Posted on 07/24/2007 6:52:42 AM PDT by Redbob
(7/23/07 - WALLIS, TX) - A small town just southwest of Houston, is getting some big time attention for a sign that sits on the side of the road and not everyone there is happy with the message.
In the small community of Wallis, a sign is the big talk of the town.
"To me they are racially motivated, they are singling out certain nationalities and that's just not appropriate," said Titania Newsom.
The sign sits in front of CNL's Icehouse. This month's message reads "Welfare started as a hand up, not a generational lifestyle."
Past messages have included:
"If you can't feed them, don't breed them"
"America proud, one language: English"
Some who find the messages offensive say they have taken their complaints to city hall. The bar's owner, Curtis ransom, says the town's police chief even stopped by and asked him to take the sign down.
"This is America, it's free speech, it's my property," said owner Curtis Ransom. "There's no cursing, there's nothing religious on there. There is nothing racist. All of my statements are general statements, it's meant for everybody."
There are those eagerly awaiting next month's message.
"They got a suggestion box in there," said Larry Alexander. "Anybody can come in there and put a suggestion on what you want on it. They pick out the ones they want to put on there."
Alexander says there is no reason to be offended by the sign's messages. As an American, the bar's owner says he has every right to express his opinion.
"I am tired of getting walked on," Ransom expressed. "I'm a taxpayer, I vote and it is time for us to have our say."
The bar's owner says many of the messages are thought up by his patrons. We're told people have even tried to steal the sign in the past but have been unsuccessful. (Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)
If it wasn’t a several-hour drive I’d go to his bar just to leave him a tip.
Yes...he really doesn't need to use THAT many exclamation points. Other than that...no.
Apparently the bar owner's not as up on his First Amendment as he thinks he is.
Since there is no reference to race/color, I'd say Titania herself is racist, assuming that welfare cases are all minorities.
He's right. They're trying to use "flying-imams" intimidation tactics against him.
There is no race stated there. If anyone implies a race, it is their own prejudice.
Don't stop free speech!
Wow, excellent
the sign doesn’t go far enough.
Aside from the fact that truth is an absolute defense, there is nothing in this that hints at race. The subject is "Welfare," not any particular group of welfare recipients.
The inference being drawn by the CRITICS is racist.
I guess the truth hurts for some.
Isn’t it more prejudiced to assume the signs are talking about a specific race?
The sign tells the truth.
Sitting in a courtroom once I heard a judge tell a girl “Welfare is a temporary crutch, not a permanent wheelchair.”
Amen. If the guy really wants to make a point, the sign should say: "Welfare should have never started."
Welfare enslaves both recipients and taxpayers.
Or as Rush put it, “It’s supposed to be a saftey net, not a hammock.”
saftey = safety
#####”I’m a taxpayer....”#####
That’s your problem, Mr. Ransom. You’re not a member of a protected group.
Keep on doing what you’re doing! The majority of the people support you, even if the political hacks won’t.
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