Yeah, it’s pretty bad visually but could have been worse. He used to do a great running gag about worshipping his dog Newton’s butt that was hilarious. I’ll have to ask how Newton’s doing.

Apparently the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers put up details, including pictures of this years display and the applications and the rejection letters for both years over at http://www.wintersolsticedisplay.info/. It redirects to http://web.me.com/suzique99/WSD/Winter_Solstice.html if you’d rather just go there directly.

The weird thing about this is that both of the Freethinkers’ letters give an extensive description of the display. In 2008 the response says “at this time we are unable to fully determine the appearance or qualities of your proposed display” and in 2009 they don’t even bother saying anything like that. The 2009 letter rejects it with no reason given besides that the Ark. Secretary of State is charged with “preserving and maintaining proper order and decorum on the State Capital Grounds.”
Maybe their display isn’t the best (honestly, I’d rather see a simple sign like FFRF’s Winter Solstice one from Washington last year), but it seems that maintaing proper order and decorum would involve allowing all points of view to be displayed.
The “it doesn’t fit in with our holiday tone” statement is incredibly arbitrary.

Hey, Robert — What part of the state are you in?

Remember, this is the same state that also brought us The Duggars, Mike Huckabee, and Arnold Murray. As a member of a freethought group in Arkansas, maybe I need to be a little more active in my corner of the state. The nuts have had a “monopoly on freespeech” way too long.

And don’t forget Rapture Ready is based in Arkansas. I forgot about the Duggars momentarily, but I have no idea how.

I think there are several things that could potentially be used on a display like that. Anything from the historical celebrations of the winter solstice, to a simple display of family and friends enjoying each other’s company. Perhaps they only have a shoestring budget and can’t afford the props required to make something like this, though.

especially when we’re talking about the same state that brought us Will Phillips.

Remember, this is the same state that also brought us The Duggars, Mike Huckabee, and Arnold Murray. As a member of a freethought group in Arkansas, maybe I need to be a little more active in my corner of the state. The nuts have had a “monopoly on freespeech” way too long.