(Photo: WSIL3)
With the presidential election just around the corner, more and more reports of vandalism and the targeting of those with political signs are cropping up.
Most often, yard signs are simply stolen in the dead of night. One Illinois man, however, was stunned when his signs were allegedly first stolen– then returned and set on fire, just outside his house.
(Photo: WSIL3)
WSIL3 relates:
“I figured signs may be stolen, but I never figured that someone would trespass onto my property and also commit vandalism and burn the signs,” said Andrew Purcell.
The Carbondale resident noticed his signs supporting Republicans Mitt Romney, David Luechtefeld and Jason Plummer were missing several days ago. Then on Friday, they were back, in a charred pile on his front lawn. Plummer says he’s used to hearing stories of stolen signs, but arson is a first.
“You shouldn’t steal anything, you shouldn’t take anything but setting them on fire next to someone’s house is way beyond crossing the line,” said Plummer.
Jackson County Republican Chair Gloria Campos said party leaders need to step up and address this problem. [Emphasis added]
Campos remarked: “I don’t think the candidates themselves support his kind of behavior from their followers, but at the same time I don’t think they’re going as far as telling them to respect their opponents.”
Plummer has reported the incident to police.
WSIL3 has more, including an interview with Purcell:
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Comments (99)
republitarian
Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:49amBurning them on the lawn sends a message. It’s not like the old days. :(
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sasquatch08
Oct. 3, 2012 at 3:05am@Sleez
And while we’re at it how about people we disagree with, don’t like etc.
Shall we tattoo serial numbers on them as well?
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Obama Been Lauding
Oct. 3, 2012 at 6:30amAn anonymous source told me Harry Reid did it!!!
As a matter of fact, the anonymous source told me that he has been burning in hell for his lies and deceit.
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pdw
Oct. 3, 2012 at 6:30amAgain it is the party of hate.
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Stoic one
Oct. 3, 2012 at 7:00amSLEEZY EVIL
Shall I take some attribute of YOU and condemn you for it? Yes, for the most part obesity is a life choice; that does not give you the right condemn it, without consequences. YES you have the RIGHT of free speech; I also have the same right and suggest your reasoning is ILLOGICAL
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loriann12
Oct. 3, 2012 at 7:19amMight as well have just burnt a cross in the front yard…..that was started by the Democrats, too. And during the civil war, they didn’t just lynch blacks, they lynched REPUBLICAN blacks, why do you think they all switched to Democrats….a survival instinct.
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13th Imam
Oct. 3, 2012 at 8:35amWhen the lighter fires up, shoot the arsonist.
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Rickfromillinois
Oct. 3, 2012 at 8:37amSleez – If we were going to send people into camps like you advocate. YOU would be the first to be sent. You see, the guy may be fat, but he can lose weight while you are STUPID, and that’s permanent.
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G-WHIZ
Oct. 3, 2012 at 10:38amThe White-Sheet-Dem.-Progressives are at it again! Jim-Crow all over! Instead of blacks, it’s republicans and black-republicans and white-hispanics!
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Dismayed Veteran
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:04pmThe message is “If we can burn your signs, we can burn your house.”
The party of the intelligencia once again demonstrates their level of intelligence.
The party of civility once again demonstrates civility in action.
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pitboss711
Oct. 3, 2012 at 3:41pmLiberals repeatedly open their mouths or do something like this to prove themselves to be a classless bunch of morons.
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midnightvelvet
Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:24amLiberals do not “get” the idea of freedom of speech, unless your speech agrees with them.
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bcope01
Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:23amDon’t let it get ugly, stand your ground!!
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WinstonSmith19842.0
Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:13amWhat is the symbolism there? Are the republicans the new wicked witches of the right?
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republitarian
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:53pmThere will be a lot of this kind of thing this time. They are very angry about their upcoming loss.
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e.galle
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:20amWait and see what happens if the election doesn’t go their way. There is going to be a whole lot of acting out. When they get fired, there is going to have to be a security escort out. I just hope it will be a win with at least 10 points so there will be no doubt.
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neverending
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:46pmAnd therein lies the reason people won’t put signs in their yards and the stories are familiar of cars with bumper stickers – if you don’t want damage to your car – forget the bumper stickers.
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Eleutheria
Oct. 3, 2012 at 1:22amI work at an institution of higher learning and there is no way I would broadcast my political affiliation on my vehicle. The bureaucracy already tries to bully me into silence when I offer push back regarding their political indoctrination. I can absolutely envision more than one faculty member vandalizing my vehicle.
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patriotfirst1776
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:43pmTwo Christmas’s ago, I had the Christmas lights ripped down from my trees and from the bushes. Was I pissed? You betcha. SO, I put them back up. I suspected a group of Muslim kids who lived in an apartment complex down the street. But, I couldn’t proven it. Well, it happened again. This time I filed a report with police….and I put the lights back up. AND I set up three video cameras. The gang came and tore the lights down, again. I had the whole event recorded on the three cameras. I called the police and filed a complaint. Well, they had ALL the info they needed and I filed multiple complaints. The gang was arrested and put in local jail. The parents didn’t have the money to get them out and came knocking on my door. I had the cameras rolling. They tried to intimidate me into dropping charges. It became very heated and so I called the police and filed charges and they were put in jail, too. Their attorney contacted me the next day and I told him, I was going to go to trial…..and keep them all in jail as long as I could. I also vowed that I would call the police if I ever saw them near my property. They were all convicted based on the videos.
