Now this is just ridiculous..."Frank Larison is a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, including more than a year of combat duty in Vietnam.Thanks to Google, I was able to find the HOA documents for this community in Texas. TEXAS! I thought Texas was one of the more patriotic states, unlike Ka-li-for-nia. I could so see this happening in California, but TEXAS!? Come on, now. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT HERE! The HOA is relying on their Deed Restrictions on political signage here. You know, the signs that pop up before each election, and are typically left to twist in the wind long after the ballots have been cast, creating an eyesore and littering the landscape. I have no problem with this kind of regulation. I hate seeing faded and torn signs left up, long after their intended purpose has expired, until the elements destroy them. What I do have a problem with an HOA stating that a set of bumper stickers can be regulated and mis-applying their own regulations. Especially when it seems that this man, a patriot who served our country, is being singled out (maybe the HOA is afraid he is a dangerous right wing extremist whose views endanger our national security?). Case in point (from the FOX4 article): The letter from the board states you can't have any form of advertisement anywhere on your car on your property. FOX 4 cameras spotted bumper stickers for political parties, health causes, and other non-commercial interests on the property as well.Hmmm... well the HOA standards document doesn't state that, and regardless what a letter from the board says, if they aren't applying the community standards properly then they should at the very least send Mr. Larimore a letter of retraction and apology. I would go so far as to say they should publicly apologise, but that probably won't happen. If you peruse the documents under Deed Restrictions, you will come to the Residential Development Standards, which it appears the HOA is citing. In section 2.10, pertaining to Political Signs, the document reads as follows: A. DefinitionNow, I don't know about you, but I don't see a sticker saying "Semper Fi" or "Proud Marine" or whatever you want to say about the military services as "promoting a candidate or issue". Do you? I mean, I know some people (like, oh, San Francisco) have issues with the military in general, but I don't think that is what this is referring to. The section continues: B. Location, Duration and NumberYou see? This section clearly refers to ELECTION candidates and ballot issues. NOT to the general support of the Marine Corps. And what, you may ask does this have to do with bumper stickers? The standards document continues a little further down in the same section with regard as to how the "political sign" is displayed: C. Sign CriteriaBut again, we aren't really talking about a political sign (or sticker) are we? We are talking about the First Amendment of our Constitution, which is being trampled in this case. Shame on The Woodlands. Shame. Shame. Shame. Thank you, Mr. Larison for your service to our country. I am not a military person, but I hope you don't mind me saying, "Semper Fi". This household appreciates the service of all our military personnel - past, present, and future. ~ |
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