Written by: Beck

Locally, Bush-Cheney and other Republican campaign signs have been burned, chain-sawed and simply stolen, while Democrat Arn Menconi also reports some mysterious disappearances of his election signs. The most starkly sinister anti-Bush messages are the large 4-by-8 foot torched and blackened Bush/Cheney sign that still stands near Wolcott, and the two back-to-back signs with their centers sawed out, located in Avon off the I-70 exit overlooking Wal-Mart.

[...] On the national level, the sign destruction has amped up into the trashing of Republican offices, physical attacks on Republicans, and even hails of bullets through the windows of campaign offices.

[...] Intimidation tactics against the Republican message, Republican headquarters, and Republicans themselves has been reported nationwide, prompting Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Chairman Governor Marc Racicot on Oct. 11 to send a firm letter to John Sweeney, who heads the AFL-CIO.

Wrote Racicot, "Over the past several weeks, acts of violence and vandalism have occurred at Republican and Bush-Cheney campaign headquarters across the country. In addition to the injuries, property damage and disruption associated with these acts, these events have created a threatening and intimidating atmosphere abhorrent to our democratic process."

[...] In many locations, the protesters attempted to enter, or entered, campaign or party facilities. As one protester said, "Actually, we're storming into an office."

In Orlando, Florida, injuries and damage were sustained. Protesters forced their way into the facility, fracturing the arm of one staffer, and vandalized the office.

In Michigan, Protesters entered a headquarters and engaged in activities apparently intended to disrupt volunteers trying to make phone calls."

[...] A Seattle Republican office break-in where laptop computers with critical information were stolen from top organizing officials.

At a break-in in Canton, Ohio, a staffer locked herself into an office while the burglary and ransacking was in progress.

Gunshots fired into Bush-Cheney '04 offices in West Virginia shattered glass while local party members were watching Bush’s convention speech.

Gunshots were also fired into Bush-Cheney offices in Florida and Tennessee.

In Wisconsin, an 8-by-8 foot swastika was burned into the lawn of a citizen with Bush-Cheney yard signs.