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.

[Dallas59]

What's her name and where does she work and live?

[Ciexyz]

The Dems are stealing Bush signs all over the country, esp. union goons who grab them on a late-night run down major roadways. Also garbage men have been seen picking up Bush signs along with the trash and throwing them in the back of garbage trucks.

[Preachin']

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

Unbelievable...

[Bigh4u2]

Plus the labor to reinstall them.

I'd say at current Union rates, that would be about $5,000.

[talleyman]

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

That's exactly what should happen to her. "Kriminals for Kerry" bump.

[AF68]

"Force her to replace the signs with new ones."

And then slather her up with yellow paint and stake her at a busy intersection.

[BearCub]

The people whose signs were defaced don't need to wait for the police to do anything.

They should each *separately* file lawsuits against her claiming the full replacement cost of the signs. With 15-20 individual lawsuits filed against her, this lady will be up to her neck in legal fees. Forget the $100 signs - she'll spend $500 on EACH suit just to get a lawyer to answer them.

[CindyDawg]

Unless things have changed, ignorance not an excuse for breaking the law.

[camle]

oh now that is a very, very good idee!! :-)

[Preachin']

If I was a betting man, I'd bet money she is a union worker.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

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

That is because the Republicans are above these type of tactics.

[Core_Conservative]

Well - at least she's an "honest" liberal.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Good idea! And I suspicious of political motivations if charges were pursued.

[Mayflower Sister]

Let us pray that she will see the error of her ways.

[DarthVader]

Huh! Here in VA. I see a Kerry sign up and before you know it. It's gone.

[Tall_Texan]

To liberals, fascism=free speech and free speech=fascism. If you don't think, believe and speak as they do, the basic rights are not permitted to you.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Is that yellow paint? Looks like Terayza.

[Pearls Before Swine]

"I've been quite active with the yellow paint."....she PROUDLY stated.

She's so juvenile she doesn't recognize that anyone could have a problem with her vandalism.

[GoLightly]

What's her address? I think I'd like to exercize a bit of my free speech on her house & car. No, I'm not series & I live no where near this clueless ditz.

[foreverfree]

bump