oldrebel: blog 
oldrebel's blog
effigy of obama more sacred than american flag?
Published Sep 25, 2008Views: 241
Obama Efffigy Found Hanging from Tree on Oregon Campus
(WRAL article http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/3600655/ )
NEWBERG, Ore. — Officials of a small Christian university say a life-size cardboard reproduction of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was hung from a tree on the campus, an act that outraged students and school leaders alike.
The disturbing image found near the heart of the campus recalled the days of lynchings of blacks and was all the more incongruous at a university founded by Quaker pioneers in 1891. (Complete and detailed story at the above link)
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And yet protestors can burn the American flag without fear since it's a "protected form of speech" as evidenced by this group of Mexicans burning the American flag as they protest American immigration policies.
Why does the hanging of a carboard effigy with a length of fishing line from a tree cause more outrage and headlines than the burning of an American flag. Why is the flag burning allowed as a form of protected free speech and the hanging of a cardboard effigy seen as a reprehensible act?
I'm not saying it is a good idea to do such as those(or that) student did with the cardboard figure of Obama, but why the venom toward what is simply a form of poltical free speech. When some protestor stands on a street or campus and burns an American flag, the Left and the Liberals are the first to applaud and call for protection of that act. Both are forms of speech. I don't care for either. But if we're going to allow the burning of a single American flag as a form of protected free speech, we should be allowing Obama effigys to be hung like Christmas ornaments across the land.
Illustration from http://www.americanpatrol.com/RALLIES/JULY42000/July4stills-1.html (This site may make your blood boil, be warned before clicking on it)
Filed under: Politics
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GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:32 a.m.
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:33 a.m.
GOLO member since September 1, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:35 a.m.
There is more to a flag than what country it represents. Many men and women have died for our flag.
But that's to be expected from someone who supports Obama. Do you believe the star spangled banner is a sign of oppression too?
September 25, 2008 10:36 a.m.
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:42 a.m.
GOLO member since October 5, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:43 a.m.
GOLO member since October 9, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:43 a.m.
My money would be on that one. ;)
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:44 a.m.
Nothing to do with hypocrisy, or whether something is sacred, etc. It’s apples versus oranges. The effigy of Obama can be seen as racial hatred or even as a threat.
And while the uniqueness of humans means you’ll get a different reaction from various ones, there are still plenty of people are outraged at the burning of an American flag, myself included. But while I might not like it, I’ll have to accept it as a first amendment right if the law allows it and it’s enforced by Supreme Court rulings.
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:44 a.m.
September 25, 2008 10:47 a.m.
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:48 a.m.
EVERY criticism of Obama is seen as racial hatred - what's your point?
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:49 a.m.
GOLO member since December 2, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:51 a.m.
I've met many americans who call for and cheer the killing of others because of their religion. you see it on this board constantly.
GOLO member since July 25, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:52 a.m.
I think the best rule of thumb is to treat the flag with respect and no one can really complain.
GOLO member since July 17, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:52 a.m.
GOLO member since September 11, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:53 a.m.
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 25, 2008 10:53 a.m.
Not true, but do you REALLY not understand how the effigy of a black man hanging from a tree could be seen as racial hatred?
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
September 25, 2008 10:55 a.m.
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:00 a.m.
I never posted otherwise - don't try to reframe my statement - every criticism against Obama and people stating they will not vote for the man is deflected as nothing more than racism.
If he gets in office we will have to endure a never ending stream of crying 'racism' every time something doesn't go his way - Obama uses racial politics while claiming to transcend race.
So since your so bright, explain how one transcends race by constantly calling attention to race and passing off every negative comment against him a 'racist' view?
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:07 a.m.
Lets see some links...or are you just designing more sewer?
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:09 a.m.
A few points:
1. Effigial protest has been around as long as flag burning, perhaps even longer.
2. Lynching is neither unique to the US, nor a specifically racial endeavor. The "class of people" that were targets of lynching in the US were the CRIMINAL CLASS, in spite of what the television says.
So does this mean that effigial protest is now off limits because the target just happens to be black?
GOLO member since July 25, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:11 a.m.
I don't have to provide links. There are a few well known people on these boards who actively call for the death of all muslims. Shouldn't you be out driving some stakes? Oh, and if i haven't thanked you, I appreciate I-40. You did a stand-up job!
GOLO member since July 25, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:14 a.m.
GOLO member since September 1, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:15 a.m.
GOLO member since March 27, 2009
September 25, 2008 11:19 a.m.
Irrelevant to this blog or my posts but…given I’ve seen TONS of “negative comment against him” with regards to his tax plan, “Lets see some links” showing Obama calling them a “racist view” in regards to his taxes. Or “are you just designing more sewer”? I’ve seen negative comments on his experience. Show me where Obama called them racist for saying that. I’ve seen negative comments on his voting record. Show me where Obama called them racist for saying that. If EVERY criticism against Obama is “deflected as nothing more than racism”, surely you should have plenty of the proof I’m asking for.
Of course even if your whining is true, it’s still irrelevant to the blog and my original comment. What are you going to do now? Talk about my mother?
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:23 a.m.
Burden of proof is on the accuser.
"Shouldn't you be out driving some stakes?"
Project management pretty much keeps me in the office.
"Oh, and if i haven't thanked you, I appreciate I-40. You did a stand-up job!" You're welcome - but it was I-540 and just a portion.
Well, I guess I should thank you as well - I just took a big dump and your assistance with the sewer was greatly appreciated. Stand up job to you (or should I say sit down job - not sure of the correct congratulatory phrasing for such an occasion)
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:28 a.m.
Jerry says I don't have to post links...thanks bud.
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:29 a.m.
I know all about flag etiquette, but i still can't do it....
GOLO member since July 6, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:29 a.m.
I thinking summary dismissal - something along those lines - etc...
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:31 a.m.
There are people on here who call for the deaths of all muslim's, one in particular, and i beleive you know this. So either you're being childish, or your just lying to yourself. And I haven't done a sewer system a good 5 years or so. And my bad, thanks for I-540. It couldn't have been done without your surveying expertise!
GOLO member since July 25, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:34 a.m.
Actually, I'm just bustin your chops..I don't even know you, man...
"And I haven't done a sewer system a good 5 years or so."
Well thanks for nothin' then....
GOLO member since August 28, 2008
September 25, 2008 11:37 a.m.
COULD be a threat, but doesn’t have to be. Context always matters. Definitely makes it more personal. In this case, I think you assessment of the person that did this is correct.
GOLO member since August 16, 2007
September 25, 2008 11:37 a.m.
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