Should the city relay billboard complaints?
Today's Daily Bulletin editorial about the "Imagine No Religion" billboard holds the view that the City Hall should not have relayed complaints to sign company General Outdoor.
"If the matter at hand happens to be protected political speech, the city is on shaky ground," the editorial reads.
City officials disagree. They receive complaints all the time and they forward them to private businesses all the time, they say. For example:
City Attorney Jim Markman said if the city received complaints about a bar in the city because of various police activity, etc, the city would, no doubt, call the bar.
Markman said if a picture in a store window at the mall offended shoppers, the city would call the mall.
"Why wouldn't the city pass on a complaint?" Markman asked.
Redevelopment Director Linda Daniels used the example of the trash company. If a waste management company was not picking up trash and residents complained, the city would call the company, she said.
The co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation was not happy with this comparison.
"So she's comparing us to trash?" asked Annie Laurie Gaylor.
"If the matter at hand happens to be protected political speech, the city is on shaky ground," the editorial reads.
City officials disagree. They receive complaints all the time and they forward them to private businesses all the time, they say. For example:
City Attorney Jim Markman said if the city received complaints about a bar in the city because of various police activity, etc, the city would, no doubt, call the bar.
Markman said if a picture in a store window at the mall offended shoppers, the city would call the mall.
"Why wouldn't the city pass on a complaint?" Markman asked.
Redevelopment Director Linda Daniels used the example of the trash company. If a waste management company was not picking up trash and residents complained, the city would call the company, she said.
The co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation was not happy with this comparison.
"So she's comparing us to trash?" asked Annie Laurie Gaylor.
Oh. My. god. i can see how police activity at a bar or trash not being picked up could be a reason for the city to pressure a business into complying to contracts and zone restrictions or even LAWS, but since when do people have a right NOT to be offended? A picture at a mall? seriously? This was a song lyric!!! And religion does not have a copyright on stained glass motifs!!!! What is wrong with people????
Oh. My. god. i can see how police activity at a bar or trash not being picked up could be a reason for the city to pressure a business into complying to contracts and zone restrictions or even LAWS, but since when do people have a right NOT to be offended? A picture at a mall? seriously? This was a song lyric!!! And religion does not have a copyright on stained glass motifs!!!! What is wrong with people????
I live in Rancho Cucamonga the city should allow the sign " Imagine no Religion"; be posted by the the group Freedom From Religion Foundation. However to be fair to both sides the religious groups should be able to post right next to their signs "Imagine no Atheist or Agnostics". Then no one can claim censorship and both sides can be happy and the matter is settle.
I don't think the City was wrong in notifying the sign company if that is standard procedure if they receive alot of complaints but I agree with Greogory Mawell on his idea. The other sign about that Vaginal surgery bothered me more and I am glad it is down. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it on my way home from work. I drive Archibald all the time and I saw the No regligion sign but did not pay any attention to it. God Bless our city leaders.
Hello, Wendy. My buddy, Mark Monniger, owner of Hopper's Office Furniture, is the lease-ee of the billboard in question and can "rent" it out as he pleases. Guess he only has so much "pull" when it comes to something so wicked as this. I'm just glad our 5 year old kids in Rancho haven't been exposed to the rascism & genocide regarding the Pilgrims and Indi...opps, sorry, Native Americans.
How embarrassing. Rancho...just keep your foot where it belongs...in your mouth.