Confessed moonbat sign-stealer resigns professorial post
posted at 2:20 pm on November 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Philip Busse just discovered the power of the blogosphere — by turning it on himself. After bragging about his exploits in stealing McCain-Palin campaign signs, St. Olaf University invited its media professor to hit the road. Local police also have some consequences in store for the former instructor:
Philip Busse, the St. Olaf College professor who admitted to stealing campaign signs in a national political blog read by millions, has resigned. …
Busse was also charged with misdemeanor theft after confessing to the Rice County Sheriff’s department that he took three McCain/Palin yard signs, said Sergeant Dave Stensrud of the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Stensrud, officers met with Busse at his residence last Friday after several community members complained about Busse’s essay on the Huffington Post, a national news Web site and blog. There, Stensrud said, Busse confessed that he was involved with the theft of three political yard signs. In his article, entitled “Confessions of a Lawn Sign Stealer,” Busse admits to taking up to eight McCain/Palin signs from a stretch of Highway 19 near St. Olaf College.
For his actions, Busse could face up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, Stensrud said.
Three cheers for St. Olaf for demanding a high standard of public behavior from its staff. They could just as easily have concluded that Busse had all the candlepower of a 30-year-old LED, too. I’m not sure what Busse expected from confessing his crimes on the Huffington Post, but the media professor apparently didn’t think that people reading it might take offense.
Busse himself called the thefts “immature”, but couched it in terms of civil disobedience. He wrote that stealing campaign signs was “one of the single most exhilarating and empowering political acts that I have ever done.” Er, what? Why not do something constructive, like door-knock or register voters? Apparently, Busse doesn’t have the attention span for that.
This story hits home, literally, for me. I’ve had two McCain signs stolen from my yard in the last two weeks, the second in broad daylight while I was out — and the First Mate was at home. The third sign, which I picked up when I interviewed Patricia Heaton last week, has remained, along with the Norm Coleman sign that hasn’t budged since I placed it:
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An educated fool.
Ignorance can be cured. Stupid is forever.
PaddyJ on November 4, 2008 at 3:08 PM
kahall on November 4, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Thankfully, I was out of town that weekend. I would have hated to have driven in that traffic. Campbell street is horrible in that area because of traffic, imo.
Torch on November 4, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I have a 16 year old and I do not want him to go to college and be exposed to these idiots.
Elizabetty
———————————————————–
Don’t fret. There are conservative oriented colleges:
If your child is strong academically US Naval, Army or AirForce academies are by nature conservative.
On the other hand, Some others Brigham Young University. Don’t be put off by their origin in faith. They accept all denominations equally. Another is Univ. of Dallas. Has a conservative orientation. Another is Texas A&M. It also builds character as the ‘Aggie’ ribbing is to be endured. But it is a good school.
Dr. Dog on November 4, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Sorry but I find it completely embarrassing that a this person can call himself a “Professor”.
Good bye Mr. Douchebag… Perhaps NBC will have a position for you.
Claypigeon on November 4, 2008 at 3:11 PM
“An act of civil disobedience” against whom? His neighbors? Do these dimbos even know what these terms mean?
AmericanUnderground on November 4, 2008 at 3:12 PM
‘91 Carleton grad here, and I also agree. I dearly love the school, though, despite the politics.
And yes, the sledding hill is on the Carleton campus. We used to go “traying” with the trays from the nearby dining hall.
Missy on November 4, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Well hey, it’s not like he stabbed somebody hundreds of times with a screwdriver.
Jim Treacher on November 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Busse shares his brain with Rose ( golden girls!)
When she moved to hollywood, he only had half of it left to use for rest of his life
macncheez on November 4, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Throw his sorry a$$ in jail for ninety days…then forget where you left him for another 90.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I never had a sign stolen. However, I gave one of my signs to a friend who’s sign was stolen. He is a legal immigrant from Africa that doesn’t want our great country to turn into the one he left. Unfortunately, his neighbors called him a fake n****r for daring to support the white guy.
resqgal on November 4, 2008 at 3:06 PM
*
Holy Sh*t. That cracks me up.
marklmail on November 4, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Sir Corky
Yours is better.
snaggletoothie on November 4, 2008 at 3:21 PM
We need more conservatives at these left-wing colleges. Two great resources for students who are solidly founded are FIRE and the Leadership Institute.
FIRE offers free desk reference guides which are absolutely crucial for any conservative student activist. The Leadership Institute then provides funds and training to make them effective. Combined, I’m absolutely confident that students don’t have to be helpless recipients of a merciless onslaught of left-wing indoctrination. A small handful of engaged students can turn their campus upside down and expose the sort of liberal hypocrisy that happens on a regular basis at these schools.
Alexander on November 4, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Good suggestions, Dog.
If he is strong in math/science, most engineering programs lean conservative, even some of the professors. It’s partly the nature of the beast since their rankings include their success at placing students in good industry jobs and the professors’ research is usually applied and therefore often supported by research contracts with corporations. Even if the campus leans left, your son will spend most of his time with a more moderate or conservative group of people.
For science or engineering in the Big 10, I’d recommend Purdue. Or, if he’d prefer a small college experience, I’d recommend Rose-Hulman or Harvey Mudd College.
Y-not on November 4, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Minneapolis must be a friggin’ ghetto of liberal hate. I have had my McCain/Palin sign out by the street, far from my house, for weeks, now, on the busiest street in our racially and politically integrated town.
Untouched, unsullied, and un-commented-upon.
But, then, my neighbors are used to my rightism. In 2004 I had a 20′ x 20′ Blue tarpon with BUSH painted on it with a roller. Too much fun.
Jaibones on November 4, 2008 at 3:25 PM
tarp
Jaibones on November 4, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Surprisingly enough, on Long Island, NY, my McCain/Palin sign has remained untouched for over two months now. I do live in a red county however, but I’m still surprised that some of the Obama indoctrinated youths didn’t get to it (I still took it in for Halloween).
I mean, if you compare someone to Hitler, you can smear them however you want to, right? That’s what I’ve learned over the last eight years.
Sir Corky on November 4, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Godwin alert
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 4, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Hey Grue! Were you able to get your registration sorted out?
Y-not on November 4, 2008 at 3:33 PM
I put my McCain/Palin signs next to a “NOW HIRING” sign. Safe and sound.
marklmail on November 4, 2008 at 3:33 PM
In the sense of that it never got through, yeah. No vote for the Grue this year, sadly. 30-day restriction prevented me from registering and voting immediately.
However, I am fully geared and go for ‘10.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 4, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Fixed
jdkchem on November 4, 2008 at 3:36 PM
one word for this guy…
L O S E R !
MechEng5by5 on November 4, 2008 at 3:37 PM
My signs have stayed put. Probably has something to do with the two pit bulls stationed just out of view, waiting for their NEXT customer.
HornetSting on November 4, 2008 at 3:37 PM
I AM BEGGING ALL MY NEW FRIENDS HERE AT HOTAIR, DO NOT LISTEN TO THE EALRY EXIT POLLS!!! THE ARE LYING TO DEFLATE OUR RECORD BREAKING TURNOUT!!! REPUBLICANS, PUMAS’s, REAGAN DEMOCRATES, INDEPENDANTS, ALL REAL AMERICANS ARE TURNING OUT IN RECORD NUMBERS!!! HUGE TURNOUTS HISTORICALY FAVOR REPUBLICANS!!! KEEP THE FAITH, GOD IS MOVING THRU AMERICA THIS NIGHT!!! KEEP YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH AND YOUR SPRIRTS BRIMMING, WE ARE WINNING!!! HUGE TURNOUTS IN TYPICAL REPUBLICAN STRONG HOLDS THROUGHTOUT OUR GREAT NATION!!! AMERICAN IS BEING HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR, REAL AMERICANS ARE SAYING NO TO SOCILISAM, NO TO RADICALS, NO TO HIGHER TAXES, NO TO LEFTISTS ON OUR COURTS, NO TO DEFEAT IN IRAQ!!!
AND AMERICA IS SAYING YES TO JOHN McCAIN!!!
GOD BLESS US ALL… NOW GET OUT AND VOTE!!!
IGNORE THE EXIT POLLS< WAIT FOR THE ENTIRE COUNT AND FACTS!
Mark Garnett on November 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM
I’ve found target practice in the backyard has a positive affect on keeping things in place in the front yard.
Guardian on November 4, 2008 at 3:44 PM
I endorse this product or service.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 4, 2008 at 3:48 PM
No need to shout so loudly. We can hear you just fine in a normal conversational voice.
davidk on November 4, 2008 at 3:50 PM
I read his post there at HuffPo, and it’s just bizarre. He brags about what he did, while chastising himself for it. There’s something not right with that boy.
One of the signs he took was a 4 x 8′ sign from outside a farmhouse. he had to really struggle with it, and could barely fit it in his car. What a weirdo.
juliesa on November 4, 2008 at 3:51 PM
This post wins.
Sir Corky on November 4, 2008 at 3:52 PM
From Wikipedia:
Apparently Godwin’s law doesn’t take into account the candidate’s words or actions.
Sir Corky on November 4, 2008 at 3:54 PM
davidk on November 4, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I live in Arlington, Virginia, not two miles from Georgetown and there were dozens of Obama and McCain signs on the public median strip near the Marine Corps Memorial a couple of weeks ago.
They lasted a couple of days before every single one of them was gone.
So we have equal opportunity sign grabbers.
I didn’t like the Obama signs, but I can’t see how being over the age of 13 and stealing a sign, really square.
Besides, how many people vote for a candidate based on the number or position of these signs? Maybe if they see their neighbors endorsing him via their signs, but to me, the signs on public highways are useless, unless you cast your vote for the political party whose supporters do the best job of polluting the community with these stupid signs.
