The Talbot Republican Central Committee (TCRCC) has worked hard to promote our candidates, including the erection of a couple dozen large Trump, Andy Harris, and Hogan signs around the county. In just a week we have had one large sign near Trappe stolen, replaced, and stolen again, and last night had two signs spray-painted on St Michaels Road just ouside of St Michaels. These signs cost an average of $100 each plus $15 for lumber, and sweat equity to dig post holes and erect the signs.
Vandalism of political signs is against the law and is punishable by jail time and hefty fines. Complaints have been filed with the Sheriff’s Office. Many signs are now monitored by trail cameras. If we catch the responsible parties, we will prosecute vigorously. TCRCC will pay a $500 reward to anyone whose testimony leads to conviction.
While spending two hours cleaning the paint off the signs, I was cursed at twice by people driving by:”F–k You” and “F–k Trump.” (This was offset by some dozen or more friendly honks and thumbs-ups and two people who stopped to ask if they could help.)
This behavior is typical of people who have no respect for the Constutution, and specifically the First Amendment, or of the election process in which we all express our opinions by peaceful, respectful means. Sadly, the Democratic Party has encouraged behavior that stifles freedom of expression for several years (witness Obama’s “get in their face” remarks and the pressuring of Facebook and Twitter by the Biden/Harris Administration to censor conservative thought.
If we are to have a democracy of, by, and for the people, we must respect each other’s right to think and say what we will. I hope that Democrats who are put off by this behavior will chastise their brethren for acting this way. It isn’t pretty.
To be silent is to condone this behavior.
Kent Robertson
Talbot County
What we seem to have here is a failure to communicate. All this talk about free speech is simply another way of saying, I have the right to lie, cheat and steal without fear of reprisal. Regarding your missing signs, maybe bearing false witness provoked a strong breeze to toss them in a nearby corn field. I find it interesting that the sign in your letter to the editor was merely converted to a more uplifting message “Great again.” An indication that when you eliminate the superfluous, the truth is revealed. The sign of a superior mind.
I am a native of Maryland’s eastern shore and, but for six years of Navy service during the Vietnam War era, a life long resident. I have always valued the truth, even when it is in short supply. You were apparently advertising the idea that a self-admitted, and convicted, woman molester with 34 felony fraud convictions is the best person to lead us to a brighter day. In words you feel comfortable repeating, F–k that.