OMG - All my Kerry/Edwards signs were ripped down last night !!!

[Pachamama]

I'm shaking right now...I just called the Sherriff's Dept and they are on the way....to date, it's been over $200 in signs....A total of 5 times this week, last night being the 5th time, with I'm so upset I am shaking....

They were on the upper part of my property facing a main thoroughfare....I'm so sickened and violated...is this a warning of things to come to those of us that dare speak out for democracy and what we believe? The even more brazen thing is they left in tact my signs saying to them that I love my country and this is my right of free speech...Even the sign that said that they can't steal my vote was left up...but all the Kerry/Edwards signs were shredded and torn, some bits hanging where I left them...

:cry: :grr: :cry: :grr:

On Edit: The Sherriff said that since they are actually "taking" the signs, that it qualifies as more than just vandalism & destruction of property, its actually theft....They are going to be caught and I'm going to prosecute and expose them!

[RummyTheDummy]

Quit crying

And booby trap those bastards!

[Roland99]

7. No shit!

*5* times this week? Hell...stake out the signs!!!

[RummyTheDummy]

10. A high powered BB or pellet gun with a scope would be

Ideal if you wanted to do a stake out.

[Auntie Bush]

15. How about a couple bear traps hidden under the leaves?

[RummyTheDummy]

16. Even better

NT

[Pachamama]

30. I just asked the Sherriff if I had the right to put a trap - he smiled &

said "I know that you want to do that, but if a small child (because its on the path to a school) got injured and there is access you can't do it...

I want to get this person...5 times in one week...this is personal...

[barb162]

35. my local paper had an article on this, both sides taking signs

and the cops said to bring the signs in at night.

[Roland99]

39. That's a BS and appeasing response!

Make a stand!!

Stake out your yard!!

[goddess40]

49. a few bush signs on a dead-end vs 70% of Kerry signs

and they tried to make out like that made things even. A few signs = a prank,100's of signs = felony. While I think it's wrong to steal even one sign, it is outrageous at the rate they are stealing them here in WI.

[barb162]

53. it is what the cops said to do, believe it or not, as they felt they had

better things to do than chase sign stealers.

[Lefta Dissenter]

67. Our cops have been

very receptive - and they've told us to keep calling if the signs keep getting stolen. They acknowledge that there's little they can DO about it, but at least they SOUND like they care...

[9119495]

83. Um, what kid goes to school at night? Put the trap out then.

[madmax]

1. I'm so sorry

These people are so damn sick. :hug:

[Pachamama]

31. Thanks for your support...I'm very upset right now...

These people are dangerous and sick....what else are they capable of?

[txindy]

58. That's a very good point

You can tell just how desperate they're feeling since they've done this time and again. If they thought Junior was going to win, they'd leave your signs alone until after election day and then come by to watch YOU unhappily take them down. So, they KNOW they're going to lose and, you're right, that does have the potential to make them dangerous. Be careful.

Now.... GO GET "EM!! :evilgrin:

Personally, I'd use a motion detector on a sprinkler. Or paint the signs liberally (to keep them tacky) with super-cement. ;)

[glitch]

2. There's a lot of poison oak in your neck of the woods.

You might consider it, only be careful.

[Bjornsdotter]

3. I'm so sorry......

....mine was stolen over a week ago. I know how you feel....I surrounded my signs with dog poop. I know that the thieves took home a party prize...that made me smile.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[Auntie Bush]

17. Did you smear the back of the sign with dog poop too?

[Bjornsdotter]

62. No.....

....but I wanted to smear criso with hot pepper sauce on the wire frame....but in this town I would get busted. Even though I live in a blue state the county I live is red to the core.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[libertad]

4. Use some nasty scent or gooey stuff or dye on your signs, but not

something dangerous like pins or potential allergens.

[ibegurpard]

5. Get some mace

And wait up and watch them one night.

[southpaw]

59. Get some barrell hoops and lay them around the area where the signs are

Bloody shins galore!!! Maybe even a case of tetanus, to boot!

[Momgonepostal]

That would make me mad, too

I'm sorry I don't have any good advice.

I was livid when someone stole my bumper sticker, so I can only imagine how ticked off you must be.

[Divernan]

6. Wake up and smell the coffee! Quit being a victim!

Surely you can find some local Dems who will help you set up a camera and/or otherwise identify/catch the criminals. It woud be a great thing to expose them - and maybe they are well known local GOPers and the publicity will sway undecided voters in your area.

