Misc. Ohio stories. . .

[eileen from OH]

I had a show last night (I write and produce audience-participation murder mysteries) and got chatting with the gal at the bar. She's registered and planning to vote, but was still undecided. Said the Iraq war was a huge concern for her and what could happen and how we'll get out of it. Gave her a quick lowdown and summed it up by saying, "Look, you KNOW what you're gonna get from Bush. More of the same - namely, incompetence" while Kerry will be bring new ideas, new people, and will get us back into the world community." Came back a little later and she said - "Hey, wanted to tell you, been thinking 'bout what you said - you convinced me. Why the hell would I want more of the same. I'm voting for Kerry." YAY, one for our side. (Had less luck with the security guard but he was a total Bushbot and didn't have a chance with him anyway.)

This morning, Mr. eileen went to Mass and when he came out all the car windshields had these brochures from the Christian Coalition. (Parking lot is across the street from the church.) Evidently, it happened last week too, cuz the priest made a point about it - said they neither sanctioned it nor approved it and as a parish were completely nonpolitical and nonpartisan and were NOT endorsing any candidates or party. Is it illegal to stuff things on cars? I'm thinking of sitting in mine with a videocamera next Sunday.

eileen from OH

[Kolesar]

1. I always thought of the Christian Coalition as fundamentalist Baptist

That seems pretty nervy posting this stuff at someone else's church during mass. Even worse is that they were fussing with your cars.

[cmd]

2. There has been a lot of discussion about flyering cars at church

Our HQ has wanted to do it. I've been able to talk them out of it so far. This post give me more ammo. Thanks.

[bones_7672]

3. I don't know, but ....

... even if it is illegal to put flyers on cars in a church parking lot, what police department is going to spend the time and money to pursue it?

I question how effective it is to do mass flyer posting on cars. Handing out flyers to people, or engaging others in small groups (people at the mall, walking in the park) would seem more effective.

[AngryOldDem]

5. It's done every election year

Typically it's a slate of Right-to-Life approved candidates. Those things are prearranged between the group and the church. What Eileen is talking about has NOT been approved for distribution on church property.

You would think as a practical matter leaving stuff on cars would make a hell of a mess. But it doesn't. People must take them home and toss them, because you see very few littering the lot. At least where I'm at.

[AngryOldDem]

4. Flyers at Mass

If your pastor does not sanction this kind of stuff in his parking lot, then he has the final word. He has say over what happens on that property. Go to him, tell him again what was on the car and where it came from. If he doesn't have a copy, give him one. He could then politely tell these folks that he is aware of what they are doing and that they are to cease and desist.

The next step would be to have people (perhaps an extra ushers crew) watching the parking lot (don't know how big yours is). Ask any such trespassers to leave, and have a cell phone handy if they don't. Call the cops and have them taken away for trespassing.

These groups are under the impression that they are allowed to do this. As a matter of fact, on the Priests for Life website they make a point saying that they can go on any church's property and pamphleteer. No, they can't, not without permission.

I had one of those GOP/Catholic Answers tracts left on my car way back in August. I complained; church made it clear it would not be tolerated and it hasn't happened since. Clearly this was an "inside" job, but the point remains there are ways to control this kind of stuff.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

6. It's not illegal

People do it all the time for both politcal and commercial purposes. Annoying? Sure. Effective? You read it, didn't you?