Home adorned with cryptic messages under city’s scrutiny
Patrick Burke's, a "flat-earther" and avid "space-junkie", house sits on the corner of Panhandle and Malone. Burke has decorated his lawn and home to show his beliefs, however, Denton Community Improvement Services has stated he is in violation of three city ordinances. Hannah Breland | Staff Photographer
Kyle Martin | Staff Writer
On the corner of Malone and Panhandle Streets, anybody can find the orange and red hand-painted lettering on the house of Patrick Burke. His windows read, “EARTH IS FLAT,” “gLObaL,” “Practice Truth / Fear Nothing” and things of the like.
“My guess is that, just like infinite space has no edges (supposedly, right?), that the realm of earth, the earthly plane, probably doesn’t have any edges either … that it just keeps going out in all directions forever,” Burke said. “But I mean, that’s just a guess.”
Burke is a self-proclaimed “flat-earther” and avid “space-junky.” After a few years of time and research, Burke has now furnished his house to convey his beliefs and displays homemade lawn art on his own private property.
The city of Denton, however, is now telling him he can no longer do this.
Patrick Burke’s, a “flat-earther” and avid “space-junkie”, house sits on the corner of Panhandle and Malone. Burke has decorated his lawn and home to show his beliefs, however, Denton Community Improvement Services has stated he is in violation of three city ordinances. Hannah Breland | Staff Photographer
According to a letter sent to Burke by the Denton Community Improvement Services, Burke is in violation of three city ordinances: his signs that fall under “portable” and “non-conforming” signs are a violation.
The letter’s comments from officer Caleb Norris of Community Improvement Services reads: “The ‘YOUTUBE ERIC DUBAY 200 PROOFS’ sign on this property is a portable sign…It is unlawful to install, place, display, maintain, or make use of any portable sing. All portable signs on this property must be completely removed from public view.”
Patrick Burke received letters from Denton Community Improvement Services that he is in violation of three city ordinances. Hannah Breland | Staff Photographer
Other comments involve Burke’s “Practice Truth / Fear Nothing” sign, which is said to be a ground sign needing a proper permit. Included with the letter was an application to receive a proper permit for the sign, and it stated that Burke has until June 21 wherein an inspection will be performed on his property to determine if he has properly fixed his violations.
Burke argues that his signs should be treated as “yard art” and left alone, but says he will likely comply with city regulations anyways.
“This is absolutely ridiculous for people to think that a boat disappears behind a curve at sea-level, and yet, when I get in a plane and take a picture out the window I still can’t see the curve,” Burke said.
Burke has a deep interest in the Earth and his beliefs in the lack of a globe. His inspiration stems from studying Eric Dubay, author of “The Flat Earth Conspiracy.” On Burke’s front lawn, anybody can see his homemade sign painted with orange lettering that reads “YOUTUBE ERIC DUBAY 200 PROOFS.”
Eric Dubay’s argument revolves around his “200 Proofs Earth is Not A Spinning Ball” video. He presents his evidence that the Earth is not flat. Moreover, widespread rationale among the proponents of the theory is that the horizon does not change. Using mathematics and basic scientific tools, such as the telescope, Dubay argues his point that the horizon stays flat upon all perspectives, despite changes in altitude.
“All amateur balloon, rocket, plane and drone footage show a completely flat horizon over 20-plus miles high,” Dubay said, as his first proof in his video. “Only NASA and other government space agencies show curvature in their fake CGI photos and videos.”
Burke wants Dubay’s video to reach 1 million views. His passion for belief in a flat Earth dates back to his personal studies using telescopes and elevated positions on the Earth. After searching for many years for proof of his theories, Burke found Dubay’s YouTube video to be everything he was looking for.
And despite remaining in conflict with the local government toward his abode’s upkeep, Burke’s resolve remains unshaken.
“The truth doesn’t fear investigation,” Burke said of his message. “Bulls–t does, but the truth doesn’t. All you have to do is put that s–t out there and I promise you, it’ll spread like wildfire. It’s the truth.”
Featured Image: Patrick Burke’s, a “flat-earther” and avid “space-junkie”, house sits on the corner of Panhandle and Malone. Burke has decorated his lawn and home to show his beliefs, however, Denton Community Improvement Services has stated he is in violation of three city ordinances. Hannah Breland | Staff Photographer
Love this article great journalism.
Good work Burke! You’ve got supporters near and far.
You’re an absolute moron.
it already has over 1,5 mill views
The Earth is Flat. I’m on your side Burke!
Please don’t procreate.
Flat Earthers,
Explain this:
How can a Gulfstream 650 fly from
New York to Paris,
Paris to Hong Kong,
Hong Kong to Anchorage,
and then
Anchorage to New York
while flying east on every leg
… and the Earth be flat?
Brooksie – exactly. Flat Earth Society should be renamed to “Below 70 I.Q. Society”.
lmao yes
Denton government- bunch of nosy church ladies terrified of anything slightly outside of the norm. Let him do with his property as he pleases. Go fix a street or something.