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A John McCain sign? Permission denied. Twice.
The Los Angeles Times Blog ^ | 10/20/2008 | Veronique de Turenne

Posted on 10/22/2008 11:41:47 AM PDT by cold666pack

All Lloyd Greif wanted when he hung a John McCain banner from the wall around his Hollywood Hills home was a father-son project to show his teenager how democracy works. What he got instead was a tussle with the local bureaucracy and a spate of vandalism that led to a darker corner of the democratic process.

It began when Greif, an investment banker, and his son, Ben, then 14, hung a large McCain banner just before Super Tuesday. Within days, someone tried -- and failed -- to tear it down. Next came a notice from L.A.'s Department of Building and Safety saying the sign violated the local zoning ordinance.

Even as Greif appealed, a process that cost $404 in filing fees, vandals threw paint and eggs at the sign, then sliced it apart.

"It was a very distressing and disturbing sign of the times," Greif said. "This guy is a hero, which is rare out there. To see this kind of disapproval is very sad."

Though Greif's zoning appeal was denied, he hasn't removed the banner. Instead, he and his son spent the weekend working on repairs.

"Mission accomplished," Greif wrote in an e-mail. "Or, to put it another way, I guess you could say we're beaten but not bowed."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: firstamendment; liberaltolerance
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You should check out the comments for this piece! Who says there's no suppport for McCain in Los Angeles!
1 posted on 10/22/2008 11:41:48 AM PDT by cold666pack
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To: cold666pack

Well, the kid got a lesson on how democratsy works, anyway.


2 posted on 10/22/2008 11:46:20 AM PDT by synchron
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To: cold666pack

90% of the McCain signs in San Diego have been stolen. The local Republican Party is urging that people with the remaining signs take them in at night.


3 posted on 10/22/2008 11:46:51 AM PDT by p. henry
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To: cold666pack

I know Lloyd from past business in LA. Very quality guy, smart as a whip.


4 posted on 10/22/2008 11:50:54 AM PDT by joinedafterattack
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To: cold666pack
“....project to show his teenager how democracy works”

An absolutely perfect demonstration.

It demonstrates why the Founding Fathers made America a Republic rather than a Democracy.

It demonstrates why one of the few political writers who ever had anything positive to say about Democracy was Karl Marx. He correctly stated that he liked Democracy because it is only one step away from Totalitarianism.

Welcome to the Union of Soviet Socialist Amerika, Comrade.

5 posted on 10/22/2008 11:54:08 AM PDT by ChicagahAl (So your bumper sticker says: "Don't blame me, I didn't vote!"? Duh!)
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To: cold666pack
My son and I drive by Obama signs in our neighborhood daily. He said to me "why don't we just take them down?" Perfect question! We had an in-depth discussion about freedom, American values, and how they should have the right to express their viewpoint, no matter how wrong. It's supposedly what makes America great. We would be angry if they removed or damaged our signs. I don't agree with them, but I will fight for their RIGHT, and my right, to express their opinion openly.

Somehow I don't think there are a great number of Democratic parents giving their children the same advice.

6 posted on 10/22/2008 12:00:12 PM PDT by I'm ALL Right! (Joe Biden: The Michael Scott of politics)
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To: cold666pack

Is it me or why can’t I find any stories about GOP’rs tearing down 0bamma/Biden signs, rabid Repub supporters getting arrested at 0bamma/Biden rally’s, or Repubs leaving bags of dog$hit in the back of a 0bamma supporter’s truck.

The Dem’s are the party of tolerance...my Arse!!!


7 posted on 10/22/2008 12:05:56 PM PDT by zavvone
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To: p. henry
Not surprising. One method that is somewhat effective is to use staples on the signs so when they steal it they have to take the whole thing rather than just the plastic part. Most theifs/vandals find it too cumbersome and leave them uprooted.
Using axle grease around the edges of the signs is another effective deterent. When the crook gets a handful of slime, they tend to panic and leave.
8 posted on 10/22/2008 12:07:03 PM PDT by MovementConservative (Do everything you can in your precinct, even if it's just to donate $ to the local headquarters.)
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To: cold666pack

That’s about as bad as the pizzeria in MI giving away free pizzas to anyone bringing in a stolen McCain-Palin yard sign.


9 posted on 10/22/2008 12:07:10 PM PDT by gimme1ibertee ("...I will fear no evil,for Thou art with me..Thy rod and Thy staff,they comfort me.")
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To: MovementConservative

Someone else mentioned rubbing Poison Ivy on the signs.


10 posted on 10/22/2008 12:09:11 PM PDT by gimme1ibertee ("...I will fear no evil,for Thou art with me..Thy rod and Thy staff,they comfort me.")
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To: p. henry

Smear the stakes holding them in the ground liberally with dog poop.


11 posted on 10/22/2008 12:09:12 PM PDT by Bon mots
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To: p. henry

Can you buy poison ivy resin?


12 posted on 10/22/2008 12:10:34 PM PDT by MrB (0bama supporters: What's the attraction? The Marxism or the Infanticide?)
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To: cold666pack

All Republicans in CA and NY should move their vote to a swing state.


13 posted on 10/22/2008 12:11:26 PM PDT by Niteranger68 (Conservatives..Â…please stop funding liberalism! Scrutinize every dollar you spend!)
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To: gimme1ibertee
Someone else mentioned rubbing Poison Ivy on the signs.

Oooh. That's a good one! I'm immune to poison ivy! Mix some of that with dog poop and we've got a winner!

14 posted on 10/22/2008 12:11:32 PM PDT by Bon mots
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To: p. henry

Democrats are very bad people.


15 posted on 10/22/2008 12:12:57 PM PDT by ichabod1 (You won't know communism is here until it puts a boot in your (fat) bottom.)
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To: MrB

“Can you buy poison ivy resin?”

Use concentrated habenero hot sauce. It has a very nasty (but temporary) effect on ‘delicate’ parts of the body when touched.


16 posted on 10/22/2008 12:15:29 PM PDT by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
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To: bk1000
It has a very nasty (but temporary) effect on ‘delicate’ parts of the body when touched.

And just WHAT do you think folks are doing to these signs?

17 posted on 10/22/2008 12:16:49 PM PDT by MrB (0bama supporters: What's the attraction? The Marxism or the Infanticide?)
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To: I'm ALL Right!

Had a similar conversation with my young kids.

When we got home they asked if they could do stuff do the pictures of the candidates that they have posted up on their bedroom door “ELECTION 2008”. Lots of photos from their school weekly readers, etc. I said I’m still not real comfortable with the idea - but as long as it is in the house (not at school) you can.

So now in one photo Hillary is saying Go Sarah! Obama has horns and goatee, etc. Pretty funny!


18 posted on 10/22/2008 12:18:21 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant, Never Fearful)
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To: bk1000

I prefer Vaseline with liberal addition of pepper mace. Mix very carefully, wear latex gloves and respirator. Apply with a brush.


19 posted on 10/22/2008 12:22:02 PM PDT by E.Allen
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To: MrB

“And just WHAT do you think folks are doing to these signs? ‘

After a busy night of stealing signs a moonbat is bound to feel nature’s call. If not that, then he will likely rub his weary eyes. Then of course, they could be...no, never mind!


20 posted on 10/22/2008 12:26:04 PM PDT by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
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