NOW they're flipping out over the statue of Lenin here in Seattle.

[nolabear]

Last edited Sat Jun 20, 2020, 09:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Boy, we’re apparently the epicenter of the socio-communist takeover of America around here. First CHAZ/CHOP and now Lenin!!! 😱

The RW has lost its mind over the statue of Lenin in Freemont.

Okay, for the uninformed, there is indeed a statue of Lenin in Freemont, the self-proclaimed Center of the Universe and actually a pretty cool area not exactly in the city but in the city limits. Freemont also has a giant troll, a statue of people endlessly waiting for a bus, a giant rocket ship, and a Solstice parade that features amazing homemade floats and naked bicyclists.

The statue was bought by some businessman to attract attention, it’s on private property though in the middle of everything, and is decorated and defaced enthusiastically all the time.

But hey, any cult has to have an enemy. You’re welcome, California. 🤷🏼?♀️

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I visited the USSR in 1986 during Gorbachev's tenure

When I went with my grandmother and her peace group to their sister town. Things were "opening up" under his "Glasnost" policy and statues of Lenin and Stalin were disappearing as they sunk into disfavor. Maybe Putin, the KGB guy, would be interested in the one in Fremont...

[BComplex]

12. And that time frame was what Bernie was talking about, saying nice things about Russia,

as they were opening up. But here on DU, it was said to make it look like he was ready to turn the USA over to the KGB. I don't care whose side you're on: twisting things to make good people look bad is not "fair"....supposedly fairness is something democrats traditionally care about.

[SeattleVet]

2. They've been going on about that statue for years.

People need to realize that here in Seattle some folks like to ... uh ... 'accessorize' our statues. The righties don't see it as the kitschy bit of artwork that we do. Lenin has been graced with rainbow feather boas, fancy hats, and even been wired to make fart sounds when his finger was pulled. Yeah, it's definitely a 'sign of the takeover' here in Seattle, but it's more creative and less ideological than they would like to portray. Just imagine doing something like that with a statue of Reagan and see how they scream!

Waiting for the Interurban gets a seasonal change of clothing and accessories. The Fremont Troll is loved a LOT by locals. The rocket used to take quarters to make steam come out...not sure if that's still hooked up or not.

[nolabear]

7. Nice summation. Humor has apparently died in many places.

I mean, c’mon...

[Warpy]

3. And my town sports a 1954 Chevy on a tiled arch

Things are getting just a little Puritan out there.

Since people are having so much fun with him, leaving Lenin there sounds like a great plan. I have no use for him, he turned Communism from an idealistic movement that might actually have worked to transition Russia to democracy into the dictatorship of the party, the party assuming all the roles once filled by aristocrats, including feeding lavishly at the public trough. Now they're back to a strongman and a bunch of oligarchs. I suppse hemophilia and a mad monk are next.

[JonLP24]

4. From what I read it is on private property

It has already been vandalized many times.

He also wasn't a slave owner.

[diddlysquat]

6. The last time I drove by that statue of Lenin

Someone had painted his hands red......as if they were dripping with blood. The statue was not meant to honor Lenin (at least here in Seattle) but to make the opposite political statement.

[nolabear]

8. I saw that. I also saw him in a negligee once.

People just need to point and holler these days. 🙄

[Igel]

10. But intent doesn't matter.

If it's offensive to somebody ...

(I personally don't mind being offended. Sometimes I learn something. Often I learn that my offense was misplaced and I shouldn't be so quick to judge and slow to listen. But I'm over 60 and these are old-fashioned, obsolete, even harmful values for many so I should just delete myself if I can't genuflect before the righteous. Of course, we don't use that word anymore either. The old symbol of reverence and respect is now called "taking a knee," I guess.)

[jmowreader]

11. I thought the hands were painted red when the statue arrived in Seattle

I’ve been to Fremont plenty of times, and they’ve always been red.

[BannonsLiver]

9. Hmm might as well topple that one too.

Lenin was an asshole.

[TheBlackAdder]

13. Could always put an ice pick in his head. Isn't that how he died?