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Vandalisms, thefts a sign of the times as election nears
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Two women on opposite sides of the political fence say they've had campaign signs stolen from their front yards.
And they're not happy about it.
"It's extremely unpatriotic," said Mary Catherine Pearl, a retired attorney who had her Barack Obama sign lifted from her South Redding yard Sunday morning. "You're spitting in the face of the Bill of Rights when you do that."
Cheyenne Nelson, 54, said something even more despicable happened to her John McCain sign Saturday night - someone replaced it with a Barack Obama sign.
"To replace it with an Obama sign is really outlandish," she said.
Ann Meyer, the co-chair of Shasta County's McCain campaign, said she's heard about a few local incidents in which signs for both Obama and McCain have been stolen, vandalized or even burned.
If someone calls the Shasta County Republican Central Committee headquarters to report the thefts, Meyer recommends they call police.
"They cost a lot of money," she said of the signs.
Redding police Sgt. John Ostrowski agreed, but he said that only one person that he's aware of has filed a report of stolen signs this election season.
He said that though a sign theft would likely be classified as a misdemeanor, it's still worth making a report.
"Who knows?" Ostrowski said. "Maybe we'll find someone later with a trunk load of signs."
Regardless of the illegality and the violation of basic free speech, Pearl said she doesn't understand the point of stealing a sign.
She certainly doesn't plan to run out and vote for McCain now that her Obama sign is gone, Pearl said.
"It really just solidifies your vote," she said.
Reporter Ryan Sabalow can be reached at 225-8344 or rsabalow@redding.com.
Posted by reddingx on October 7, 2008 at 6:24 a.m.
If people knew they were not going to get off with a slap on the wrist you might be able to stop it. Don't they have to be trespassing as well? Shoot them with paint balls so that officers can spot them easier. ;);)
Posted by familyguy on October 7, 2008 at 7:21 a.m.
It's going to get even uglier. I can't wait for this month to be over already.
People are also ripping off bumper stickers, which is maddening. Come on, it's a free country, people.
Posted by rockhound on October 7, 2008 at 7:32 a.m.
I don't care about Obamas sign, but don't take McCain
Posted by david on October 7, 2008 at 7:39 a.m.
I don't care about McCains sign, but don't take Obamas
Posted by delitery on October 7, 2008 at 7:41 a.m.
in response to rockhound
Agree with rockhound!
Posted by firelight on October 7, 2008 at 7:44 a.m.
America is really becoming devided by these two canidates. It is very sad. Our diversity is what is supposed to unite us.
Posted by biberonka on October 7, 2008 at 7:59 a.m.
Please, leave the signs alone... I'm househunting and they help me figure out where I don't want to live... :o)
Posted by bejeeze711 on October 7, 2008 at 8:06 a.m.
I agree with David!
Posted by CamoQueen22 on October 7, 2008 at 8:25 a.m.
in response to rockhound
Agreed! =)
Posted by i5trucker on October 7, 2008 at 8:31 a.m.
How about no signs at all? I don't want you to force you political beleifs on me with your ugly signs. They bring down property values and most of them will end up in the landfill anyhow. Just vote how you want to and quit trying to force others to vote the way you want them to, we all have our minds made up as to which candidate we will vote for and a sign in someones yard is not going to change our mind.
Posted by pk5000 on October 7, 2008 at 8:38 a.m.
in response to i5trucker
You sound like the most dangerous poster here.
Posted by skatermom on October 7, 2008 at 8:47 a.m.
I love that people are switching the signs, thats hilarious. Come on people, have a sense of humor!
Posted by momtotwins on October 7, 2008 at 8:48 a.m.
in response to NotYourBuddyPal
LOL I love it "Obamabots!"
McCain/Palin 2008
Posted by web on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 a.m.
in response to NotYourBuddyPal
That's cool! I fly an American Flag also - 24/7 at my house on the front porch.
Posted by not2bright on October 7, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.
i think somebody stole all of russell hunt's signs...i haven't seen one yet...
Posted by crosemeyer3 on October 7, 2008 at 9:14 a.m.
Dude, Russel has the best signs!
They're recycled from his aborted supervisor run. "Supervisor" is hand painted over with "City Council." And badly!
Posted by Fremder on October 7, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
.
I consider the posting of McCain signs to be an act of vandalism myself . . .
.
Posted by norcalwomen on October 7, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
replacing the signs is soo funny, i would love to see the old stiff face when she walked out and saw an obama sign in her yard. Can't wait for all this to be over also, not like our vote matters.
Posted by boogs on October 7, 2008 at 10:04 a.m.
