DNC & free speech

[LeadMagnet]

Article

The 24-foot-long sign at Halftime Pizza across the street from Boston's FleetCenter isn't exactly welcoming to the Democratic National Convention: "Say!!!!! D.N.C. Thanks for Nothing!!! Go Bush."

Security measures and the availability of free food for delegates led Mark Pasquale, owner of Halftime, to shut his restaurant down for the week of the convention and erect the sign.

MORE

On Friday, WRKO-AM's Peter Blute and Scott Allen Miller reported how Pasquale has been confronted by city inspectors who have threatened to fine him unless he takes the anti-Dem sign down!

Pasquale told Blute and Scotto that while he doesn't want any trouble, he will continue to exercise his First Amendment rights by keeping the sign up in spite of any fines.

Article

 

[Chris A]

hell it is his store he should be able to do post that sign..

 

[jackschmittusa]

Does this sign violate any city or county ordinances? In many cities, a 24' sign would be disallowed.

 

[maddogchen]

a fair compromise would be to have the DNC order lots of pizza from the restaurant to serve as free food at the convention.

 

[Todd33]

If it's legal, keep it up.

As for the free food thing, whaaaaaa.

New York will dwarf the Boston stuff. The number that hate Bush outnumber anti-Democrats be 10 to 1. Bush is a uniter alright, unites the world to hate the US and unites the country to hate him.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Does this sign violate any city or county ordinances? In many cities, a 24' sign would be disallowed.

I would figure that depends on if it is inside or outside of the place....and it is 24' long and who knows what it is made out of, if wood or a heavy material then sure it could be a problem if not properly secured...but if it is installed correctly then I would fail to see why it would be an issue since it is his storefront.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Todd33
If it's legal, keep it up.

As for the free food thing, whaaaaaa.

New York will dwarf the Boston stuff. The number that hate Bush outnumber anti-Democrats be 10 to 1. Bush is a uniter alright, unites the world to hate the US and unites the country to hate him.

the only way NY will dwarf boston is in the number of protestors....the NY convention will be far smaller and much less money than the Million dollar a day Democratic event (Just love how they spend money).

Also so you advocate the Dems putting locals out of business by spending our tax dollars giving them a free meal? nice

 

[DealMonkey]

Most cities have various signage ordinances, so he's probably in violation of one of those. That said, more power to him. I'm glad to see he gets to speak his mind. I'm sure other business owners in the area, subject to closure due to increased security, etc. are probably feeling the same way...

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: Todd33
If it's legal, keep it up.

As for the free food thing, whaaaaaa.

New York will dwarf the Boston stuff. The number that hate Bush outnumber anti-Democrats be 10 to 1. Bush is a uniter alright, unites the world to hate the US and unites the country to hate him.

the only way NY will dwarf boston is in the number of protestors....the NY convention will be far smaller and much less money than the Million dollar a day Democratic event (Just love how they spend money).

Also so you advocate the Dems putting locals out of business by spending our tax dollars giving them a free meal? nice

I see no evidence on the net that the Republicans are spending much less, I see no estimate at all.

The "Dems" are putting local people out of business? LOL, by your own account they are dumping millions into the local economy. Every convention I go to is catered, who gets that money? Ding ding! local caterers! (maybe you think they fly them in from evil liberal land?)

One dumb pizza guy makes the news with a sign and the evil democrats are taking over boston and putting everyone out of business. lol.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Does this sign violate any city or county ordinances? In many cities, a 24' sign would be disallowed.

I would figure that depends on if it is inside or outside of the place....and it is 24' long and who knows what it is made out of, if wood or a heavy material then sure it could be a problem if not properly secured...but if it is installed correctly then I would fail to see why it would be an issue since it is his storefront.

Do you not ever click on links?

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Todd33
I see no evidence on the net that the Republicans are spending much less, I see no estimate at all.

The "Dems" are putting local people out of business? LOL, by your own account they are dumping millions into the local economy. Every convention I go to is catered, who gets that money? Ding ding! local caterers! (maybe you think they fly them in from evil liberal land?)

One dumb pizza guy makes the news with a sign and the evil democrats are taking over boston and putting everyone out of business. lol.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/

The new grant would bring the total price tag of the Democratic National Convention to a record high of more than $130 million, at least $40 million more than the Los Angeles-based convention four years ago.

http://rncnotwelcome.org/media/61903times.html

$91 million budget does not include the approximately $14 million both parties receive in federal funds to put on their conventions.

RNC is $105 Million VS. $140+ million for the DNC, also factor in that most of the funding for the RNC is from private donations wereas the DNC is not.

Also many establishments are being forced to close down for the week and others will not be able to travel into work...if you lived here you might know that, however since you are from Kalifornia you are forgiven.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Does this sign violate any city or county ordinances? In many cities, a 24' sign would be disallowed.

I would figure that depends on if it is inside or outside of the place....and it is 24' long and who knows what it is made out of, if wood or a heavy material then sure it could be a problem if not properly secured...but if it is installed correctly then I would fail to see why it would be an issue since it is his storefront.

Do you not ever click on links?

looks like a nylon sign....don't see the harm in that...

