Our view
By HDN Editorial Board
Don't let the cloud of political rhetoric arising around the Pizza Pro sign issue make it less understandable than it should be.
Why do two well-known Democrats have problems with a supporter of Republican mayoral candidate Bob Rice putting up a Rice for Mayor sign in his business window?
Local Democrats Nancy Peterson and Debi Friede both said they are personally boycotting Pizza Pro because owner Russ Luke has a Rice for Mayor sign in the Pizza Pro window. Peterson is campaign treasurer for Democratic mayor candidate Mike Shortell and a former Hill County Democratic Central Committee member. Friede is the Hill County Democratic Party chair.
Peterson and Friede both said they think it is inappropriate for a business owner to have political signs in a business window. Neither is going to eat at Pizza Pro until the signs are gone.
Geez. Let them eat elsewhere. Why is putting up political signs in a business inappropriate? Why differentiate between a business and a residence? Luke is entitled to his political opinion and to advertise it in his window. Why would anyone think otherwise?
The Republicans are, of course, making hay with the issue (although Republican Party chair Brad Lotton goes overboard when he calls the Democrats' tactics "Gestapo" in a letter to the editor today and accuses them of wanting to destroy Luke's business).
The rest of the folks who don't get involved in such rhetoric must be scratching their heads in wonderment that anyone would criticize Luke for publicly expressing his opinion.
