Dear Jen,
Your signs make my tail wag! In fact, I think they are downright brilliant. We need more humor in this election. I'm going to do a drive-by with my dogs and let them take a quick pee stop in a show of solidarity.
And should you need any moral support, I'll be just an email away to give you a pep-type anytime you need one... because let me assure you, those sign vandals are relentless. Since the April posting of my HP Patch article you so kindly referenced, we have experienced eight Obama sign thefts, one shredding and countless up-rootings.
To be fair, if you read the more than 70 comments the article has prompted, it seems that political sign tomfoolery comes from both sides of the aisle. Though in this columnist's opinion, I see more blue signs injured than red.
Now back to your signs... You go girl.

As I was making chili I had an epiphany that may help you ladies. Despite considerable care in dicing I somehow had jalapeno juice on my fingers. My suggestion is you juice up some hot peppers, mix the juice with some petroleum jelly and smear a bitonthe edges of the sign. You might lose another sign, and unfortunately you won't witness your revenge but just the thought of the sign thief with a burning mouth and watering eyes is enough to make ME giggle!

Molly, Funny idea! But "spicing" one another could lead to trouble.

Jen - we noticed your yard signs on Saturday, and my kids took pictures of the letter from the local common-tater, and your response, which helped clarify that the intent of your sign was more for canine relief, and political commentary, and not for "over-beveraged" youth and adults to use for target practice. They noticed that one of the signs had been tossed into your bushes, and got it out, and put it back up. (It was not damp). When we came back the other way, it had been tossed again, so they put it back.

I would think the knuckleheads who keep stomping on your right to express yourself are "as thick as a brick". I would hope that they would just leave the signs be. I guess they don't think your signs could be considered a response similar to, or even equivalent to Mitt's comments at that fundraiser about all those Americans he has written off as lazy good for nothing bums

Love this comment from another neighbor:

It's a story that continues to play out regarding people who refuse to accept any other kind of thinking that doesn't correspond with theirs. Is it our town or is it the times? Maybe both. Smallish community coupled with a growingly intolerant group of people who see evil lurking behind every corner.

I've found life in a small town can be conducive to better manners. If you do something inappropriate its hard to hide in a small town. On the flip side everyone knows your life.

Also got this thought-provoking message yesterday:

"It pains me to say that I’m not altogether sure that what you’re dealing with is people who fail to understand the principle of free speech; it’s more that here in Winnetka some people (especially if they’ve never left here) have a right to be heard and others (especially if they have a unique viewpoint) don’t. I’ve seen this principle in evidence at Village Hall, at School Board meetings, in principles’ offices, etc.

The smug and provincial belief among some people that they are the arbiters of “The Winnetka Way” and the custodians of an environment that has certain clearly defined privileges and restrictions means that you can be called to account by your fellow Caucus Council member or vicariously smacked via the destruction of your cheeky sign.

It’s not something the realtors advertise, but it is part of the culture of this town, and I don’t know whether an appreciation for a diversity of opinion will ever be something that Winnetkans hold dear.

Jennifer - I think we can all agree that you are entitled to your own political opinion. However, isn't there a way that you can express yourself without putting up signs that encourage 13 year old boys to pee on your lawn?

Jennifer -- tipsy strangers and pre-teen boys give you the high five when they see your sophomoric signs (your description). You must be so proud of your wit and intelligence!

The funniest thing to me is that I have 13 and 15 year old boys. + I have dozens of their friends over here all the time. When these young, curious, impressionable minds read the sign, they get the joke and realize it's an invitation for dogs and in ref. to the Romney dog on the roof story.

Claire/M-H, maybe NTHS sophomores are simply more intelligent and/or willing to provide some humor to this campaign than you are......

I registered 10 high school students to vote today. You'd be surprised at how savvy they are and the breadth of their knowledge of the candidates.

Jen -- So you've established your "cool" adult credentials with the teen set by posting a sign that is basically a visual belch. No wonder the kids think it's so funny. Impressive....

...and how absolutely fitting that you are speaking on behalf of dogs!

This is why nearly all successful comedians are liberal. Conservatives are humorless.

Everyone gets their signs stolen - both Democrats and Republicans. If you put up signs, you run the risk of them getting torn down. That's the way it is and it's not going to change.

To nsmom-- wait, you think the crude Romney signs are funny, but you don't find the humor in a little wordplay?

Oh no!! More "-ist" words. Ouch.

to 535 Oak - you've unwittingly given Ms. Mcquet another opportunity to trumpet that fact that she went to Stanford. Too bad for her that it doesn't mean all that much when a fair majority of people here attended great schools. Or is that elitist too - does that mean that Ms. Mcquet is elitist for bringing it up - yet again? Geez, this is getting confusing.

Can't you just hear her screaming, "LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME!"

