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Judge Says Woman Can Hang Christmas Lights Shaped Like a Middle Finger After ACLU Sues

Dec. 22, 2012 2:10pm Madeleine Morgenstern

WAFB-TV

A Louisiana woman is allowed to put back up Christmas lights shaped like a middle finger, a judge said Thursday, after the American Civil Liberties Union sued on her behalf.

Sarah Childs sued the city of Denham Springs, La. after police twice made her remove the lights, according to the Associated Press. Childs put up the not-so-festive display last month after an apparent dispute with her neighbors, prompting complaint calls to the police. The first time, an officer told Childs she could be fined, and the second time an officer threatened to arrest her.

A federal judge on Thursday granted Childs a temporary restraining order barring city officials from interfering with her lights and allowing her to put them back up on free speech grounds. He set a Jan. 7 hearing in Baton Rouge on the matter.

“If people find it distasteful or they don’t like it, well, that’s life,” ACLU of Louisiana executive director Marjorie Esman told WAFB-TV. “We are all exposed to things we don’t like and people have different opinions, that’s what makes for a free society.”

The ACLU did not detail what the initial neighbor dispute was about.

One of Childs’ neighbors said he doesn’t have a problem with freedom of expression but worried what parents would have to tell their children about the lights.

“Kids are going to look at those lights and wonder, ‘Mom, Dad what is that, what does that mean?’” Todd Traylor told WAFB. “How do you explain that to a 4-year-old kid or a 2-year-old kid who doesn’t know what that means and you try to shield them from stuff like that.”

Another woman said the display was simply uncalled for, given the season: “I just can’t believe someone would take Christmas and put those kind of Christmas lights up.”

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Comments (87)

breakobamanow
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:49pm
Philippians 4:7-9 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 5:04pm
  Amen.
  
  Report this comment
- Pouncing Porcupine
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 5:44pm
  Thank God for the American Communist Lawyer’s Union. They are wonderful!!!
  
  Report this comment
MiCurmudgeon
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:47pm
Heck, I agree …obama is #1. Starting from the bottom ,that is.

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Rott1
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:37pm
Here is the thing I don’t understand about athiests: they literally believe in NOTHING.

So if you’re an athiest, you know your life has to be pathetic when you spend precious time and money on proving NOTHING. If I believed in NOTHING, and that NOTHING happened when I died; I would spend every fleeting moment with my friends, family, and loved ones because when either my life or their’s was over, I would never see them again.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:47pm
  These people aren’t atheists. They are sociopaths, antagonists. Belief is not a public issue. They can not be upset by a cross, Nativity scene… . They simply use these as a means to vent their pathological anger. They are striking out.
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:50pm
  What I don’t understand is why you care so much that you would bring up such a thing in the comment section on a story that has absolutely nothing to do with atheism.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:29pm
  This isn’t an atheist issue at all! If anything id say atheists are laughing their a$$es off at how stupid this story makes christians look. This is a taste issue. between the police and the aclu, neither atheist, and this woman.
  
  Report this comment
- NOTMOHAMMED
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 7:32am
  No have no idea how stupid your posts make YOU look, keaton…yet you just keep sluggin’ away.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:36pm
That deserves the old flaming bag of $h it on the doorstep trick.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:30pm
  haha YES!
  
  Report this comment
- Deuteronomy22
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 10:10am
  Yeah attempted arson, 5-10 years in jail and a felon. Great idea. How about ignoring her?
  
  Report this comment
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:35pm
And The Neighbors can express their freedom of speech by putting dog poop on her doorstep?

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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:51pm
  Nope, they sure can’t.
  
  Report this comment
- Pouncing Porcupine
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 5:50pm
  That’s called littering and is illegal. What the offended people should do is humbly make peace with their neighbor. That’s a hard pill to swallow, I know, but it is the only good solution besides moving. Let the finger-light lady keep her display so that the world can see her in all her glory.
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:30pm
.
Ho Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha Merry Christmas Everybody………

Really the finger at your neighbors……….

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- DadRocked
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:39pm
  I’m thinking that there is more to this minor story…
  Neighbor ticked her off or the guy’s house across the street is so illuminated that you can see his house from space so and I can’t sleep at night… up yours to the neighbor?
  
  Just saying…
  
  Report this comment
- minorityconservative2
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:25pm
  I agree! That is one classy lady! Men are flocking to her door I bet. Really though, I think about the kids. I would not want my babies seeing that trash.
  
  Report this comment
AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:20pm
So, a judge okays the lights that give Christmas the finger, yet judges make us take down nativity scenes?? I hate what America has become!! For all the evil its in the world.. I feel very sorry for you! God forgive you!

