hatemobile vandalized

[ranger1.livejournal.com]

Some of you might be familiar with a house that my neighbors have dubbed "the House of Hate." It's the one on Cherry Street (between Highland and Summer) that's covered in large signs with various fundamentalist Christian slogans. The owners also have three (?) cars with similar signs mounted on the roof of each.

Anyway.... coming home from work tonight, I noticed one of their cars had been vandalized. Someone spray-painted anarchy symbols and "Satan" on the car. I've always disapproved of their signs, especially the one about gay people going to hell, but I thought that was pretty lame.

I wonder how the community has reacted to their presence over time. I've only lived here for 2 years, but I get the impression that people generally leave 'em alone. (Well, except for last night.)

Comments

my main complaint about that house

[cthulhia]

is that it is so hateful and intolerant.
it bums me out that my neighborhood is responding in kind.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Huh. I saw that on the way home, too. I only noticed the anarchy symbol painted on the big sign on top. Shame that someone felt the need to stoop so low as to deface the car, even though I don't personally agree with the sentiments expressed by it. *sigh*

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

yeah i always heard it called the "bible thumping house." here's my philosophy: they are passive in their hate. sure, the property value has plummeted on that street because of them (great for renters!).

but i mean mostly they throw hateful stuff up on their house. and that's their right to free speech. if they were out harassing people or yelling at passerby or otherwise actively causing torment to others i might condone in-kind actions.

but they're just expressing an opinion on their own personal property, hateful as it may be. the true in-kind gesture would have been from the vandalas to express *themselves* on *their own* private property.

"i may not agree with what you say, but i will fight to the death your right to say it" -- who said this??

that i think sums up the situation here.

[unferth.livejournal.com]

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." is widely but apparently incorrectly attributed to Voltaire (the French philosopher rather than the goth musician.) It's at best a paraphrase.

This glossary site (http://www.plexoft.com/SBF/V02.html#Voltaire) has the full story with the correct attribution.

[nepenthedreams]

I never really slowed down enough to read the slogans (other than a few glimpses of "Jesus" and "God") but I always found that house to be a curiousity and drove past it each time I went to the gym. I even showed it to a friend of mine because I thought it was so creepy.

Cool, I feel an odd sort of community now with you folks.

[enmascarado.livejournal.com]

I've seen the cars, never read them. I don't find it much different from people who cover their cars in bumper stickers or their backpacks with patches and buttons.
-Dan

[kathrot.livejournal.com]

I've always been fascinated by cars covered in 'stuff', for lack of a better adjective. I've driven and walked past their house on a number of occasions, and seen the car around. To me, it's just comedic value -- a little chuckle and keep moving.
The fact that someone vandalized their car gives their beliefs about the rest of the world credence. Now that those damn gays/liberals/punks/etc. have attacked them, they feel all the more justified in their hate.
So sad.

[stolidkitten.livejournal.com]

i'm sorry to ask this but i was wondering what 88 meant. i have a shirt that said that and i got critisized for it. if you could tell me it would be greatyly appreciated.

[kathrot.livejournal.com]

well...the 88 is a bus line that runs through Davis Square.
i don't know about any other more sinister meanings.

[ex-fauxpas266.livejournal.com]

I think it has meaning to neo-Nazis -- 'h' is the eighth letter of the alphabet; 88 stands for "heil Hitler."

Re:

[stolidkitten.livejournal.com]

thanks now i have a little bit more understanding. gosh is there meanings behind every number?....

[mathematic.livejournal.com]

The House of Hate makes me happy for only one reason. A former landlord of mine lives directly across the street! In my years of renting, he was the absolute worst. Hope he enjoys his lovely view!