Man calls yellow ribbons 'offensive'

WorldNet Daily ^ | April 2, 2003 | WorldNet Daily

[Kickiraqibutt]

ON THE HOME FRONT Man calls yellow ribbons 'offensive' Tells city he might file suit if items not removed from public property

Posted: April 2, 2003 1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

A disgruntled California man has demanded the mayor of Burlingame remove the many yellow ribbons displayed on a major retail thoroughfare and to apologize to "any person who may have been offended by his illegal actions," reports the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Mayor Mike Coffey had decided the city would not enforce an ordinance against private displays on public property when a woman asked if she could put ribbons on Burlingame Avenue. Now that nearly every tree and lamppost has a yellow ribbon, Seth Yatovitz, a resident of Palo Alto, wants the city to take them down, calling them "offensive ribbons."

According to the paper, Coffey couldn't imagine anyone complaining about the town's residents showing support for U.S. troops in Iraq.

"Clearly there are many laws on our books that are enforced when called to our attention, but we don't have the resources to enforce all the laws we have until somebody brings it up," City Manager Jim Nantell told the Daily Journal.

Even though Yatovitz is not a resident of Burlingame, he has the right to object, said Nantell.

In his complaint to the city, Yatovitz mentioned his belief that the soldiers involved in the Iraq theater are actually criminals.

"I find the yellow ribbons on city property offensive to my senses, as they are posted in support of violators of international law. I do support our troops that are not involved in illegal activity," Yatovitz wrote to the council.

If his demand is not heeded, according to the report, Yatovitz will begin a boycott of Burlingame businesses and possibly file a lawsuit.

"I'm trying to put pressure on the city targeting their tax base. It's not aimed at the businesses and I have no animosity towards the businesses," Yatovitz said.

Some businesspeople will not tolerate the city removing the ribbons.

"We are at war and somebody wants to remove the ribbon? I think it's over my dead body if he wants to remove it," said Ashok Patel, owner of the Burlingame Smoke Shop, according to the report.

[ArGee]

They could modify the signs at the town property line to say:

Welcome to our community!
Unless you're a jerk who doesn't like yellow ribbons.

Shalom.

[clamper1797]

And it bugs me that he lives in the same town as my 93-yr-old Grandma.

And a whole lot of my friends ;<]

[KansasCanadian]

Hi, I am not sure of the answer, but i would be interested to hear what other Freepers think. For us, the yellow ribbon is a show of support and the ribbon is sold in many stores, so i think it is readily available as a means of showing support.

On the neighbor's house across the street (my neighbor in Iraq), there is a flag with one star hanging from the window which indicates that a soldier is at war (I believe)

Hope this helps

[ArGee]

It helps some.

I would hang a ribbon as a show of support, but I would hate for someone to think there was someone special to our family over there. Of course, in times like these every soldier is special, but I can't make the same claim that Jessica Lynch's family can make and I would not want to be seen as trying to.

Shalom.

[Sparky760]

Yatovitz mentioned his belief that the soldiers involved in the Iraq theater are actually criminals

I can't even put into words what I would like to see Happen to this idiot

[RightWhale]

targeting their tax base. It's not aimed at the businesses

The judge ought to toss this suit instantly and ban this malcontent from the public lands and public roads for the duration of the war.

[RGSpincich]

This moron can't make up his mind...Check out this letter he wrote.

http://www.almanacnews.com/paw/paonline/neighborhoods/hoods2.shtml
excerpt..
...By the way, Stanford Electronics at the corner of Everett Avenue and High Street was the first business with a flag up after the Sept. 11 attack. They put one up early the same day. Everyone else started on the next day.


I remember noticing it and thinking, "We really are at war," and also thinking what a great company that has been over the years in terms of serving the community. They've been around and very helpful for emergency repairs for years. Stanford Electronics showed it's integrity again on Sept. 11.


Seth Yatovitz
High Street
Pentv1@pacbell.net

[Teacher317]

Reminders about duplicate posts already posted on this thread here and here

;^)

[Illbay]

Then let such persons do so. Do not put FR at risk in case one of our nuttier "friends" who hangs out here takes it into his head to do something rash.

[graycamel]

Maybe the idiot should tie the yellow ribbons around his neck and pull the ends. LOL

[rockrr]

"If his demand is not heeded, according to the report, Yatovitz will begin a boycott of Burlingame businesses and possibly file a lawsuit."

And if that doesn't work, he promises to hold his breath until he turns blue. Bring it, big boy!

[Illbay]

At the risk of getting flamed royally (oh, like that's never happened to me before on FR), I have to say that it has become an empty gesture akin to the wearing of those variously-colored ribbons by the Hollywood crowd when they get together (used to be they'd have "bouncers" at the door of the home where a party was being held, to make sure that everyone was properly adorned with the required "red ribbon" for AIDS awareness).

People like to feel like they are "doing something," so they opt for simple, feel-good gestures like the yellow ribbon thing.

That said, this guy's a doofus for letting it get under his skin. His is but one opinion among many. The Left has become so accustomed to having the judiciary uphold their right to have their minority view take precedence over that to the majority that they don't even stop to think how idiotic they sound.

[TomServo]

Reminders about duplicate posts already posted on this thread..

I like a pile on...

[ArGee]

The Left has become so accustomed to having the judiciary uphold their right to have their minority view take precedence over that to the majority that they don't even stop to think how idiotic they sound.

That sentence could have been about four words shorter and still have been perfectly accurate.

Shalom.

[Poohbah]

I find the continued existence of Yavovitz personally offensive.

But I shan't revoke his right to waste food, water, and oxygen.

[Roscoe]

He's a pothead.

Seth Yatovitz, who works for Peninsula TV in San Carlos, said he has used marijuana under a doctor’s recommendation to treat epilepsy since Prop 215 passed. "It has changed my life. I went from disability to working." He said.

[Calpublican]

Aint' it grand! We don't have to hit a policeman over the head to upset the left. Just being a good citizen is enough to make them crazy-ER.

[GailA]

It's a general statement of support for our Troops. If you have a Loved One in service a Blue Star Banner in your window is appropriate.

The City Hall and the Fire Station has huge trees outside them in Millington, TN ALL are festooned with Large Yellow Ribbons. Millington is a Navy base town.

[ArGee]

Thank you for that information.

Shalom.

[Abn1508]

"Ashok Patel."

Interesting. The Patel are an Indian (country) tribe that are widespread in small businesses. It's Patels that own many of the "foreign" hotels for example.

Keep this in mind the next time some yammerhead starts yelling about 'American owned.'