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Using Christmas decor to annoy the neighbors

BY Stephanie Klein  on December 11, 2012 @ 5:16 pm (Updated: 3:11 pm - 12/14/12 )

Reindeer lights
What do you do if your neighbor is using Christmas decor to make a statement? (MyNorthwest.com/Stephanie Klein)
Can you imagine being the dark house next to the house with 20,000 Christmas lights blaring into your front room window? Or imagine if those lights spelled out a political or religious message on the front lawn.

Covenants for Mediterranean Villas say a man in their Pasco, Wash. neighborhood is violating the rules with a 6 feet by 3-and-a-half feet sign that reads "Jesus is the reason for the season."

The sign shouldn't be more than 2 feet by 2 feet.

Homeowner Tim Meeker says he thinks it's the message not the sign's size that the association finds objectionable, and he won't take it down.

But the association says the Jesus message would be welcome on a sign the right size.

KIRO Radio's Luke Burbank wonders if Meeker would feel as accepting of other messages his neighbors could potentially post in their yards.

"How would you feel if somebody next to you of similar size that said Allahu Akbar?" asks Luke. 'Allah is the reason for the Season.' I bet this guy would be less than psyched."

Or perhaps a seemingly dead reindeer bleeding out in a Shoreline, Wash. homeowner's yard?

If you're contemplating a possible offensive, religious, or political sign during the holidays, Luke suggests running through a scenario in your head beforehand.

"Just ask yourself 'how would I feel if someone else was putting up a giant thing touting their world view.' If your truly honest answer is 'no problemo, then go for it."

Let's hope the Shoreline homeowner doesn't live next door to a PETA activist.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Stephanie joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2008. She has built the site into a two-time National Edward R. Murrow Award winner (Best Radio Website 2010, 2012).
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Comments (4)


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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    I dig the meat pole reindeer.
    December 14, 2012 3:22 pm
    Wish I would have though of that first! Too funny.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ye Olde Hagge wrote...
    Um, Luke is an idiot
    December 15, 2012 10:33 am
    Jesus IS the reason for the season (or the reason made up to allow Christians to more comfortably accept a pagan celebration) and Allah is not. If someone else put up an reasonably appropriate-for-the-holiday sign about Allah that would be okay. I would find any 6x3 foot sign less annoying than having a neighbor channel Clark Griswold, or those stupid inflatable decorations (who thought those were an attractive idea????).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Constitutional Right to be a Moron
    December 16, 2012 10:20 am
    Is guaranteed. (supposedly)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    And that right is taken advantage of frequently
    December 16, 2012 11:51 am
    Out here on this blog.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }