I've decided to remove my Obama bumpersticker from my car.

[Avalux]

I've read a few posts here about bad things happening to folks and I now have my own story to add to the list.

Yesterday, I was almost run off the road by a crazed old man (70ish) in a Ford pick-up. It was scary as hell and left me shaking so badly I couldn't drive.

It happened on a side street near my house (one lane) - the guy was behind me tailgaiting - I was going the speed limit of 40. The road opened up to two lanes and he swung into the other lane then sped up and got in front of me (left hand lane), then slowed down to about 10 MPH. I thought "what the hell" and went to the right to go around him. When I did, he swerved as if to hit me, to run me off the road. I could see him yelling in his rearview mirror. I kept in control and pulled over completely. He kept going.

I didn't do anything to provoke this incident so I can't help thinking it was my bumpersticker. :-(

[SwampG8r]

1. maybe he was just an asshole

and it wasnt about you at all

[zanne]

2. It's too bad that he wins. nt

[kenny blankenship]

24. He wins if he gets enough of a rise out of you

that he feels he's been given an "excuse" to escalate his threats against your safety even further. There is a good possibility that the crazed RW coot has a gun in his pickup truck. To the extent his hate-scarred scabbed over brain still functions at all, it has probably stuck on the idea that he has nothing left to live for and nothing to lose from doing what he's always wanted to do.

Stopping on the road may not be the safest thing, but there may be no other way to break away from someone who's clearly decided to "engage" you.

[Joe Fields]

31. What exactly does he win?

[benEzra]

46. He got you to withdraw your public support for Obama,

assuming that was what he wanted. The vehicular equivalent of "shouting you down" with his fist in the air, I suppose.

Still, that's a scary situation.

You didn't happen to get his license number, did you?

[Joe Fields]

58. Uh, you posted to the wrong person.

[benEzra]

63. Oops, my bad. (n/t)

[Donald Ian Rankin]

53. Sparosnare is still in one piece; that's at least a partial victory.

[GreenPartyVoter]

80. Because yeah, it would have been better to be run off the road. With instances of

road rage on the rise maybe not advertising politics or religion is the safest choice right now?

Bumper stickers are cool, but when is the last time they convinced a fellow driver to change his/her mind on who to vote for? In the end, they are no match for actually pulling the lever in the voting booth. That's where the real power is; not in advertising your beliefs, whatever personal satisfaction it may bring to some.

[ceile]

3. Scary.

I know SA isn't the most liberal place, but I didn't think it was that bad!

[Avalux]

12. There are plenty of racist Texans here.

More liberal than a lot of Texas towns but not anything like the NE.

[Beacool]

4. I still have my Hillary bumper sticker and drive to other states and never had a problem.

Then again, she's pretty popular in the northeast.

[AllentownJake]

14. Depends where you go

I wouldn't go to the T of PA with any democratic stickers on my car. Given 3 months of RW bashing out there she'd be persona non grata as much as Obama.

Those people need to form their own state.

[Beacool]

40. I campaigned in PA and, other than Philly and its burbs, it was Hillary country.

We were pretty well received, I don't recall one bad incident.

[AllentownJake]

42. That was the primary

I've lived here all my life...Hillary got a break in the primaries because the people hated Barack more for "other" reasons.

[Beacool]

45. I know Allentown a little.

I campaigned there and in Reading a lot. As matter of fact, I was in Reading last weekend and will be there this weekend too.

:hi:

[AllentownJake]

64. Allentown is friendly turf for Democrats

I'm talking about west and north of Allentown.

[Beacool]

75. Hey, on another subject,

do you go to Dorney Park? I haven't been there in years.

[AllentownJake]

77. I live accross the street actually

I don't go there often because its a crowded mess on the weekends and they want 50 bucks per person. I went 2 years ago and it will probably be another 2 years before I go again. Dorney used to be a local flavor but after a big amusement park corporation took it over 15 years ago locals mostly stay away.

I actually worked there for 5 years when I was a teenager.

[Beacool]

83. You're across the street? Lucky you!

I'm about to leave for Reading, but it's pouring. I'm going to have to wait it out a little longer. I get off one exit after yours on 78 (exit 54A). I see Dorney Park in the distance evrytime I drive by.

Yeah, my friends told me that it got expensive. I like the water park more than the other rides.

