It must have been a quiet day at 6 News when they reported on complaints over the bloody effigy of a crucified Santa Claus, exhibited outside a house in Corpus Christi, Texas. According to a local news report, the nailed-up Santa is being described as offensive and inappropriate by some local residents.
But Aaron Olivares, who created the display, claims his crucified Santa is just “a Christmas ornament.”
“It’s December, it’s Christmas time. It is just a Christmas ornament.”
6 News were not to be so easily fobbed off by such festive excuses, and reporter Heather Jackson probed deeper, wondering if there was not something far more sacrilegious (perhaps even something Satanic?) going on with this bloody-faced, “zombie” Santa, nailed to a cross and topped with a crown of barbwire. But Olivares proved to be intransigent to questioning:
Aaron: “The crown of barbwire? A little more decoration. That is about it.”
Heather: “You never thought about the Jesus reference or..?”
Aaron: “Naw, it really, it didn’t come to me like that, I didn’t see nothing offensive on it…It’s nothing Satanic it is just decorations for Christmas.”
When asked whether it could be construed as being offensive to Christians, Olivares said no, claiming he was religious:
“I’m Christian, I mean there is a God and there is a devil.”
But some local residents do think it is offensive, like Rick Mesa:
“The cross is the big thing. The cross. Santa Claus is you know well, you can put Santa Claus on a hood, put Santa Claus on your roof, put Santa Claus in your yard, why put him on a cross?”
Though some neighbors don’t seem to mind, like Blanca Perelta, who lives directly across the street.
“It doesn’t really bother me. Everyone likes it who brings me home. My friends all joke about it.”
Either way, Aaron Olivares isn’t moved:
“Get out of my yard. If you don’t like it ... don’t drive by here.”
Aaron’s a Gadsden flag in human form. Don’t tread on him! Dude don’t care what you think.
Via Arbroath