Saw the Signs
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The letter “A Moot Point” (Oct. 26) challenged Kathleen Oleson to prove that there were any signs on Midland/Morganton. I am the proof. I saw them.
I drive Morganton twice a day during the week. I found it puzzling that the signs kept disappearing. I cannot tell you who took them but they were there. The letter implies that Ms. Oleson “alleges a criminal act by the taking of the signs.” I do not allege it, I state it.
During the election process, the only person who may move a sign is the one who legally placed it. Anything else violates a number of laws, including the right to free speech.
I am a former Republican, now an independent. I left the party a few years ago as I found the integrity of the politicians that represent it less than stellar. I cannot back a party so paranoid about being in control that, rather than telling me why to vote for them, it has to tell me why I should not vote for the other guy.
I am not necessarily backing Obama, though. My choice will be up to me, and I will cast my vote as is my right and every voter’s right.
None of us has to stand for violation of our rights by bullies such as these sign stealers.
Randy Pfann
Pinehurst
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Comments
skylinefirepest 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Randy, were the signs stolen because someone was looking for one or STOLEN by those nasty teapotters??? Funny that for all the hollering nobody has reported finding a bunch of obumma signs in a dumpster anywhere!! Hunters haven't reported finding stashes of obumma signs in the woods. The police haven't reported persons turning in bunches of obumma signs. What in the world could be happening to them ??? Strange, isn't it??
clarabelle 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Amen Randy............... put those right wing loonies in their proper place :)
Aberdeeniac 6 months, 2 weeks ago
4th paragragh was total BS....... Really? Integrity???? Have you watched the news lately?????
OldPilot 6 months, 2 weeks ago
"skylinefirepest" is demonstrating his/her/its usual level of intellect, which is to say none. Now think hard: maybe those signs are hiding somewhere else. Think, come one, you can do it. Maybe not. Big hint: in the backseat of someones car, or in the trunk? Never thought about that, did you? Of course not. "Aberdeeniac", the writer is expressing his opinion. Given the 2000-2008 administration, the Republican reaction to the election of Obama, their behavior over the last four years and their campaign strategy one can readily understand why the writer holds the opinion expressed. If you disagree tell us why.
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
"I cannot back a party so paranoid about being in control that, rather than telling me why to vote for them, it has to tell me why I should not vote for the other guy."
You just described the Obama campaign to a tee yet you don't rule out voting for him. Can't believe another Obama fan is so moved as to right a letter on "stolen signs". Have you given any thought to the debt? I suppose not if you are still in the maybe column for Obama.
turntheothercheek 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Guess what guys, no matter what the writers political stance, they have a right to state their opinion. He chose to write in about all of the vanishing signs, so if you don't like what he's talking about, stop reading it. If someone came on here tomorrow and said that they put out a ton of Romney signs and went out the next day and found them all missing, you guys wouldn’t have a problem with the sign issue coming up again. The fact of the matter is, and I know some don't love actual facts, there is a crime being committed every time someone removes a sign. It doesn't matter if it's a Romney or Obama sign, the property is being stolen. And I have one better; did anyone consider that they have been put in the trash?
This is just another example of the tactics being used this political season. I've seen both sets of signs missing. The problem is that chances are someone is seeing the signs being stolen, and not reporting it. It is a crime, and should be reported. I can honestly say, if I saw candidates sign being taken, I not only would call the police to report the CRIME, but I would stop and say something to the low life individuals doing it!
I personally don't think that a sign is going to affect anyone’s vote. I also don't think they should even be out, unless it is on someone’s property (which is not always the case). The look horrible, effect no-one, and are simply wasteful. What I have a bigger problem with is all of the voter intimidation that has gone on. The missing signs are just one of the ways that voters have been wronged. Reps going to mostly minority group’s doors and telling them that they don't have to go vote, they can just give it to them, or call it in! It's sick, trying to single out voters that people assume they know how they are voting!
I encourage EVERYONE to vote, no matter who they cast their vote for. The only people that I would discourage from voting are those who don't know the issues, haven't taken the time to watch the Debates, RNC, DNC and many others. That being said, it is their right to do so as well. Anyone trying to take away or corrupt that right should be ashamed of themselves. We all have the right to cast our vote, put up whatever sign we want, and state our opinions, just because you don't agree doesn’t make them wrong. And the sooner the bullies around here realize that the better. Honestly, sometimes I end up ashamed to be from the same town as some of the opinions I've seen. It's sad, really sad.
MikeNC 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Randy Pfann...I am not necessarily backing Obama, though. My choice will be up to me, and I will cast my vote as is my right and every voter’s right. None of us has to stand for violation of our rights by bullies such as these sign stealers.
