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.

[Kickiraqibutt]

I'm at work and don't have a lot of time to read the FAQs on how to post, but I stumbled upon this story on Worldnet Daily and thought I'd pass it on. What is wrong with this "person"? I did a Yahoo People Search and found his address and telephone number, but I don't know if it's appropriate to publish it here. I think he ought to hear from concerned folks about one person's "right" to override the majority's rights to 1st amendment expression, public property or not.

[homeschool mama]

This article has already been posted.

[Bahbah]

Definitely do not publish address and phone number. Yes, he's a jerk.

[Admin Moderator]

Welcome to FR. Please post original titles so we don't end up with duplicates. Thanks.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Been posted already.........

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Don't post his phone number. Contact the mayor directly instead.

[chnsmok]

Like your screen name.

[wideawake]

"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.

Thank you, Ashok. Somebody's got their head on straight.

[Joe Hadenuf]

This is America....Where AHs and idiots are allowed to do and say stupid things, generally without getting their heads blown off.

Don't worry he will pay a price for his fat mouth. Bet the rent.

[uncitizen]

Wow! A Bay Area mayor stood up for the folks fighting this war for us. Unbelieveable, but it's great news.

[KansasCanadian]

Welcome to FR--busted on your first post. Keep up the good work--we have yellow ribbons and the stars and stripes all over the yard--our neighbor across the street is in Iraq, so we are sending a message to his family

[clamper1797]

Better way to get him ... since you know his address ... get as many cooperative friends as you can and several yards of yellow ribbon. Drive your car and your friends cars
over to his house and park. Be sure that each car has a BIG yellow ribbon on it. You can stay there talking amounst yourselves for an hour or so to make your point.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

What the hell is wrong with people? The guy doesn't even LIVE in Burlingame! Grrrrrrrr...

[Bahbah]

LOL. Very creative.

[Illbay]

That is EXCELLENT.

Much ado is made over "civil disobedience." To me it is far more effective to stay cleverly WITHIN the law, and still bug the **** out of your target of opportunity!

[mbynack]

If I was mayor I would WANT this guy to boycott my town. It would improve property values if he wasn't around.

[First_Salute]

It's a Bolshevik thing.

[Sender]

Someone should regruntle this man.

[ZULU]

What Yatovich needs is a hemp collar a few sizes too small or a lead injection delivered by an execution squad - standrad treatment in America's earlier days for creatures called "traitors".