Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Vandalism is an illegitimate means of political speech
You may have seen the graffiti splayed against the side of a dumpster or the back of a sign.
“Ron Paul Revolution,” or something to that effect, certainly convinces me that the Republican candidate is the right person to be leading the country.
Based upon his polling results, many Americans seem to agree. However, there remains a vocal minority in favor of Ron Paul — many of whom are voicing their support in a legal, civil manner.
But a misguided contingent, mostly young people, have a different idea of positive support for their candidate.
Ron Paul supporters, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding citizens, should do the right thing for their candidate and pressure their fellow supporters to refrain from vandalism.
It is not a valid form of propaganda for both aesthetic and private property concerns. Ron Paul’s libertarian platform strongly supports private property rights.
Any argument that only public property is being defaced is faulty. Vandalism in support of Ron Paul has appeared on both public and private surfaces.
The legitimacy of vandalism of public and private property itself is arguable. An underground art scene based solely on graffiti has emerged over the years and is flirting with the mainstream art world. Some might argue that they enjoy unsolicited art on public and private spaces. But this is not about art.
This is about what sort of political message is being delivered by putting it on a dumpster or someone’s seemingly abandoned shed. Ron Paul definitely does not approve this message.
Eric:
Comment on 16-Jan-08 at 2:42 pm
I support Ron Paul and I oppose graffiti in most forms.
I haven’t seen any Ron Paul graffiti, do you have pictures and/or specific locations?
huck:
Comment on 16-Jan-08 at 2:46 pm
here, here! very true. Also don’t forget this is politics and it’s way too easy for supporters of another candidate to do this stuff and make him look bad OR even easier encourage one of the hooligans to go yelling at news anchors, and hanging bed sheets with “Revolution” spray painted on them from Interstate overpasses. Unfortunately the vast majority of these offenses are carried out by Paul supporters thinking they’re helping. Ron Paul supporters face an uphill battle and the vandals and “truthers” don’t help.
MR. JONES:
Comment on 16-Jan-08 at 2:55 pm
“Vandalism is an illegitimate means of political speech”
What about the Boston Tea Party?
Dave:
Comment on 16-Jan-08 at 3:35 pm
Well said, Mr. Jones. When people are fed up and act out, it is wise to listen to what they are acting out about. To ignore the message, regardless of how it’s conveyed, is pure folly. And Mr. Pollnow, looking down your nose at someone for doing things different from you isn’t any better than the behavior your condemning. And did you ever think that maybe the owner of that said shed may have put it up there himself? As long as it’s removed after elections in public areas, I see no difference from graffiti than nailing signs to our power and telephone poles, and sticking them in every open spot on public land. (all candidates do this) So please climb down from your hateful high-horse and join the Common Sense (A.K.A. Ron Paul) Revolution.
Kevin Houston:
Comment on 16-Jan-08 at 9:47 pm
Civil disobedience is one thing, but please recall the words of the candidate himself.
“I support Civil Disobedience, but you must be willing to accept the consequences of your actions.”
But vandalising someone’s private property can hardly be classified as Civil Disobedience
As a Ron Paul supporter, I would remind everyone that painting anyone’s private property without permission is not just wrong, it’s counter-productive. You risk losing that person’s vote, and everyone they know.
Remember, Politics is war *without* the violence and property damage.
Later.
Ray Bradbury:
Comment on 17-Jan-08 at 1:36 am
Vandalism is way down on a long list of reasons not to like Ron Paul or his supporters.
I think a better question is why Ron Paul and his ilk stopped reading their philosophy of governance texts after the Adam Smith chapter. I can think of a few things you could do with your “invisible hand” that are more productive than supporting Ron Paul.
Barak:
Comment on 23-Jan-08 at 12:26 pm
If only someone spray painted ‘Huckabee’ on public property…
oklahomans would be too busy having an orgasm to complain…