What type of decorations might you usually see around Halloween? Skeletons, spiderwebs, gravestones, dismembered hands... things like this are common, as is a decoration that is now being called a "hate crime".
Kelly Lynch says she is a witch, and therefore, her neighbor's Halloween decoration of a hanging witch is a hate crime -- just like burning crosses or hanging nooses in a black family's yard would be.
Driving down East Street in Chicopee it's hard not to notice a witch hanging from a noose. To many, it's an innocent Halloween decoration, but for Kelly Lynch it's offensive."We don't harm anyone, we worship god, we are not evil, and we don't cast spells, " says Lynch.
Lynch is a witch. She has been studying witchcraft since she was a child, and says it's her way of life.
"We are just like Christians, Muslims, we have our own religion, " adds Lynch.
That's why when she saw the life-like witch hanging in someones front yard she went straight to the home owner's door.
"He told me to lighten up, it was a Halloween decoration, I know it's his constitutional right, but I want it down. To make that your only decoration...it's kind of odd, " stresses Lynch.
But the owner will do no such thing. His neighbor says he has every intention of keeping it up.
"There's no way it's coming down. I think it's funny people are getting so upset, it's only a decoration, " says neighbor, Kevin Belder.
But Lynch says it's no laughing matter. She says it's a hate crime against her religion
"Look at Louisiana, it's the same thing, what if a black family burned crosses, or nooses it would be the same thing, " says Lynch.
And if the owner still doesn't take the Witch down from its noose by Halloween, Lynch plans to protest outside his home.
She says it's not only a hate crime against her religion, but offensive to the entire community.
"It's depicting death. I wouldn't destroy a cross or bash a religion or race,so I don't expect that to happen to me, " adds Lynch.
I have to say, Lynch made lots of fun statements in this, so let's take them on one by one, shall we?
In my opinion, this right here is the money quote:
I know it's his constitutional right, but I want it down.
Doesn't that just sum up the "I'm offended, therefore I am" crowd perfectly? This woman doesn't care that it's a Halloween decoration up temporarily, not something he has hanging all year round. She doesn't care that it is, indeed, his right to put up whatever he wants. She doesn't care that it's on his own private property. The only thing she cares about is that she is offended, damn it, so he must pay, the insensitive asshole.
Here's another funny little nugget:
But Lynch says it's no laughing matter. She says it's a hate crime against her religion."Look at Louisiana, it's the same thing, what if a black family burned crosses, or nooses it would be the same thing, " says Lynch.
And if the owner still doesn't take the Witch down from its noose by Halloween, Lynch plans to protest outside his home.
She says it's not only a hate crime against her religion, but offensive to the entire community.
Yes, a Halloween decoration that a "witch" is offended by is surely offensive not only to her, but to the entire community. I bet people drive by his house all the time shaking their heads, thinking, "That is so cruel to the witches of Chicopee." And I especially love how she equates a Halloween decoration to real hate crimes! Yes, a Halloween decoration of a hanging witch, that you can probably buy for less than $20 at any Wal-Mart in the country, is the same thing as the KKK burning crosses into a black family's yard.
There is just too much hate in this country, people! This woman is offended, and her feelings are hurt, so we need to all bend over backwards to make sure she is appeased!
Telling her to grow up and get over herself is, of course, not an option. Not at all.
Now, let me point something out. Let's pretend this is a different scenario. Let's say it's April, Lynch has just moved into the neighborhood and introduces herself to her neighbor. She tells said neighbor that she has been practicing witchcraft since she was a child. Neighbor gets angry and the next day, Lynch sees a hanging witch in her front yard.
That I could understand. But come on... it's a freaking Halloween decoration! She's going to protest in this guy's yard over a Halloween decoration?! And of course, we all have to agree with her. If anyone, ever, is offended then there must be repercussions for us insensitive jerks who don't care.
By the way, this is the decoration that Lynch is hyperventilating over:
It's so true to life, no wonder she's offended!
All sarcasm aside -- how long are we going to tolerate the "I'm offended, therefore I am" crowd? How long before we're only allowed to say or do certain things so that no one will be "offended"? I mean, take Lynch. How long before only certain Halloween decorations are approved for our use, all in the name of making sure that she doesn't get her pwecious wittle feewings hurt? The rights of her neighbor mean absolutely nothing to her.
