Imitation and irritation
Dayton Patented Campaign's knockoff
I got a call from a friend- “Someone just said you were painting your name all over the sidewalks.”
Me: “It’s chalk”
Friend “Ok- bye”.
And of course, while I was evil when I did it in front of City Hall, where they wasted taxpayer money washing it off instead of letting the rain do it’s thing. I was glad to see at Urban Nights- the Dayton Originals campaign copying me.
At least sign your name.
But, along with the flattery, comes the negativity.
Someone thinks I’m “a horrible person.”
Of course, they didn’t bother to sign their name.
Running for office takes a lot of time, energy and a very thick skin.
I’m flattered someone took the time to express their opinion.
There is a quote that was given to me by a mentor, just as I joined the military. I’ve referred to it once or twice before on this site:
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
“Citizenship in a Republic,”
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
Writing in chalk on a sidewalk doesn’t really mean much. But, if it got you here to read- then it was all worth it.
Please, comment responsibly and sign your name. Take ownership in your ideas, at least if they are worth expressing.
It’s the way I do things.
And if you think you can do this better- I’ll even help you campaign, as long as you swear off dirty campaign money, political parties and special interest groups, ’cause that’s how I roll.
Well….What to do now? I usualy stay on the side lines, but if you need help putting up more of those mean chalk sign. Call I’ll see what I can do.
Let’s now contradict Teddy Roosevelt by paraphrasing JFK:
We will never have peaceful politics so long as the critic is not afforded the same respect as the man (or woman) who is in the arena.
Most of your blog material is simply a reaction to the work of others (those in the arena). You embody what Roosevelt laments.
I saw some of those washed-off ones while walking through the Oregon during Urban Nights. It was sporadic
Esrati get over yourself! The Dayton Originals campaign has been tagging the streets, buildings, and electrical boxes for months now. They started “safe tagging” in early April. For someone who talks all high and mighty about the city of Dayton, you obviously don’t spend much time as a pedestrian downtown.
Stan beat me to it. But yes, David, the City has been chalking the sidewalks with the logo for Urban Nights and other events for some time now. I have pictures of last May’s outside the Neon.
@Stan and TG- so then why all the outrage when I do it? And why is the city making an active effort to wash my campaign signs off? Shouldn’t they have the same protection as Rhine’s campaign signs that always pop up on public property?
David – look at the reaction you’ve received repeatedly. People look at your “chalk sign” but think you have actually painted it on.
I personally think it’s a great idea – saves a lot of trees and waste (after the election). I hate election season because of the visual clutter of signs everywhere.
Yet what are the laws about election signs? Seems to me Gary’s already violating them by putting up signs more than 60 days out – at least in the public thoroughfares. Are you possibly doing the same thing? And what happens when everyone decides they want to chalk the sidewalks with their personal messages.
@TG- just because mine look better- people assume paint. I’m a pro.
The laws are 30 days before- and none in public right of ways.
I’m not violating- because mine is chalk- on sidewalk- it’s temporary- and doesn’t intrude.
As to everyone- bring it- makes walking more interesting.