They stayed away and last year, my Christmas lights stayed were they were.
I saw a couple of the kids vandalizing cars this summer, thanks to my trusty camera, I caught it all on video and called the police, they were arrested. This time, their parents turned on their children and started to police them. I stood firm and won
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denbren52
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:52pmThe worst thing we can do is nothing. Never let them win by resorting to violence or backing down. You were wise to use the law and technology to take a stand against those who would trample on our freedoms. Nice job!
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republitarian
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:59pmThanks for the story. Made me smile. :)
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drs1969
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:03amSo, it was the muslims doing it? Were they middle eastern or US converts?
Know your enemy!
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KEEPUSA
Oct. 3, 2012 at 6:53amThank you for your story! I admire the way you stood your ground. I live on Long Island, I recently read that someone’s Romney/Ryan sign was vandalized. Since I’ve lived in my home now for five years, the other day was the first time I received anything damaged from the post office and it was my Romney/Ryan sign! For some reason, I wasn’t surprised…. I also have a bumper sticker and I must say, I sometimes drive with conviction, other times….I am afraid. I will now, however, remember your story and stand my ground too. Who do these people think they are? For God’s sake, this is America!
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Timberline
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:32pmA friend of mine had similar experience with leftists vandals. When he replaced the sign he also posted a note saying “if you can read this, you’re in range”
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:35pmI like that – think I’ll borrow it
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republitarian
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:08amPerfect! Although, in my case, it’s not true. That’s okay, they won’t know.
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LeadNotFollow
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:28pm…
No one has the right to step foot on another person’s property and vandalize it.
The right to be let alone, is indeed the beginning of all freedoms.
Justice William O. Douglas
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antitheist
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:26pmWhere are the details? For all we know, he could’ve burned the sign himself.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:38pmprojection yet again
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Fla.Patriot
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:46pmHave another bong hit
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Exrepublisheep
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:23amFalse flag. Just wanted attention.
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Wango
Oct. 3, 2012 at 10:05amHe DID burn it himself. He has a chicken sandwich shop that’s going out of business and he needs a protest in his favor.
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dblaess
Oct. 3, 2012 at 4:31pmHe did. This was what he had to do to become a Democrat. Much like joining any other gang. Just an initiation rite
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banjarmon
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:24pmAmmo cost too much for a warning shot!!
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guntotinsquaw
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:36pmRock salt is cheap..and it works…you’ll only want that in your backside once.
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Bill Rowland
Oct. 3, 2012 at 6:47amIf I don’t hit em with the first shot I call it a warning shot.
OMG Nov 6, 2012
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coloradopatriot0920
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:22pmThen they wonder why we must fight for our rights. Demos step all over them more like the brotherhood everyday…United we stand divided we will fall. We must stand together against this evil spirit called the progressive/demo party.
God Bless Us All as We Stand together!
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:31pmI bet if they look, it was a rabbit, with a zippo and lighter fluid, he was hired by a rabid deer who just doesn’t like yard signs. But maybe it was an HOA member, those yard signs bring down property values, the charred mark in the lawn is just fine though, because now they can fine him.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:51am@ Darmok – still my favorite Next Generation episode
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razhunter100
Oct. 3, 2012 at 4:17ammore funnies darmok, getting dam depressing
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Zipit
Oct. 3, 2012 at 11:04amDARMOK! It was that waskally wabbit WANGO, with a can of wonsonol and a wighter!!!
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pissantno.10
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:22pmi have freinds in carbondale , they will shoot first and not ask any questions . and the cops will say woops
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SimpleTruths
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:22pmProbably burned down his own sign, false flag.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:27pmtypical leftist projection
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antitheist
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:35pm@kaydee
Are you kidding? He’s simply mimicking the comments of you neocons everytime a similar story like this pops up where the alleged victim is a liberal or democrat.
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COFemale
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:24amThats because you guy are truly guilty. We can predict with 100% accuracy how you act. You all on the other hand have no accuracy what-so-ever. The only violent side is the left. Remember it was you guys that burned crosses on the front lawns of blacks, this is just an extension of that habit.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:25am@ Anti – well except for the facts that all stories from leftists are made up ( homosexuals attacked – 2 recent stories turn out to be self inflicted) but hey – you just lend credence to my original premise – thanks for additional evidence…..
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Kelso
Oct. 3, 2012 at 9:55amAnarchist…we see ya…
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The-Monk
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:20pm♫”So looook for, that Union Fire….”♫
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RJJinGadsden
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:28pmHi MONK, Now that was funny. Wonder how many SEIU neighbors he must have?
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LeadNotFollow
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:20pm…
Satan has America in a choke-hold.
It’s time we kicked Satan to the curb.
Evil flourishes, when good men do nothing.
We are in a war between good and evil.
Vote out Obama, and the rest of his bunch.
