LETTER: Stealing yard signs will not change voter's mind

There's an epidemic that seems to be spreading across our Missouri communities. It's an epidemic of thievery and it seems to be concentrated on "Obama for President" yard signs. Anyone else notice? Anyone else fallen prey to this vile epidemic? That this is wrong, on so many levels, should be evident to every thinking person in Missouri.

I can only wonder what sort of person would trespass on other people's property in order to deny them their freedom to express their opinion. I personally believe that these are the same kind of people who wrap themselves in the American flag and believe that Democrats and liberals and pretty much everyone else who doesn't think like them is UN-AMERICAN.

It's ironic, really, when you consider that this country, America, was founded on such "liberal" tenants as freedom of religion (yes, tolerance for Muslims ... and Catholics ... and Buddhists ... and even atheists). Such ideas as that all men are created equal and, of course, freedom of speech. Oh yeah, and that each man has a right to his own opinion. Civil discourse on conflicting opinions is a lost art in this country, and that's just sad.

I must conclude that these thefts are the work of ignorant, petty, childish people. Do they think that stealing my yard sign is going to make me change my opinion? Or are they just content, because they don't agree with me, to have taken away my right to publicly express my opinion? Sign-stealers, here's my opinion of YOU ... grow up.