Political Vandalism

I make no bones about my views on political vandalism. I think it is engaged in by cowards and the penalties should be a felony. I would have no problem if it was classified as acts of terror. From stealing lawn signs to outright vandalism it all is designed to intimidate the subject into silence for the simple reason of having an opposing political viewpoint.

Let's start in the state full of faux tolerance, California. By faux tolerance I am talking about preaching tolerance while practicing intolerance. What happens in Alta Loma in the San Bernadino County when you live at a house that shows support for Romney? You get the name Obama keyed into your car and your seats slashed.

Someone keyed the word “Obama” into two cars and slashed seats in another outside a residence that had Mitt Romney campaign signs.

[Ken Slown] estimates the damage to both of his vehicles at about $3,400.

In addition to both cars being keyed, his wife’s vehicle had her seats slashed, as well. Said Slown, “They pretty much cut the backs of all of the seats.”

A neighbor, who also has a Romney/Ryan sign in their front yard, were also hit. “Obama” keyed in the hood and on the black gate of an SUV.

The vandalism-terrorism is not limited to just residences. A church marquee was vandalized in Indiana. For this one you have to give credit for creativity. They rearranged the letters on the marquee.

One side of the sign read “Christ voted Democrat” and the other read “Romney hates women”.

In the end it is still vandalism and theft (the cretins stole the remaining letters).

I love what Luke Jackson, the pastor of the church, said.

"One community member in particular had said, 'I don't believe a church should be promoting anything like that in a political way,' and I agreed 100 percent," he said.

Which is why I believe this church should lose its tax exempt status.

Bishop David Ricken, the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, noted in a recent letter to parishioners that voting for candidates who support what he calls “intrinsically evil” positions, such as abortion and gay marriage, could “put your own soul in jeopardy.”

Ricken’s letter, dated Oct. 24, notes that the church has a responsibility to “speak out regarding moral issues, especially on those issues that impact the ‘common good.’” It goes on to note principles to keep in mind in the voting booth on Nov. 6, including abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning and gay marriage.

“A well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program that contradicts fundamental contents of faith and morals,” Ricken said in the letter. “Some candidates and one party have even chosen some of these as their party’s or their personal political platform. To vote for someone in favor of these positions means that you could be morally ‘complicit’ with these choices which are intrinsically evil. This could put your own soul in jeopardy. (Emphasis added)”

But I digress. Back to political vandalism.

Elsewhere in the state of Wisconsin more tolerance. In an effort to do physical damage for the simple offense of having a different political belief some thugs poured nails in the parking lot of a political rally. Keeping it classy.

The Racine Tea Party's "Rally for Jobs" kicked off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside the old Sam's Club at 6200 Regency West Drive. Before the event could get under way, though, organizers say a truck affixed with "Obama" stickers drove through the parking lot and dumped quantities of nails.

It seems that the vandalism is decidedly heavy against one side of the political spectrum...and this matches my anecdotal experience in my years both living in Hennepin County and at the University of Minnesota.