Groups call for Hindu, vegan displays at Arkansas Capitol

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ALLEN REED

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Capitol lawn could soon get crowded: Existing statues that honor Confederate soldiers, fallen firefighters and the nine black children who integrated Little Rock Central High School might be joined shortly by tributes for vegans, a monkey-faced deity and a cloven-hooved demon.

State legislators this year approved placing a privately funded Ten Commandments display on Capitol grounds, perhaps opening a way for religious groups and others to erect their own displays. The Satanic Temple has said it may erect a bronze Baphomet, and on Tuesday two more groups stepped forward to say they want space to promote their deeply held beliefs.

The Nevada-based Universal Society of Hinduism proposes a statue of Lord Hanuman, an immortal deity with an ape-like face and a tail known for incredible strength, perseverance and devotion.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals told The Associated Press it wants a massive vegetable banner hung from the Arkansas Capitol.

FULL story at link.



A monument to Confederate women stands on the grounds of the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Statues and memorials could be joined by a monument of a Hindu monkey-faced god turning the Arkansas Capitol into a menagerie following the Legislature's decision to allow a privately funded Ten Commandments display. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/008c6d2a84c0410cbef46431b4add316/groups-call-hindu-vegan-displays-arkansas-capitol

[KamaAina]

1. Veganism is a religion?!

Although, come to think of it, I do know someone who practices it religiously.

[msongs]

3. sincerely held beliefs cover a wide range nt

[Igel]

5. What if my "sincerely held beliefs"

include that PETA people should be hung on the capitol next to their banner?

(Next up will be a request for a purple pony, but first things first.)

[Darb]

17. Less than funny, and quite in line with the sentiments of people that shall

remain nameless due to roving bands of crybabies.

What are you, a member of PUTA?

People for the Unethical Treatment of Animals?

Like to cinch up animals ballsacks for sport, do ya?

[NuclearDem]

18. Request granted! Enjoy your purple pony.

[Codeine]

23. Then you'd be a dick. nt

[restorefreedom]

4. i actually do consider it part of my spiritual constitution

not to harm animals. it is very deeply ingrained in many buddhist, jain, and hindu traditions.

[Renew Deal]

6. Yes, but perplexingly they worship the tomato

[awoke_in_2003]

9. Tomato is the root of Marinara...

the true blood of the FSM

[msanthrope]

12. Ramen! nt

[awoke_in_2003]

13. Thank you.

I am not a Pastafarian (natural born cynic), so I wasn't quite sure I had it right

[Archae]

2. PETA? In Arkansas? Bet they are REALLLY popular...

[Sunlei]

20. actually PETA stopped an event in Arkansas where they dropped live turkeys from a plane

off their website

For the second year in a row, the Yellville “Turkey Drop”—a part of the city’s annual Turkey Trot Festival, in which private planes drop flightless wild turkeys to their deaths from about 1,000 feet above the town—was stopped. Thank you to everyone who spoke out against this event, especially the countless Arkansas residents who made themselves heard. PETA’s reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of “turkey-drop” participants stands. Please know that we will push for a vigorous prosecution of anyone directly involved in future incidents as well as revocation of their pilots’ licenses.

[Archae]

21. That was an episode of "WKRP In Cincinnati"

Considering PETA's past record of deception, innuendo and hyperbole, I don't believe this report one bit.

[Sunlei]

22. you're incorrect.

[procon]

7. Those Arkansas lawmakers are brilliant.

I love vegetables. Everyone should celebrate veggies. They are good for you and come in so many shapes, sizes and colors. I'm not a vegan, but I might consider converting if they put up a monument of phallic shaped veggies.

[Chef Eric]

8. Reminds me of a song...

&list=RDLECquYcMFUw#t=0

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

10. I think a giant Rune Stone, capped with a huge Thor's Hammer would look good

I'm thinking 20 -30 feet tall, four sided and tapered to the top from a 10'x10' base. If only we could find a way for the various runes to glow at night. A nice soothing green glow.

[jmowreader]

14. Can do easy, GI

Make the rune stone hollow, create the runes from glass and install LEDs behind them, powered by a solar array at the top charging a motorcycle battery.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

15. I like that idea.

To be honest, I didn't think it all the way through. I was still at the giant Rune Stone made from solid marble stage.

Making it hollow would make life so much easier; mainly it solves the 'How the hell can I move a stone that size?' problem.

[jmowreader]

16. Moving it is easy too

Put slots for forklift tines at the base.

[LiberalElite]

11. The more the merrier!

Put 'em all up!

[Darb]

19. I think they should allow them all. It'd be a tourist attraction.

And the Holidays would be super great.