I could not help but feel empathy for Jude Redkey regarding her stolen sign incident (April 18, "Stolen sign poses questions"). Yet the problem is much larger than this, as it resounds the behavior of Americans (political or not) in general, and I suppose demographics in Amador County. Somehow Americans have become so entitled on every front that instantaneous reaction and instantaneous gratification are the norm. Don't like that political sign? Then destroy it. Don't like your neighbor? Cut down the medrone tree your neighbor is attempting to grow. Don't like that political candidate? Slander them by some means. Don't like other peoples' cultures or beliefs? Go blow up their country(s) and steal their natural resources. I hope now, my point is clearer.
As a born American, with ancestry to the Declaration of Independence, I can't help but feel perplexed by these behaviors regardless of the context of the issue. Do you think Thomas Jefferson would agree with Americans' behavior today? If you throw stones, you had better be prepared to have them thrown back. Politics have the same mannerisms, however politely displayed, or in Redkey's case, not so polite.
Jude, let me assure you there is karma in the world; the problem is that most Americans don't realize it actually exists. It is obvious most politicians don't realize it either.
My suggestion is that everyone who reads this paper should rent the movie "Crash" and you'll feel the burn of the prejudice that lives within each of us, American or not. That is, if one actually has a conscience. Maybe, just maybe, we will learn to live in each others' shoes. And guess what? They don't always fit.