[emilyg]

62. I have my Hillary sticker on

Never a problem in Ga.

[Beacool]

74. Good for you!!!

Around here, I haven't seen any Obama bumper stickers. I saw one for Ron Paul and one anti-Corzine, that's about it.

[Muttocracy]

5. one of my friends who's a lawyer goes for magnetic bumperstrips

so if there are times when she is concerned (either for her car where she's parking, or to avoid controversy) she can take it off easily.

That stinks though. Glad you're OK>

[goodgd_yall]

20. My Obama sticker is removable

It's propped up on one of the rear side windows. I haven't been anywhere where I thought I might meet trouble with it showing, but I have that option of taking it down if I ever am.

[zulchzulu]

6. Did you get his license?

This was criminal behavior.

[Avalux]

8. Unfortunately no.

I was too shook up. In retrospect I should have gotten it and reported him to the police.

[rebel with a cause]

84. That sort of thing happened to me one time, except

it was a car load of young men, they were not angry just bullies, and I didn't have a bumper sticker. They nearly ran me off the road several times because I had no shoulder to pull of on, all the while giving me the finger. I took down their license number when they finally passed me, slowed down so they would leave me behind, drove right to the police station, gave them the report along with the license number. They called the parents of the driver, got the names of the other boys in the car and called their parents. Don't know what happened for sure, but there were parents saying their sons were going to be grounded, not allowed to drive and so on. Hope they kept their word because that type of behavior should not be allowed. :grr:

[CoffeeCat]

7. Don't kow tow to psychotic assholes...

Sorry to use such colorful language, but do not allow maladjusted misfits to
sway any choices you make.

Would you ask this fool for financial advice? Parenting advice? If not, then
don't let him dictate what bumper stickers are on the back of your car.

If anything like this happens--call the police immediately and give them the
play-by-play on your cell phone as it is happening. You can tell them where
you are, this person's license plate # and what the jerk is doing.

We need to fight back, not cower and capitulate to the worst of society.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

54. "My mother says I should stand up to homicidal lunatics"

Baldrick, in Blackadder.

I'm afraid I don't think it's good advice, though...

[Demeter]

9. This Ties In With the Assassinations By Crazed Freepers

at the UU congregation play, and the Arkansas Democratic Chairman.

We are being scapegoated, just as the Nazis (and other fascists) used the Jews. It's deliberate, intentional, and the FCC is doing nothing about it, deliberately and intentionally.

There's only one problem, we aren't the minority. So it's going to blow up ugly and put an end to fascism in this country (and put a lotof people in jails and mental insitutions), if we have the sense God gave a goose.

This is a time when, like it or not, we are going to have to be heroic. We are going to have to drop our quiet little lives and do hard things well. Because they really are crazy, and hell-bent on destruction. And stopping them will take work.

I think that removing your sticker is a personal choice.

If you got the bastard's license plate, you could get him off the road and in jail.

[jobycom]

10. Damn. Makes me want to plaster stickers all over my car, now.

If I can piss those assholes off as much as they've pissed me off the last eight years (not to mention during the Reagan/Bush Error), it might be worth the investment.

Hope you are okay. You probably should have called the cops. The guy's a menace with no respect for life, which means he's going to hurt someone someday.

[Ayesha]

11. Don't let them win!

Next time, get the license plate number and call the police.

I have lots of liberal bumperstickers on my car. I've gotten the finger and a few nasty comments, but never been put in danger. IMO, our beliefs are truly put to the test in situations like these. That's why it's essential to stand up for them when it happens.

[panader0]

13. Don't get rid of it. Get another one.

And a can of pepper spray. And a camera.

[goodgd_yall]

15. I had to make a decision like that

some years ago---it wasn't a candidate bumpersticker but another sticker. I was in a traffic jam and a young punk in another car was yelling out harassing remarks. I removed my sticker after that. It wasn't worth being verbally abused and possibly getting physically hurt in order to make a statement. You just don't know who you may meet out there in the world, so sometimes I choose not to wear my politics on my sleeve.