[libertad]

12. I think you should stake out your own yard and photograph the thugs

in the act. Then make huge signs with their photos and post them in your yard next to your Kerry signs.

[Auntie Bush]

20. Post their pictures in the local newspaper. n/t

[Lorien]

19. Expose them AND press charges

the GOP has been vandalizing it's own headquarters down here in Florida. Of course they NEVER press charges when the "perps" are caught!

[clydefrand]

8. Let us know what the sheriff does about it.

[Lorien]

9. You have GOT to get a video camera with

night vision. Get some friends over there, and take turns staking out your property. catch the anti-American shitheads in the act, then send the film to the media!!

Anyone live nearby who can help her with this?

[lakemonster11]

68. I heard that

a woman who lives near me, whose Kerry signs kept getting stolen, set out a video camera and caught one of her neighbors stealing her signs on tape. He was arrested.

[heidiho]

11. Write a LTTE in your local paper

That's what everyone here does and then criticizes the other side.\

Write or call your local paper calling them "Republican thugs".

Sorry for you, just shows you how desperate they are. When I see a Bush/Cheney sign, I want to run my car off the road into them. I have to restrain myself.

[deutsey]

45. Be sure to reference how Bush said the terra-ists hate us for our

freedoms.

This is freedom?

[Voices Kerry]

13. Your handmade signs sound great!

Who would do such a thing? I hope the authorities are able to catch the idiot moron who did this.

[Longhorn]

75. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[proud patriot]

14. Okay , first off a HUG

:hug:

this happened to me this weekend except they left my
Kerry sign :crazy: they took my "support our troops
vote bush out" sign.

I focussed my anger , man I was so furious
I made a sign which states "A republican
stole this sign hahahahahaha typical"

Now all I can do is laugh about it ...
in fact the whole police department was
laughing when I told them about my sign
replacement messege . Use humor to ease
the anger it really worked for me :D

and I think the republicans that live around
here hate my new sign more :evilgrin:

15 more days , buckle your seatbelts it's
going to be a bumpy ride .

How bout you make a sign which states
"In 2000 republicans stole the election
In 2004 republicans stole my signs"

[Nancy Waterman]

18. Put up this sign like one of my neighbors did

FIRST THEY STOLE THE ELECTION IN 2000,
NOW THEY STOLE MY KERRY SIGN

[Pachamama]

33. In 2000 republicans stole the election -In 2004 Republicans stole my signs

:bounce: that's a great sign!

Yeah, 15 more days and they are only going to get nastier....I like your suggestions and some of the others of a "stakeout" and photos and exposing whoever is doing this....

This is so so wrong...these f*ckers will stop at nothing will they...

[ksoze]

21. I'd like to help, but I 'm busy stealing Bush/Cheney signs!

[Pachamama]

34. Chuckle...

Well, that's okay... (Just kidding...sort of)...

:hi:

[RubyDuby in GA]

22. Sorry to hear this Pachamama

My latest signs were stolen this weekend too.
That makes 5 total for me that have been vandalized or stolen in the past 2 weeks. They also got all the other ones in my neighborhood each time.

I'll be making my own very large sign this time and I'll be waiting up this weekend. It will read: This sign replaces the 5 Kerry/Edwards signs that have been vandalized or stolen by "compassionate conservatives". You may take my signs,but unless your name is Diebold, you can't take my vote.

Gotta get my hands on a BB gun quick. And I'll be releasing the hound on them too (a mini dachshund, but a hound nonetheless...and he's a biter).

Bastards. I'm sick of this shit.

[txindy]

61. A BB gun?

How about a large and powerful Super Soaker filled with something.... creative? :evilgrin:

[karlrschneider]

23. Maybe you could rent a "gaurd dog"...like a big mean Rottweiler from one

those places that supply watchdogs to businesses...?? Just a thought.
I have 3 big dogs in my yard and although I seriously doubt they'd ever bite anybody, they're damned intimidating...no problems so far, and this is a real 'red' area. Keep yer chin up.
:D

edit for typo

[watercolors]

24. After we lost 2 signs

my husband painted a 4x6 plywood white, I then stenciled in my sign for Kerry/ Edwards, We nailed it to 2 trees, no one will get it off!
But strange thing, our nieghbor a few houses up had his bush signs all sprayed with black paint,{ No not us, }I think kids might be doing it! We found our signs later down the road on a Bush fans lawn.

They do this with our trash cart, have to go looking for it at least once a month!

