This is what my Republican MD state representative posted today (I need advice)

[LaydeeBug]

"For anyone looking for Trump/Pence yard signs, we will be handing them out from North Point Library this week, date and time to be determined. We are asking everyone to please bring a New Unopened toy or Non Perishable Food Item for our annual Thanksgiving food drive and Christmas drive, in exchange for a sign. We will post the date and time as soon as possible. Please share and Thank you for your support and Thank you for helping us give back to our community!!"

I find it unseemly that a partisan political event is happening at a public library. Am I wrong? Maybe I am too far off the bandwagon, but this doesn't sit right with me.

[treestar]

1. you've got a point, like a public school

it should be neutral. Could Democrats meet there too? That might offset it.

[Panich52]

2. Understandable concern, but I don't see conflict. Esp if...

Esp if library is getting fee f/ being host.

Maybe you should take a toy down & pick up a sign. 1) Repubs actually aiding needy kids? 2) write "NEVER" over names before you display the sign

[jberryhill]

3. First Amendment activities at a library? On public property?

1. Get out a map.

2. Color in red, all of the places where the First Amendment is not applicable.

3. Color in green, all of the places where the First Amendment is applicable.

Is the public library red or green?

I'd ask for a sign, and tell them that I don't believe in giving handouts to poor people. It makes them shiftless, lazy and dependent. If they refuse to give me a sign, I'd ask if they were communists.

[NCTraveler]

15. This. lol. nt.

[jberryhill]

17. DU is a funny place

On the one hand, we have members who will strenuously defend blocking an interstate highway as protected political speech.

On the other hand, we have members who are uncomfortable with political speech on public property.

It's a big tent.

[cwydro]

25. Omg.

Bingo.

[TheBlackAdder]

4. While partisan, they are also performing a community food drive. It seems kind of a wash.

[LaydeeBug]

6. They're doing it in the parking lot. I'm cool with that. nt

[Renew Deal]

5. You should post something saying that everyone that donates a toy gets a sign that they can burn

In a bonfire at the public park

[GWC58]

7. North Point! I grew up in that area.

It was, when I was young(er) a Democratic stronghold. Times they are a changin!

[LaydeeBug]

10. GM closed, Sparrows Point closed, and these people are convinced that Section 8

is responsible for everything

[NewJeffCT]

8. Donate a lot and take all the signs

and toss them into your garbage or burn them.

[Wounded Bear]

12. Donate, and say "No thanks" for the sign...nt

[LaydeeBug]

18. That's exactly what I decided to do. nt

[Wounded Bear]

19. Did you make a funny face?

[LaydeeBug]

20. It hasn't happened yet. I think the library told him he couldn't hold it there,

so that is why he said it would be the parking lot.

[procon]

9. Most cities/states already have rules against partisanship activities on public property.

At the very least yard signs should be offered for both candidates. You have many avenues of legitimate complaint:

local government leaders
library manager and governing board
the food drive organization
the local GOP leadership
the state representative involved
the local Democratic committee organizers
Hillary Clinton's campaign team


The library is public property, it is not a GOP campaign office. Unless a group pays to rent a specific public venue for a private event (like a campaign rally), politicians cannot just take over a government owned facility for their own political gain for free.

The organizers of the food drive might be a political group, but if they are a non-profit that is willing to lend their name and rep to supporting Trump, then they place their status at a charity at risk.

[JHB]

11. I think you're off base here...

If the library posted Trump signs itself the way people and businesses do on their own property or premises, then yes, it would be unseemly and partisan.

But hosting someone else's one-afternoon event? Nope, that's part of what they're for.

[whistler162]

13. Donate and take a translucent

paper and write Hillary/Kaine 2016 on both sides. Staple over Trump sign so that the Trump/Pence shows through or just a red circle with a line through it over the Trump/Pence.

[brooklynite]

14. This could mean the parking lot outside...

...it could mean the library offers space to any civic group.

[Blue Idaho]

16. Show up with an armload of Hillary signs...

Offer folks an alternative.

[epalmisano]

21. BCPL response

Hello All: Electioneering is prohibited on Baltimore County Public Library property (both inside and outside of the building) and we have just conveyed that in a voice mail to Delegate Long. Thank you for the heads up.

Questions? Contact me directly at [e-mail] or 410-887-3860. Have a great weekend!
-Erica Palmisano

[pnwmom]

23. Now that is a great first post! Welcome to DU!

[LaydeeBug]

28. Thank you for that...and welcome to DU. nt

[pnwmom]

22. Go there and pick up a bunch of signs for you and your relatives.

And dump in in the trash when you get home.

[Monk06]

24. Well if you were going to be Philadelphia lawyer about it, it is an in-kind political donation

not a donation to charity

Kinda like one dollar goes to the disadvantaged and one dollar goes the the party that takes advantage...of the poor. As in those who actually need the non perishable food items

Unless the Repugs are donating the non perishable food items to Tea Bagger Preppers Which is not unreasonable to assume lol

[appleannie1]

26. I would donate but tell them I don't want a molester's sign.

[mdbl]

27. i would rather make repuglicans pay federal taxes

before they get a sign, since repugs think paying taxes is forced charity to avoid.