Sound scary yet? 1984, here we come.
Hat Tip: Moonbattery
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Comments (48)
Oh good grief. When readin... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jake | October 16, 2007 11:19 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Oh good grief. When reading about witchcraft I always see it stressed at real witches are NOTHING like the witches portrayed at Halloween-- that they have NOTHING in common... so why is Lynch getting worked up over this? It's ridiculous.
1. Posted by Jake | October 16, 2007 11:19 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 11:19
2. Posted by Kim Priestap | October 16, 2007 11:27 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Great post, Cassy.
2. Posted by Kim Priestap | October 16, 2007 11:27 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 11:27
3. Posted by Matt | October 16, 2007 11:34 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
How come Witch Lynch isn't protesting cable channels that might show the Wizard of Oz and it's dispecable treatment of witches? They crushed one, and melted one!
Guess there isn't an IQ requirement for the coven.
Think she might be interested in a fact finding trip to the middle east to see how they treat witches?
3. Posted by Matt | October 16, 2007 11:34 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 11:34
4. Posted by RobLACal | October 16, 2007 11:50 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Nancy Pelosi at high noon. Justice served lol.
4. Posted by RobLACal | October 16, 2007 11:50 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 11:50
5. Posted by No One of Consequence | October 16, 2007 11:57 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
So, a witch named "Lynch" is protesting a lynched witch?
5. Posted by No One of Consequence | October 16, 2007 11:57 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 11:57
6. Posted by DaveD | October 16, 2007 12:04 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I've been falling a little behind. I wonder if she could bring her broom over and help me with some cleaning I gotta get done?
6. Posted by DaveD | October 16, 2007 12:04 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:04
7. Posted by roy | October 16, 2007 12:07 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
If she was REAL witch, she'd just wriggle her nose and the thing would dissapear.
7. Posted by roy | October 16, 2007 12:07 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:07
8. Posted by Jer | October 16, 2007 12:10 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
More pc nonsense. In poor taste, maybe. A hate crime, I think not.
8. Posted by Jer | October 16, 2007 12:10 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:10
9. Posted by ODA315 | October 16, 2007 12:11 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"I guess pushing that Turkey-Armenien vote had significant repurcussions"
lololol, thanks for the idea Rob.
9. Posted by ODA315 | October 16, 2007 12:11 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:11
10. Posted by 914 | October 16, 2007 12:11 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Maybe they shoulda burned Her at the stake instead?
Then it would only have been a love crime.
10. Posted by 914 | October 16, 2007 12:11 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:11
11. Posted by 914 | October 16, 2007 12:13 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
If it were a hate crime they would have burned Her at the stake.
11. Posted by 914 | October 16, 2007 12:13 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:13
12. Posted by mantis | October 16, 2007 12:19 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Sound scary yet? 1984, here we come.
Yeah, because one crazy neighbor saying stupid things = Oceania's Ministry of Truth. Not hyperbolic at all.
12. Posted by mantis | October 16, 2007 12:19 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:19
13. Posted by yetanotherjohn | October 16, 2007 12:31 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
You know, I feel emotional distress and anxiety every time I think about the democrats getting into office, raising taxes, handing AQ victory in Iraq and deciding whether I can go to a doctor. So if I am offended by those political yard signs promoting a democrat for office, can I be offended so that they have to take it down? I know it's their constitutional right, but I want it down. Its just like the KKK burning crosses. It just tells me as an American who loves this country that I am next.
And what about those TV ads supporting democrats. I want those down also.
Gee, this "I'm a victim so you have to shut up and do what I say" is easy.
13. Posted by yetanotherjohn | October 16, 2007 12:31 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:31
14. Posted by brainy435 | October 16, 2007 12:44 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Man, did that neighbor miss an opportunity. Just ONE well-placed "She turned me into a Newt!"
Comedy gold....
14. Posted by brainy435 | October 16, 2007 12:44 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 12:44
15. Posted by nooseneck23 | October 16, 2007 1:08 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The Washington Post now writes that nooses are like Christmas Trees, OK on private property, taboo on public.
