Celebrating Pinette — Festivus at the Ohio Statehouse, 30 Years Later

Hey r/Atheism,

This December marks the 30th anniversary of Capitol Square v. Pinette (1995) — the Supreme Court case where Justice Scalia wrote that if a state lets one viewpoint into a public forum, it must let all viewpoints in. That ruling opened the door for satire, dissent, and yes… the Festivus Pole.

Back in 2013, I bolted together a six-foot PBR beer-can pole inside Florida’s Capitol. The press went wild, PBR archived the pole, and constitutional lawyers had a field day. In 2015, we built a Pride Festivus Pole to drive the same point home.

Now, for Festivus 2025, the pole returns to the Ohio Statehouse — where it all began with Pinette. We’re calling it:

“Adorned with Satire — A Pole for the Rest of Us.”

This is more than aluminum snark. It’s a living tribute to the First Amendment principle of viewpoint neutrality.

So let’s celebrate Pinette, Festivus-style:

• Got your own pole? Post pics.
• Air your grievances about government censorship.
• Suggest ideas for an Ohio-themed topper (disco ball? chrome sphere? buckeye orb?).

Thirty years later, the message holds: no viewpoint gets left out.

Festivus is coming. Satire with Steel.

— Chaz Stevens REVOLT.training