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gafan causing trouble again
Published Jul. 8, 2008A road sign that draws the comparison between presidential candidate Barack Obama and a monkey is drawing complaints in Paulding County. A family who saw the sign while heading to a bike ride on the Silver Comet Trail told Channel 2 the sign is offensive and should be removed. But the man who put it up said he has no intention of doing that.
A woman going on a bike ride said she found a sign that says, “A monkey. A Obama. Is there a difference,” hateful and disturbing.
“Just shocked. Just shocked basically, saddened by it,” said the woman who did not want to be identified.
Patrick Lanzo, the owner of the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar, put up the message on his sign. He said he has no regrets or apologies.
“They’re still entitled to put their own sign up. I mean, if it offends them, fine, but in the United States we still have free speech and it’s the only thing that hasn’t been taken from us,” said Lanzo.
Channel 2’s Tom Regan asked Lanzo if he was racist and he said he wasn’t. He did say he allowed the Ku Klux Klan to use the property behind his bar for rallies but added that a gay rights group was also invited on one occasion.
Lanzo had a framed photo of a sign he posted about the Michael Jackson acquittal – which used the “N” word. That sign drew protests from the NAACP and unsuccessful demands for authorities to have it taken down.
“I believe in your right and my right or anybody else’s right to say what they want without being criticized as being a racist,” said Lanzo.
Some nearby residents said they believe Lanzo posting inflammatory statements brings down the entire neighborhood. “I see it more or less as representing that community,” said one man
122 Comments
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GOLO member since September 1, 2007
July 8, 2008 8:37 p.m.
(Better make that, "two white guys.")
GOLO member since August 1, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:52 p.m.
GOLO member since July 11, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:41 p.m.
GOLO member since August 1, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:36 p.m.
GOLO member since October 5, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:31 p.m.
Oh well :) I'm happy doing it and that is what counts.
GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 8, 2008 2:22 p.m.
GOLO member since June 25, 2008
July 8, 2008 2:21 p.m.
GOLO member since October 5, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:18 p.m.
I'm gonna breathe no matter what. Eh. I prefer uphill battles. I want a career in a dying industry, I crusade tirelessly for a third party, My relationship isn't able to be legally recognized...
I love an uphill battle :)
GOLO member since June 20, 2008
July 8, 2008 2:16 p.m.
How hard is this?
You can't legislate how someone feels about another. (Thank God).
GOLO member since October 9, 2007
July 8, 2008 2:14 p.m.
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