Art Conrad has an issue with the commercialism of Christmas, but instead of just shunning the malls and turning off his television, he's decided to share his distaste with his West Bremerton neighbors by displaying a 15-foot crucifix bearing Santa Claus in place of Jesus.
"Santa has been perverted from who he started out to be," Conrad said. "Now he's the person being used by corporations to get us to buy more stuff."
He photographed the crucified Santa for his own Christmas cards, bearing the message: "Santa died for your MasterCard."
The front-yard display is also Conrad's way of poking fun at political correctness. He believes people don't express their feelings because they're afraid of what other people might think.
His neighbors found the will to express their feelings this week. Some were offended but many were just curious.
Jake Tally of Bremerton walked by the display Friday and chuckled, but didn't pretend to understand the message.
"I don't really know what to think. I know it's about God but Santa has nothing to do with it," he told the Kitsap Sun newspaper.
One woman said she was offended and another feared how children might respond. At least one guessed at the anti-commercialism message.
Where are you Fed Up? Waiting for some new stuff.
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