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- jman-6
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:50pm
  Don’t fret my friend, JESUS said near the end “people would not endure sound doctrine, they would get teachings for their itching ears!” Our Redemption draweth nigh!!
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:53pm
  Omg…
  
  First of all, the lights are giving the neighbors the finger, not Christmas.
  
  Second, to my knowledge judges aren’t making people take nativity scenes down out of their own yards. Geez, get a grip why dontcha.
  
  Report this comment
- minorityconservative2
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:40pm
  I am with you. The disrespect for CHRISTmas is horrible. Even if you don’t celebrate it in a religious way you still don’t want your kids seeing that junk.
  
  Report this comment
- Pontiaku
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 1:53am
  [yet judges make us take down nativity scenes?? ]
  Obviously you cannot differentiate between public and private property. Perhaps you might brush up on those facts before you spout nonsense again.
  
  [The disrespect for CHRISTmas is horrible.]
  As the article said, this is a dispute with their neighbor. They are lights on a wire, nothing makes them “christian lights”. Your indictment is stupid and unfounded.
  
  Report this comment
- minorityconservative2
  Posted on December 23, 2012 at 2:28pm
  I was commenting on what Americamustbefree said and then indicting what the lady did as bad for children. You read a whole lot into what I posted that I didn’t put in there. I never said they were CHRISTian lights as I made a disclaimer when I said “Even if you don’t celebrate it in a religious way”. You just assumed. Now don’t you feel stupid with your unfounded comments.
  
  Report this comment
SocialistSlayer
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:13pm
Really Blaze ??? You Wimps felt the need to blank it out of the photo ?? And yes I also agree with the ACLU on this one – might not like it but she has the right to give you guys the finger if she wants !

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- DadRocked
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:32pm
  I’m with you on the person having the right and on her property… If she rents then the landlord needs to address this…
  I have a feeling that the Blaze only took a screen shot and never had access to the actual photo.
  
  Report this comment
- XaviorOnassis
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:15pm
  Agreed. If she wants to erect a cross, flip someone the bird in Christmas lights, build a shrine to Elvis…its HER PROPERTY. The Constitution doesn’t grant anyone freedom from being offended. If you are offended you are free, however, to look away.
  
  Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:11pm
“One of Childs’ neighbors said he doesn’t have a problem with freedom of expression but worried what parents would have to tell their children about the lights.”

It means that woman is bent.

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- macpappy
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:09pm
  Those must be some very protected childern if they need that explained to them.
  
  Report this comment
h20sue
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:10pm
Well, now I’ve heard it all! Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of THE BIRTH OF Jesus Christ. What kind of person hangs lights like this? Must be an atheist, as if he/she were a member of the KKK, they have religion! I am just livid with the ACLU and the deranged people who think this is funny. Its NOT! They are no better then the moron who shot those poor children. Sad sense of humor during one of the most religious holidays. Shame on them and the moron who think this is funny. These are the same folks who want to see the Ten Commandments removed from public view….

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:15pm
  How can you outlaw a burning cross and not this? That is, providing there was no burning ordinance.
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:56pm
  Did you honestly just say that the person who hung these, admittedly distasteful yet Constitutionally protected, Christmas lights is just as bad as the deranged lunatic who executed 20 children and 7 adults?
  
  Report this comment
M40-A1
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:53pm
In the spirit of Christmas and being a great neighbor I would post a sign in my yard stating that this person doesn’t believe in the 2nd. Amendment, hates minorities, and is very filthy rich. Merry Christmas!

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- MittensKittens
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:59pm
  “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”…and why we are probably rounding the bowl for the last time. Can you hear it? FLUSH!
  
  Report this comment
- h20sue
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:27pm
  Amen. I’d be ashamed to have a neighbor with such a sick and troubled life. (not to mention the manufacturer who designed them) Unfortunately, with foreclosures at a high risk, Section 8′s are moving into finer neighborhoods, and most of these people ‘have rights’ and our government is backing them, including the ACLU. Freedom of what? Being a liberal moron? It’s just a travesty to allow this. It’s no different then the kid who shot those poor babies. Freedom of Speech? Freedom to kill? Freedom of just being dumb! What was that JUDGE thinking, or was he/she? Our judicial system needs a cleaning….
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:02pm
  H2OSUE
  
  I just love how you put the word ‘rights’ in scare quotes. Yes, believe it or not people have the right to say and show distasteful messages; they have the right to be ‘liberal morons’; and it’s not up to you or anyone else to censor them. And yeah, flipping someone the bird is just like murdering 20 kids. Sheesh… dumb@$$ zealots like you are just as dangerous to this country as Marxist progressives.
  
