(my house and yard)
I was called yesterday by the newspaper and interviewed because:
a) maybe they noticed all my yard signs every fall?
b) I wrote a letter to their editor last year about how my and my neighbor's dem signage was stolen, but repubs were not?
c) 3 sets of Obama signs have been stolen out of people's yards in our little village this fall, but no McCain signs?
d) Obama signs have reportedly been stolen throughout the county, but nobody has reported McCain signs stolen.
Maybe all of the above. A person would have to get quite close to my front door to get my signs, and as I told the paper (havn't seen anything printed yet, btw...) I WILL take the photo and license number of anybody caught in my yard stealing signs, and they can discuss the matter with the sheriff.
My pal Lynda wrote quite thoughtfully about the private nature of her vote and preference. Obviously, I have been thinking about it quite a bit, and have to say that although this blog has been quiet on the elections, I have VERY STRONG opinons. I am on the very far left. Waaay left. I am a vegetarian potter and card carrying member of PETA. I voted for Fritz Mondale in 1984.
Obama was not my first choice, but he is my guy in 2008, and I would like the many hundreds of people who drive by every day to give him a chance. Plus all the other candidates whose signs are in my yard.
I think that the most interesting people are those who are kind and respectful, no matter what your views are, and I hope you feel that way about me and my blog.
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27 comments:
Ah what a sweet picture up there.Really cute!Anyway I cant believe it what you said in your blog.Wow,what the heck are they coming up to your porch to steal them?Actually Im a little bit worried about this election,to say the least.I also keep to myself my views on both candidates.Some things in one I may like in the other one maybe not.Hopefully as they say the best man will win. For me,well thats just my little secret;)
Politics and preferences are a pretty weird thing, Gary. They surround us and touch our lives multiple times a day and is a favourite topic of conversation in a lot of places. Yet, there's that often-private bit of information: who will/did you vote for?
I have absolutely no idea how my parents vote. I've never asked. I know which way they lean, but not how far. Nor is it important to me. It's none of my business.
I'm a leftie as well, though. Not as far out there as you, but very liberal.
Here's a question: when and why did "liberal" become an insult down your way?
I think you may swing a little more to the left than I, but I am definitely a Democrat. Hillary was my first choice, but I proudly support Obama (we've got signs in our yard, too).
I tip my hat to anyone who can politely voice their political opinions without dissing those who may not share their own beliefs. Yes, I have VERY "fundamental" (snort! sorry!) differences in opinion than do my Republican friends, but they are just as passionate in their convictions as I am in mine. And, I think it's rather petty to snatch a sign out of a person's yard. That's just laughable.
I would rather talk to someone who is passionate and differing in views than someone who is boring anyday!
And kind and respectful is a must!
I do feel that way about you. You are a sweetheart!
First off I LOVE that pic of you and Penny. So cute :)
Second whole heartedly agree with you. Everyone should be respectful of everyone out.
Like Thumper's father said. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.
Gary, I applaud you for your signs! I believe that much like in every other aspect in this life, we as humans can find common ground even when we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. I'm with you on this one, but I have friends who are quite conservative, and my father in law is a proud republican. We talk politics and get impassioned, but we respect each other's views and opinions and we listen to each other, and quite often learn a bit from each other. I wish our politicians could learn from the rest of mainstream america and see that we truly are all one nation, and that divided, as the quote goes, we fall, then their contempt and disdain would diminish, and so too would that of those who are so easily influenced by what they see and hear.
What? I thought you were a McCain/Palin man!
*snickers and runs away laughing*
KC!!!!!!
Thanks everybody. FDR wasn't perfect, but he was the right guy at the time, same with Lincoln, and BOTH of those guys had people from very different perspectives in their gov'ts. The idea being 'argue it out, and solve the problem'.
I voted for Dukakis too.