Jen, this neighbor's letter is deplorable. A real community, as theologian Jean Vanier has written, "is for people and for their growth; and in fact, its beauty and unity come from the radiance of each person in their truth, love and union with others.” Instead, I hear evidence of the opposite of community, one that "is committed to itself – to appearing perfect, stable and secure” and forgetting about supporting its people. I see no justification whatsoever for mean-spiritedness from the letter-writer on Oak.

If there's a silver lining at all, it should be a signal to Village of Winnetka leaders that there's a need for modeling civility and mutual respect among all. President Tucker did a commendable job last year at contentious meetings on affordable housing to admonish all in the Board room to show mutual respect. I'd like to see that extended to all within Winnetka's borders.

My point was that even trailer parks can be in lofty zip codes!

You know I did pause to consider those words b/c I know how many times those that slant left are over-accused of using "ists." But break it down.... do you use the term "White Trash" freely? Are you defending it?

Gail - this discussion has nothing to do with affordable housing, so not quite sure why you brought that up. Also, how is McQuet "modeling civilty and mutual respect among all" with signs that are viciously anti-Romney?

No, to call someone white trash is demeaning and low brow. But then again, so is posting a picture of a person with an invitation to urinate on it.

to Ms Schechter -- Your comments are laudable, but have you seen some of the posters Ms. Mcquet has in her yard? "...beauty, truth ,love...and unity with others" isn't the first thing that comes to mind..

Come to think of it, Ms Schechter, what DOES come to mind in this case are your words "...there's a need for modeling civility and mutual respect among all." That's where this whole thing started. Well, there and in Ms Mcquet's yard.

Doesn't everyone know that Obama eats dogs. It's true, he wrote about it in his book. Dog on the top of your car in a cage or on your dinner plate, you choose?

Since when is "e eryone does it" an adult excuse? And M-H, the difference between your humor and the signs is that the signs are funny.

nsmom -The signs are funny if you have a juvenile sense of humor. Otherwise, the signs are just crass.

I can't believe you filed a police report for a stolen piece of plastic. So stupid. Also, I HIGHLY doubt you would find it funny if someone had an anti-Obama sign of the same nature in their yard. Imagine a sign, Obama with a collar around his neck, stating "Dogs Pee Here." I can't even begin to imagine the reponse one would get for posting such a sign. I can already hear the cries of "racist" and "intolerant bigot." It's beyond evident that Jennifer enjoys the attention she gets regarding her yard signs. She even posted the letter she received from her neighbors on Oak on a different thread.

Claire - The signs aren't free. And it's illegal for someone to be on another person's property at night. You can think I'm stupid, crass or offensive, but none of those things is out-lawed. Maybe under your moral code, but not in the U.S.A.

I agree with you that it's illegal for someone to be on another person's property without their permission. It is also illegal to steal their private property. However, this does not mean that anyone has to agree with your message. As I said earlier in this thread, people steal signs all the time. Yes, it's juvenile, but it happens on both sides of the aisle, so stop making yourself the victim. Also, you failed to address my question about an anti-Obama sign. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on that.

Also, I find it offensive that you would question my moral code. Just because I may not agree with you politically doesn't make me some sort of criminal.

I think it is a shame that with all the real problems in the world that this is the best we can do. I love SNL, but it is my choice to turn it off when I want to. I was in Denver visiting my son and on my way home our plane was delayed as a Marine honor guard escorted the remains of one of OUR soldiers home. Everyone stopped and looked on with reverence. Elections are about what we want to be. Why not keep our eye on the ball and be part of the solution. Funny is great, the world needs to laugh. This election is not a laugh, why turn it into one?

Everyone calm down, for Heaven's sake! Ms Mcquet's Romney signs are base, but they do belong to her, so stop stealing them. Why waste taxpayer money paying police to do extra patrols and fill out police reports for the theft of trash? The rude sentiment on the Romney sign is not going to change anyone's mind about the candidate for whom they will vote, although it may change a person's opinion of the character and intellect of the person who has so proudly posted it. Either way, we are all of us entitled to express our opinions, be they high-minded or low-minded, so leave the idiot signs alone!

hey, mz. mcquet we talked about free speech in government yesterday and also in advisory. we talked about what people said about your signs. do adults think teenagers are not smart enough to gt a joke and would do something like that on thegrass? don't throw us under the bus. come on people!

Oh, Ms. Mcquet, do give those who live in less"lofty" zip codes credit for being able to recognize rubbish when they see it. Your signs would be considered trashy anywhere. It doesn't take residence in a fancy North Shore Chicago town to comprehend your ceaseless baying for what it is -- a Munchausean plea and childish demand for attention. tswinnetka has a point, although he or she could have expressed it in a more refined manner. If you and your sense of humor are so superior to that of others in the 60093 zip code, why don't you leave there? Surely the trailer park at Stanford would be happy to have you back.

M-H
You just made the same angry and insane personal accusations....but in a "much more refined manner!" Not!!!!
The original letter was about sign theft, freedom of speech, Winnetka's code of acceptability...can we get back to that?