  Report this comment
An_American_Thinker
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:52pm
A perfect example of the ills of society. A grown woman shows no respect for her neighbors, for children more specifically, that would view this, and the ACLU protects her rights. If she wants to “flick off” someone in particular, so be it. But there are laws against publlic indecency or disturbing the peace and I think this display fits both descriptions.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:13pm
  The removal of social standards under a banner of tolerance. Animals are tolerant and progressives want a tolerant society. Animal house.
  
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- Kupo
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 4:04pm
  If you’re allowed to flip off someone in person then there is no reason not to be allowed to show a sign or other depiction of the same gesture. Distasteful? Yes. Scrooge-like? Yes. Illegal? No.
  
  Report this comment
BlueH
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:51pm
notice how she didn’t want to be interviewed to explain her message of expression. get a camera in there face and ask them to explain and they always run away

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:12pm
  She’s passive aggressive.
  
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M40-A1
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:50pm
So let me get this straight ACLU, “We are all exposed to things we don’t like and people have different opinions, that’s what makes for a free society.” Really? I find that very curious. Is that the same stance you take on Christian values and freedoms? American Institutions such as marriage? Or perhaps you’ve once again illustrated you’re all just a bunch of two-faced marxist hypocrites?

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- topperj
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:18pm
  It would be a shame if one of her neighbors accidentally cut the wires, right? And there are people that say if we just coexist we can have World peace. I don’t think so.
  
  Report this comment
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:49pm
The woman is an idiot, a low life pathetic idiot. And most likely, an obama voter

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- Walkabout
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:10pm
  This woman had a beef with her neighbors. Her neighbors might have been wrong. We don’t know. But unless this woman backs done or apologizes, her life in that town will get more & more difficult. Noting illegal will be done, but I expect life will be difficult & she will move.
  
  Moving will certainly take up some of her time, but it may not make her life any better.
  
  Report this comment
jp2feminist
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:43pm
Why should we be surprised? What she is doing is exactly what Obama has done to the Catholic Church regarding the HHS Mandate.

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Walkabout
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:43pm
The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) relies on “community standards”. Are we to presume that giving the finger is acceptable community standards in Denham Springs, La or any American city for that matter?

Is acceptable for grade school? High school? The work place?

I believe SCOTUS said you can flip off a police officer & they can do nothing about it. SO I guess it is community standard for all the U.S.

So she wins on 1st amendment grounds because it like a catch-all clause.
***
Courtesy is the lubricant of society so said Lazarus Long. So this lady(?) is using sand instead of oil. I guess her interpersonal relation are going to death spiral now.

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- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 7:22pm
  Bottom up policy.
  
  If it works for your community, great. However, it may not work in all others.
  
  Does it work in the next town over? Great, make it a county law.
  
  The next county likes it? Try for state.
  
  If you can get all the states to agree, then it becomes law.
  
  …..or at least it used to.
  
  Report this comment
Tri-ox
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:39pm
Trashy.

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oceandove
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:38pm
You have to blur out a middle finger? Are you kidding me?

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:48pm
  Exactly, while Rome is burning, and lawlessness abounds they shield our eyes from a finger.
  
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- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Do you really need to see it? I dont.
  
  Report this comment
ldaopines
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:37pm
Free speech, and you can count on the ACLU to hop right in if it chips aways at cultural values, national institutions, faith, or traditions.

Neighbors! String up a hand pointing to ol’ Sarah’s house with a sign under the hand saying “idiot”.

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wordweaver
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:37pm
First amendment is preserved – often the cost is that we have to endure idiotic stuff. Lady, if you are expressing outrage over something, there are better ways to do it. If you just don’t like Christmas, then don’t participate in the holiday. Maybe what you need is a Festivus pole. “Festivus, for the rest of us!”
Merry Christmas.

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Silversmith
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:34pm
Yeah, her right I guess, but why would you feel the need to do that? Not so classy. I guess you could tell the little kids it’s a menorah. (no disrespect intended)

Silversmith

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kdshell1
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:33pm
I thought “free speech” excluded obscenities. “Free speech” and “freedom of expression” refer to a specific message. So what is her specific message — a general obscenity is NOT a specific message!

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- Winedude
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:03pm
  No, it’s a VERY specific message. It falls on its face in any detail of who is the victim of this wrath. As for the kids, what difference does it make whether they learn about this gesture when they’re 8 or 9, or younger? They’re still going to find out and most likely at school. I guess it’s home school for all…!?!
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 3:53pm
  Whinedude – Yet you Marxists want to censor and outlaw Christianity. But you hypocrites aren’t known for tolerance and diversity that you preach.
  
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hatchetjob
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:21pm
Maybe I’m going blind, but I can’t see the middle finger.

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The_Jerk
Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:20pm
I agree with the temple leadership of the ACLU on this one.

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- shagstar
  Posted on December 22, 2012 at 2:23pm
  the finger is pointed at congress!! i like it
  
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