UPDATES:
This incident was covered on KXAN TV News Tuesday night.
There was a good article in the Austin American Statesman.
In western Hays County, Texas, at around 8PM Sunday night 19 October, thugs trashed my car while I was having dinner with some friends.
Out in the country. Miles from anywhere.
My "Obama 08" bumper sticker was torn off the right rear bumper, a 20-lb rock was dropped through the back window, 2 stolen Obama yard signs were shoved through the gaping hole in the window, and a cryptic almost "OBAHA" (or something...) was scrawled in orange spray-paint on the drivers side front and back doors and windows.
It has been blogged here at Mock Paper Scissors (Thank YOU TexBetsy!) and here by Fran I Am. While a collection has started to cover the deductible, I must insist that any proceeds go to refugee children who lack school supplies here in Austin, a cause TexBetsy has been doggedly pursuing for years.
I have to hand it to the Hays county deputies for getting out to the scene of the crime quickly, and making sure to dust everything for fingerprints -- and, particularly, (in these dark days) for taking the matter seriously.
Also Kudos go to the WimDems -- the Wimberley Democrats -- who have been individually and collectively so supportive.
Our Democratic Party Precinct Chair brought this incident to the attention of the Hays County Sheriff:
I just saw the sheriff and told him about it. He really flinched. Said "That is not what we mean by America." Don't know if anyone will get caught but hope so.
The incident has also been reported to watchdog@barackobama.com and to our representatives in the campaign in Hays and Travis counties (Travis is where Austin is) but only a canned response so far.
In the meantime, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated and the best thing we can do is, please: Get The Word Out. This is Going Down.
But also, please consider the level of psychoses in these crimes:
Kilt bear cubs? Rocks Thrown Through Car Windows? DEATH THREATS? Spray-painted cars? 30 Slashed Tires?!?!
They must be deeply, deeply desperate. They need our compassion.
Correction: compassion and justice.