"Don't Deny Me My Civil Rights" (GR Press article on Kerry sign thefts)

[UrbScotty]

http://www.mlive.com/elections/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1094984665118870.xml

Stephen Sampson admits his homemade yard signs were fighting words for Republicans.

One said "Freedom of Speech is Dead in the Republican Party." The other: "Vote Republican. It's easier than thinking."

But when those signs, along with a Kerry/Edwards sign, recently were stolen from his front yard, Sampson felt as if his freedom of speech was violated.

<snip>

The retiree is among dozens of Kerry supporters who had their signs stolen in this particularly intense presidential campaign.

The West Michigan Kerry/Edwards headquarters in Grand Rapids is keeping a rolling tab of reported thefts: 120 so far.

<snip>

The trend is an aggravation to local Kerry officials, who distributed what they said was a record 12,000 yard signs this year around Kent County and are trying to replace the stolen ones as quickly as they can.

"Signs are dropping as fast as we can put them up," said John Otterbacher, spokesman for the Kerry/Edwards West Michigan campaign. "We're not going to be intimidated ... and hopefully, (Democrats) won't respond in kind to this low-road tactic."

<snip>

The Kent County Republican Party, which began to distribute Bush/Cheney signs after the GOP convention two weeks ago, has not received any complaints of stolen signs, a party official said.

<snip>

(One resident) said he would be ready for another theft attempt. His new sign is attached to a fishing line with cans on it.

Kennedy hopes if the sign is taken, the cans will wake up his dog, who will bark and wake him up in time to take a photo of the offender.

<snip>

[Cobalt Violet]

1. I thought repukes were suppose to believe in...

The ten commandment as the rule of law.
Doesn't "thou shall not steal" apply to Kerry lawn signs too.
Or do they only intend to apply the 10 commandment as they see fit.
Cafeteria Christians.

[Flammable Materials]

2. If this guy were tech savvy, he'd hide a cheap webcam ...

... somewhere near the sign, and run a "signcam" online. As soon as someone messed with one of his signs, the perpetrators would be online for everyone to see.

[RazzleCat]

3. Its just so petty

but then once a criminal, always a criminal

[Keirsey]

4. sign protection

Put on some protective clothing, including gloves, then rub poison ivy all over the sign. With any luck, not only will the theives be immediately "poison ivy'd", but the residual left on the back seat or trunk of the car should continue to affect them.

[Gyre]

6. Great idea!

Biological warfare. You terrist u! :)

Gyre

[Nimrod]

5. Logical assumption I guess

The Enemy of the People is obviously above the laws of both man AND God, so doesn't that mean his minions would be too?

I'd imbed some nice sharp stuff along the edges of the signs where it wouldn't be easily seen in the dark. Of course, one of these theiving MF's would undoubtedly sue the owner of the property they were stealing.

[lakemonster11]

7. chalking = vandalism?

I guess there's some room for leeway in individual circumstances, but I'm not sure that sidewalk chalking can really be called "vandalism." It's a very common way to advertise and communicate around college campuses.

[Catfight]

8. No Cheney/Bush signs to steal, everyone is embarrassed to be a supporter. nt