage.
The supporters of Proposition 8 believe marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman, but the opponents believe it that sex doesn’t matter.
“It’s civil rights and not somebody's religious beliefs that count. Everybody is entitled to their religious beliefs, and that's fine. But their religious beliefs don't have anything to do with people's right to do and live how they want to live their lives," said Greg Hartman, protestor.
Similar protests were held in other Texas cities. In Austin, about 200-people gathered, and in Dallas, about 700 protestors showed up.
They were met with counter-protestors, who support the ban on gay marriage. They stood across the street and prayed.
Gay rights activists said they organized protests in all 50-states and the District of Columbia.
I guess this is just a natural blending of extreme ideologies...
" This product is astonishing in its insensitivity: Large 5.5 foot (210 lights) CROSSC-LARGE.
Have you even closely looked at that item? It's a "Burning Cross" for "Christ's sake!" And at a time when this nation just overwhelmingly elected an African American as its President. Shame on you. Shame.
That is just unacceptable and I am pleased to see that this atrocious item - and your equally as vile website - is starting to get extensive coverage this weekend all over the internet for such a heartless holiday offering. It will be a major national matter within the next week, you can be sure.
Why don't you just remove the AFA and replace it with KKK? "
.... Let's get this out there. I'm posting John's link in a number of other forums.
Really?! I thought the real meaning of Christmas was the birth of Jesus, not the death of him. Wouldn't that be Easter? The fools.
"You too can be a reverend, just send in $4.99 to us and we'll mail you your "certificate of authentication"."
Now go out 'n get yer self a flock.
anyone with a clue knows the christians hi-jacked christmas for baby jesus, it was celebrated as a non-religious holiday first, with trees, gifts, santa and all the trimmings... "real meaning" my ass. bastards.
ANd I thought it was just the mormons who invented their own history.
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type...
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0007WFULA...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
From wiki:
""There is no month in the year to which respectable authorities have not assigned Christ's birth," according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.[5] "
It's not 'secular society' that has screwed it up. It's commercialism. ie, corporations
P. S. When someone tells me the 60s are over, I tell them, no they're not, I'm only 67.
They need the bucks, and it's a way to get them in the ever-increasing Battle On Christmas.
This pale imitation just doesn't cut it.
Very telling though that they don't mind portraying an image that is so very, very close to the main symbol of the KKK.
I'm just going to have to try harder this year <sigh>
But then maybe I'm just demented.
Of course, there was the "Little Mermaid" video fiasco years ago.