Did the pastor steal my Kerry sign?

[kerouac]

We put up a Kerry/Edwards sign last week on
my parent's lawn. When we drove by today,
we found that it was stolen overnight and
--get this-- their neighbor now has a
"support president bush and support our
troops" sign on his lawn. The neighbor?
The pastor at the local baptist church.

Anyone could have stolen the sign and it
could just be coincidence that he put
up a bush sign the same night.. but
that's a pretty big coincidence...

Would you ring his doorbell and ask him if he saw anything "suspicious" last night?

Would you blow it off and just get another sign up?

Would you steal his sign just because you're pissed that someone stole yours and you think he did it?

Is it inconceivable that a pastor would steal your sign?

-K

[Vickers]

1. Sure, ask him if he saw anything suspicious

And when he says no, say, "Well, we had the videotape sent to the police to see if they can figure out who it was...have a nice day!"

[kerouac]

4. That'd make him sweat.

Takes major balls though..

[JVS]

18. As though he'll believe you videotape your yard

:eyes:

[Vickers]

19. Dude, stop rolling your eyes, you're freaking me out!!!

:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:
:eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes::eyes:

oh, and

:eyes:

A thief isn't as brilliant as you about the logisitics of thievery.

:eyes:

[JVS]

23. It is as simple as this: people who videotape their lawns are paranoid

This guy, as a neighbor, probably knows that the original poster isn't a paranoid freak. To pull the video trick you have to be believable in the role of paranoid freak

[Vickers]

25. Yeah, but look further down in this very thread

Somebody is peeking out of their blinds!

They will believe somebody is that paranoid because THEY are that paranoid.

I thought all this background, humor and interrelated stuff was obvious in my 1st post? :spank:

[helnwhls]

2. get another sign and sit up with a bbgun tonight

[patdem]

7. YES...bubble gum...well chewed with a note that says

"I have AIDS and if you have touched this bubble gum you TOO have AIDS!...Scare the crap out of those ignorant fools!!!!! :bounce:

[Mabus]

9. or set up video surveillance with a web cam pointed out the window

and find some software that will let you use it like a security camera.

Did a quick search and found this on cnet.com:
From the developer: Visec is a software program that turns your computer into a Powerful Video Surveillance System. With Visec, users only need a PC and an inexpensive Web cam. No other hardware is required. Visec can monitor a room and record video on a user's computer when motion is detected. Visec uses powerful algorithmic software based motion detection, eliminating the need to buy any hardware. When motion is detected, (such as a burglar’s movement) Visec's alert system will e-mail you a picture of the motion that was detected, to a cell phone, PDA, or computer. Like a traditional surveillance system, Visec's video history feature allows you to playback surveillance during specified times such as when you're away from home or out of the office. Visec features Remote Live Access allowing you to see a live view of your home or office anywhere in the world you have Internet access. Additionally, you can also view recorded video from previous days. Visec also includes Stealth Mode, where the program can operate secretly on a PC, even if the PC is in use. Designed for both consumers and professionals, Visec's remote video is also PDA friendly on the Palm, Pocket PC, and WAP phones. Visec supports multiple USB cameras, and regular RCA cameras. Internet Access is not required, but Internet access greatly enhances the features.
http://www.download.com/3000-2348-10185954.html

[Mabus]

12. P.S. it cured my neighbor

of some nasty habits like turning on my car lights or opening the door of the car slightly so my battery would run down.

Also, I haven't had a yard sign stolen since.

[helnwhls]

14. Your's is the more grown up solution

but I like the idea of the pastor getting a big bbshot bruise on his ass while stealing a yard sign.

:evilgrin:

[lakemonster11]

21. Why would he do that!?

:wtf:

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

3. go by his house

and tell him the police were questioning you about the pastor....tell him they were asking about if the pastor 'was around the other night'....tell him you hope there is nothing wrong....

[Tafiti]

5. I definitely wouldn't assume he DIDN'T do it...

...just because he's a pastor. Two of my uncles are pastors and are ardent Bush supporters, and I could see them doing something like that.

I think your first suggestion would be appropriate. He's your neighbor, so asking him if he saw anything suspicious would be perfectly reasonable. Plus, you could read his facial expressions/body language, which may give him away. He may be a Bush supporter, but he's still a pastor, and just might have a shred of conscience left in him. Then again, maybe not.

Go for it...

[blm]

6. Put up another Kerry sign next to one that says:Thou Shalt Not Steal

.

[Grillymom]

13. That's a great idea!

Add a picture of Jesus too.

[w4rma]

15. That's the best idea that I've read.

Alot of whacky and confusing ideas. But this one is simple, safe and most effective of all, imho.

[Ilsa]

24. I love that idea!

Add Exodus 20:15 (I think) for reference.

[HFishbine]

29. Whoooo

That's a GREAT IDEA!

[Philostopher]

8. Whatever you do ...

don't attempt to steal the sign of somebody you think might have done the same! People who would do something like that assume other people will do the same, and they're probably watching. The last thing you need to do is get busted stealing a pastor's yard sign, even if if it turns out to be a case of 'eye for an eye' -- can you imagine the stink he'd raise about that?

