County orders removal of tree decorations

[pgg]

Sonoma County in California bans angels, stars and other religious symbols from Christmas trees in county-owned buildings | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

Ban on angels, stars on county Christmas trees

By DEREK MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT


Published: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 5:12 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 11:37 p.m.
Sonoma County's top official on Monday ordered the removal of stars, angels and other religious symbols from Christmas trees in county buildings after a complaint that the decorations violate constitutional protections.


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This angel decoration was removed from the door of the Sonoma County government's Communications Office.

JEFF KAN LEE / The Press Democrat
Related Links:
Readers speak out on county ban on tree decorations
External Links:
Insider Blog: County turns Grinch

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Irv Sutley

Mark Aronoff/PD
“I understand the concern about government endorsing religion or a doctrine, and I respect that is not our role,” Acting County Administrator Chris Thomas said.

The complaint was lodged by Irv Sutley of Santa Rosa, a 65-year-old disabled veteran who has a long history of protesting the use of religious symbols in government settings.

One of the offending trees was in the lobby of Thomas' office. He said he didn't become aware that the star atop the tree might be a problem until consulting with county attorneys.

“A star on top of the tree is a religious symbol for some people,” Thomas said.

More at link.. someone needs to kick the crap out of that idiot

[CTR man]

someone needs to kick the crap out of that idiot

Oh Good Grief Sutley! Why don't you find a foxhole along with Michael Newdow and the rest of those idiots and crawl back into it where you all came from.

If you're an atheist, you shouldn't be even celebrating Christmas, so ignore it. Like so many of the other things we have to ignore in this world. Get over it.

[dadyswat]

Stupid.

[Jenna]

“A star on top of the tree is a religious symbol for some people,” Thomas said.

Or maybe it's just celebrating the achievements of astronomy....

[CTR man]

Personally, I think these atheists are very unhappy people in general and want to pick on things just for the sake of picking on them or to make themselves feel good about life, in my opinion. The whole world pisses them off and they feel that they have to make everyone else miserable along with them. Misery loves company and they think that they are the enablers.