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 Home > Thisjustin > Story

Published - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

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Democratic Party headquarters for Vernon and Crawford counties vandalized

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Vandals spray painted negative remarks about presidential candidate Barack Obama on the windows of the Democratic Party headquarters for Vernon and Crawford counties in downtown Viroqua, Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Viroqua Police Department, both white and red spray paint was used to make derogatory remarks against Obama. The headquarters is the former Dahl Pharmacy Building on Main Street. A large blue sign supporting Obama for president had been painted on the inside of the window. The vandalism is reported to have happened in broad daylight, between 4-5 p.m., at one of the busiest times of day on Main Street.

“This has a chilling effect on free and open elections,” Karen Dahl, a member of the Vernon County Democratic Party’s executive committee, said.

The incident has become a national matter of interest as news of it has been passed on to the Democratic Party leadership in each state. Dahl is a member of the National Democratic Party’s Veteran and Military Council. She said that group will take particular interest in the incident because the vandals, among other things, had used spray paint to write “McCain is at least a vet” on the window.

“Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) knows about it,” Dahl said. “It didn’t take long for this to become nationally known.”

Dahl said Democratic Party officials are hopeful that someone witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the Viroqua Police Department at 608-637-2121 or the Vernon County Crimestoppers at 1-800-657-6868.

Vernon County has strong ties to Obama's as Coon Valley's John Carson is the National Field Manager for Obama's campaign, Dahl said.
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Well... wrote on Jul 25, 2008 9:48 AM:

" If it was done in broad daylight, and no one reported it, it probably just means no one really cares. "

North Sider... wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:45 PM:

" If this would have happened on the north side of town you never would of heard about it. Unfortunately someone vandalized our beautiful historic downtown Viroqua-America USA and everyone knows when it happens down there, it's the end of the world! When you all get over this little tangent that you are on, take a look at the north side of town...count the number of (expensive) Viroqua welcomes you banners that are missing or torn on the north side as the two block radius of down town is bright, shining as flawless!!! BOO WHO downtown "

Just vandalism wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:38 AM:

" Nancy Pelosi been in town yet? FBI? "

Downtown wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:46 PM:

" Working at a downtown business, what I hate is everything that is so off topic. This is about vandalism in downtown Viroqua in the middle of the day. We've had our share of problems, but nothing too serious. This act was nuts, I don't care if it's a McCain sign, who I'm voting for, or Obama. Nobody should, in broad daylight be able to spray paint a business like this. It's like the Viroqua cemetery vandalism. I wish they caught those pukes. This is a Viroqua pride issue. Everybody is so stupidly partisan. Tomorrow they'll steal your garden globe and the next day take the change out of your car. What will you say then? They're just CRIMINALS! I think we need more downtown patrols and more security cameras. Bust all the pukes who mess with ANYTHING. And if anybody is a juvenile. Tell the Broadcaster at least an arrest has been made, so we know they'res progress. I don't want my front window spray painted! "

A Fun Fair Fight wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:14 AM:

" In one corner we have the cheap beer swilling, 4x4 driving, sleeveless-shirt sporting redneck who's travelled as far out as Westby and Cashton and maybe even Readstown to explore the world and it's views. In the other corner, we've got a soapless drifter with peaceful propaganda and hugs for everyone who's main intent is to live simply and defy the capatilist, me for mine individualism that's been brewing with America's freedom like a rotten soybean in our Peace Coffee. "

Tired... wrote on Jul 18, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Honestly when I saw this on the news the other night I couldn't help but laugh and think it's about time the other side of town showed themselves a bit more. Derogatory remarks? National coverage? This http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?s=8686225 shows no derogatory remarks, vandalism yes, but it's not like anyone wrote anything about Obama directly, just 'McCain he's a vet' Have a bit of perspective here, where's the people crying and complaining about the stop sign that someone spray painted Bush on so now it says 'Stop Bush' That's been there for at least 6 months. It was some spray paint on a window that as far as I could see is completely gone now, it is in no way deserving of national attention.

I've always found it interesting that the people who claim to be all about everyone having the right to speak freely are the ones who complain the loudest when someone dares to have an opinion that differs from their own. No one person has all the answers, no one way to live is the right way for everyone. And I for one am tired of having a certain group shove their ideals in my face and look down at me for not being exactly what they are.

