— from Robert L. Waunch —
I drove by the North Beach Rd and School Rd intersection today where we’ve always had a number of signs of candidates for various offices. I observed that vandals had sprayed red paint over only the Republican candidates’ signs.
It’s disappointing the same destructive vandals so evident in Seattle are now on Orcas. I always hoped our community would welcome a discussion of differing opinions. It appears those supporting the opposite party have forgotten about free speech as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
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Bob, under Common Core, the young people never learned our Constitution and Bill of Rights in our schools. This is an ugly fact. Unfortunately, Free Speech is being curtailed by violence around this country. It is distressing to realize that these vandals are the future of America at this time, unless the young people and the adults decide to use their Critical Thinking in evaluating their motives for their actions. It’s time for All Patriots To Stand Up For Our Constitutional Rights! This lawless orgy of hate and violence has to Stop. We, the adults, need to Stand Tall Now!
Spirit Eagle
Spirit Eagle – you seem to be incorrect in your assertions about the educational standards of the State of Washington:
https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/socialstudies/standards/OSPI_SocStudies_Standards_2019.pdf
And about the model Common Core standards:
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RI/11-12/9/
Compared to the clear messaging of “BLM” chalkprints we saw earlier in Eastsound, spray paint is meant to alarm, and it’s disappointing. Authentic civility of public expression is the rule of social compact, not the exception.
Given republican candidate’s have proudly become symbols of hate, racism, greed and ignorance under Herr drumph’s reign, and the whole purpose of publicly flaunting ones political affiliations is to provoke a response, it would seem to have had the desired effect.
My comments on this article the other day simply providing links to the relevant sections of the WA State educational standards, and the Common Core model standards was seemingly censored by Orcas Issues. However, a simple search will locate these documents, which clearly specify that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are covered in school, contrary to other claims made by commenters.
Brian, your initial comment was not censored. It came in for moderation while I was sleeping. I’m awake now.
Mr. Waunch, how do you know these are “the same destructive vandals” as in Seattle? Do you not see a difference between burning buildings, tear gas, rubber bullets, and a spray painted sign? Are you aware that many of the “very bad people” disrupting peaceful civil protests in Seattle are actually not part of that movement but either opportunists looking to loot or from the Alt-Right/Trump side of the aisle (your side?) and looking to get Republican/Conservatives stoked to blame it all on the Democrats and BLM?
Luther. Well said.
I’m afraid incivility is bipartisan. My sign for a liberal candidate was stolen the night it went up. Please, everyone, respect one another!
I completely agree that vandalism is not the solution to anything. Having said that, I wonder where Spirit Eagle’s indignation and Constitution thumping rhetoric was when the BLM signs on Lopez were vandalized on 6/28? Did you write a letter to the editor then?
https://sanjuanislander.com/news-articles/people/31335/vandalism-on-lopez-island-offset-by-community-action
We have 3 months til the general election. Here’s an idea: take ALL the campaign signs down now. the Primaries are over. Don’t put them up until 4 weeks before the general election. They blight the lanscape – I don’t care who a person is for. Take them down and give it a rest for a few months! it’s hard enough as it is to stomach the state of things, let alone witness this polarized divide day after day after day.
Why are the campaign signs still up? I thought there was at least an unofficial understanding that limited them? Surely it’s way too soon for the election, which is 80+ days away. Bottom line–put up your signs almost three months before the election, we can just not vote for you.
As for the vandals, perhaps they thought that the signs were up illegally. BTW, I thought I saw Sharon Kivisto’s sign also sprayed with red paint. I really doubt that she’s a Republican, and she’s not even in the general election.
I think our First Amendment rights, including putting up signs in the public form, or demonstrating peacefully outside the White House, are our most important. Spray painting someone’s sign suggests that the painter can’t articulate a position.
Luther–your analysis doesn’t pass Constitutional muster and, frankly, is a little like saying a rape victim “asked” to be assaulted because she was wearing a short skirt. I.e., reprehensible.
Wow peg, lol, that takes the classic “straw man” to a whole new level! By your standards you’re well within your constitutional right to plant a 30 foot swastika In your front yard, but it’s a little naive to think everyone that sees it is going to calmly respect your statement.