[windbreeze]

48. After the Democratic Leader in Arkansas was killed...I put my

democratic button supporting my Democratic Governor's re-election on my shirt and wore it everywhere...DELIBERATELY, and ON PURPOSE...but...the only response I got, was an elderly lady who complimented me on my button...soooo...there you go then...What the OP is talking about is scary as hell...in more ways than one...it indicates an underlying sickness in this country...one that will be addressed again...sooner or later..wb

[TheDoorbellRang]

16. Or -- he could just be an asshole

I had a similar experience in Missouri coming home late one night about ten years ago -- and I didn't have any bumperstickers on my car. I think it's some sort of power trip for some pseudo men to try to frighten women. :shrug:

[eleny]

17. Hair raising

Some people are just so nuts. Maybe you can wear a button instead if it makes you feel better. I put one on my shoulder bag and leave it in my shopping cart with the button prominently showing for anyone to see. I do see people glancing at it, so it's effective in its own way. During the cooler months I'll also wear one on my coat.

I won't tell you not to be scared. There are other ways to display your support.

[Avalux]

22. I might get a magnet, as someone suggested in a reply.

As a single mom with daughters, the last thing I need is for some nut to follow me home. I don't know if it was the sticker but I feel better removing it. I don't want to risk safety to make a statement.

[eleny]

28. Your peace of mind is the bottom line

[Danieljay]

When I lived in Kansas, I didn't dare put such things on my car for fear of vandalism. Sad. n/t

[DevonRex]

18. Don't assume it was the Obama sticker. Maybe he was just a nut.

Some people think that people should go 5 MPH over the speed limit all the time and get annoyed if someone is going right at the speed limit. Stupid, I know, but that's the way some people think.

The reason I say this is because about 10 years ago I witnessed something very similar just ahead of me on the highway. A woman was going 55 in a 55 MPH zone. She was in the left hand lane. Now, the person behind her apparently thought she should be in the right hand lane if she was only going the speed limit and a road rage incident occurred.

Bottom line, though, is that a person is allowed to drive exactly the speed limit no matter what. We may not like it if we're in a hurry and want to pass. And some people get really enraged over the stupidest things.

[barbtries]

39. she should have pulled over

and got in the right lane. without respect to anyone's speed. if she was doing 95 and he came up behind her in the left lane going 120, she should get over. "Slower traffic keep right" - it's a matter of safety.

[Bluerthanblue]

19. I can't tell you

what to do- or blame you for your decision, even though I'm one of those stubborn fools who refuses to let 'them' silence me-(was once actually run off the road with my infant son and toddler in the car because of my stickers 24yrs ago- "you can't hug a child with Nuclear Arms" was the one that got the guy enraged) :shrug: 'reagan years'.

I've had similar experiences. I think this is a sign that those who have enjoyed the last 8yrs or so of govt. are terrified that they see their reign at an end.

You need to do what you feel is best for yourself. No judgement from me. Some land of the 'free' we have though eh? Where voicing a message on a car can cause people to attack you?


Glad you are safe.

:hi:

[jobycom]

21. You want to make a bigger fuss? Contact a local news station.

They'd probably love to do a story like that. They could write your story into a bigger piece about threats and vandalism for political views, or something. Just go to the website of your favorite tv station or your local paper, and look for links to contact the editor or a reporter.

Sometimes the best way to fight back is to shine a big old flashlight at the criminals.

[OwnedByFerrets]

23. I cant blame you. Living in Lower Alabama

its very dangerous to outwardly show your convictions. Lots of crazy rednecks here.

[butterfly77]

25. Damn! are these people really that afraid of a minority ...

becoming president do they really think that this country will always be ran by a caucasian..They are losing their damn minds..

[undeterred]

26. I still have my Kucinich bumper sticker on my car.

I figure no one is gonna run me off the road for that.

[renate]

27. sounds smart to me

It's a real shame that you can't express your opinions freely (um, hi, scary redneck, this is America), but it's certainly not worth risking your life to display a bumper sticker that isn't going to change anyone's mind.

I remember wondering (very briefly) what I would have done if I'd been in the position of that girl at Columbine who was asked by one of the killers "do you believe in God?" She said she did, knowing it would get her killed. It was incredibly brave, and what I'm about to say doesn't minimize my admiration for her in any way. I thought, "well, I wouldn't deny my faith, because it's part of who I am," and then I came to my senses and realized that impressing some asshole with my integrity in exchange for my life is not exactly worth it. Impressing myself with my integrity isn't worth it, either. I know how I feel, and putting anything on display to a bunch of maroons isn't worth endangering myself.

Yeah, sure, maybe he won a small victory by getting you to take the bumper sticker, but I wouldn't want anybody to win a bigger battle with you by actually hurting you.