15. Posted by nooseneck23 | October 16, 2007 1:08 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:08
16. Posted by Von | October 16, 2007 1:41 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Holy crap! This reminds me of that lady who hung herself, only to be mistaken as a Halloween decoration. Anyway, this witch needs to chill out. I don't celebrate Halloween, but I'm not gonna stop people from celebrating it.
yetanotherjohn, I agree with you 100%!
16. Posted by Von | October 16, 2007 1:41 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:41
17. Posted by Butch S | October 16, 2007 1:46 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
tells you how much time she has on her hands to just ride around looking for decorations that offend her....how dumb
17. Posted by Butch S | October 16, 2007 1:46 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:46
18. Posted by mojo | October 16, 2007 1:56 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Toss her in a pond. If she floats, burn her.
...
What?
18. Posted by mojo | October 16, 2007 1:56 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 13:56
19. Posted by DANEgerus | October 16, 2007 2:06 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
As a straight White Male I am not welcome in any of the 'Liberal' designated victim groups.
So... based upon my exclusion, I am offended.
19. Posted by DANEgerus | October 16, 2007 2:06 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:06
20. Posted by The Listkeeper | October 16, 2007 2:07 PM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Yes, we SHOULD be willing to tolerate people displaying hanged witches, niggers, spics, Jews, etc. It's all in good fun, after all.
20. Posted by The Listkeeper | October 16, 2007 2:07 PM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:07
21. Posted by Andrea Shea King | October 16, 2007 2:10 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Good post, Cassie,
Tonight on my radio program I will be interviewing Salem's self-proclaimed Official Witch Laurie Cabot about this issue.
Last night I interviewed the director of education at the Salem Witch Museum.
Details about how you can listen to both programs are at my website:
http://radiopatriot.blogspot.com
Andrea Shea King, host
"A Conversation with Andrea and..." on BlogTalkRadio
&
"The Andrea Shea King Show" on AM 580 WDBO, Orlando FL
www.ASKShow.com
21. Posted by Andrea Shea King | October 16, 2007 2:10 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:10
22. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2007 2:17 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
If this young woman is offended by Halloween decorations, she is going to be spending a lot of time being offended each fall - at least until the Stalinists, I mean Democrats, outlaw all depictions of witches (offending Wiccans), monsters (offending steroid cheat freaks like Barry Bonds and Marion Jones), bloody knives (offending OJ), ghosts (offending Robert Byrd), black cats (offending PETA), and pumpkins (offending vegans).
Let the "inclusive" Democrats at it, and all you'll be able to decorate with in the fall are leaves (and their local city councils will probably pass an ordinance against that, too).
22. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2007 2:17 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:17
23. Posted by Paul Hooson | October 16, 2007 2:37 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Absolutely outrageous. There was clearly no intent to intimidate someone because of their race, ethnic group or religion to establish the premise for a hate crimes offense. This absurd case could make it difficult to effectively use hate crime laws to shut down violent organizations or arrest persons involved in the extreme violence associated with geniune hate crimes offenses if the case comes to a court.
I'm also distressed that some in the religious community wrongly campaign that hate crimes legislation meant to protect Gay Americans from unprovoked violence would arrest preachers for merely preaching church doctrines that forbid Gay sex practices among church members. This also wrongly blurs the issue of the limited use of hate crimes laws as a law enforcement tool to stop planned and organized extreme violence and has nothing to do with the free practice of religion in the U.S.
23. Posted by Paul Hooson | October 16, 2007 2:37 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:37
24. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 2:38 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Well I can see the Great Pumpkin isn't going to visit everybody's patch this year.
==================================
24. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 2:38 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:38
25. Posted by Eric Forhan | October 16, 2007 2:43 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Is that a Hillary Clinton mask?
25. Posted by Eric Forhan | October 16, 2007 2:43 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:43
26. Posted by USMC Pilot | October 16, 2007 2:46 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I saw this as a stupid story about stupid people until I got to the picture. If I had young children, I'm not sure that I would want them to see this in the yard next door. It seems just a bit too life like for little kids, so he's nuts for putting it up and she's nuts for wanting down for the wrong reason.
26. Posted by USMC Pilot | October 16, 2007 2:46 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:46
27. Posted by pennywit | October 16, 2007 3:16 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Stories like this often make me wonder if there is some background tension between the neighbors.