I'll go back to my 12-pack of cheap beer and quietly observing this foolishness from the sidelines now. "

Obama supporter wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:24 PM:

" Trust your gut this election. For me, it's Obama all the way!! I've voted Republican in the last 4 presidential elections, and I've come to realize that they've ruined this country in many ways. I stopped supporting them when I realized that they give tax breaks to companies that packed up, and moved overseas so they could pay the workers .50 cents per hour. This is a crime that shouldn't happen - keep jobs in our own country!! Vote this fall!! "

the truth is out there wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:06 PM:

" Come on am I the only one that sees this was obviously a ploy to get media attention. And as far as Dahl's statement well all I can say is "And the award for best over dramatic statement of the year goes to........Karen Dahl. Look long and hard at the way the Dems run their campaigns. the truth is out there "

Hondo wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:22 PM:

" Anti-right vandalism happens all the time here in Madison, and everyone (on the left) celebrates it. The left seems to think it is okay to hate, and break the law when they do it, but call out the FBI to investigate a hate crime when the situation is in reverse.
The people who did this just gave the left some free media exposure and allowed the left to gain victim status. The left likes to play the victim one moment then turn around and get in your face next (remember victim or victor the left gets media exposure). "

Watchman wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:35 AM:

" Well said Wait....well said! "

wait wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:09 AM:

" I want to clarify something, I am not afraid of them. I do not fear them. I am simply sick of them thinking they are above me, and thinking that the state owes them something. I didn't think we would get so off track here. "

V.O.R. wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:28 PM:

" 12-pack? hmmm, doesn't sound too bad.

In all seriousness, all I can say after this terrible terrible event is...

GO BLACKHAWKS!!!! "

Someone goes overboard wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:27 PM:

" All this shows by going national is that we are a bunch of dumb hillbillies here in VIROQUA...
Well I don't want the world thinking that, how about you? "

Get Real wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:19 PM:

" Ever heard of free speech? Well someone wrote on the window, god forbid it isn't the end of the world! This town is going to hell in a hand bag. It is the Huggers vs the real world. All you idiots should shout up and grow up. For the love of god!!! Either of these canidates could and will make for a good leader. I don't think this should be blown out of wack. So maybe we should just be ONE country not 2... "

To wait... wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:16 PM:

" Are you afraid of them? Why do you stammer and shake so much when you think about them? Why are you on the offensive? And you can keep your cheap beer. With your hateful attitude you're going to need it to keep yourself numb. You're projecting a lot of anger. Get the help you need while you can. I really feel sorry for you. "

Waiting................... wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:46 PM:

" people are living in fear of change, and don't know how else to deal with it?!!! "

wait wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:18 PM:

" Are you one of them, is that why you are so defensive? I can loan you a bar of soap. Or maybe you can join me with a 12 pack of cheap beer, because Im sure thats all you can afford. Thank you for your opinion. "

To wait wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:53 PM:

" And your point is that you're myopic and brain dead? I think you need to see a herbalist, take a yoga class and spend some time communing with nature. As for the hygiene comment you could at least learn how to spell the word. That, at the very, very least, would be a start. Good luck on your spiritual journey, which will probably be drinking a 12-pack of cheap beer and sticking your finger in a light socket. "

wait wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:40 PM:

" My point was that the "go green" people we have here in viroqua don't care about anyone elses property. They don't seem to care about hygeine, why would they care if they put a little spray paint on a window? That was the point I was trying to make. "

To wait... wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:29 PM:

" I think you really missed something... The OBAMA sign at the DEMOCRATIC headquarters was vandalized. How many "go green" people are going to denegrate their own candidate? Your logic is nonexistant so you get an "F" for today. "F" is for foolish. "

Voice of Reason wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:26 PM:

" I don't condone this, but to say it will have a "chilling" effect on open elections is a bit melodramatic. Like our countries whole election system is in jeopardy. "

wait.. wrote on Jul 16, 2008 3:19 PM:

" Where is the rest of my post? I also added how there are many unusual things that go on during the day on mainstreet in viroqua. There are an abundunce of "go green" families moving in. "

huh wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:54 PM:

" How can this happen between 4 and 5 and no one saw anything? "

morons wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:59 PM:

" These criminals are hurting their cause, if you ask me.
And I didn't know if AMERICA you had to be a vet in order to be President or a patriot. These people are messing with the Democratic process and trying to elevate one group of Americans over another. How anti-American. "


The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Vernon Broadcaster.

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