Gary, I would argue that a politician surrounded by people who agree with him all the time is a very dangerous man indeed. You need differing opinions, especially passionately held ones, to properly debate an issue. If you don't know the opposing view, you can't consider and learn from it.
Probably Cheney & Rove's biggest failing: surrounding Dubya with yes-man and weeding out opposition.
Whew! Stolen signs are one thing, but replacing a stolen Obama sign with a Confederate flag?
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-21-0105.html
can't believe people are stealing your signs! Although I can say I know how it feels from the other side of the fence. The GOP campaign office for my entire county (large, urban county) is in my building, right around the corner.
I'm getting tired of seeing those guys marching in and out with their signs, and standing out front talking about Obama, spouting all the lies. Latest one I keep hearing is that he's not an American citizen. I want to ask them how they can calculate that Hawaii in 1961 was not America, and also how they can calculate that Panama in 1936 was American?
Bah.
BAH.
I LOVE your signs! LOVE THEM!
I'm a leftie myself... but I come from a family from far right Republicans... and I live in a state that is primarily Republican...
So a while back I wrote on my blog about my opinions... and asked people to be respectful... and the backlash was INSANE! Like, my brother basically ripped me a new one. But I think it's important to share your opinions... it helps people who don't understand politics or are undecided to figure out what they believe.
YOU ROCK!
What a relief! And here I thought I was the only Democrat in Tompkins county. I kid, I kid.
For those who don't know, Democrats are considered right wing around here. Although I'm surprised I haven't seen more Nader and Kucinich signs around....
In fact, maybe it's not Republicans stealing your signs, but (gasp!) Socialists
I have the utmost respect for your blog, the Missus and all the furkids in your home..including the hamster :)...and YOU!!
I couldn't agree with you more!
hugs to the fam!
I swing pretty far to the left too. Obama is growing on me. The more time goes by, the more I like him.
I hope no one steals your signs, that is so petty and small.
I LOVE the new header picture - you and Penny make quite the cute couple, snuggling on the sofa. That other picture was very upsetting. ;)
Hey, hey! I didn't know you had posted this - that's what I get for working at work! Gary, you rock! You are always kind and respectful and I hope you know I FULLY support our rights to share our allegiances and ideas. Like I said in my blog, I prefer to keep mine private, but I love that others choose a different method. Isn't that what makes us a fantastic nation - we CAN choose.
So, as we used to say in high school, "Lean to left, lean to right, stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight!"
I think it is time to get back to some mindless music and pet stuff....
Go, Gary, Go! :)
Stolen signs? Child's play. Up here, they cut your brake lines. (Sorry no link, on laptop; Google for Carolyn Bennett vandals.)
Public stress is high right now, I have heard of several actual fist fights in our area over McCain and Obama disputes and signs on both sides being stolen or destroyed. We are supposed to have free speech, but apparently some only want to hear their own opionions voiced and not others.
WE all respect you immensely! You are a true-to-yourself-and -others type peson. I'd lean Obama, although I do eat meat! HA!
I love it when people have conviction, but those people who are stealing signs, they should be made to do some kind of hard-labor community service!!
I LOVE IT! You rock Gary.
In the hallway my office is on at work, every last person is a McCain supporter...except me :-) I don't understand them and they don't understand me, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
I met Mondale a couple times when I lived in Japan; he was the US Ambassador to Japan at the time. Nice man!
lalalalala back to the pottery and mindless music and pet pics....
Hi Gary,
I'm your neighbor down the road on the corner of the main road. My violin student pointed out your blog (we were talking about Obama and how our sign had been stolen) - and here I am! A fellow Obama supporter, artist, and neighbor...naturally I had to check out your blog.
So thank you for putting up all of your signs to make up for what was stolen! I feel a little less angry now about ours having been taken.
By the way, will you be at the Etna Craft Fair? Would be great to meet you! My craft is jewelry (and violin, I suppose, if people are willing to throw money at me to play. ;) )
Jaime K.
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