[RummyTheDummy]

25. I've been tempted to swipe a Kerry sign myself

Ive seen some at intersections and a few yards with a half dozen signs all over. Surely they wouldn't miss just one and I would be putting it to use?

Alas, I have resisted the temptation.

[Pachamama]

36. Well, if a nice Democrat wanted to have a sign and couldn't afford it, I'd

be happy to let them have it...problem is that they are only take part of it, so I don't think they plan on "using" it...

[ScreamingMeemie]

40. knock on the door and ask RTD! I'm sure they will gladly give you one.

:hi: I would. :)

[Edmond Dantes]

26. Attach a string to each Kerry sign...

and tie the other end to your hand, e.g. When the string tugs, you will wake up. What you do after that is your business. But if you face them, have your mace handy.

Get photo of their car license, or maybe follow them as they tear down other neighbor's signs and take photo.

[Arioch]

28. Habanero

Peppers, fresh from the market...
Cut 'em up and smear all over the signs..
Make SURE you wear gloves yourself.

They may get a block or two before they touch their eyes, and when they do...

POW!

[Sequoia]

27. Razor wire

all around and a trench full of Texas chili. I hope you catch them.

[wtmusic]

29. Mine got thrown away last night too

Just one, tossed in my own garbage can. I'm putting up a surveillance cam. When I catch the bastard there's no mercy.

[Pachamama]

38. I want a surveillance cam...just need to figure out how to get it & place

it....I'm going to catch whoever is doing this and shame them and make it public....

[wtmusic]

43. Don't buy an X-cam

they're crap. Still looking for an affordable one...most seem to be over $500. If you find one PM me. I'll do likewise. :)

onedit: I'm looking for a motion-activated one that only records when there is motion in the field of view.

[AndyTiedye]

32. Let The Vandals Enjoy a Nice Case of Poison Oak

[Dinger]

37. It's gotten To The Point Where We Have To

have these signs monitored 24/7

[Democrat 4 Ever]

44. Signs torn down Saturday night at my house.

The dummies just knocked them down, didn't take them. Yesterday morning I looked out my front window and saw the signs down - it is quite a ways down to the bottom of the hill to the road - and I saw thrown in a ditch. I was getting dressed to go down and put them back up when I noticed a strange car pull into my private drive. Some stranger got out, righted my Kerry/Edwards and Mongiardo signs and went on his way. Let's here it for good Samaritans!

[Longhorn]

77. Great story!

Thanks for sharing that! :D

[Gaffey Duck]

41. Ugggh...

In the last Canadian election, we saw anti-semitic vandalism against the signs of Jewish Liberal candidates in Montreal (Likely young anarchists swept up in Quebec's Anti-Liberal tide and wanting to be as obnoxious as possible about expressing their opinions) and a Jewish Conservative candidate in Windsor, homophobic vandalism of a gay Liberal candidate's Winnipeg HQ, and two New Democrats -- including Ottawa's Ed Broadbent and a candidate in Charlottetown had hundreds of signs stolen.

It really pissed me off.

[NanBo]

42. It was very very windy

yesterday and I cracked up when I saw a K/E sign fly down the street and smack!! stuck to the lexus in the driveway across the street where there are 2 B/C yard signs. Seemed like a good omen :)

[Pachamama]

48. I'd feel better if I knew the wind took them and pasted them on the car or

doorstep of a repuke, but somehow, I don't think that's what's happened here....I do need to catch this person though...its the principle...if not, then they have succeeded in silencing my voice.

[PA Democrat]

46. I'm going to

wait outside this Friday night and catch the morons who keep stealing my signs.

[gmoney]

47. They didn't take the other signs because they obviously can't read!

Somebody showed these republitards a picture of a Kerry/Edwards sign and said "now Mongo, go tear down signs!"

[AngryOldDem]

50. It IS a warning

>>>is this a warning of things to come to those of us that dare speak out for democracy and what we believe?>>>

In a word, yes.

I had two signs stolen (small potatoes compared to you) and I am now taking the latest one in at dusk, and putting it back out in the morning. It's a pain in the ass, and a part of me wants to kick down every B/C sign I see on my street. But that isn't right, either.

There is an evil subtext to all this theft and vandalism that we've been seeing this year. Free political speech is endangered, as it always is when a society takes the first steps toward fascism. The best we can do is not give in to it, and point it out to whoever will listen.

Again, I'm sorry about your signs.

[liberalpress]

51. Excellent..

...this means they have no hope... they cannot win... relax be proud and volunteer for a GOTV in your area. Votes are more important than signs anyway. I can't wait to hear the Spin November third when Kerry wins a landslide those bastards never saw coming...

