Sign O’ The Times: Alarming Your Yard Sign
Yard signs seem to be in great demand in my neighborhood these days - first by supporters, then by sad little thieves that decide to take a page from their party’s playbook by shutting down speech they don’t like. At last count, six Obama and/or Warner signs have been stolen from a prominent spot on my street. The last time it happened, I duct-taped a short note to the McCain sign that replaced the stolen Obama sign. It invited the thief to leave future Obama signs alone, as no one has stolen a McCain sign around here, as best I can tell. Alas, the Obama sign just disappeared again. So, because I know we’re not the only ones with troubled and bitter little Republican thieves, I offer this handy HOW-TO:
In the weeks running up to the 2004 presidential election, my yard sign was often pilfered and/or destroyed. After the 4th time, I had had enough, and rigged up a fairly simple alarm to help protect my sign. This post documents how to do it in case you’re facing your own First Amendment-hating neighborhood antagonists.
What You’ll Need
• Duct tape
• A wire hanger
• Fishing line (string or twine can also be used)
• A personal alarm (more on this below)
Full instructions and pictures here.
unacoder says:
that’s exactly the kind of petty bullshit that makes me hate election season.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Mike@Blueweeds says:
Much fun … except for my neighbors who may have to listen to an alarm for a few hours while I am work. They’ll get over it.
October 20th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
CG says:
How about a sign in your window(s)?
October 20th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
MB says:
Should have taken this advice, myself. Someone stole the Obama sign out of my front yard today.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
unacoder says:
them’s Real America values.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
MB says:
I’m so confused, Unacoder. According to the McCain/Palin campaign, I live:
1) Not in Real America
2) Not in Real Virginia
But
3) In Communist Country
Maybe my Obama sign was subject to a redistribution scheme, and I just wasn’t told about it?
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
unacoder says:
i suppose it’s possible it went to a more deserving yard. more likely a backyard firing range.
we’re still waiting to receive our bumper sticker. seems no one in the campaign actually cares about their contract to supply me with their propaganda. or maybe it’s so in-the-bag that there’s no sense in printing more.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 am
MB says:
From everything I’ve seen and heard, there’s such an enormous demand that few places can keep them on hand (I know most of NoVA was unable to snag any signs for a couple of weeks last month.)
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am