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Does this sign violate any city or county ordinances? In many cities, a 24' sign would be disallowed.

I would figure that depends on if it is inside or outside of the place....and it is 24' long and who knows what it is made out of, if wood or a heavy material then sure it could be a problem if not properly secured...but if it is installed correctly then I would fail to see why it would be an issue since it is his storefront.

Do you not ever click on links?

looks like a nylon sign....don't see the harm in that...

unless theres ordinances against stuff like that (some cities have it to keep the nice atmosphere and feel), i dont see why the guy should take it down.

On the side note, is it just me, or does the sign make no sense? (other than the go bush thing)

 

[RabidMongoose]

I think the guy should get to keep the sign up and get a reward for doing this! It's hilarious.

 

[Todd33]

Agreed, looks fair to me. It's his right as an American and business owner.

As for the cost and trouble of the convention, sure they are a pain to some residents. Are we saying the Democrats canot have a convention, but the RNC in NYC is fine? It's both a pain and boost to both cities. Lets be fair and balanced.

 

[irwincur]

New York will dwarf the Boston stuff. The number that hate Bush outnumber anti-Democrats be 10 to 1. Bush is a uniter alright, unites the world to hate the US and unites the country to hate him.

I am sure there will be plenty of Unions protesting, and they far outnumber the hate Bush, enviro, anarchist, high school kiddy, idiots you will find at the GOP convention by a large margin.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: irwincur

New York will dwarf the Boston stuff. The number that hate Bush outnumber anti-Democrats be 10 to 1. Bush is a uniter alright, unites the world to hate the US and unites the country to hate him.

I am sure there will be plenty of Unions protesting, and they far outnumber the hate Bush, enviro, anarchist, high school kiddy, idiots you will find at the GOP convention by a large margin.

I think the GOP convention will have more protesting for the simple fact that it's going to be in NYC.

 

[Todd33]

Yes, let's lump everyone who disagrees with the president as crazies, tree-huggers, idiots. Why stop there? They are traitors, anti-American, hate the troops, eat babies. etc.

Typical right wing - smear the messenger, ignore the message reply.

Let's not forget they did the same thing to McCain in 2000. Called him un-American, crazy, etc.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Todd33
As for the cost and trouble of the convention, sure they are a pain to some residents. Are we saying the Democrats canot have a convention, but the RNC in NYC is fine? It's both a pain and boost to both cities. Lets be fair and balanced.

If you read the Globe or any Local newspaper here for Boston you will see all of the havok and hardship the DNC will cost the area...will be nice to showcase the city and the big bucks spent on the Dig but will really hurt alot of people who work, live, and learn in the city.

 

[Todd33]

They say the same in NYC, this isn't a partisan thing, it's a convention thing. I could put any large convention in Boston and produce the same results. But I guess it's just fun to attack Democrats, they after all hate America.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Todd33
They say the same in NYC, this isn't a partisan thing, it's a convention thing. I could put any large convention in Boston and produce the same results. But I guess it's just fun to attack Democrats, they after all hate America.

Attack dems? look where you are man, this is liberal heaven on ATPN...almost as bad as Craig's list Boston PN....only reason I care is because I live here and my wife and friends are the ones who are going to get screwed by this....

 

[nutxo]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: Todd33
I see no evidence on the net that the Republicans are spending much less, I see no estimate at all.

The "Dems" are putting local people out of business? LOL, by your own account they are dumping millions into the local economy. Every convention I go to is catered, who gets that money? Ding ding! local caterers! (maybe you think they fly them in from evil liberal land?)

One dumb pizza guy makes the news with a sign and the evil democrats are taking over boston and putting everyone out of business. lol.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/

The new grant would bring the total price tag of the Democratic National Convention to a record high of more than $130 million, at least $40 million more than the Los Angeles-based convention four years ago.

http://rncnotwelcome.org/media/61903times.html

$91 million budget does not include the approximately $14 million both parties receive in federal funds to put on their conventions.

RNC is $105 Million VS. $140+ million for the DNC, also factor in that most of the funding for the RNC is from private donations wereas the DNC is not.

Also many establishments are being forced to close down for the week and others will not be able to travel into work...if you lived here you might know that, however since you are from Kalifornia you are forgiven.

Check out this mob!!!!

 

[Thump553]

I had no idea political conventions cost such an obscene amount, or that they were spending federal funds on their get-togethers. Do the little parties, like the Green Party, also get federal funds for their conventions?

What is the probability this pizza joint has a very hard time on their next health inspection?

I've never understood why any city would want to host a political convention or the Olympics.

 

[judasmachine]

I'm a liberal, and I see no problem with this, it is well within his rights to do so. As it is in my rights to have an upside down flag in my window here in the republican heaven of rural texas.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Thump553
I had no idea political conventions cost such an obscene amount, or that they were spending federal funds on their get-togethers. Do the little parties, like the Green Party, also get federal funds for their conventions?

What is the probability this pizza joint has a very hard time on their next health inspection?

I've never understood why any city would want to host a political convention or the Olympics.

I forget the actual percentage of the vote you must get to get federal funds but they (The Green Party) came close last time. Something like 3 to 4% IIRC, somebody help me out here.