In other words you now join The Pilot and endorse Barack Obama for President, but had to figure out a way to have your thoughts inserted in the newspaper for others to read. Randy...Go to your room immediately...Mike
by MikeNC
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Randy, Jeff Foxworthy called, he has "your" sign.
bubbasmith 6 months, 2 weeks ago
How do you know these signs were not placed on someones personal property? If someone puts that crap on my property it WILL come down. Littering and tresspassing is illegal!
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
fg - Bill Engvall is the "Here's your sign" guy. Faxworthy is the "You might be a Redneck" guy.
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
or were they illegally placed on the road or right of way?
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I thought Engvall was the guy with the puppets? Either way, thanks for straightening me out.
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
According to 60 Minutes Sunday night, they aired a short segment reported by the StarTribune, there is one fringe group sending letters to low income neighborhoods that are mostly black, telling them that they are not eligible to vote. They have members of their group manning voting stations to challenge votes in Minnesota. Link to Article
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
"I thought Engvall was the guy with the puppets?"
My son and I saw their last show in Raleigh last time they were in NC. Great show!
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
A sneaky thief hiding behind a tree, jumps out and says,"here's your Obama sign!"
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Ron White is the cigar smoking whiskey drinker. Jeff Dunham is the puppet guy. Larry's "Get'r Done"
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda, forget about "fringe" groups. Lets talk about voting machines in multiple states (including this one) changing Romney votes to Obama votes. "Calibration errors" they say, not much coverage on that though, funny the calibration errors never seem to favor Romney. Share your concerns over these multiple episodes of machines malfunctioning.
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I think Larry the cable guy is by far the funniest of those guys.
Yukonjohn 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Amazing, we just don't steal signs up here. My Ron Paul sign is still out by the street and my driveway and has been there since the summer!! I have to clean the frost off of it once in a while, but no one would think of stealing it.
Oh, Thatcher and Pack, if ya'll are by this thread this morning, we are having a cool one, 20 below!! Looks like this week will be our first 30 below, but it is going to warm back up by the weekend. Ya'll have a good one and make sure and go vote for Gary Johnson tomorrow!!
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Whose going to get out of their car at 20 below to steal a sign? If they did, their hands would get stuck to the sign. Of course you still have your signs. Better yet, put a place on the sign saying "If you are against my candidate, lick here"
Hembloche 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Ha. Nice one Courseaire. @ Yukon - Jealous, I love the cold weather. Been saving up for the past couple years to take a 2-3 week camping trip up there.
turntheothercheek 6 months, 2 weeks ago
fugitiveguy~ I know I discussed this the other day, but here goes. It's up to the states/counties to calibrate their machines. Most of the machines in NC are over 10 years old. Should they all be calibrated, sure, but they weren't.
In the articles about this, which were I'd guess about 90% Fox affiliated, there were very few actual cases of this documented. Also, in some of the cases, it was simply a matter of people hitting the screen wrong, and it was not hard to go back and correct it. If people are either too lazy or too dumb to go back and check their answers, something we learn in grade school, double check your work, then it's their own fault.
There we NO legit cases shown that if the problem was reported, it was not corrected. It is all of our duties to let them know if there is a problem with the booths, and to pay attention to what we are doing. There is no REAL story here. This is Fox News Noise. It's just like the voter fraud crap. Fact, there are as many cases of people being struck by lightning and dying as there are cases of proven voter fraud. Don't get me wrong, there are way more cases reported by groups trying to suppress voters, but the fact of the matter is it just isn't happening. What is happening is there are groups out there that don't want each American citizen to vote. If they do, Obama will win. So, the plan is to make it has difficult and uncomfortable as possible, to try to sway, especially minorities such as African Americans, Seniors, and Women, for their legal right to vote. I've said it before and I'll say it again, unlike the far right, I encourage EVERYONE to vote, even if they are voting against my candidate. People should take the time to make an informed vote, look into the facts, watch the debates, the RNC and DNC, and multiple news outlets, but even those who are misinformed, have a right to vote. And I encourage every American to do so.
