Offensive signs cause stir in St. Petersburg's Old Northeast neighborhood

[Sancho]

ST. PETERSBURG — Behind the fuchsia flowers and the bubbling fountain, the signs broadcast their messages in black capitals: No fags. No Jews. No infidels. No retards. The last sign, an allusion to President Donald Trump's campaign slogan, bore only the words "… Great again!"

On Saturday evening, the signs appeared in front of 303 27th Ave. N. Neighbors bristled in response. They posted frantically on the neighborhood forum, trying to figure out how to get the signs taken down. Cars doubled back past the house as people stopped to gawk and snap photos. By Sunday evening, the signs were gone, but for the neighborhood, the damage had been done.

City code allows "free speech signs" on private property and the city cannot differentiate based on content. City officials declined to comment on whether the signs violated any standards for hate speech.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/offensive-signs-cause-stir-in-st-petersburgs-old-northeast-neighborhood/2326256

[ExciteBike66]

1. This may be offensive, but

my bet is that after the guy put up the "No Retards" sign, his head exploded and he moved out...

[lovemydogs]

4. I was thinking along the same lines

[MosheFeingold]

2. Sounds lovely

Off topic, but the last line of the article mentions rules against "hate speech".

Welll, what the heck is "hate speech"? Who gets to decide?

Is saying "Trump is a moron!" hate speech? Or just a fact? To a Trumpist it's hate.

Or "Jews are pigs and apes!" To a fundamentalist Muslim that's a nice informative quote from the Koran. Obviously I'd find that offensive, as would most members of my little Tribe.

Etc. in general, unless words are actually directions to violence, incitement to crime or riot, there is little to be done (or that should be done) by the government.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Sounds about right.

All groups which fall low on many people's barometer's of concern.

[hatrack]

5. Come on, Floridians - what are paintball guns FOR?

.