Provinctown gone mad....trying to change history

[MoroneSaxatilis]

To me, it's not the fact that a particular person in P-Town might be gay that makes him/her a freak. If a heterosexual person dressed the way some people dress in P-Town, or acted in the same manner as I've seen some of the peope in P-Town act, I'd consifer them freaks as well, sexual orientation not withstanding.

And how come no Japanese soldjers were included in the photos/statues/paitnings of the raising of the flag at Iwo?

How exclusionary.

[Karl F]

But, they are PC!

December 6, 2005

Provincetown will augment crèche with other symbols
By ERIC WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
PROVINCETOWN - The crèche at Bas Relief Park will soon be a little more crowded after the Provincetown selectmen voted last night to add a menorah, a holiday tree and a sign saying ''Peace On Earth'' to the seasonal display.

The selectmen had been forced to act on the matter after receiving a complaint letter about the town-owned crèche scene, which has been a fixture for many holiday seasons in the public park.

After consultations with town counsel, it became apparent that to stay within widely accepted legal precedent on such displays, the town would either have to remove the crèche or add other symbols that would allow the display to be categorized as secular.

While there was no sentiment from officials or from the public who attended last night's meeting to keep the crèche in place by itself, the ''remove it or add to it'' discussion was lively, with advocates on both sides.

The selectmen were split on the matter themselves, with the ''add to it'' faction winning the day by a 3-2 margin, with Dr. Cheryl Andrews and Richard Olson in the ''remove it'' minority.

''I think there should be added symbols,'' said Selectman David Nicolau. I think that's what Provincetown is ... it's about being equal.'' ''We obviously can't have just one symbol on town property,'' said Selectman Michele Couture, expressing support for additional symbols. ''I think it's a very fortunate thing that we don't have a state-sponsored religion.''

Selectman Richard Olson argued in favor of removing the crèche to private property, saying that adding symbols ''trivializes the whole thing.''

Before selectmen voted on the issue, members of the public had their say.

''The place for religious symbols is not on town property, the place for religious symbols is on church property,'' said Barbara Rushmore of Provincetown. ''It's hard, people love the warm feeling that they have from symbols that they associate all their life with their beliefs.''

Rushmore said the town would open a Pandora's Box'' by allowing other symbols. ''Do you want a Buddha? Do you want a Muslim symbol at the time when we're in a fight with a Muslim country? I think you best not try and even it up.''

But lifelong Provincetown resident Francis Santos argued for the inclusion of more symbols. ''This town is a mixing bowl,'' he said.




The selectmen indicated that the vote to add the menorah, tree and sign to the display was for this holiday season, and that they may consider other requests for future displays.

In a letter to the selectmen, Provincetown poet Dennis Rhodes, who is in favor of adding additional symbols to the holiday display, wrote that he had begun work on creating an ''Inclusion Fund'' for the 2006 holiday season, to purchase more symbols for the Bas Relief Park display.

Rhodes said the money would be used to obtain a ''beautiful all-weather menorah'' and perhaps an Islamic Crescent and Star.

Eric Williams can be reached at ewilliams@capecodonline.com.

(Published: December 6, 2005)


One guy from P-town wrote a letter to the paper, he worships Zappa, wants the town to buy a 12 foot high chrome guitar to include too... maybe he will get it????

[Skip N]

Oh man they are at it again! Do these people have a clue how retarded they look with all this crap!? Its getting to the point were its almost commical. And dont even get me started on the term "Holiday" tree. What the %$%$%$%$ is a holiday tre!? Its a Christmas tree for god sake!

[spence]

Skip, I'll pass on the whole retarded comment and move straight to the tree issue.

The practice of decorating a tree in the name of Jesus really has only been around for 150 years or so, and it wasn't even that popular until this century.

It's roots are in pagan rituals that can be traced back to the Egyptians and Romans to celebrate the winter solstice.

Also, many Jewish people now put up a tree with blue lights...it's festive, and for them has nothing to do with Jesus.

So call it whatever you want, but remember there are others celibrating the season that may have a different angle.

And stop listening to O'Riley and Hannity

-spence

[Skip N]

When over 90 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas why should we 90 percent have to give in to the PC and not be aloud to call the holiday what it is...Christmas! Well, you can go decorate your "holiday" tree if you wish, But i will decorate my "Chrismas" tree and if people get offended by that then too bad! When people see a tree this time of year they think its a damn Christmas tree and nothing else. Deal with it. I meen does a Christmas tree really offend people?

[Skip N]

"And stop listening to O'Riley and Hannity "

I NEVER listen to those guys

[spence]

Well, it's celebrated because it's a national holliday, which is somewhat odd...I think the number of people who would call themselves Christian is below 80%.

Regardless, the USA isn't a theocracy. It's our diversity that makes us strong.

I don't think anybody cares about what you call your tree Skip, that's not even part of the argument.

-spence

[Jimbo]

With all the personalities, headlines and story plots that come out of there, "Provincetown" would probably make for a good TV show. My dad sent me an article a couple months back about a woman from P'town who had met her old boyfriend in a parkinglot in Orleans so she could get back some of her things from him. They ended up in a big argument and she grabbed some drugs off the seat of his car, never took her stuff, and made off with it. So he reported it and she got arrested. On top of that she had to go to court because she ran a therapy or massage business and had been shut down because iot was reported to be very dirty inside, but she wouldn't let the health department in to inspect. So she goes to court for that and while she's there she gets pi$$ed off at something and gets up on all fours a table and farts at the judge. The judge was quoted saying he couldn't tell if they were real or fake. Only in Provincetown.

[Swimmer]

Not belabouring the gay issue, but I do remember reading a number of years ago that the year round population of P-Town was 75 % gay. I am glad they left the picture alone though. Where else can you go and see a guy who is 6'4" and dressed up like Barbara Eden from the I Dream of Jeanie show? I think what SKIPN is referring to is the perfect world adherents. Thier is a tremendously large group of people trying to make the world perfect and it never will be. I think one of the greatest attributes we possess as a people is the diversity of our populace but thier divergent views as well.

And Spence you can be pretty god damn funny sometimes!

I think my posts gave the threat a certain legitimacy that suckered you in