Why all the fuss about Liberty Street?
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Helen Sorto
Published: June 5, 2008
What is the fuss about this wall on Liberty street? I pass it every day and I never see any trash. Maybe the lawn could be cut, but other than that there is nothing wrong.
If an American person tried to make a statement, I don’t think there would be a fuss.
If the city is really trying to make a fuss about the trash why don’t they start with the vacant homes where the grass is so tall you can’t even see the porch?
If the grass is that high then you can’t see the trash that is on that property, so stop all the fussing.
Manassas should really listen to its residents and become a role model and ignore the county. They have made a mess of things.
Please stop wasting my tax dollar on silly things and start doing something positive with it.
HELEN SORTO
Manassas
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( RonCharest ) on June 09, 2008 at 8:33 pm
“If my rights are given more weight than your rights, do you consider yourself to be respected?“
Ans: No. Your rights and mine are equally important. But if I like to mow my lawn when the grass is about 10 inches tall, do the neighbors have a right to file complaints about me? In this county, no, because the decision point, agreed to by common consensus through our elected representatives, is complain when someone’s lawn gets 12 inches high or taller.
There is due process working through deciding if the Liberty Street sign is a violation of local ordnances or not. In this particular case, I see that there is more than an issue of a ruined house. The property owner is using his property for protest speech, which he may very well have a right to do, even if his neighbors don’t like it. His right to free speech may very well trump his neighbors right to not have to read what he says. It’s part of due process the city is following to come to a consensus as to whose rights take precedent.
Personally, I think people are just pissed because they really don’t want to have to face the consequences of their actions in harassing the local Hispanic community.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on June 09, 2008 at 5:27 pm
willow, a big difference between belting out your feelings on a bullhorn at 3:00 am in the morning and a sign sitting there quietly. And not to disrespect the neighborhood, but we’re not exactly talking about diminished property values here by the sign’s presence. The sign faces the railroad tracks, train depot, a parking lot, commuter lot with a handful of houses clustered around. I haven’t noticed a one of those homes “for sale” in quite sometime. I am surprised HSM has not made another “raid” on the property and tried to burn the sign down AGAIN.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on June 09, 2008 at 12:27 pm
and still nothing will happen until the City follows its due process procedure. Then, whatever action is decided will be taken. Until then, feel free to vent ....
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Posted by ( do the right thing ) on June 08, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Bottom line, if the sign is in violation it must go!
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Posted by ( willow703 ) on June 08, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Ron,
Please read. If my rights are given more weight than your rights, do you consider yourself to be respected?
Don’t talk to me about a “creator”, I’m agnostic. When I can see and touch this “creator”, I might believe in it. I once did, it had a strange way of showing its’ love, and I stopped believing.
Yes, Ray, the city is following due process, but this guy shows no “sign” of respecting any decision not in his favor. This guy, in fact, shows no “sign” of respect for anything other than his right to rant.
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Posted by ( RonCharest ) on June 07, 2008 at 9:53 pm
No, Willow703;
Democracy demands that PEOPLE be respected. Laws are established to ensure PEOPLE are treated fairly and equally. Independent courts were established to protect PEOPLE from the tyranny of the majority. “Rights” are given to us by the creator, and the role of government is to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to fully use their rights.
Free speech and non-violent civil disobedience are the backbone of a free and democratic society. This sign is all about free speech, and all about forcing people to think about the encroaching “tyranny of the majority.“
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Posted by ( willow703 ) on June 07, 2008 at 1:26 pm
kgotthardt,
How “American” is it to insist that your rights are greater & more important than those of your neighbors?
Reverse the position of 2 words in that question: How “American it is to insist that your rights are greater & more important than those of your neighbors.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on June 07, 2008 at 12:06 pm
And thus willow703, the City is following due process in resolving the matter.
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Posted by ( willow703 ) on June 07, 2008 at 8:52 am
jmolina,
If we allow people unlimited right to do what they wish with their property, the nation will soon look like an abandoned landfill.
If we allow people unlimited right to do as they please, soon no one will have no more rights than they have the might to enforce.
I’ve lived in a home covered by a covenant for the past 29 years. I didn’t buy my home as a temporary dwelling or as an investment, but some people do that and have an interest in maintaining market value. That’s hard to do when there is a sign like this next door. The owner has exercised his right to freedom of speech, he is now denying his neighbors their rights.
Democracy demands that rights be balanced.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on June 07, 2008 at 7:45 am
“If an American person tried to make a statement, I don’t think there would be a fuss.“
Actually, Mr. F. has been an “American” for a VERY long time, which perhaps is one reason why he is protecting his rights to free speech and civil disobedience so vehemently.
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