Posted on 12/08/2005 6:47:24 AM PST by metalmanx2j
A large blindfolded Santa hanging from a noose from a high tree in a man's yard has angered homeowners in a Florida neighborhood, according to a Local 6 News report.
The Santa doll, which neighborhood children can easily see, was put up by homeowner Ron Stroia at his home located on 555 West 50th Street in Miami Beach, the report said.
"It's just wrong, I mean who would want their children to see this, and it reminds adults of lynching," neighbor Estelle Farnsworth said. "It's just nasty, there is no spirit of Christmas in this."
The Santa also has his hands and legs bound by some type of wire.
"Now the kids are sad with that, you know, because they say it's not fair with Santa," neighbor Tanira Giacian said. "Santa should be around bringing their gifts, looking for the gifts, and not hanging on a tree. They're just kind of scared of that."
Since the display was put in the tree, neighbors have called police to get it removed, but officers said there is nothing they can do because the homeowner is protected under the First Amendment, Local 6 News reported.
Stroia would not talk with reporters, but did say by telephone that it's his right to display the Santa whether neighbors like it or not.
"This has really caused a big stir in the neighborhood, this is just cruel," Farnsworth said.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
First it was Ronald Mc Donald, now SANTA!!!!
Will these terrorist never stop!?
He is too real.....
Not listening...lalalalalalalalalalalala..
What I'm saying is, whether you approve of hate crime legislation or not, this couldn't possibly be a hate crime no matter the size, shape, color or content of the dummy.
For something to be a hate crime, a crime has to be committed. No crime is being committed.
LOL.
There is no homeowners association. Miami doesn't really have neighborhoods the way you think of them, except on the outskirts of Dade where land is steal cheap-ish and developers can build neighborhoods whole cloth.
Condo associations though, we got plenty of those.
That's pretty good use of transferrence! Of course Santa is not a necessary component of the "spirit of giving". Nicholas of Nicea was nothing to admire, so your mention of St. Nicholas does get closer to the point. But the real point is that I want my boy to be a Christian, so the last thing I want to do is sit him down and explain, "Remember the nice invisble man who watches over you and gives you things? Well, really he's just made up."
I think all the neighbors should make dummies that look like the man that did this and hang them in their frontyards.
Remind me to never tick you off.
Actually, a person hanging from a tree is a disturbing image for most people.
Isn't there one neighbor with a good pocketknife?
Going to the Police is not the way to fix this problem. What a wimpy nation we have become if neighbors have to run to the Police to have them fight a battle like this.
This problem should be dealt with man-to-man.
When our child was five, she knew all about St. Nicholas and the three dowries and giving in secret without asking for reward.
But we never told her about Santa Claus. He's always been "silly", to use her word.
I could be wrong, of course, but I'd venture a guess that this guy didn't get the pony he wanted last year...
The guy's an idiot.
He should have done the "modern" thing and beheaded Santa.
Then he could claim it was his "religion's" version of peace on earth...
I think it would be appropriate if Ron Stroia got a little visit from three ghosts on Christmas eve (you know, the ones representing Christmas past, present, & future).
Likewise here.
When I was a preschooler, the Mean Old Woman next door kicked me for stepping on her pansies.
About ten years later, I got my first of many chemistry sets.
So began "Operation Roman Plow".
It is remembering things like this that make me certain the kids who saw the Hanging Santa _will_ grow up, and will not forget.
And they will use this guy as a chew toy.
LOL okay so it isn't just me.
But then my hubby has a Jerry Garcia tie that is "Dracula Claus"
*giggles* Sometimes morbid . . . is just funny.
What a scumbag, this guy is . . .
But, FYI . . .
Ronald E. Stroia
555 W. 50th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33140
Mr. Stroia purchased his nice new home in the Lake View subdivision of Miami Beach, on June 23, 2004, for $330,000. He has a 15-year $230,000 mortgage with the Washington Mutual Bank.
The house is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, single-story, single-family dwelling, built in 1934, on about an eighth of an acre. The taxes were $3,125.30 in 2004.
Thats all I have for the moment on on Mr. Stroia.
But might I make a suggestion. As with the current project to send the ACLU's NYC office as many Christmas Cards as possible, why not deluge this imbecile with tons of Christmas Cards as well?
We could also send his neighbors sympathy cards.
sr
I agree, this display is just the tip of the iceberg. If I lived in that neighborhood and had children I'd be extremely cautious.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.