Woman accused of defacing Bush re-election signs

The Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, Washington) ^ | October 11, 2004 | Derek Sheppard

[Stoat]

Woman accused of defacing Bush re-election signs

By Derek Sheppard, Sun Staff
October 11, 2004

A woman allegedly told sheriff's deputies that she's been politically "active" with her yellow paint, and two people called authorities Saturday to report her activities in Central Kitsap.

Bush/Cheney campaign signs on Silverdale Way and Waaga Way were slathered in a layer of scuba-yellow paint Saturday, and deputies spoke on the phone with a woman who they said admitted to doing it.

 

"I've been quite active with the yellow paint," the woman allegedly told deputies.

The 49-year-old Chimacum woman accused of painting the signs told Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputies she didn't know defacing a political sign was a crime, the act wasn't malicious, and she was practicing her right to free speech, according to deputies' reports.

The deputy cited the law against defacing political signs, and reminded her that vandalizing property is not the proper way to exercise free speech, the report said.

Deputies contacted the woman Saturday after getting a call from a two witnesses who alleged they saw the woman paint the signs during the day and one alleged the woman attached a picture of President Bush with a beard and turban. The attached sign read "Impeach Bush the Butcher," the report said.

During the telephone conversation with the deputy, the Chimacum woman allegedly admitted to painting signs, and said she'd been doing it for about a month in the area. She also told the deputy that she had painted a campaign sign near the Hood Canal Bridge several times, but that someone kept replacing it, the report said.

She said the signs troubled her and that she was would be suspicious of political motivations if charges were pursued.

"I don't want to be made an example of," she told the deputy, according to the report.

The report was forwarded to prosecutors for the possibility of misdemeanor charges and the woman was not arrested.

Several reports of vandalized political signs in Kitsap for Democratic and Republican candidates have surfaced during this year's campaign season.

Reach reporter Derek Sheppard at (360) 792-9227 or at dsheppard@kitsapsun.com.

[Stoat]

Giving credit where it's due: I was alerted to this news item by a post in the Free Republic Washington State Board by bigfootbob. Here is his entire post:

"Well folks, the police caught the rather prolific sign vandal that has been painting our Bush signs yellow over here in Kitsap and Jefferson counties for the past month.

She claims it was her free speech right to vandalize 15 $100.00+ a piece Bush signs! Se has asked the police not to make an example of her.

I think that is exactly what should be done to her. Check out the article here; http://thesunlink.com/bsun/local/article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_3245783,00.html

Call the Jefferson County prosecutors office and tell them what you think.

Juelie Dalzell, Prosecuting Attorney Phone: 360.385.9180 "

[Semper Paratus]

Force her to replace the signs with new ones.

[sam_whiskey]

"I've been quite active with the yellow paint," the woman allegedly told deputies.


Only a liberal...

[Phantom Lord]

My Bush bumper sticker has been vandalized and I have seen other Bush stickers vandalized, along with yard signs.

I have yet to see a single Kerry bumper sticker or sign vandalized.

[camle]

they ought to make her reimburse the RNC for the signs at full cost.

[Puppage]

Another, in a long line of criminal acts, brought to you by the PARTY OF TOLERANCE

[Bikers4Bush]

"She said the signs troubled her and that she was would be suspicious of political motivations if charges were pursued."

If you break the law and get caught you are punished. It's that simple. Politics has nothing to do with it scumbag.

[sam_whiskey]

"I've been quite active with the yellow paint," the woman allegedly told deputies.


A quote you could only get from a liberal...

[McGavin999]

If they fail to prosecute her, the GOP should take her to court for the cost of the signs and the cost of taking down the old ones and putting up the new. In addition, if this happened on personal property, each of the homeowners should sue her as well.

[Kirkwood]

Guess she thought the founding fathers were only thinking about her when they came up with this free speech concept.

[DarthVader]

Tar and feather her. Then paint her yellow.

[Conspiracy Guy]

She said the signs troubled her and that she was would be suspicious of political motivations if charges were pursued.

I would charge her with the max!

[JimB in Venice]

wouldn't it be a shame if someone decorated this lady's house in RED, WHITE AND BLUE.. you know.. maybe just a
'halloween prank'

[rolling_stone]

officer I didn't know it was illegal to deface someone else's property..yeah and if someone spray painted her signs or her property (with free speech messages like b*tch) she is not going to complain about the free speech?

[conservativewasp]

Yellow is an appropriate color for liberals.

[meyer]

At what dollar figure does it become a felony?

[Bigh4u2]

"she was practicing her right to free speech, according to deputies' reports. "

And denying republicans of their 'right to free speech', by paint over the signs.

But, that's a liberal for you.

Their actions are 'free speech'. Ours are 'hate speech'.

[Mayflower Sister]

Gosh, she looks familiar:

[Bigh4u2]

And 'Ignorance of the law is not a defense.'

[knuthom]

15 $100.00+ a piece Bush signs

Sue her for $1500.