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RightThinking1
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:19pmI say it every time. Scratch a liberal, find a Nazi
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SimpleTruths
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:35pmNazi’s were may things, liberals they weren’t. Might want to read a little history.
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Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:02am@Simpletruths: I HAVE read my history and Nazis were Leftists, and not cut from the cloth of Right-wing conservatism which promotes personal responsibility and accountability and, most importantly, God-given freedoms and liberties. Simpletruths, YOU need to read history to keep from looking like a first-class fool.
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ButtersDurst
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:11am@ SIMPLETRUTHS
I wouldn’t be so sure…
There are ALOT of similarities given that the Nazi party was a socialist party and liberals tend to be sympathetic and supportive to socialism ideas. Really the only difference between the two was the racism (although its debatable that liberals are subtle racists…e.g. Woodrow Wilson) and homophobia. Liberals tend to see eye-to-eye on pretty much everything else when it comes to governing ideologies.
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deano24
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:19pmThat’s why I won’t put a Romney/Ryan sign in my yard. They will come and vandalize your house or your car if they see an Romney/Ryan sign in your yard or on your vehicle.
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RJJinGadsden
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:26pmOh, I can. I live well out in the boonies and a decent distance from the road. If they come up in my yard to do anything like that, it’s just a matter of what gets them first. The dog or rock salt.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:26pmHAve courage – do it anyway – chickens give bullies fuel
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GoodStuff
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:27pmPut a Romney/Ryan sign in your yard, then set up a few of those hunter trail cams. Catch em in the act and hopefully get a license number. Jail time.
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DarkJello
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:17pmThe intolerant left strikes again!
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LeadNotFollow
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:14pm…
Guess this is why there are very few Republican signs displayed in my county. Republicans know there is no law Demoncrats will not break, just to get Obama re-elected.
This November 6 is going to get real ugly folks. I fear for Conservative American citizens.
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Fla.Patriot
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:51pmIt’s easy to spot us. we’re the ones behind the vehicle in traffic with the Obama sticker, laughing our as*es off.
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mecanic
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:14amwe are also the ones locked-n-loaded.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:12pm“Jackson County Republican Chair Gloria Campos said party leaders need to step up and address this problem. [Emphasis added]” actually individual citizens need to step up – looking to centralized gov’t is the problem.
Here is a warning to those who may wish to target my house….dogs bark, I look out, I see you tresspassing, I yell at you, you hestitate, do you feel lucky?…..
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LeadNotFollow
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:24pm…
Things are getting so bad, so quickly, that maybe we all need barking dogs, guns, and security cameras.
God bless and protect America.
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Skrewedretiree
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:12pmWell, welcome to the Party of Diversity, the People’s Party….the Democrats!
This is why I won’t put up a yard sign or put a bumber sticker on my car. The Demonazis would vandalize my car or my home.
So much for respecting diversity! The Democrat Pary is the most hateful bunch of a-holes I have ever had the displeasure to meet.
By the way: I used to be a Democrat. Thank God, I got over that!
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:29pmI know it is hard but giving in to the intimidation lets them win…..
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Taquoshi
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:31pmI’m happy that you came to your senses. When stories like this turn up, I wonder why anyone would remain a Democrat. In our town, the Democrats have proven themselves to be such bitter, angry people. At least three of our elected officials who were deep blue Democrats have left the party. For me, it is heart wrenching to be on the sidelines and see how the DTC has treated some who dare to think outside the box, particularly when they are friends.
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Jenasus
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:09pmImagine what the Demoncrats will do when Obama loses the election.
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SimpleTruths
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:21pmDon’t have to cause he isn’t going lose.
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BODYBAG
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:30pmOO000ps ghetto grammar
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COFemale
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:34amSimple, it ain’t going to be that simple. The polls you can’t believe them. We already have proof your side is stacking the deck either by over surveying democrats or under surveying people to not get a true scientific poll. Your side is so desperate, they have to doctor video to make Romney look bad, but later it is found out they didn’t report it accurate. Give it up Obama is done politically. He will never hold office anywhere else.
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kaydeebeau
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:07pmhmmm seems eerily similar to the kkk & other burning symbols in a republican’s yard
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Fla.Patriot
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:59pmProbably because the KKK was founded by Southern Democrats and still is predominently Democrats. Biggest hoax ever perpetrated on a race of people. The very ones that minorities think are their saviors, are the ones that have done the most to hold them back, keep them down and keep them dependent. Slavery is alive and well in the U.S.A. and the democrat party are running the plantation. If it was’nt so sick, it’d be funny
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drs1969
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:15amRe: FlaPatriot
And the worst part is they live their whole lives in Section 8 housing(if not in jail) and on welfare just so Dems can collect their votes, when needed. At least slaves earned their keep and could buy their way out of slavery.
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LeadNotFollow
Oct. 2, 2012 at 11:06pm…
Demoncrats are evil.
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Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Oct. 3, 2012 at 12:11amA lot of them ARE evil, it’s true. But the ones who aren’t evil, are just plain stupid, lazy, or severely misguided. Bottom line: I don’t care to have a Democrat for a neighbor (or a fellow countryman).
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