An Election Sign Encounter...

[KharmaTrain]

While driving around my primarily Repugnican burg in recent days, I've started to see Bunnypants/Crashcart and other local candidate signs pop up on front lawns. This was expected...I was surprised thse signs didn't pop up earlier. Also, the way these signs have sprung up so quickly sure looked like the handiwork of the local GOOP hive...doing what they should during an election. Our folks have been trying to get our signs out there as well. As long as this is done on private property, it's a right that should be respected. Also, I strongly condemn those who vandalize or attack those with signs or stickers on their cars...of any and all political and ideological stripes.

While crusing down of the major local streets I came upon several of these signs sitting in the right-of-way adjacent to a public park. They not only were on public property...but placed very close to the roadway so they couldn't be helped but noticed...not across the sidewalk as local laws require.

I came home and called the local village hall. Our government is supposedly non-partisan, and when I called to complain, I was first told that this wasn't a village problem, it was a Parks Department one (notorious for being the bastion of GOOP patronage in this area)...I was told to call them. I knew doing that was like calling Bunnypants himself and asking him to fly out here and remove the damn thing.

Instead I asked the receptionist (who sounded startled that there was someone complaining...and probably just did a knee-jerk reaction to my complaint...is there someone I could talk to who handles complaints for local TAXPAYERS. Soon I was on the horn with the Village Clerk. This lady has been a bastion of local politics for years and is a very fair person. I told her what I saw...she asked for specifics. She then chuckled "looks like the local boys had a party the other night..." but also said the village is determined to be non-partisan and appreciated hearing from me...I later explained who I was...we had met several times over the years...thanked her for her time. My wife just came in from running errands and, sure enough, the signs are gone. After this post, I will send a letter to her; thanking her for her fairness and quick action.

While I'm passionate about the issues and the importance of this election, and my convictions have never been more resolute; I also think there has to be some civility. I expect the next 2 months (and maybe longer) will be intense and emotions could blow over to other problems. Here's my hope the divisions stay among rhetorical lines and not any further.

Cheers!

[pretzel4gore]

1. like pulling teeth!

here semi competent crooks are ruining the country and trying to stop them means confronting dick the ripper's gang! wow...good job!
btw, when busheviks put out signs etc you should just add a few in front with 'bush is god; worship him or die!' printed on them....lol- (mind you, a few repukes will agree with them sentiments...but what can one do about that! (shrug :()

[KharmaTrain]

2. There Are Democrats In Bastert land???

I regularly drive through DeKalb county and haven't noticed many * signs (there are a lot of Kerry signs in and around DeKalb and NIU) and did a cruise through Elgin's Repugnican West side and didn't see much activity out there, either...but I'm sure that'll change in the next couple weeks.

I'm also surprised at the lack of Bunnypants/Crashcart bumper stickers I see in my area. It's one thing when your local precinct boss asks you to put a sign on your lawn (since he'll help you get the permit for that new electric fence if you do) compared to putting a sticker on your bumper and driving around the hood.

My wife and I sport Kerry & Melissa Bean stickers on our cars and do so proudly. I've just put the stickers on my car and yet have run into anything other than the occasional digusted Repugnican who looks the other way when I smile at them. It reminds me of the bumper sticker I had on my beat up '70 Ford Torino..."Don't Laugh, Your Daughter's Probably In The Back Seat..." same reaction. When I drive into Chicago, I get thumbs up, but then I couldn't vouch for the safety of a Bunnypants/Crashcart sticker on a car in a City Of Chicago parking lot. LOL.

I just wish the Democratic Party...both statewide and the DNC would take a look at some of the "lesser" races here in Illinois. We've got a Congressman who had 43% of the voters go against him in 2002 and there's a lot more of us wanting him gone now...yet few dollars or other resources. But we soldier on!