Wow. The problems you face there on the Northshore sure are serious. Maybe I should bring up some of my homeless neighbors up from our 'hood to pee on Ms. Mcquet's porch... I mean sign. They could set up right on the village green and keep an eye out for brazen criminals lurking around her yard. They just want to know if the Grand accepts the Link Card.

No, M, the invitation is meant for dogs, not humans. But maybe you and your friends could bring your dogs. Just don't put them on top of your car, they should be IN the car. Don't know whether or not the Grand accepts the Link Card. You could always ask.

Go Jen for having the courage and sense of humor to put up a wacky sign that goes against the grain of severely conservative (and humorless apparently) Winnetka. Honestly, I don't know how you are able to live there at all, I almost throw up when exposed to the entitlement, feelings of superiority, and lack of generosity of that town. Maybe not everyone is like that but there sure are a high concentration of people that way!

While I applaud the sign and Jen, I've seen equally entitled and obnoxious behavior in Glencoe for over 20 years, I'm afraid. It's not unique to Winnetka. It's all around us.

Was sent this link and found it relevant/funny:
http://sayitaintsoalready.com/2012/07/31/best-yard-sign-in-the-history-of-the-planet/romney-pee-here-yard-sign-via-dogs-against-romney-com/

Also wanted to report - no yard trespassing in the last three days!

But got a complaint from the Hadley School for the Blind that one of their trustees told them (but for some reason didn't come over directly to our house) he/she thought it was disrespectful and should be moved to a spot unseen from their front door. Two points -- 1. he/she/trustee should not have involved an uninvolved 3rd party (our wonderful neighbors, the Hadley School) if they had an issue, they should have come to us. 2. He/she/trustee -- was changing the language of the sign to make it more offensive when they tattled to Hadley and embellished its position on our lawn... it isn't visible to anyone from the Hadley's front door.

We can take - and welcome - anyone that wants to come to us and directly criticize the sign. But the passive-aggressive folks that involve neighbors, employers or near & dear charities in order to reach us are only inflicting uncomfortable situations for innocents 3rd parties. Hadley Trustee, please have the nuts or guts to come to us directly. You do understand that we're neighbors and we volunteer for them all the time, but they do not own our yard. You should seek the source, not the softest source nearby.

And so continues the persecution of 60093's most vocal political commentator, this time by a vicious Hadley trustee. On the other hand, it's good to hear that there has been no trespassing or theft...

MH -
Your continued concern for our property is touching. It really is! I'm feeling closer to you each day.

But I spoke too soon, I was @ Greeley for 3 hours this morning. And now the driveway sign is gone.

Ka-ching....more spending of $$s and time to exercise "free" speech.

I admire yours as well. Sincerely.

Thank you!

U R welcome.
Maybe in a weird way we just demonstrated how two sides and come together and agree to disagree and focus on the legit big issues (crime, 1st amendment, for example) and not get caught up on the inflammatory ways sometimes we (me = guilty as others) express opinions.
I did not see this result coming with my original letter or the posts that followed, but I have to say, "MH, your post made my day."

As Betsy Brint said in her original posting, every time you replace your sign, it's more money to Obama... I wonder if the sign stealers realize that?!

And on the note, I just spent another $80 (+ shipping) for 4 more signs. Even my other, "tamer" signs were nicked today. One said Tea Parties are for Little Girls w/Imaginary Friends." I thought that was genuinely cute! And the other a simple MITT with a red circle/slash.
If people that are for Romney have to resort to trespassing and stealing -- repeatedly -- it's a pretty sad statement about how desperate they must feel.

This comment may be the result of months of listening to newscasters, op Ed columns and various friends but I'm a bit hesitant to endorse your new signage. I've spoken out prior to this in support of both yourself and Betsy B. to display a political sign in your yard. And you still have that right but I would rather you support your particular politician w/o the funny, yet insulting signs. I enjoy the wit & humor but wonder if we should rise above insulting "the other side". Just pondering from an election weary citizen.

I thought I was the only person who read this e-paper. I'm glad to see that there are seven others that do as well.

I'm on my 4th election sign because they keep getting stolen out of my front yard. I think it's kids, because adults surely understand that stealing a sign won't change my vote. That said, elections are serious and especially this year, when people feel so much is at stake, I feel it lacks integrity to make 'sophomoric' humor about the opposing candidate instead of just supporting yours. Our kids are watching us.

I was very happy to take my signs down this morning. End of chapter '12....

Folks might find this entertaining....
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/11/floridian_steals_neighbors_oba.php

I thought people of Winnetka had class...grow up and stop making the rest of us look bad.

Hi, North Shore Lady -
Am curious why you came on to this old blog.....3 1/2 months after it finished (very happily, I might add...with me and "Marie-Helene" making peace and the elections being over).

It was unclear who you were insulting on my most recent blog. Now I assume it's me that you think needs your prescription of "Botox and wine"?

How do I make you/us look bad?
Who defines class?
Please be more specific in future posts. And consider using a real name, it adds credibility.
- Jen