Yesterday, a private group called the Florida Nativity Scene Committee was installing a manger display in the Capitol in Tallahassee. The Miami Herald reported that another group, Reclaim Christ for Christmas, intends to add the Three Wise Men.
The ACLU warned that by allowing private groups to set up religious displays, the state was opening itself up to having to allow all sorts of individual monuments. By 9 p.m. last night, Deerfield Beach activist Chaz Stevens was writing to the governor, asking for authorization to build his festivus pole -- an 8-foot-tall contraption made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans -- right next to the manger.
Stevens is notorious for using relentless tactics to expose political corruption. Last year, he erected a festivus pole -- an idea cribbed from Seinfeld and what Stevens described as an "anti-religious" symbol -- next to a manger and menorah on city-owned property in Deerfield Beach after the ACLU backed his position that if one symbol was allowed, others would also have to be allowed. In response, this year, Deerfield opted not to allow any holiday decorations.
Stevens wrote to Governor Scott's office yesterday:
"This year, the city has prohibited all private displays. Which means, good news, my pole is free (no pun intended).Therefore, we'd like to make the trip to Tallahassee and erect the pole next to the manger.
Kindly let me know when's a good time."
As of this morning, Stevens had not received a response.
Stay tuned -- This oughta be good.
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