[Sonicmedusa]

29. If you do that, the terrorists win. N/T

[Dawgs]

30. Pick up your cell phone, pretend to write down his license, and reach for your glove box.

That usually works for me.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wvbygod]

33. Makes me want to load up on stickers and start filming

When people endanger someone it is time to get the law involved.

[Milo_Bloom]

34. That's happened to me more than once...

... and I don't have any bumperstickers on my car.

However, I have this nasty habit of not speeding up when people tailgate me and that usually pisses them off.

[defendandprotect]

35. No . . . righties are often very aggressive and very ignorant ---

as we've seen throughout our history -- !!!

This is why you see so few "pro-choice" stickers --- with "anti-choice" stickers predominating.

This is why you see a push in some states for license plates proclaiming "god" and "creation"
theories ---

And this is why you hear very threatening things from right-wing TV and radio hosts -- !!!

The right wing is violent/aggressive ---


AND this is also why in my own hometown we can't have Democratic signs in town, or on lawns
except the few times we've had a Democratic Mayor during an election --- the right wing
crazies pick them up immediately and will destroy your lawn!

[blogslut]

36. Is there a local Policeman's Association?

If so, I would donate some money to them so you can get one of their bumper/window stickers. Then you can stick it near your Obama one.

[RBInMaine]

37. Crazy old bastard ! Put an Obama lawn sign on HIS lawn and more stickers on YOUR car !

Screw him ! Don't be scared of this old asswipe. Put the shit to him !

[eshfemme]

38. Although it sucks that you feel you have to do it, I understand why.

With all those stories of freepers stalking and doing outright wrong and illegal stuff without any retribution, it's smarter to stay safe so that you can fight the good fight another day.

[iamthebandfanman]

41. I woulda called the police

and said you were following someone who was swerving all over the road and that you were concerned they were intoxicated. give the license plate , care description, and the road your on... and boom.. let them deal with the asshole.

dont let these bastards grind you down, put that sticker back on.

[qwlauren35]

43. Bumperstickers are always a personal choice

and have some level of risk. There is a reason why balloting is done in secret! In the same way that yard signs and buttons pose some risk, so does a bumpersticker. I personally respect anyone's decision not to put one on their car - because it makes the CAR a target, and possibly also the driver.

I would not be surprised if someone keyed a car with a sticker they hated. I would not be surprised if a bumpersticker caused road rage. I confess that in the dark recesses of my brain, when I see a big W on a car, I want to ram it.

I have one. And I accept the risk. I don't pretend that there isn't one.

[bullwinkle428]

44. A semi forced me off the road yesterday when I attempted to pass,

and I don't have ANY kind of bumperstickers or "personalization items" on my car at all!

Some people are just assholes, but I can't say I blame you at all if you want to take yours off. I live in a relatively "safe blue area" but have thoughts that I'm possibly tempting fate at times if I did have one.

[applegrove]

47. It really matters that you keep that bumper sticker on your car. We all

need to advertise our support for Obama. Don't give up. I'm sure it will not happen again.

[TexasLady]

49. First of all, I don't blame you a bit. Ive only had honks or a couple of

middle fingers. One honk was with a thumbs up! I travel a lot with my kids in the car, and I often wonder about how smart it is to advertise in a town so close to Bush's ranch. Sux, but so far Im keeping it in the window.

On a good note, though, I went to the HEB near Ft. Hood today, and I parked my car right next to a car that had the following: "Texas Democrat" "Peace", a Peace sign, "Proud Army Wife","Im not a Texan but I got here as soon as I could" and finally, a 'groovy' psychedelic sticker that said "Obama 08".
Made. my. day.

:hi:

[Phx_Dem]

50. Maybe he was drunk.

I've had nothing but great responses to my bumper sticker (honks and waves). In fact the guy who came to measure for carpet the other day said said, "Obama bumper sticker. Right on!"

I live in Phoenix so suck on that McCain.

[dbmk]

51. Hmm..

Most of all it just sounds like he was annoyed at you for driving slower than he wanted to go. Which in insano land of course means he will show his displeasure by forcing both of you to go even slower...

[ecstatic]

52. I think some guys tried to do that to me the other day too

They seemed to be working as a team. One guy was in a really dirty red pickup truck with a UGA sticker so there's a slight chance that the GT alumni frame on my plate in addition to my Obama bumper magnet added to his rage/bitterness/jealousy.

