This is really not new, and part of the reason I left the Democrat party. They behave almost like the mob about things like this, and this has been going on for many years. In some residential neighborhoods it is dangerous to put up signs for a Republican candidate because there is a real danger that your home could be vandalized. Also your car. After my car was keyed because I had the "wrong" bumper sticker, I have been afraid to advertise publicly my support for Republican candidates. I think you'll see more Obama signs and bumper stickers because Republicans do not behave this way. The hypocrisy of the left on the matter of free speech IS astounding.
The one that says that businesses and groups and individuals have choices.
I retaliate against businesses every day because of their actions. The actions might be higher prices, or political signs. That is my choice. There are political and economic boycotts I choose to participate in and those I do not. I choose to give 1 dollar to my union's PAC. It is an insulting amount. I 'participate' so my co-workers get off my back, but I don't believe in PACs so I don't give enough to make a difference. My choice.
Oddly enough, in my county (a Republican stronghold) in the last Congressional election, all of the Democratic candidate's signs were slashed and red paint thrown on his lawn like blood.
Not everything that happens in the world is reported in the news. Not everything that is reported in the news is found on the internet. Considering that the hotel had played host to a variety of functions for which they were paid by local area democrats it probably did feel like a slap in the face.
Are you from Maryland? Do you know anything about Maryland, other than we have historically been known for Chesapeake Bay crabs? Clinton is a largely African American town in Maryland. An area that has a difficult racial history. Given its racial makeup (see below) a business owner who makes a decision to support the opposing candidate AFTER having profited from business generated by the local favorite should expect some backlash.
Races in Clinton:
* Black (73.7%) * White Non-Hispanic (19.9%) * Two or more races (2.1%) * Hispanic (1.9%) * American Indian (1.2%) * Filipino (1.2%) * Other race (0.7%)
Maryland might be a Blue state but it has some Red pockets, for example Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland have large Red pockets. I support Obama, but I am a teacher with a significant population of my students whose parents are republicans so do I wear an Obama pin at school? NO. Do I have an Obama sticker on my car? No, because last election cycle my car was vandalized, as were other cars in the school parking lot that sported Kerry bumper stickers, while the Bush cars were left alone. Do I have an Obama sign on my lawn? Not currently because I have gone through 6 signs in three weeks. Now my sign is in my front window, but I do take it down before I go to bed lest someone throw a rock through my window in the middle of the night. Have I called the police - no, I think they probably have better things to do.
Given the choice between a store with an Obama sign and a store with a McCain sign I would patronize the store with the Obama sign - that is my right. If the hotel did not realize they might offend some of their customers they lack business sense. Businesses have to cater to their clientele - if they don't they lose clients. Given the history of Clinton the hotel owners knew the reaction they would get and proceeded anyway. They made an informed decision - can't cry about it later.
I watched something on the news last night about a rally in Nebraska. I have never been to Nebraska, don't even know anyone from Nebraska. But Nebraska is a Red state. There was a McCain/Palin there recently and the mostly white Obama supporters were interviewed, they told of the names they had been called by their own mostly white neighbors for supporting Obama - not very pretty names. There was a clip of cars driving by shouting names at these supports as they sat in lawn chairs along the street with their Obama signs. Is it rignt? No, but I am sure it happens in many places. Sadly this campaign has gotten very negative, both sides are polarized. Don't you think McCain and Palin have contributed to the tone? I don't expect agreement from you - but that doesn't make me wrong.
Pages
No, it is the same country.
The one that says that businesses and groups and individuals have choices.
I retaliate against businesses every day because of their actions. The actions might be higher prices, or political signs. That is my choice. There are political and economic boycotts I choose to participate in and those I do not. I choose to give 1 dollar to my union's PAC. It is an insulting amount. I 'participate' so my co-workers get off my back, but I don't believe in PACs so I don't give enough to make a difference. My choice.
Oddly enough, in my county (a Republican stronghold) in the last Congressional election, all of the Democratic candidate's signs were slashed and red paint thrown on his lawn like blood.
Oddly enough, he
Not everything that happens in the world is reported in the news. Not everything that is reported in the news is found on the internet. Considering that the hotel had played host to a variety of functions for which they were paid by local area democrats it probably did feel like a slap in the face.
Are you from Maryland? Do you know anything about Maryland, other than we have historically been known for Chesapeake Bay crabs? Clinton is a largely African American town in Maryland. An area that has a difficult racial history. Given its racial makeup (see below) a business owner who makes a decision to support the opposing candidate AFTER having profited from business generated by the local favorite should expect some backlash.
Races in Clinton:
* Black (73.7%)
* White Non-Hispanic (19.9%)
* Two or more races (2.1%)
* Hispanic (1.9%)
* American Indian (1.2%)
* Filipino (1.2%)
* Other race (0.7%)
Maryland might be a Blue state but it has some Red pockets, for example Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland have large Red pockets. I support Obama, but I am a teacher with a significant population of my students whose parents are republicans so do I wear an Obama pin at school? NO. Do I have an Obama sticker on my car? No, because last election cycle my car was vandalized, as were other cars in the school parking lot that sported Kerry bumper stickers, while the Bush cars were left alone. Do I have an Obama sign on my lawn? Not currently because I have gone through 6 signs in three weeks. Now my sign is in my front window, but I do take it down before I go to bed lest someone throw a rock through my window in the middle of the night. Have I called the police - no, I think they probably have better things to do.
Given the choice between a store with an Obama sign and a store with a McCain sign I would patronize the store with the Obama sign - that is my right. If the hotel did not realize they might offend some of their customers they lack business sense. Businesses have to cater to their clientele - if they don't they lose clients. Given the history of Clinton the hotel owners knew the reaction they would get and proceeded anyway. They made an informed decision - can't cry about it later.
I watched something on the news last night about a rally in Nebraska. I have never been to Nebraska, don't even know anyone from Nebraska. But Nebraska is a Red state. There was a McCain/Palin there recently and the mostly white Obama supporters were interviewed, they told of the names they had been called by their own mostly white neighbors for supporting Obama - not very pretty names. There was a clip of cars driving by shouting names at these supports as they sat in lawn chairs along the street with their Obama signs. Is it rignt? No, but I am sure it happens in many places. Sadly this campaign has gotten very negative, both sides are polarized. Don't you think McCain and Palin have contributed to the tone? I don't expect agreement from you - but that doesn't make me wrong.
Edited 10/18/2008 9:53 am ET by time4fun2003
Hey - this is the American way - freedom of choice....
Pages