Town Bans War Tributes on Public Property

The New York Times ^ | March 28, 2003 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[LurkedLongEnough]

FIELDSBORO, N.J. (AP) -- Yellow ribbons and all other war memorials have been banned from public property here, a decision that has drawn criticism from residents and business owners who want to show their support for American troops fighting in Iraq.

The Fieldsboro Borough Council approved the ban last week, but Mayor Edward ``Buddy'' Tyler said it does not prohibit residents from placing memorials on their own property. He said that while town officials ``certainly recommend'' that residents show their support for the troops, there were other concerns that must be recognized.

``Where would you draw a line if you started allowing the use of public property to exhibit whatever cause anyone wanted?'' Tyler told The Trentonian of Trenton for Friday's editions. ``Suppose someone wants to tie pink ribbons, or black flags, or a Confederate flag or a Nazi flag on public property?''

Diane Johnson, who along with her husband owns a liquor store in this Burlington County town, said she was unaware of the new rule until the township told her to remove the yellow ribbons she placed on a sign that welcomes travelers to the borough.

``I'm shocked and outraged,'' Johnson said. ``They didn't obstruct the sign in any way, and a lot of people with family members in the war came into the store to tell me how seeing the ribbons gave them a lift.''

[gramho12]

We have grown the wimpiest public officials here in America. Our complacency has caused this, I guess. Time to clean house.

[freekitty]

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. The public should really protest and do it anyway.

[So Cal Rocket]

Where's the ACLU?? This is a clear violation of freedom of speech!

Oh.. wait... the ACLU only defends your right to protest AGAINST your government

[BJungNan]

I would love to live in Fieldsboro, NJ. Right after reading this I would be down at the town park putting up Support our Troops signs on every inch of it.

Who is going to listen to some stupid proclomation as this? Civil disobedience cuts both ways.

[kevao]

Where's the ACLU??

AWOL.

[First_Salute]

The "use of public property to exhibit whatever cause anyone wanted" is practiced daily, at all levels of the government facilities around the country, be that practice the debates in the houses of the legislatures or in the Congress.

The New Jersey town's council is so glaringly in violation of the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights, they are almost comedic. To follow their "judgment," the U.S. flags on all governments' properties around the nation, must be removed, "because we cannot show any religious, and now political, beliefs on "public property" lest the vast leftwing conspiracy from Peter Jennings to the Harvard Yard becomes "offended."

[Tall_Texan]

Fascism disguised as "fairness".

[Roscoe]

Mayor Edward ``Buddy'' Tyler

Democrat, of course.

[drypowder]

My guess is the members of that city council are transpants from Berkely CA.

[Salvation]

**Town Bans War Tributes on Public Property**

Maybe they should also loose some of their public (fed) money!

[CFC__VRWC]

My guess is the members of that city council are transpants from Berkely CA.

My guess is if someone put up that sign from the San Francisco "peace" demonstrations that read "We Support our Troops When They Shoot Their Officers", this Mayor and City Council (and certainly the NYT and the ACLU) would be all over the place insisting that we must respect his First Amendment rights.

[Salvation]

I think I found the correct contact information here -- Scroll down to Fieldsboro

[Salvation]

*8
Maybe they should also loose some of their public (fed) money!**

That should be "lose money"

[LurkedLongEnough]

Also try Congressional District homepage for constituents

[ModernDayCato]

Guess this is why all of the Jersians are moving here to Connecticut and turning it into New Jersey.

[Gee Wally]

Where would you draw a line if you started allowing the use of public property to exhibit whatever cause anyone wanted?

This comment dramatically illustrates that in the eyes of many we are no longer one nation. When a public official can characterize support for our troops who are fighting a war for the United States as merely another "cause" people might (or might not) be in favor of, we are in deep, deep trouble. It is a profoundly offensive comment, and, dare I say it, unAmerican. The people of this town should rise up against these bums, throw them out of office, and demonstrate to them and the world that FIELDSBORO, N.J. is still very much a part of the United States and proud of it.

[Salvation]

Good call, there!

[LurkedLongEnough]

turning it into New Jersey..."

HAHAHA! Couldn't agree with you more. Can hear the new neighbors "tawking" (loudly) 3 acres away.

[Lucas1]

This makes my blood boil...I wish I lived there - I would paint the town yellow with ribbons! Come on people...rise up and take a stand - I can not believe this woman took the ribbon down.