Toda 6 months, 2 weeks ago
fugitiveguy "Lets talk about voting machines in multiple states (including this one) changing Romney votes to Obama votes."
packwilleat 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Yukon ~ -30...... wheew!! What's the snow depth now? Keep warm up there. We'll see 70's come back this weekend. Might have to drag the clubs out to the course.
moonchild7 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I took a nice drive up to Chapel Hill last week and guess what I saw? Obama/Biden signs everywhere! From Pittsboro to Durham actually. Only a few Romney signs and even many Gary Johnson signs. So my question is...What's WRONG with Moore County? I've seen approximately THREE Obama/Biden signs here but of course more than enough Romney signs. Oh, two of those Obama signs have "disappeared" in the last couple of days. The TeaPartyPoopers tout FREE SPEECH everywhere they go (although the Democrats say they are "Dead"). No FREE SPEECH here it seems. I thought about getting an Obama sign but didn't. Didn't want to make myself a "target". That's so sad and the so-called Freedom Loving Republicans are LIARS, LIARS, PANTS on FIRE.
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I would say that it reflects that Moore County has some of the smartest people around. It says a lot about the intelligence of MooCo peeps. You go brethren!
packwilleat 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I saw a sign the other day.......... "We're #18 baby!!!! Woo Hoo!!"
http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/economics/item/12925-us-economic-freedom-plummets-to-18th-place-globally-study-shows
packwilleat 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Moon ~ Chapel Hill is where most sotherners and NCSU alumni will tell you "that's where the REAL Mason-Dixon line is!"
MikeNC 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Nothing wrong with Moore County...It's going for Mitt as well as the state of NC as well as the country. You'll hear about it Wednesday morning...Mike
Thatcher 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Dang packwilleat! 30 below in Yukon's backyard? How about this? You go first, then return and give me a full report. Cheers!
packwilleat 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thatcher ~ helping Puerto Rico secede is starting to dwell on me after that weather report. Haha!
Thatcher 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I'm with ya packwilleat! Maybe Yukon could join us in a tropical setting...plus I know how to fish there! Cheers!
fugitiveguy 6 months, 2 weeks ago
http://myfox8.com/2012/10/23/guilford-county-voters-say-they-voted-for-the-wrong-candidate/
for Toda, whats the matter? did you break your google?
packwilleat 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thatcher ~ yeah, I'm thinking bones and permit on the fly whilst polling a flats boat. And a yeti full of modelo.
Thatcher 6 months, 2 weeks ago
packwilleat-- Now I can do some flats fishing, especially with Modelo! Hear that Yukon?! It's too dang cold up there! Come down here and fish with me and packwilleat! Bet we'd get 20 more here to join us! Cheers!
Thatcher 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Yukon is the only poster here with a local fan base...like American Idol. And for good reason...a nice guy. Cheers!
Yukonjohn 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thatcher, It sounds like you and Pack have the right plan!! I would not mind living part year in PR. At least once the hurricanes are gone, it is paradise!! It is really pretty nice here. It was a beautiful sunny day around 5 to 10 below most of the day, then it probably briefly hit zero, but it is headed down now. They are saying around 25 below out here in the "low lying" areas. We like to call it God/s country!! After a couple of cool nights, we are going to warm up and get a little snow by the weekend. Dang, the weatherman said the possiblity of some light ice fog tonight and tomorrow night. Anytime they say ice fog, it is going to be a little coolish. Have a great one guys, and my best to you for tomorrow.
Yukonjohn 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Thank you Thatcher. That was a very nice thing to say. I made a comment about MY sign at the end of my driveway, no one has touched it.....I need to even go out and brush the frost off of it. It says Ron Paull 2012, so l think it is safe....unless someone really wants it for their yard. He is a pretty popular guy up here!!!
Yukonjohn 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Oh, and Packwilleat, we have 5 inches of snow on the ground as of this morning. And Congratulations that ya'll are 18th. NCSU is my second favorite team....after UNC. Probably like you, I have no use for Duke!!
Thatcher 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Yukon..."25 below?" Yikes! We'll have a party here when you come down! Cheers!
JimHeim 6 months, 2 weeks ago
I'm sure all of us are eager to congratulate the president on his well-deserved win and are ready to come together to solve the nation's problems, right? Right?
Hello, is this thing on?
BTW -- Did anyone here predict that Obama would get 300+ electoral votes? Just wondering...
OldPilot 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Enjoyed the comments about PR. Back in the day spent much time there. Refused to overnight in the hotel/casinos near Marin', the big airport. The El Convento in Old San Juan was wonderful. Wonder if it's still there.
Courseaire 6 months, 2 weeks ago
JH - You predicted correctly. Now, everyone, please remove your signs!
getreal 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Who cares about the sign stealers anymore? OBAMA WON! So all of you sign takers, you know who you are. You can't stand the right of free speech if it doesn't agree with your opinion. Please, please take your stash of OBAMA signs and wall paper your house with them.
It is true, "Cheaters never Prosper"!
OBAMA/BIDEN May we all work together for the good of the country and it's citizens.