--|PW|--
27. Posted by pennywit | October 16, 2007 3:16 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 15:16
28. Posted by epador | October 16, 2007 3:20 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I have to agree with USMC Pilot. It's the hanging thing, along with the human face, that is poor taste. Its not so long ago in this country we burned and drowned people accused of being witches (more often than not they WEREN'T Wiccan), and that in and of itself is a sad part of history better not made light of. Now, the witches on brooms flying into light poles, that's more lighthearted and shouldn't be taken offensively.
28. Posted by epador | October 16, 2007 3:20 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 15:20
29. Posted by Kapow | October 16, 2007 3:24 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I agree with Pennywit - most likely there's more to this story than were are being told.
Lame story, wierd losers, hyper-ventilating post.
1984 though, really? I must have missed the part where they cancelled Halloween. You know Orwell was a socialist, don't you Cassy?
29. Posted by Kapow | October 16, 2007 3:24 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 15:24
30. Posted by Steve | October 16, 2007 4:11 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
If I was the guy who had the Halloween decoration, I think I would have told her to hop on her broomstick and fly the frack outta here!!!
30. Posted by Steve | October 16, 2007 4:11 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:11
31. Posted by Scott in CA | October 16, 2007 4:12 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The guy should have gone outside and hung up another witch. Then told her to get stuffed....or whatever witches do.
31. Posted by Scott in CA | October 16, 2007 4:12 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:12
32. Posted by Candy | October 16, 2007 4:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The first comment by Jake hit the nail on the head: I live in a town with a LOT of Wiccans, and they make quite a point of letting us know that they are completely unlike the hollywood version of witches.
I also agree with USMC Pilot that something like that could really scare little kids.
I am interested to hear what Laurie Cabot has to say about all of this. I lived in Salem, Ma. years ago, as well as attending college there. Laurie is THE witch in Salem, so her take on this matter will carry weight in the witch community.
32. Posted by Candy | October 16, 2007 4:22 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:22
33. Posted by Candy | October 16, 2007 4:24 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
(I hope they don't make people take down those witches that look like they flew into a tree, because I LOVE those!)
33. Posted by Candy | October 16, 2007 4:24 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:24
34. Posted by DB | October 16, 2007 5:22 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,302197,00.html
So in 2007 it is hate crime while during the past 6 years it was was just a decoration. Guys it Halloween you want to scare the kids. I wonder if they will take down the hanging skeletons at party city. Me I would keep it in the house out of Public view until someone opens the door.
34. Posted by DB | October 16, 2007 5:22 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 17:22
35. Posted by Cassy | October 16, 2007 6:16 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The 1984 comment was not specifically geared towards Halloween. It's the bigger picture -- for example, how long before everything needs to be pre-approved in order to keep people from being offended? I just saw this as yet another example of how we are slowly but surely sliding in that direction, and the "I'm offended, therefore I am" crowd, like this lady, are helping quite a bit.
Make more sense now?
35. Posted by Cassy | October 16, 2007 6:16 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 18:16
36. Posted by nogo war | October 16, 2007 6:46 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
This is a very clever post...
Just like Christmas...Mothers Day...Fathers Day...
Wal-Mart etc...make big money off of this...
If you all think Holiday's...any Holiday...is not pushed by retail ...and of course coveting your neighbor's response to a Holiday..so you have to "keep up"....
The great thing about Halloween?
The business community pushing the myth of apple razor blades....has scared parents into going to shopping malls...(Christmas sales)...instead of neighborhood homes..
You...or anyone you know ever get a razor blade in an apple?
36. Posted by nogo war | October 16, 2007 6:46 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 18:46
37. Posted by brainy435 | October 16, 2007 7:27 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Will someone... please... lower that idiots... alloted... number of periods... per comment?
37. Posted by brainy435 | October 16, 2007 7:27 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 19:27
38. Posted by marc | October 16, 2007 7:45 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Brainy435 - its not so much the periods but what's between than that rankles. For example:
You...or anyone you know ever get a razor blade in an apple?
Personally? No. But despite your non-belief (or should that read "lunacy induced ignorance?") there is documented proof of it happening.
Nitist of wits, that's nogo.