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Concern arises over flag display
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A Madison organization is asking for the Tibetan flag not to be displayed at the City County Building during the Dalai Lama's visit this May, even though the display has already been unanimously approved by the City Council.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation said the flag's display is inappropriate because the Dalai Lama is a religious leader.
According to FFRF co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, this act would set a dangerous precedent.
"What happens if the Pope visits?" Gaylor asked. "The City Council and the people of Madison have other means to show support for the people of Tibet without giving this special attention to the Dalai Lama."
Gaylor also said this commemoration makes it seem as though the Dalai Lama rules Tibet, even though Tibet is no longer a theocracy and the Dalai Lama is not a political head of state.
But members of Madison's Tibetan community have shown support for the display, saying it demonstrates respect for a prominent figure in their lives.
Tom Boman, spokesperson for the University of Wisconsin's Students for a Free Tibet organization, said the Dalai Lama does not just serve as a religious figure for the Tibetan community and criticized Gaylor for that implication.
"That in itself shows that she is not very aware of the situation, in my opinion," Boman said.
Boman, who attended the April 17 City Council meeting where the resolution was approved, said he believes City Council members were viewing the flag's display as an act of honoring a highly respected political figure.
"I feel that Madison supporting this decision shows a level of maturity and a level of understanding," Boman said.
Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, said religion did not factor into his decision to vote for the resolution.
"I strongly believe that we all had absolutely no intention of declaring one religion greater than another or endorsing religion," Judge said. "I think the city of Madison is simply honored that the Dalai Lama was coming to speak to our city, not as a representative of religion, but as a leader."
However, Gaylor said the Dalai Lama is not just a political figure — he is also a symbol of spirituality and religion. And, even if the Dalai Lama is only being viewed as a political figure, Gaylor said there is still no precedent to display the Tibetan flag.
"There's all kinds of downtrodden people around the world that we could be putting flags up for," Gaylor said. "Some of them are in need of liberation from the United States, but we don't have an Iraqi flag up at the City Council."
George Twigg, communications director for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, said the mayor still supports the City Council's decision to display the flag.
"The mayor felt it was appropriate," Twigg said.
The Dalai Lama, who won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to find a peaceful means to liberate Tibet, will be in Madison from May 2-4. During his visit, he will speak to UW students and community members at the Kohl Center.
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IP hash: 7c35366a
Goddamnit. I’m a pretty big fuckin’ fan of shit that Annie Laurie Gaylor does, but seriously… Any time a head of state rolls through town, even for some fascist asshole (not saying the Dalai Lama is, but like the Pope or something), if even just to raise awareness of her or his presence, we should fly their flag.
IP hash: 1960533f
That’s the FFRF for ya. One dumb thing after another.
IP hash: 97454428
You guys are just a bunch of hypocrites. And of course none of you can talk about anything without bringing up Iraq, which is totally irrelevant.
I’m sure you have more important things to deal with at the city council than what flag you’re flying outside the stupid building.
IP hash: d1e55e52
As a non-Christian, I generally agree with most of what FFRF does, but this is just ridiculous. Come on now. Since when has Buddhism ever been accused of trying to shove religion down people’s throats? Not to mention it’s a TIBETAN flag, not a Vatican or Israeli flag.
IP hash: e63132da
This just shows how pathetic the FFRF is and how desperate it is to remove all religion from society. Good thing must people don’t take them seriously.
IP hash: 24756c87
Comparing the vatican to israeli flag is retarded.
IP hash: d717f30a
“Not to mention it’s a TIBETAN flag, not a Vatican or Israeli flag.”
You’re an idiot. The Israeli flag isn’t representative of any one religion any more than is the flag of any of the 30 or so Muslim nations, or any of the predominantly Christian countries of Europe.
IP hash: 22767995
Does the County Council realize that the Dalai Lama will visit any place in the US that’s willing to pay his speaker fee? As if $75,000 wasn’t enough to “show respect.”
IP hash: 213641d5
As if $75,000 wasn’t enough to “show respect.”
Talk IS NOT cheap!!! But the Dalai Lama isn’t really that much.
Bill Clinton earned $31 million in speaking fees between 2001 and 2005.
IP hash: 75d56caf
Ah, bitching about a $75,000 speaker fee! My God, do you think a Government in Exile operating out of a third world country is going to fund itself?