My friend Erik Kiehle made the news today. Unfortunately, it's bad news.
Bush plate gets bashed Erik Kiehle is used to attracting attention for the star and six letters he chose for the license plate of his Toyota 4Runner. Its message: "NO*BUSH."
People often honk, flash a thumbs up, or, at worst, use another digit to send him their disgust.
But he never imagined someone would bash in the SUV's back window and dent his personalized plate sometime Sunday morning.
"If you feel that strongly about politics, put up a bumper sticker or volunteer for a campaign instead of destroying things," Kiehle, 32, said Wednesday. "I'm just looking forward to the election being over."
There's no evidence the vandal who struck the SUV outside Kiehle's home on Miramonte Avenue was politically motivated, Mountain View police spokesman Jim Bennett said. Police didn't find any fingerprints or witnesses.
Still, Kiehle is convinced. Nothing was missing, including his car stereo.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles doesn't have any specific regulations on political statements for personalized plates. The DMV may reject messages that are sexually explicit, considered ethnic slurs or are otherwise "tasteless or offensive," said Armando Botello, a DMV spokesman. If DMV officials approve a plate but receive complaints about it, they may review it again.
Botello said the DMV recently revoked a plate that slipped through by using an alphabet soup to phonetically spell out one of the English language's foulest words.
"It's a science for the people who do this," Botello said of the creative spellers.
Kiehle used to have a Lake Tahoe commemorative plate -- which costs $50 extra and supports the California Tahoe Conservancy -- before he changed his plate in early 2002 after getting fed up with President Bush.
Active local Republican Alice Wilson said she has no problem with political statements made on license plates.
"I've heard people afraid to put Bush bumper stickers on their car because they've had the sides of their cars scraped with a key. Isn't that ridiculous?" said Wilson, who is part of several local Republican groups. "I guess there are a bunch of donkeys on both sides of the aisle."
Don't even think about suggesting that Kiehle may have busted out the window himself for a publicity stunt, he said.
"I would never waste that much money," said Kiehle, who is registered with the Green Party but plans to vote for Democrat John Kerry.
The basic liability insurance he has on the vehicle doesn't cover vandalism and he expects to pay up to $700 to get it repaired. He said he would rather donate that money to a charity or political cause than spend it on the repairs.
Four days later, his SUV's tan interior still was exposed to the elements as Kiehle, a computer support engineer, saves up the cash. Shattered glass blanketed the trunk and two folded camping chairs inside, and a few pieces were scattered on the front dashboard.
For now, Kiehle is driving a car that he said was freed up at his parents' home because his brother, a Marine, was recently deployed to Iraq -- a war Kiehle doesn't support.
Despite the damage, Kiehle said he won't replace the NO*BUSH plates -- unless Bush loses the November election.
"In three weeks," he said, "I'm hoping it'll be a moot point."
Location
South San Francisco, California, United States
"There is no creator" - the Dalai Lama. These are words of common sense, and it tells me that "spirituality" has nothing in particular to do with a belief in the supernatural. But then, those of us who grew up in the seventies watching "Kung Fu" already knew that being a vegan, atheist who follows the path of the buddha can reach enlightenment.
All kidding aside, what does a vegetarian atheist have to say? Stick around and you'll find out! Politically I'm rather liberal, but I do like to listen to staunch conservative talk show host Michael (the 'Whiner') Savage so I'll probably be mentioning him from time to time in my weblogs. So for now, how about some talk of broccoli, carrots and peas? Recipe's anyone??
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"As mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
- George Washington
"Maybe happiness is a fragment of existence, but with better packaging."
