Yes, to deter campaign signs theft, put a little Vaseline on it; naval jelly, KY Lube... whatever is available.
This suggestion sent in from the Brazos Bryan College Station EAGLE:
Published Sunday, October 19, 2008 6:05 AM
Party leaders: Sign theft rampant
On at least one thing, Brazos County Democrats and Republicans agree: Swiping the other party's campaign signs is nasty politics.
Leaders from both parties said last week that they had never seen as many political signs stolen or vandalized as during this election season. And they don't like it.
Maggie Charleton, the Brazos County Democratic Party's chairwoman, thinks she has a way to deter the "pranksters."
"We are recommending to people that when they come in and get a sign, that they get a small jar of Vaseline and rub it around the sign and its edges. It makes it a little more difficult to pull it out of the yard," she said. [I can hear it all now: 'Can they do that?']
Charleton also encourages residents to report thefts of yard signs to the police. Anyone caught stealing political signs can be charged with theft.
David Kent, chairman of the Republican Party of Brazos County, said the party headquarters had taken about 15 reports of stolen signs.
But rather than calling the police, he recommends just coming by and picking up another sign.
Charleton said the demand for political signs this election season has been higher than she's seen before. The Democrats have ordered more than 1,500 signs and expect to give them all away. In 2004, they distributed only 400 signs, she said.
The Republican Party ordered an extra 200 signs to meet the demand, said Kent, who has been working with the GOP for 12 years. (SMith, Cassie; retrieved 10.19.2008 here SOURCE)
pd/moopig
FOOTNOTE: College Station police Lt. Rodney Sigler said last week that the department had taken nine reports of stolen election signs.
"We see it at every election time," he said. "There is no way to know unless we catch them. You can always put the conspiracy theory out there that it's the other party stealing the signs, but unless we catch them, it's just a theory."
Bryan Deputy Chief Pete Scheets said four election signs had been reported stolen in the city since Sept. 20.
"Usually, the closer you get to the November election time, the more heated each side of the campaign gets when their stuff is damaged," Scheets said.
So, for all the political rhetoric of the election, Charleton may have the most lucid campaign message.
"Just leave our signs alone," she said. "That's our freedom of speech. That's our First Amendment right."
2 comments:
"We are recommending to people that when they come in and get a sign, that they get a small jar of Vaseline and rub it around the sign and its edges."
Yeah, that just makes good sense. And, while you are at it, you might as well get "I'm A Mindless Yob" tatooed on your forehead.
Power to the people
Yep, that makes 1002 helpful hints using Vaseline. "It gives new meaning to smear campaign...!!"
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