CROSS DISPLAY BARRED DURING BUSH INAUGURATION?

[DemBones DemBones]

Washington, Jan. 05 (CWNews.com) - The Washington-based Christian Defense Coalition is protesting a proposed ban on the display of crosses during inauguration ceremonies for President George W. Bush.

In a December 17 letter to the National Park Service, the Secret Service-- which is responsible for the safety of the President and other US government officials-- asked for a ban on numerous items during the inauguration festivities. The Secret Service sought a ban on potentially dangerous items such as firearms, explosives, and laser pointers; but the list of proscribed items also included "coffins, crates, crosses, crates theaters, and statues." Noe explanation was given for the inclusion of crosses on the list. The Christian Defense Coalition, which was planning to hold a prayer vigil during the inaugural parade, received a permit that listed the banned items, including crosses.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, decried the ban on crosses as a clear form of "religious bigotry and censorship." The restriction is even more offensive, he added, "when one realizes that it is only Christian symbols that have been excluded." The Secret Service regulations explicitly allow for bullhorns and signs of up to 20 feet in length.

Mahoney announced that members of his group "will be on the public sidewalks holding crosses at the inauguration parade even if that means risking arrest and jail."



Sounds like they're trying to ban all forms of street theater, doesn't it? I thought this info might be useful to those planning to protest the inauguration in D.C. You may be able to have a bullhorn on the streets, but not a coffin or a statue, if the Secret Service's request is approved.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LudwigVan]

2. That sounds made up.

I'd like to see some less biased confirmation on that.

[DemBones DemBones]

32. Ludwig, I haven't been here for 12,000+ posts posting "made up" stories.

Another DUer posted links below since I forgot to.

[Nikepallas]

3. That Christian Defense Coalition is just stiring up trouble

They want to get the story out to get the fundies outrage and in the end get what they want.

I hope someone has the guts to do a story on this just to deflect the CDC.

[Zenlitened]

4. Creating opportunities for "outrage" and cries of persecution.

All part of advancing the meme, I guess.

[InvisibleBallots]

5. but ... but ... I thought the Fundies were taking over?

Has the FUNDIE MENACE been overplayed to distract us from the corporate control of the DLC/DNC/GOP? Hmmm.

[rodeodance]

6. banned coffins also--must they are thinking ahead aren' t they!!

[Liberty Belle]

7. Does that include iron crosses.

[Mend]

8. With or without a live crucifixion?

we have to draw the line somewhere.

[seabeyond]

9. bah hahaha they are afraid the left will use the cross

in protesting bush. they werent thinking about their own religious people.

betcha. along with the coffins ect........

[TrustingDog]

10. bingo!

[Lerkfish]

11. how can they ban a concept or a symbol as dangerous?

sounds a little....like the nazis burning books. Thoughts are dangerous to them, eh?

honestly, though, how can they get away with banning caskets?

[Slickriddles]

15. Well a Cross could be a pretty hefty weapon

The symbol isn't banned, you could paint a cross on a banner and carry that, but no SS agent or DC cop wants a 2 x 4 to the noggin.

[Lerkfish]

20. If I understand the original post correctly,

there was no clarity on whether the cross as banned was a physical cross vs. the symbol.
But it is unclear. Hopefully someone will provide a link so I can verify that.

[EC]

12. Well, I guess a coffin

could hold a gunman, a statue could hold a bomb and crosses could stab someone...isn't that why we couldn't use stacks for signs?

[seabeyond]

13. so how about if you have a cross on a necklace

is that banned. gonna be looking at women necks and throwing them in jail. how specific were they

[sakabatou]

14. So I can still use my Star of David shuriken?

[Slickriddles]

16. Fire away

That was excellent:7

[sakabatou]

25. Yay!

:: throws stars straight up in the air ::

Oh crap.

[Contrary1]

17. There can be only one symbol

of the savior at the coronation...

The Dim Son himself.

[IronLionZion]

18. But pretzels will be fine

the lack of a link makes me a little suspicious.

Does it ban only 3D crosses or cross symbols on clothing and stuff too? And every good Christian has his cross chain and rosary with him at all times right...:P

[Contrary1]

19. Here's the link:

http://cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=34443

Edited to add 2nd link:

Looks like it is legit.
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2005/january/0106_cross_inauguration.shtml

[DemBones DemBones]

31. Thanks for posting the links. Sometimes I forget. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

21. Can they ban everybody's middle finger?

That's all the symbolism I would need.

[Contrary1]

22. Hey, if you use both of them...

you can form a cross. Kind of a two fer.

[Warren DeMontague]

23. I think I'd just wear a necklace made of Garlic

should keep Cheney away, at least.

[proud patriot]

24. Do you remember the picture of the "bush cross" made by a supporter

Durring the campaign. creepy nazi looking guys made
crosses out of the bush inflated sticks .

perhaps they are fearful of showing that face to the masses

[Old Mouse]

26. So Bush won't burst into flame.

[janx]

27. A coffin is a Christian symbol--

according to Mahoney? :shrug:

[DemBones DemBones]

30. No, a cross is, and it's the

only religious symbol banned, as he said. I don't know anything about the man but he's right about that, and it's interesting, considering that Bush** claims to be devoted to Christianity.

[mattclearing]

28. Is the coffin thing to prevent anti-war protests or something?

Christ, they've thought of everything, haven't they?

[freelight]

29. Even if this is true,

these bans are meaningless. They'll arrest random protestors anyway, with or without cause. You know, disturbing the peace and all.
And no, they haven't thought of everything. Giving a list of things you can't do to a group of motivated liberals is like giving a new copy protection system to a group of hackers: it only makes us get more creative.

[DemBones DemBones]

33. If the story doesn't help you, maybe it'll help others. nt

[Maraya1969]

34. It would be nice if they all went to jail

Then we won't have to listen to them for a day or so.

[WMliberal]

35. that makes no sense... eggs ok, but no crosses?