Update: Charges now posted, GOP leader says he took Obama signs
By Jessica VanderKolk and Mark LeberfingerFact Box
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The local presidential campaign escalated to the point of police involvement Sunday over the issue of political signs.
As a result, charges are pending, Logan Township Police Chief Ron Heller said.
Frank Rosenhoover, Blair County Democratic Committee chairman, said he saw someone he first thought was placing signs for Democrat Barack Obama. After seeing a nearby vehicle with a Republican sticker, Rosenhoover said he realized the man was taking the signs.
Roosenhoover said Democratic committee members later found the vehicle at the Blair County Republican Victory Center on Logan Boulevard in Lakemont. Rosenhoover said they saw a stack of Obama signs inside the vehicle.
Rosenhoover called Logan Township police about 6:15 p.m. and described the man, who was later identified as Mike Jennings, a member of the Blair County Republican Committee who coordinates the McCain campaign locally.
"I can't believe it," Rosenhoover said. "What has this campaign come to? What does that tell you?"
Jennings told the Mirror Sunday that he took the signs during daylight hours. He said he had nothing to hide and he planned to take the signs to the Democratic office later that evening. He said he was not cited when he told police the same story.
Heller agreed that the suspect wasn't cited, but he said that his department probably will file receiving stolen property against the him, although Heller would not identify Jennings.
"They were in plain view in the vehicle. Our officers made contact and seized the signs. They were returned to Mr. Rosenhoover," Heller said.
Forty signs were recovered, Heller said. One of the signs was taken from Juniata Gap Road, but it was unclear whether the location was in the township or Altoona.
Jennings said he was making a statement after he said hundreds of McCain signs disappeared from area yards this fall. He said McCain signs were taken from an entire neighborhood one night recently, and about 30 Obama signs showed up in the median of Logan Boulevard the same night.
"We're not into stealing stuff," he said. "The average citizen feels powerless when this stuff happens. It's a point of pride when they put them in their yards."
About 30 minutes before Jennings carried out his plan, he said a couple came into the Republican office and wanted 50 signs to replace those taken from yards along Coupon Road from Ashville to Ebensburg in Cambria County.
Jennings said he took signs only from public property, including roadway medians. While it is illegal to place political signs in public right-of-ways, police previously have said they only remove signs that obstruct drivers' views.
Blair County Republican Chairman A.C. Stickel did not comment on Sunday's events, saying he did not know the details.
"People are exhausted, they're excited, all sorts of emotions are running high," he said. "It's just something that's unfortunate that happens."
Any charges would be filed before Magisterial District Judge Steven D. Jackson, Heller said.
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Taylor
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11-04-08 6:16 PM
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the 4400 midshipmen who work harder in one day then you work in a year to defend your lazy ass deserve an answer.
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ArtHUR
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11-04-08 4:17 PM
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No, you DIDNT answer my question as to why you slandered mccain and the USNA, among other things. ANSWER NOW!
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obamaisshady
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11-04-08 10:58 AM
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For once I agree with you 166482....but I doubt that would happen if McCain wins. There will be riots and protests to no end. Have you seen pictures of polling places thus far ? An overwhelming number of African Americans are in line who have never voted before and are simply doing so to make sure on of their own gets elected regardless of his policies. But as you said I will respect and be proud of whomever wins this election because we Republicans truly care about this country first.
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166482
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11-04-08 9:24 AM
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No matter who wins it is important we all come together to support the man who is chosen. With the way things stan he will need all the support he can get. It will also be important to be vigilent and make sure we are not duped into more Bush like disasters.
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ArtHUR
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11-04-08 9:20 AM
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Mcpain im STILL waiting on an answer from you regarding my previous posts...you WILL NOT cut and run from this. I expect an answer NOW
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:47 AM
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Simpledave is right. The way these elections are being run you would think it was a Super Bowl. Us against them.*****shame they can't get it together for us because we need it. So what if the parties have different ideas, how about getting it right for America. Because no matter what anyone says, we have'nt had it right with the last administration!
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:41 AM
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I've been reading some of the postings from the ppl. drophammer makes some good points. gandulf is making some sense. Leave it to election eve to bring the intellect outta everyone. Not saying you guy's are'nt smart. Just that most ppl who post here are'nt.
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:36 AM
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Guess you're a right-winger gandulf. Not hard to tell.
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:36 AM
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moveonmcpain is probably tweaking now and unable to see his keyboard. Don't worry all, unfortunately he will be back with us tomorrow and favor us with some of his golden nuggets of sophistry and misspelled ramblings.
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:34 AM
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Six and one-half hours until the polls open. Everyone go out and vote and let the house fall where it may. A word to all DEMOCRATS--PLEASE VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!!! This is not a new strategy for you. If you can't vote twice, there are plenty of headstones to get names from.
