PunBB

OK Hipbasers - The Horrible Esthete seeks your wisdom and logic! Here’s the situation:

Roommates X, Y, and Z share a rented house. Roommate X and Roommate Y share beliefs that are definitively aligned with a particular side of the political spectrum, while Roommate Z’s views clearly lean the opposite direction.

Roommate X wishes to demonstrate his support for an election candidate who represents his particular political ideology by placing a sign endorsing “Candidate A” in the front yard of the shared rental property. Roommate Y, though not inclined to publicly exhibit his political orientation, does not object. Roommate Z, however, naturally objects to the proposed action of Roommate X. A full-scale argument ensues.

Roommate X argues that he is entitled to exercise his constitutional rights of freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration at his place of residence. He asserts that this right cannot be challenged by Roommate Y (who shares his views) or Roommate Z (who entertains opposing views), arguing that each roommate is free to erect an endorsement for Candidate B, C, or D, even if it is displayed alongside his endorsement for Candidate A.

Roommate Z, though not particularly inclined to publicly demonstrate his political orientation either, hesitantly acquiesces to Roommate X’s proposed action, but threatens to take full advantage of his rights (as quoted by Roommate X) and place a sign for Candidate B immediately beside the any sign in the yard endorsing Candidate A.

Roommate Y, though unopposed to the public endorsement of Candidate A, is vehemently opposed to the endorsement of Candidate B at his place of residence, and insists that “equal representation” doesn’t satisfy his aversion having an endorsement for Candidate B in his front yard. He asserts that since the three tenants are not unified in their political perspectives, the only resolution is to proceed according to the status quo, which would be no public political endorsements at all.

What resolution do you think is most fair to all roommates?

Roommate Y is a f*ckwit. Everybody should be able to put their signs on the lawn. Expressing conflicting political opinions is essential to democracy, and is a much more equitable solution than censoring both parties' opinions.

...next time won't you sing with me.

I don't see what's wrong with a Bush sign on the right side of the lawn, a Kerry sign on the left side of the lawn, and a big ol American Flag in the middle.

Is the polarization really that bad down there?

Can't you both just agree on Ralph Nader?
Or why not put both signs up?
Or why not just discusss religion.
I think two signs is the way to go.
A sign will not be changing any ones mind - remember that.

So I guess it's a consensus! Tell Y to stick that in their pipe and smoke it...clearly, if two Canadians are united on an issue, we're on the right side! :lol:

I didn't even read your post. Just get out while you still can.

Pink flamingoes, bird-baths, those moonlight things that line the walk and political signs are all very tacky when it comes to the style of your front yard. Even mailboxes that are miniature models of your own house are shitty. My advice is to go with a colour theme. Green grass with brown cobblestone driveway is a classic. Plain grey driveway and green grass only works if you have a somewhat brightly-painted house... It's hard to say though... what colour is your house? Do you have siding... or brick... or what? What colour are the signs? The most logical conclusion would be to pick whatever political sign looks good... if both do, so be it....

Well that would be a problem here...the NDP wouldn't get any representation because anybody who's ever opened a Christmas present from their grandmother knows that NOTHING goes with orange.

grooveless touque Wrote:Roommate Y is a f*ckwit. Everybody should be able to put their signs on the lawn. Expressing conflicting political opinions is essential to democracy, and is a much more equitable solution than censoring both parties' opinions.

Well, if it was an issue amongst neighbors X,Y, and Z, then everything you say is legit, and I would agree.

But it's not. Any of the roommates can express whatever they wish, however they wish, as long as it doesn't enfringe upon anyone else's freedom of expression. That is actually what is essential to democracy.

Roommate X is free to wear 'Candidate A' T-shirts, affix 'Candidate A' bumper-stickers, buttons, etc., to his own personal property ; this way he can express his orientation and support without implicating others who merely happen to share living quarters.

If you came home to find that your roommate had put a "Vote For David Duke" sign in your front yard, are you telling me that you'd be fine with it? You'd actually tolerate that, and not be embarrassed about the fact that every neighbor and passer-by who saw you sitting on your porch automatically assumed that you were a racist, and proud of it?

Riiiiiight.

Granted, the candidates in question (though, as should be noted, are NOT specified, which just goes to show how freely we humans make snap judgements by association) are not extremists, but this demonstrates that perspective and principle figure to be paramount in this situation. Some people take their political views and the privacy thereof very seriously. After all, we still uphold and defend the concept of a 'secret ballot' here in the States. This measure aids in the protection of individuals against scrutiny and persecution for their political beliefs, which, believe it or not, does occur in our society

You said, jokingly, that "clearly, if two Canadians are united on an issue, we're on the right side!" Hmmm. I thought that if two Canadians are united on an issue, than clearly they are on the left side! :mrgreen: (sorry, but that was for the unnecessary 'fuc*wit' slam on my boy Roomie Y....)

mrlayance Wrote:I didn't even read your post. Just get out while you still can.

And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean? cratch:

lord brazle Wrote:Pink flamingoes, bird-baths, those moonlight things that line the walk and political signs are all very tacky when it comes to the style of your front yard. Even mailboxes that are miniature models of your own house are shitty. My advice is to go with a colour theme. Green grass with brown cobblestone driveway is a classic. Plain grey driveway and green grass only works if you have a somewhat brightly-painted house... It's hard to say though... what colour is your house? Do you have siding... or brick... or what? What colour are the signs? The most logical conclusion would be to pick whatever political sign looks good... if both do, so be it....

Funny. Clever, too. But something tells me I should be insulted.

Oh....backlash! Good one

The whole way through that post I was thinking YOU were Y. I still think the conflicting opinions ought to be aired out in the form of putting both signs on the lawn. Unless somebody has a sign advertising the Neo-Nazi party, I think it's healthy for debate. If I had a roommate who publicly endorsed David Duke, I wouldn't have left him in sufficient health to be able to walk out to the yard to put up a sign

By the way, if X and Z both have signs professing their support for a candidate, clearly neither roommate is intensely concerned about the privacy of their vote. Why would you get a sign if not to promote your cause?

BUSH BUSH BUSH
shave your bush

The Horrible Esthete Wrote:

lord brazle Wrote:Pink flamingoes, bird-baths, those moonlight things that line the walk and political signs are all very tacky when it comes to the style of your front yard. Even mailboxes that are miniature models of your own house are shitty. My advice is to go with a colour theme. Green grass with brown cobblestone driveway is a classic. Plain grey driveway and green grass only works if you have a somewhat brightly-painted house... It's hard to say though... what colour is your house? Do you have siding... or brick... or what? What colour are the signs? The most logical conclusion would be to pick whatever political sign looks good... if both do, so be it....

Funny. Clever, too. But something tells me I should be insulted.

Not at all, not at all... sorry.... I just am relating my opinion on politics in a comfortable and stylish fashion.... heh... that I wouldn't put a sign in my yard.... you could, as hundreds of other people do, so I don't mean to insult you.... but I'm just being cocky with it.... if one of these signs were artistically beautiful (and matched my yard) then I might consider putting one in....

grooveless touque Wrote:Well that would be a problem here...the NDP wouldn't get any representation because anybody who's ever opened a Christmas present from their grandmother knows that NOTHING goes with orange.

Orange is the new pink...

The only thing that goes with orange is black....
on Halloween....
other than that....
don't even go near it....

Nothin goes with pink either...