On my drive to work this morning I saw that No On One political signs that I had placed in appropriate locations in Farmington were gone; and new Yes On One signs were abundant. My immediate reaction was anger, which was quickly replaced with frustration at how futile it is to use fairness and reason with the persons that are proponents of overturning the Maine marriage equality law.
My thought process rambled for a while, and I am glad it never went to a place where I would go out some night and take down the yes signs. Trashing and/or removing the opposition’s political signs is unethical; is “playing dirty,” and is also AGAINST THE LAW. I made a call to the Farmington Police Department and reported this crime.
As I processed this event, I came to realize that it embodies the ethical code of the yes on one proponent. I am a gay man and have been subject to stereotyping, so I am reluctant to stereotype others. However, as the old saying goes, if it walks like a duck…. Those opposed to civil marriage equality do not believe in equal rights and treatment under the law. This mindset carries on to not having an equal right to display political signs that do not fit their opinion.
The marriage equality law, LD 1020, “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom,” provides specific religious conscience exception. All this law does is give lesbian women and gay men the same rights of civil marriage that is available to heterosexual persons. As marriage evolves from a man having as many wives as he could afford, from a woman being chattel of her husband, from marriages arranged by families for political and economic purposes, from a father giving consent to allow a marriage, from a man and woman entering into marriage for love, from an interracial couple being able to marry, now to allowing legal consenting adults regardless of gender to enter into a civil marriage; the changes have been wrought with emotional and legal battles. I hope and pray that this emotionally wrought battle will come out with fairness and equality the winner.
As to the signs, in Farmington and anywhere else in Maine, when one views the absence of No On One signs and abundance of yes signs, take this as evidence of the unfair oppression that has existed about this issue and please be sure to vote NO ON ONE.
Jarad W. Platt
Farmington
i was so angry when i heard the news the other night that no on 1 signs are turning up missing everywhere, its rediculous and so bigoted. I`m just venting here, but some of these people are so ignorant that they dont notice that this law doesnt just give equality to lesbians and gays; but also to the religious folks who also have every right to believe what they want. It`s staying that way! this law will never force anyone to participate nor accept gay marriage. It simply allows the people who do want it to have it. What ever happened to the saying live and let live. Open your eyes and realize it`s not effecting those who oppose it. So please think about it people of maine, and check off no on the ballot, think of others. P.s. That nonsense about “teaching gay in school” is a lie, look it up for yourself.
I have not seen anybody’s signs removed. If you have seen only “No on 1” signs disappear, it doesn’t follow either that this kind of vandalism is typical of “Yes on 1” voters or that nobody is vandalizng in the other direction. I have 2 “Yes on 1” signs on my lawn; I have not tampered with anybody else’s signs, and nobody has tampered with mine. Nor have I noticed any signs disappearing. I am really tired of these ridiculous accusations.
Taking down political signs is not isolated to one side or the other. Question 1 signs are being taken down by a few ignorant people on BOTH sides of the issue. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/126134.html This link references an article regarding two people actually caught taking down YES on 1 signs. Our neighbor had a YES on 1 sign, on his own lawn no less, run over. Obviously, it goes both ways. And it is wrong regardless of whose signs are being destroyed.
According to Tye, “That nonsense about “teaching gay in school” is a lie, look it up for yourself.” I have looked it up and unfortunately, it is not a lie. LD 1020, formulated by the NO side, had an opportunity to address this in the bill and chose not to. To me, that is very telling.
In 2005, we were told “it’s not about gay marriage.” But here we are in 2009 and it’s ALL about gay marriage. I will vote YES on 1 in support of traditional marriage between on man and one woman. I have taught my children to respect others and the law, despite our differences.
Vote YES on 1!
Reminds me of one i lost my McCain/Palin signs!
Who was it that said disagreement is not indication of hate!
um, i wasn`t blaming you, no one was. Where did you get that idea?? but it IS true that some signs have disappeared, it was on the news. And there is no question 13, it`s 1. You don`t make any sense…
esther, you say you taught your children to respect others and the law, despite our differences; yet you support something which DOESN`T respect all people or the law. it denys basic rights to some american citizens just because of who they fall in love with and want to marry. Like i said before, live and let live. No on 1.
Very sadly, Question #1 doesn’t seem to be about logic anymore (if it ever was). To Licia, Esther, Hutch, Tye and Jarad I would like to say thank you. I had been wondering why that when I first started looking at the Question #1 signs, there seemed to be approximately the same amount for both sides. Then there seemed to be drastically fewer No on #1 signs than there were before. Seemed like they disappeared. I didn’t see the news story, but now I have one possible answer to my question.
A few years ago Chandler Woodcock ran against Russ Christensen for State Senate. When Russ saw that some Woodcock signs had been taken down, he personally put them back up. I believe he and Chandler had a joint press conference that denounced such tactics. Where is such civility and respect today?
As Jarad said, tampering with political signs is a crime that has, at least in one case, been prosecuted. That case involved a campaign worker for John Frary seeing someone taking down a Frary sign that the worker had just put up. If anyone witnesses such a crime, please report it.
I just hope both sides will be out Nov 4 taking down their signs. Unfortunately this will not be the case.
My guess is we will see many more yes on 1-4 signs still up than the no signs