Now, if you want to pull some mind games, as suggested, that might be interesting. I especially like the idea of, as another poster has suggested, insinuating you had a video camera on the stolen sign and have sent it on to the police. I'd never be able to bullshit anybody about it, but if you think you can -- good luck!

[tom_paine]

10. Not inconceivable at all. The Evangelical Mindset, the Fundie Mindset

lends itself to evil (performed "in the name of God") as easily as it did when they were burning 'witches' (read 'liberals') not so long ago.

I would absolutely suspect the Baptists Minister, because if he is a Bushevik, then there is a much greater chance that he is immoral.

[MsUnderstood]

11. c'mon that is just not right

Just cause someone supports the dark side doesn't mean they are a part of it.

My neighbor put up a John Kerry sign. 2 days later her sign is still up and so is a Bush sign across the street.

It is a coincidence and going to this guy;s house to harass him about your missing sign will do nothing to convince him to vote your way or make your sign come back.

Instead of poking a stick at the republican, why don't you go chat with him about his political differences and see if you have a common ground.

That way if he did steal it he will feel bad and if he didn't you will have a nice little chat (and maybe some coffee).

[Ilsa]

26. Yeah, but still, I wouldn't put it past him.

There idea is that the ends justify the means. They think if God is served by their criminal behavior, then they are exempt from consequences.

Still, going to talk to him is a good idea.

[kerouac]

16. Just got back to read your suggestions.

Thanks for all the replies. We just got back from running our dog and we stopped by their house again to see if there were any footprints in the mud leading to his lawn.

Couldn't find any BUT while we were out there looking at the spot where the sign was, my wife saw the pastor's wife peeking thru the blinds of her house. She ducked down out of sight as soon as she noticed she was spotted.

I yelled to my wife that I was going to call the cops and went inside. I came out a few minutes later and said (loudly) that the police would come by tomorrow to see if the sign turned up overnight from a neighbor that had second thoughts about what they did. Who knows..

In the meantime, I'm going to take some of the advice posted here. I'm going to put another sign up on Monday and make a sign to put under it that says 'thou shalt not steal'. I think that was a great idea. Maybe even put a pic of Jesus on it too.

If I see the pastor or his wife, I'll ask politely if they saw anything and try to read them. I'll be sure to warn them that their sign might be stolen too and how much of a shame it is that there are people with no concept of right and wrong.

While I want nothing more than to put a big kerry bumper sticker on his car late tonight just so I can watch him spend a few hours scrubbing it off tomorrow, I'm not going to be that dumb. If he took our sign, then he'd like nothing more than to catch me doing something so he could use it against us demon-crats.

BTW - Did I mention how pissed I am..

-K

[Vickers]

20. Peeking out the blinds? Holy cow, they are guilty as shit

That dude is going to HELL!!!!!

[0007]

17. Is it inconceivable that a pastor would steal your sign?

Pastor's have been known to molest their Children and their country why wouldn't they steal?

[stpalm]

22. come on

I highly doubt the pastor stole your sign. sorry.

[kerouac]

31. He's my #1 suspect.

His sign just happened to go up at the same time ours disappeared.

Only 1 other house in the neighborhood has a pro-republican sign up on their lawn and it's for a local office, not prez like his.

We live about a block away and we have had 2 of the same exact kerry signs on our lawn for awhile without incident.

A neighbor 2 houses down from me has had a kerry sign on his lawn for months.

and lastly..

The pastor's sign does not just say bush/cheney. I have no problem with b/c signs. His sign says "support president bush support our troops'. I find that sign distasteful -- anytime a sign or slogan links our troops and bush together like it's the same thing, I find it cheap and right out of Rove's fascist playbook. I don't think this guy could tolerate a kerry sign so close to his house, so he plucked it.

This isn't merely a pastor. This guy has his own tv show every Sunday morning, he sells tapes of himself, and he has a huge congregation and a school. He's so full of himself that he probably thinks stealing kerry signs is God's work.

-K

[0007]

32. ......yeah, no way!

[lectrobyte]

27. I'd hope not, but just having listened to a sermon a few weeks back

on how invading Iraq was doing the "Lord's Work", nothing would surprise me. Especially if they feel like the greater goal of saving souls justifies the action in question.



If you're doin' business with a religious son of a bitch, get it in writing. His word isn't worth shit, not with the Good Lord tellin' him how to fuck you on the deal.

-- William S. Burroughs

[HFishbine]

28. My favorite tactic

is a temporary sign that says, "Kerry sign stolen, just like 2000 election." (Or something along those lines).

That will accomplish a couple of things. If it was your neighbor who stole your sign, he'll feel secret shame. Passers-by will see his signs and wonder if he stole yours. It also makes a great point with no confrontation.

[kerouac]

30. what a great idea.

Looks like I might have to put up a few signs..

[DemBones DemBones]

33. I think the pastor is going to be sorry he messed with you!

I'm picturing a yard full of signs

"KERRY SIGN STOLEN -- JUST LIKE THE 2000 ELECTION'


'VOTE FOR KERRY/EDWARDS 2004'

'THOU SHALT NOT STEAL'


'SUPPORT OUR TROOPS -- BRING THEM HOME!'

'KERRY/ EDWARDS 2004 -- HELP IS ON THE WAY'

and so forth.

Go for it!!!