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:33 AM
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If you're question is referring to the ppl who post, I'd have to read them all
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:31 AM
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wehaveablackpresident--Who do you believe wants to engage in genocide??
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:30 AM
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Today is the big day. Is everyone ready? I can't wait!
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:29 AM
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moveonmcpain--If one were to accept your argument that Bush and Cheny unilaterally declared war on Iraq, why did Congress issue the Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF)? The democratically controlled Congress could have pulled the plug on the money many times. Why didn't they? See if you can get this answer. If not, we will ask Kitty Carlisle for the answer.
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WeHaveABLACKPRESIDENT
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11-04-08 12:27 AM
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Wow! This guy wants to resort to ethnic cleansing. Watta JERK!!!
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:24 AM
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moveonmcpain--I see you have resorted to calling me juvenile names, but this is expected from the likes of you. Have you read any OFFICIAL documents regarding the searh for WMD's? Did you per-chance take a glance at the 9/11 report, which I might remind you was a panel comprised primarily of left leaning individuals. I will brief it for you in that you may still be kissing the bong. The final report determined although Saddam Hussein did not participate with training of the terrorists who carried out the attacks, he did finance them with Iraqi oil money--money his own people should have received the benefits from.
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gandulf
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11-04-08 12:14 AM
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moveonmcpain--When you realize what the word genocide means, then get back to us at the posting. As for personal thought regarding the Muslims: if the radical faction want to go forward with their death to America, I have no problem with a policy which would bomb the particular state back to the 9th century; convert those who are left to Christianity; and take their oil.
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ArtHUR
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11-03-08 11:16 PM
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Still waiting on a response from you, McPain...or are you passed out from the drugs and being a waste
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drophammer
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11-03-08 11:04 PM
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I have voted Republican in every presidential election but I won’t be this time. I cannot vote for McCain because he supports amnesty for illegal immigrants and he cheated on his first wife. He was cheating on his first wife while he was married and had a child at home. This shows a lack of morals and family values. The most important role in a mans life is being a good father and he failed!!!! I realize Cindy was much younger, beautiful, and rich but McCain was selfish. He put himself ahead of his wife and child. McCain FIRST and FAMILY SECOND!!!! McCain was also a central figure in the savings and loan scandal that cost taxpayers billion of dollars. As far as I am concerned, McCain is just another slimy politician!
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drophammer
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11-03-08 10:59 PM
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""Paulson injecting into the economy? Actually, the DEMOCRATIC CONGRUSS voted on it. Nice try, libby."This was the root of the problem: McCain's Treasury Secretary and economic adviser. ***********motherjones****/news/feature/2008/07/foreclosure-phil.html The credit crisis was due to several pieces of legislation sponsored by Phil Gramm. The first was the Gramm-Leach-Act in 1999. This act allowed investment banks to get into the lending business. Then, Gramm slipped in an amendment into the Commodities Futures Modernization Act of 2000. The CFMA deregulated derivatives trading and allowed lenders to securitize loan portfolios without regs. The CFMA also brought us Enron and today’s high gas prices. Finally he lobbied for the passage of the Responsible Lending Act, "the Loan Shark Protection Act" because it preempted states from passing stricter laws against predatory lending.
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ArtHUR
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11-03-08 10:55 PM
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Paulson injecting into the economy? Actually, the DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS voted on it. Nice try, libby.
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drophammer
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11-03-08 9:26 PM
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Distractions: This country is slipping headlong into a depression. Next week gas prices that have been artificially manipulated are going to climb and the stock market will plunge as the hundreds of billions that Paulson is injecting into market to help McCain stops. TRILLIONS of our tax dollars have gone to wars and bailing out Wall Street and all the looting financiers. Two choices: A guy that's going to tax the truly rich and lower taxes for everyone else and spend more on American citizens, or, a guy that's going to slash spending and promote austerity , now that his pals have looted the treasury....but not for the military or bankers. It's time for payback from Washington. Our standard of living has gone down and we're further in debt. Shall we pay yet another price in slashed Medicare for our seniors and no money for anything but war, or, shall we dedicate the national resources that we've already paid for to our needs?
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Taylor
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11-03-08 9:25 PM
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Thank you ArtHUR, I too know many people that go and have gone to the naval academy and they are WAY out of your league moveon.
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redfox666
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11-03-08 9:00 PM
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by the time mccain gets in the white-house he will be forgoten about... lol
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redfox666
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11-03-08 8:52 PM
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on a serious note ive done three tours in three different branches of our great miliatry branches, and i respect and think mccain has reached his limit with a job well done, but its time to enjoy life mccain,, and its evident by the most obserd choice you have made by picking palin as ur running mate.have a nice life mccain.. see u at the club.
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