Retrospectacle: A Neuroscience Blog : Does This Offend You?

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Shelley Batts is a Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. She studies hair cell regeneration in the cochlea, and is just embarking on that quixotic quest called 'thesis.' She lies awake at night pondering how science intersects with politics, culture, policy, money, medicine, and religion in an attempt to be more than just a niche scientist sitting in the oh-so-lovely ivory tower. Follow me and my parrot on the quest to get funded, get a PhD, and stay sane.
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Does This Offend You?

Category: Stupidity
Posted on: November 27, 2006 10:27 AM, by Shelley Batts

No? Me either. But the owner is getting fined $25/day until they take it down. Some hogwash about hating troops and loving the Debil.

Its sad when peace and tolerance have become un-American.

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Comments

"Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members."

Wow, talking about throwing the toys out of the pram! How could someone so childish become president of anything? Oh wait, it's the USA :-)

(Sorry, couldn't resist...)

Posted by: Paul A | November 27, 2006 11:20 AM

What got me, from the original article, was this closing line:

Why bother with such a committee if you're just going to get rid of them when they disagree with you? Why not just announce that you're dictator of the Housing Association and be honest about it? Is this Housing Association really prepared to do the same for every complaint, even ones about manger creches, for example?

Good for the committee for standing up and refusing; like the article says, I don't think the homeowner will wind up paying a cent, nor should she.

Posted by: Captain C | November 27, 2006 11:24 AM

I am deeply offended. That wreath is obviously a symbol of Satanism. I guess.

And what's with the bit about parents with children serving in Iraq being offended by a peace symbol? Do they actually prefer the continuance of war while their offspring are serving in the military?

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | November 27, 2006 11:36 AM

Mustafa - technically the symbol represents CND and so is specifically for getting rid of nukes. Maybe the parents felt that she was having a dig at their inability to find the mysterious hidden nuke stockpile in Iraq? Or maybe they reckon their kids would be safer if they were brought home in favour of doing the old glass-parking-lot job on Iraq and feel that the protestor in question is against this option? Or am I clutching at straws...?

Posted by: Paul A | November 27, 2006 11:57 AM

"members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything"

This is the offensive part. This public display is OK because it has no meaningful content? If it actually carried a message, it would be a problem and should be removed? Iin America?

Posted by: Lee | November 27, 2006 12:27 PM

Stealing a line from Kissinger:

Homeowners Association (University) politics are so vicious because the stakes are so small

Posted by: Kelly | November 27, 2006 12:30 PM

They thought the peace symbol was satanic?! It's sad when you are too ignorant to even be a good bigot. What's next, telling us that "turn the other cheek" is just a hippified version of what Jesus thought?

Posted by: MarkP | November 27, 2006 12:46 PM

That nonsense about Satanism ahs been around since the sixties. Ironically, if Jensen did intend it as a Satanic symbol (i.e. a symbol of her religion) she would probably be on much firmer ground fighting the dictator of the housing association. How could he legally justify calling the symbols of one religion divisive while allowing other religions to display the symbols of their mid-winter festivals? He would really have to insist that no one display any opinion or sentiment on any matter whatsoever, ever. What a maroon.

Posted by: John McKay | November 27, 2006 2:28 PM

Sadly, in some parts of this country there is a perception that not kissing the ass of the nearest priest or supporting blindly every lunatic or politician that says they talk to God is "Unamerican". That's all this is really about. If its not a "traditional" wreath, or it doesn't have a huge fracking ugly cross glued on it in support of Jesus, its Satanic to some people. And in some places, this stupidity, bigotry and intolerance goes right up to the housing associations, or even city councils and mayors.

Posted by: Kagehi | November 27, 2006 3:56 PM

Kagehi,

Actually, no. There's a very widespread believe that the CND/Peace symbol is, in fact, Satanic. It makes no sense whatsoever, but then what does in Fundyland?

I also have an amusing personal anecdote to demonstrate this. I went to a private, Baptist grade school. One day, I drew a CND/Peace symbol on my hand, just idly and for no particular reason. Another student saw it and told a teacher, who berated me for displaying a Satanist symbol and sent me to the principal to be disciplined.

So, the Peace == Satanic thing has a real life all its own, beyond any Peace == Un-American idea.

Posted by: Joshua | November 27, 2006 4:18 PM

I'm going to Colorado soon for a science meeting, and now I'm scared to. And I thought they were progressive--I heard Boulder was even 'greener' than Ann Arbor, and thats saying something.

Isn't it ironic that a religion supposedly all about peace and love views a symbol of love as its religious opposite?

Posted by: Shelley Batts | November 27, 2006 4:30 PM

I'm sure you'll be safe in an academic environment is Boulder. Stay away from Colorado Springs though.

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | November 27, 2006 4:36 PM

Don't worry.

I grew up in Denver and went to CU Boulder. It's like California in Colorado. Extremely relaxed; beautiful view of the Rockies; close to sking.

This all took place in southern Colorado. Short physical distance, light years in philosophy.

If you go to CU for a conference, you'll never want to leave ;-)

Posted by: Ben | November 28, 2006 6:56 AM

The publicity Shelley brought to this issue has worked:

...A subdivision has withdrawn its threat of $25 daily fines against a homeowner who put a Christmas wreath shaped like a peace sign on the front of her home...

Sometimes public shaming is still effective.

Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | November 28, 2006 10:17 AM

Take that!!!!