I'm driving my GOTV shift in five minutes! see ya!

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. Motion sensor floodlight might help. If you don't want to hardwire

them then get the solar powered battery type.

Good luck!

[eleny]

54. We've got a motion sensor light and so far so good

Our signs are very close to the roadway and on a relatively quiet street. But they remain.

[Czolgosz]

55. Tell me if this post from a creepy right-wing website

doesn't give you the absolute willies:

Not to be long winded.. I'll try and make this short. .but to the point.
My 8 year old daughter Olivia is a very Conservative Republican (by CHOICE.. not by parental association). SHE loves President Bush and will debate anyone in her class to defend him. The other day she was walking down the hall in school and noticed a picture a 6 grade student drew of President Bush looking (in her words.. "Like a Hillbillie") with the words "Crazy Cowboy Bush" underneath. My 8 year old.. on line with her class, proceeded to tear the picture off the wall (now that's balls for an 8 year old) and rip it up. She was sent to the Principal's office and I was called into school. The Principal called it vandalism.. I CALLED IT PATRIOTISM. I question a School System that would allow a student to display something that so disrespects our Commander in Chief. REGARDLESS of your point of view.. respect is something that goes without question. Olivia asked me if I was upset with her.. ya know what i told her? No Honey.. IM PROUD OF YOU!! To me it's all hypocracy.. They pledge alligence to the flag.. and display disrespectful drawings of our President - go figure. The Principal got an earful from me :)

[aquart]

56. Outdoor nannycam.

Let's get a look at these geniuses.

[w4rma]

57. You don't have a sign anymore, but now you have an issue

Build new signs explaining that the old ones were stolen Republican vandals. Or use a different message, explaining the thefts, more in line with your thoughts.

[bush equals idiot]

60. Would be great if you could do what they do in Africa.

In the morning you come out and there's your culprits in the hole. That might be something I myself would actually consider if it happened that many times to me.

Your sheriff could just stand there and laugh at them before he pulls them out, handcuffs them and hauls them to jail.

[Jessica]

63. Ohhh ... the hypocrisy.

On every other board I visit, Repubs are CONSTANTLY spewing about what Dems did to a Republican HQ ... etc. This is happening on both sides - and I'm scared to see what happens after the election. I put an anti-Bush sticker on my car, something I swore to never do - but I've never felt so strongly about something. It's a Mr. Yuck sticker & simply says, "Yuck Bush." I live in hicktown, USA in West-by-God Virginia & I check my car everyday to make sure nothing has happened to it. I've been lucky so far.

[gauguin57]

64. Crisco and cayenne!

Crisco to make them slimy ... cayenne to make the bastards scream in holy agony if they rub their eyes (or their naughty bits, or any other mucous membrane) after handling the signs.

[grace0418]

65. Some new replacement signs that you can make yourself

Kerry/Edwards yard signs: $40
Replacing Kerry yard signs stolen by Bush supporters FIVE TIMES: $160
Replacing Bush/Cheney with Kerry/Edwards on November 2: PRICELESS


OR, if you can stake out your place and get a photo of the thieves, post the following sign WITH the picture blown up so everyone can see:


Kerry/Edwards yard signs: $40
Replacing Kerry yard signs stolen by Bush supporters FIVE TIMES: $160
Catching the theives who would rather steal my signs than educate themselves on the awful truth about George W. Bush: PRICELESS

[Pachamama]

73. LOVE IT! Thank you for more ideas for "new signs"...

I'll add those to the display....Atleast a lot of people passing by will see what is happening....I've thought about calling the paper here too...

They really are desperate....I mean, really - to steal them here in Marin County, California? We are the bastion of liberal values here...So if they are feeling the need to steal them here, you know they are desperate and angry....

:hi:

[grace0418]

78. You live in Marin County?

Now I hate you! ;)

Sorry, I just love that area of the country and I'm looking at a long cold winter here in Chicago. *sigh*

[Pachamama]

85. Yeah, sorry...I live in Paradise....well, sorta....atleast its loaded with

Dems and I'm close to the Bay and Ocean....

:hi:

The winters can be brutal in the Windy City, but it sure is a great place when I have visited....

[Rjnerd]

66. Instead of Vaseline

Try an old machine shop product, Dykem high-spot blue. Its basically vaseline with permananet blue dye in it. Intended for fitting close tolerance machine parts, the "favored" use was (back when telephones were always black) to give the foreman "blue ear syndrome".