I guess I'd be peeved if someone swapped/stole my sign, but I don't really see the big deal. It's probably just teenagers being dumb. Now... if someone lit ANYTHING on fire in my yard, I would freak out!
Posted by CamoMama on October 7, 2008 at 10:11 a.m.
Funny, I fly an American flag as well (so does my neighbor who is voting for Obama), but don't plan on voting for McCain, and I don't think it would scare away anyone planning on voting for Obama, either.
Posted by stevenpaule on October 7, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
in response to CamoMama
Be careful though. Someone stole my flag!
Posted by norcalwomen on October 7, 2008 at 10:38 a.m.
attach your flag to a hot fence that will teach em
Posted by Hardworkin on October 7, 2008 at 10:42 a.m.
I'm inclined to agree with i5trucker. They're just marketing propaganda, and an eye sore. We all know who the candidates are. The money spent printing their face and name on everything would be better used as donations back to communities that are hit the hardest in this economy.
Posted by thegreatsantini on October 7, 2008 at 10:53 a.m.
Before I put up the yard sign that endorses the political party of my choice, I peed all over the sign knowing full well there was a chance it would get stolen. Sure enough the sign, along with my American flag that was next to it, was stolen last week.
So out there somewhere is a thief with my pee on his hands. I wish I could have caught him red (or yellow?) handed.
I must say that I'm upset about the jerk taking my American flag yet at the same time I respect his (or her) patriotism.
Posted by Another_Acronym on October 7, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.
in response to crosemeyer3
There is one on the east side south Market...and it is upside down!!! lol
Posted by universitygal on October 7, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
I don't have a sign...and I refuse to get a bumper sticker too...I don't want my car to get keyed. lol. If I love my car, wouldn't putting a political bumper sticker on it count as child endangerment? lol.
Posted by crosemeyer3 on October 7, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
Nice!
Posted by tate138 on October 7, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
I think these signs are an eyesore anyway. I have to resist the temptation to drive over them on the way home from work. Just what I want to see, a bunch of smug, liars on a sign saying vote for me ruining the scenery.
Posted by Willie_P_Richardson on October 7, 2008 at 12:53 p.m.
has anyone seen what been happening to those "mcdilda" for city council's sighns?
pretty funny stuff.
well willie's off to work.
Posted by universitygal on October 7, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.
in response to Willie_P_Richardson
haha...I've been wondering when that would happen...
Posted by pv96087 on October 7, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
VOTE: Gary CADD and Jim MCDILDA for City Council.
Oh, that is off topic, sorry, oh well vote for them anyway, it just might save the City of Redding's financial future and at the same time get rid of the Murray and Dickerson headache!
Posted by hpcrdredding on October 7, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.
Someone needs to be more creative. Put up some funny signs like "Osama Bin Ladden and Shake Kalid Mohamed 08'". lol
But lets face it. McCain is old and will probably die and then what do you have? Palin can't even keep the teenage boys out of her daughter's pants! lol
Posted by ChuckWalla on October 7, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.
I saw one of the McDilda signs on Larkspur that had been changed. Almost drove off the road laughing.
I feel empathy for him though, can you imagine going through high school with that name?
Posted by ChuckWalla on October 7, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.
Hey! Someone stole my "RUMSFELD/CHENEY '08" sign!
Buncha jerks!
Posted by bbennyc on October 7, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.
I know it's petty and sophomoric to make fun of someone's name but, "McDilda"? Come on...I'd have trouble voting for anyone who would purposely keep a name like that. What if he became the Mayor? "Mayor McDilda". And what's with the little Santa hat that's over the, "A"? Honestly, I know nothing about the man but he sure has a name that's just begging to be made fun of. I heard about the addition of the, uh, male body part to some of the signs. Childish humor but still funny. Sorry.
Posted by ChuckWalla on October 7, 2008 at 6:33 p.m.
in response to bbennyc
The Santa is probably in reference to his awesome Christmas light displays.
Posted by david on October 7, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.
Well, it seems that after my first post this morning that things are pretty even this evening. My own political wish is that I had a better choice than between Red 'Tweedle Dumb' and Blue 'Tweedle Dumb', The candidates in these last few elections have been really disappointing. I see no reason to vote. We, the American People, will do what we've become very good at, we simply work around these inept polititions, from the president on down!
Posted by Dustybottoms2 on October 7, 2008 at 10 p.m.
Someone stole my Nader sign too!
Posted by delitery on October 8, 2008 at 5:14 a.m.
Very tense election this year, indeed. With either candidate, I've decided not to advertise my choices. I'm opposed to having bricks thrown through my windows (car or house)!
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