"S.D." [View all]

I live in an area that is politically dominated by Republicans. So it's not surprising that my car is well-known among our local Democrats. It's kind of a rolling billboard for Democrats and progressive issues. Being physically unable to participate in the more rigorous aspects of campaigns (canvassing), and not having a yard in which to display yard signs, I take advantage of the many windows on my mini-van to display a rather colorful array of stickers and some home-made signage.

I do take shameless advantage of my handicap parking tag to park where just about everyone entering or exiting the grocery store can see those stickers. I've had the delightful experience of being approached by laughing strangers who thank me for putting the message out there; one woman, who claimed to be a Republican, pointed to my anti-Ken Buck sticker and said, "Don't ever remove that. It's perfect!" Of course, there are also those who glare and scowl and make rude gestures; one surreptitious soul stuck a post-it note on the window, advising that "some Obama freak stuck some stickers on your car". Such things are to be expected.

Another surreptitious soul, however, decided to express his disagreement by giving my van several key scratches that run the length of the vehicle. He was sufficiently proud of his work that he left a scratched signature, the initials "S.D." My car was surrounded by many others, and the only stickers I could spot on them were along the lines of "my kid is an honor student..."; there was one with a Romney sticker on the bumper next to the AARP sticker. Otherwise, mine was the only car with multiple messages, so it's not unlikely that the vandalism was intended as a response. Disappointing, but surprising only in that it hadn't happened sooner.

To be sure, I had the appropriate hissy fit. My van may be twelve years old, but it is the nicest car I've ever owned. It suits my needs even if it ain't the prettiest beast in the barn. So yeah, I take umbrage at the damage I can't afford to fix. The "artist" who chose to share his gift with me might have assumed that his actions would cause me to remove my signage. NOT. Instead, he's about to hear a whisper become a shout.

Game on.