Its *intended* to transfer easily, and I can personally attest to its longevity on skin and clothing.

You have to get it from an industrial supply house. One I have used is J&L, but find a local source if you can, shipping isn't cheap. (but here is the URL http://www.jlindustrial.com/catalog/product.jsp?origin=SEARCH%3AKEYWORD&id=DKM-83307J )

[Pachamama]

74. I'll mix some Cayenne in with it and Poison Oak...

My witches brew is getting good...Thanks....

[Jessica]

69. Here in WV

... I live in our state's capitol & drove by our Democratic HQ last night. The window is busted out - I haven't seen anything in the papers about it. But - think I know what happened.

[killbotfactory]

70. Cover the next sign with tabasco sauce or cinnimon oil

Something that will be hard to wash off their hands and will irritate their sensative areas.

Then put a note on the back that says: "This sign has touched a dead cat's anus. You just touched this sign. Merry X-mas you goddamned fascist."

Or something like that...

It's what i'd do.

[dolstein]

79. Funny, but I was thinking the same thing.

NT

[oldschoolguy]

71. What I would do is....

....go to look sporting goods store and stock up on some of the animal 'scents' that are sold during the hunting season. The ones that I would recommend would be the doe urine and raccoon urine.

Pour the bottles of scent on the signs and on the ground all over the area where your signs are placed.

The smell should keep those jackasses away from your signs. And if they grab one, they would rather cut their hand off than have that smell on them all night! :puke:

Downside(s): 1. Wind blowing towards your house!
2. If you live anywhere near the woods, you might find
some buck deer very interested in your front
yard!

Hey, its only a couple/three more weeks!

Seriously, keep up the good fight.

[oldschoolguy]

72. Kick it up

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

76. I thought you said on your other thread on this that you were staking it

out one night. What happened, did you see/catch anyone?

If you do, have a camera with flash photo and take a pic of the perp while they are doing it. Video if you can but only if you have flash so they will show up on the tape. Make sure to get the license # for the cops.

[Pachamama]

81. I did stake it out all Saturday Night...they either didn't come that night

...or they knew I was there and therefore "didn't take anything"....

But meanwhile, last night, just like the nights before Saturday night, they went into action...

I'm actually looking online right now at "wireless" surveillance camera systems....

[RevCheesehead]

80. Why not light up your yard with floodlights at night?

Put your signs out and shine many floodlights (like they use at Christmas) on them. That will 1) keep them out of the shadows; and 2) keep the signs visible at night.

Or decorate with outdoor Christmas lights...red, white & blue!

[RubyDuby in GA]

82. This doesn't work

They stole my signs right out from underneath a street lamp.

Little fuckers....oh the plans I have for them this weekend. :evilgrin:

[9119495]

84. Sorry to hear it but keep some perspective!

If your sign had not been stolen, you would be happily identified as a Kerry supporter...and that is about it.

As a result of this theft, you're mad...but so are we. You'll tell this story to your friends. They'll be annoyed with republicans and be more likely to vote Kerry. And they'll tell their friends. Oh, and you made us mad...so we will tell our friends.

The theft of a sign seems like a victory for the thief's side, but the reality is, it drives up the anger on the other side. Will the thief write a letter to the editor saying their sign was stolen? Will they broadcast the theft to all their voting friends? Would the friends, as a consequence of the theft, be more likely to vote bush? I don't think so. By getting your sign taken, you've had perhaps a larger impact than you would have if the sign were to survive to the 3rd.

[Pachamama]

86. I like your wisdom....that is so right on...I have shared the story with

...many (on DU and otherwise) and I've had neighbors and friends who are disgusted by it. The Sheriff's dept is watching closely on their "rounds" (especially at night) and meanwhile I wrote both a letter to the Editor of my paper and also contacted the journalists at the paper who might cover a story on it....Your right the battle has been already won by us and the person stealing the signs has lost, whether he or she realizes it and meanwhile they got some bad juju and karma coming their way...

:hi:

[Nerdling]

87. Can i suggest....

That you email/call/go see the Bush/Cheney local officers and tell them that they were stolen by local BC'ers. Then you should demand that they reimburse you for it.

Yeah I know you're going to get nowhere but you'll be letting them know and you'll be tying up one of their staff for a while. Just keep yammering to them saying how you'll call the Sheriff and come down there and tear their signs down.

Then. Call the Kerry/Edwards local team. I think you'll find they will be sympathetic to this and give you some of their signs for free.

After all, we're all on the same side.