Shout

[tracker7]

Thanksgiving tomorrow.  The week at work hasn't been as bad as I expected, but tonight looks like it'll be very busy - Thursday and Friday papers, plus a batch of Saturday and Sunday feature sections.  I've seen a lot of this stuff already cleared, but very likely not enough for my liking.

Got our first illegal house ad yesterday.  Because of fair housing regulations, we can't put any reference to a specific religious holiday in ads for houses, apartments, condos, anything.  Last year, there was lots of whining and venom about dem filthy libruls at the gol-dang Hurled-Leader and their war on Christmas over this, but the mouth-breathers who were yowling about it couldn't, apparently, be bothered to actually look at the paper, or they would have seen a great many Christmas (and one or two Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) messages in ads for cars, small shops, and various and sundry others.

Have watched lots of X-Files episodes on the SF Channel this week.  I'd forgotten how easy on the eyes Gillian Anderson was.

Pahrump, Nevada, has passed a law banning the display of flags besides the US, unless the US flag is displayed above the other.  I have undecorated BDUs.  I have Austrian flag patches.  But that's a hell of a drive, and I expect the ACLU will do a much better job of hammering this than I would.

Comments

housing ads

[caliah1.livejournal.com]

I think you misunderstand the reason that language such as religious holidays, or anything specifically tied to religion is not allowed to be published in regards to housing. It has nothing to do with a war against Christmas, rather what happens is that you may discourage potential renters of other faiths. In turn, it would be illegal to publish something to the effect of "2 brm unit, Mosque three blocks away."

As a person who is in charge of publishing advertisements, you need to be very wary of statements that could establish a preference. The general rule of thumb is that you advertise the unit, and not who you want to live in it.

It may seem frustrating because you are seeing Holiday ads from other businesses, but housing is pretty unique in that it is a fundamental right and is specially protected. Why not just suggest a "Winter rental special?"

Re: housing ads

[tracker7.livejournal.com]

I don't misunderstand at all. I'm plenty familiar with rules and regulations on housing ads. No preference, for or against, can be used, and that definition is deliberately very broad.

It's not frustrating - it doesn't bother me in the slightest if someone wants to wish 140000 people (average daily circulation) whatever holiday greeting comes to mind. The problem lies with a very small handful of advertisers (and certain members of the general public) that don't understand that this is not a company policy issue. It's a legal matter, and out of our hands.