Man Sets Christmas Tree, American Flag, Self on Fire

[Ben]

Considering he did this in Bakersfield (quite conservative for CA for those not familiar with it), I'm actually surprised the cops used fire extinguishers instead of dousing him with more fuel... 

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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,238505,00.html

California Man Sets Himself, American Flag, Christmas Tree on Fire to Protest Religious Names

Saturday , December 23, 2006

 

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.  A man used flammable liquid to light himself on fire, apparently to protest a San Joaquin Valley school district's decision to change the names of winter and spring breaks to Christmas and Easter vacation.

The man, who was not immediately identified, on Friday also set fire to a Christmas tree, an American flag and a revolutionary flag replica, said Fire Captain Garth Milam.

Seeing the flames, Sheriff's Deputy Lance Ferguson grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran to the man.

Flames were devouring a Christmas tree next to the Liberty Bell, where public events and demonstrations are common.

Beside the tree the man stood with an American flag draped around his shoulders and a red gas can over his head.

Seeing the deputy, the man poured the liquid over his head. He quickly burst into flames when the fumes from the gas met the flames from the tree.

The deputy ordered the man to drop to the ground as he and a parole agent sprayed him with fire extinguishers.

"The man stood there like this," the deputy said with his arms across his chest and his head bent down, "Saying no, no, no."

The man suffered first degree burns on his shoulders and arms, Milam said.

Kern County Sheriff's Deputy John Leyendecker said the man had a sign that read: "(expletive) the religious establishment and KHSD."

On Thursday, the Kern High School Board of Trustees voted to use the names Christmas and Easter instead of winter and spring breaks.

[Cromlech]

All that over 'Christmas' and 'Easter'?

Idiot.

[Desertdog]

And they say "Christians" are the problem?  

[brimic]

My hat's off to the man. One of the rare instances where a liberal puts their money where their mouth is. Good one on him, I hope other lefties take a cue.

[Antibubba]

And they say "Christians" are the problem?

Fanatics of any sort are the problem.

[Stand_watie]

My hat's off to the man. One of the rare instances where a liberal puts their money where their mouth is. Good one on him, I hope other lefties take a cue.

I agree. I even agree with the shoe on the other foot (mind you I'm a conservative). An angry (enough to do murder or serious bodily harm to an innocent) conservative, upset with changing holiday names from "Easter" and "Christmas" to "spring" and "winter" holidays should also be encouraged to set themselves afire rather than doing harm to innocents.  While I'm fond of Christmas trees, and I respect the flag, neither is as important to me as another person or even a sentient animal. For anyone who is likely to do harm to another (innocent)  person, I'll personally pay for, and deconsecrate a Christmas tree and a flag for them to set alight while they fire themselves up rather than killing neighbors, co-workers or strangers at a Luby's. 

[Tallpine]

Now, if we can only convince the anti-gun folks to shoot themselves in the head in protest 

[Stand_watie]

Now, if we can only convince the anti-gun folks to shoot themselves in the head in protest 

NO!!!

Head shooting is a less reliable method of suicide that often leaves surviving emotional reminders to inspire/motivate the "guns are ba'aaaad, blame the method rather than the motive" blissninnies (see Sarah Brady). While becoming pro-gun and non-murderous should be our goal for anti-gummers, I'd say if we have to pick a method for them to kill themselves, jumping off of tall buildings should be the goal.

[mustanger98]

From what I understand, either way is way too messy.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Now, if we can only convince the anti-gun folks to shoot themselves in the head in protest 

NO!!!

Head shooting is a less reliable method of suicide that often leaves surviving emotional reminders to inspire/motivate the "guns are ba'aaaad, blame the method rather than the motive" blissninnies (see Sarah Brady). While becoming pro-gun and non-murderous should be our goal for anti-gummers, I'd say if we have to pick a method for them to kill themselves, jumping off of tall buildings should be the goal.

Is it really true that shooting oneself in the head is an unreliable way to suicide?  That seems hard to believe...

[gunsmith]

now...lets not thread drift to much....

I think I'll pray for the guy.......

I hope they re introduce school prayer so the kids can pray for him too!

[Stand_watie]

Now, if we can only convince the anti-gun folks to shoot themselves in the head in protest 

NO!!!

Head shooting is a less reliable method of suicide that often leaves surviving emotional reminders to inspire/motivate the "guns are ba'aaaad, blame the method rather than the motive" blissninnies (see Sarah Brady). While becoming pro-gun and non-murderous should be our goal for anti-gummers, I'd say if we have to pick a method for them to kill themselves, jumping off of tall buildings should be the goal.

Is it really true that shooting oneself in the head is an unreliable way to suicide?  That seems hard to believe...

"Unreliable" is a judgement call I guess. Probably it's more reliable than pills or wrist cutting. People tend to forget the "flinch factor" from what I've heard. A friend of mine who worked in the emergency room told of a guy they saw for attempted suicide three times, the first two with a handgun.

[brimic]

A friend of mine who worked in the emergency room told of a guy they saw for attempted suicide three times, the first two with a handgun.

My BIL responded to welfare call when an elderly couple's house was quiet after Y2k. They must have thought the end of the world was near and a murder-suicide occurred in their basement. The old man blew his wife's head off with a shotgun then shot himself in the face with it. My BIL said it was a pump shotgun and unbelievably managed to shoot himself in the head twice before he checked out.

[Lennyjoe]

Stupid is as stupid does!

There are better ways to getting your point across than torching your own ass.  I'm passionate about alot of things but hurting myself in the process of making a statement is stupid.