However, I will not be removing my magnet as their disgusting behavior does not represent the norm around metro Atlanta.

[Danger Mouse]

55. Please don't give in to those bastards. They WANT us to be afraid.

We lose by giving up.

[Motown_Johnny]

56. I strongly suggest throwing something out the window and aiming for his windshield, something heavy

[Donald Ian Rankin]

57. Sticking up to bad guys = good. Not being killed in car crash = better.

Discretion can be the better part of valour, particularly if you ever carry passengers in that car.

[michreject]

59. Maybe he was pissed off

because you stayed left forcing him to pass you on the right. I know that pisses me off.

[Mimosa]

60. Well, you should've called the police and said a road rage case was harassing you

I'm going to use my Obama stickers. I live in the big ATL.

9 out of 10 times if you accuse some stupid clown of road rage and you keep YOUR COOL the cops will write it up and an angry IDIOT would have made himself into a CLOWN.

In other words, be cool. Let's paste on our Obama stickers. If we live in a city 8 out of 10 times the cop will be black. LOL

[Political Heretic]

61. I would have rammed the fuck out of him. Cars be damned.

People have a fight or flight response.... mines fight.

[barack the house]

65. I don't know if signs are all the necesary to gain support just talking to people mostly. -->

Starting a conversation was one thing that was sage advice from te clinton camp.

[barack the house]

66. If folks have a civil neighborhood keep the signs if you know it's kinda tough display indoors.

[barack the house]

68. Half of what divides America is displaying party affliation only when canvassing...

Even then ask if they are undecideds before making the ptich for Obama. Keep our polticis moslty private except to undecideds and the world stays in hrmony. They can't come after liberals if we don't declare we are say independent if pushed.

[barack the house]

69. If folks can't display Obama signs if it's a rough area display bob barr signs sweet.>

Split the GOP vote nicely.

[Erin Elizabeth]

67. No! You should leave it on because you've now had a run-in

with the ONE person crazy enough to risk a wreck because an Obama sticker made him so angry.

MOST people, even when they disagree with your sticker, just silently seethe or cuss you out in their own car, but drive normally. Most don't even flip you the bird.

The really daring ones might give you a dirty look.

I live in Texas and I've had on my vehicle a Dean sticker, then a Kerry sticker, and a few different anti-bush stickers, some of them pretty...pointed. LOL.

I've never had anything worse than glares. I HAVE had thumbs in the air and smiles!

[Mark E. Smith]

70. You kidding?

I love that stuff. Just look the idiot in the face and laugh.

They hate that.

[Lorien]

71. If I really want their heads to explode I smile, wave and blow them a kiss

makes them even more nuts. But heck, I need a new car, so let 'em hit me.

[adoraz]

72. this is the reason I don't have one

It's a shame, but there are a lot of assholes out there. I rather be safe and keep it off.

Also, I don't want my car keyed or anything like that.

Props to anyone brave enough to keep it on though.

[FrenchieCat]

73. That's what they were hoping.........

and they hope all folks get scared and take down their bumper stickers.

Hate is always effective.....but I understand.....since it appears you fear for your life.

That's how terrorists (cause that's all they are) win though.

[MadMaddie]

76. Please report this to your local police

at least they will have it on record that the incident occured. This is probably not the first time this guy has done this and the police may be famiiar with this guy.

Make sure that you are always aware of your surroundings. If you see the guy, if he tailgates you again make sure you find a place that is populated.


These kind of threats are terroristic in nature,
they want to intimidate and bully people
They want people to shut up and not go vote.

Stay safe.

[book_worm]

78. I've had an Obama sticker for months without incident but then I live in Madison, WI

so maybe it depends on where you live?

[olkaz]

79. This is why I keep a camera and a bat in my car.

The first for collecting evidence, and the second in worst-case scenarios.

[greguganus]

81. 70ish? Maybe just senile. n/t

[Neecy]

82. I'm not taking mine off....

I have a bright blue Obama sticker on my Volvo, and a kind neighbor felt the need to stuff a giant American flag in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago as if I wasn't sufficiently 'patriotic'. I'm not sure who did it and I don't much care.

The day I found the flag I went and ordered a lawn sign. Still on backorder, though, dammit :(