NoDonkey on November 4, 2008 at 3:57 PM
One of the more unusual calls I made from a McCain victory center in Florida was answered by a “McCain man” who said he was running over Obama signs with his truck.
I encouraged him to vote rather than destroy property. I did not record the name, but the Obots may run into his kind if they riot.
Right_of_Attila on November 4, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I am disappointed that picture depicts your front yard Captain.
I expected this. With a McCain-Palin sign of course!
Mr. Joe on November 4, 2008 at 4:12 PM
At first he was shameless. Now he is just shamed. Serves him right. At least the Video Professor makes money off gullible people. This one lost his job. Sophomoric.
miron on November 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Okay hatchling, pay attention: no all-caps, no multi-posting. Ya folla?
Akzed on November 4, 2008 at 4:20 PM
There are more of these immature, delinquent individuals of all ages among faculty at colleges and universities nationwide than I care to admit.
And isn’t HuffPo looking more and more like a gangland community park?
S on November 4, 2008 at 4:22 PM
… It used to be something else?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 4, 2008 at 4:24 PM
AMERICA,
Today, all across the fruited plains, Americans are preparing to cast a vote for AMERICAS PAST, IT’S PRESENT and IT’S FUTURE… Men and Women, of every race, every social background, every economic status… They will do thier duty, to honor all those who have given us the ability to participate in this “MOST BEAUTIFUL EXPERIMENT”, this land that GOD has blessed with bounty from Sea to shining Sea… My friends, today we pray, we gerd our loins for the battle of our time, our Getteysburg, our Iwo Jima, our Battle of the Buldge… It is OUR TURN! It is OUR TIME! We MUST NOT FAIL to protect and defend the Constitution, the Bill of Rights! To protect our families, our friends, our neighbors… The enemy is at the gate, our time is NOW! Stand with me and FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOMS as so many have done before us… Let’s drag McCain to victory for our COURTS, OUR MILITARY, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR FLAG and OUR RELIGIONS! Sleep well America, for today we battle for our very lives as Americans, it’s THAT INPORTANT! God bless our efforts, and with his will we WILL PREVAIL against the biggest challenge, the biggest THREAT of our time… Rest well America, for we are comming out by the MILLIONS TODAY to DEFEND you once again…
McCain WINS! America WINS! We all WIN!
Today Ladies and Gentelmen, we are in the valley, clad in our battlegear, awaken to the day by a force from within, a purpose, a mission, battle lies ahead!
We have been joined this “MORNING IN AMERICA” by PUMA’s, Reagan Democrates, RHINO’s, Conservatives, peoples of all faiths, of all social backgrounds, of ALL races, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, clinging to our God, our Guns, our Flag, our Constitution!
We are looking up at a huge mountain, with a fortress of the far left radicals inside awaiting our attack. The Socilialists, protected all the way up the hill by the MSM, and with Pundits blocking our paths, the task is daunting and will require all of the effort a human can muster!
But we are bolstered by our faith, comforted by that still small voice inside… Fortified by the knowledge that from our efforts here today our children and thiers will grow up in a FREE, PROUD, STRONG AMERICA… The America of our Founders, of our Grandfathers and Fathers, of our FALLEN HEROS who gave it all for our RIGHT TO FIGHT TODAY!
Drawing comfort from our friends, family, church and our mission we march onward, “RUSH”ing up the hill, tossing aside all the Pundits, embarrasing the MSM, confronting the radicals and leaving them wondering what hit them…
VICTORY AWAITS for all those willing to lay it all on the line today! Are you ready? Will you fight? Will you vote?
IT’s MORNING IN AMERICA once again… McCain WINS!
Mark Garnett on November 4, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Character is destiny. To the hoosegow, Professor! How’s THAT for exhilarating!?
Tantor on November 4, 2008 at 4:40 PM
I thought someone had stolen my McCain sign from my yard on Halloween and put an Obama one in its place. But when I went to pull the thing out, I noticed that a neighbor down the street was missing one of their Obama signs, and were now sporting a McCain sign- one of the older pre-Palin ones. I put the Obama sign back in their yard, retrieved our McCain sign, and silently cursed the stupid kids.
Now, if it had been me, I would have put both the McCain sign and the Ehlers for Congress sign in the neighbors yard, and given my house both Obama signs and the Schaffer for Judge sign, but that’s just me.
smithinmich on November 4, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Send him to a good trade school. He could take some business classes at night and maybe start his own business. It’s the way to the American dream. Plumbers, electricians, car mechanics, etc. will always be needed and are frequently well paid. Think of how much you paid for your last car repair, or had the toilet unstopped. College is overrated. We need another degree-holding clerk like we need a hole in the head.
Don Carne on November 4, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Maybe I’m just a smidge immature, but I think that’s a little funny, just switching your sign with a neighbor’s. At least you were able to find yours :)
Sir Corky on November 4, 2008 at 5:02 PM
McCain’s first victory!
profitsbeard on November 4, 2008 at 6:28 PM
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