'Pick Moe Cotton' signs - strategic or offensive?
Guam - Out of a sea of signs, it appears one is getting mo' attention than others. You've seen them lining the streets of Guam. They come in different shapes sizes and colors. Yes, it's definitely election season.
Political signs are just about everywhere you turn. This candidate promising to work hard, that candidate promising to put you first. etc. And one particular political sign has gone viral online, getting more than 400,000 views on the popular social news web site Reddit.
"I'm for the military buildup and a part-time legislature," said one such candidate, Elmore "Moe" Cotton. They're signs that even the Department of Public Works deputy director Carl Dominguez admits they need your help to make sure their in compliance with Guam laws. "If anybody in the public thinks that there might be a violation, give us a call, we'll send somebody out to take a look," Dominguez said.
And then there are some signs that standout. "Why would [my campaign signs] be rationally insensitive? I can't understand that," said Cotton, who's running for a seat in the 32nd Guam Legislature as a Republican. "'Moe' is a nickname and I've used that name for 50 years and I've used that slogan many, many times," he said, in response to his signs touting a curious credo - "Pick Moe Cotton".
"That's my slogan and I'm sticking to it," he maintained.
And for Cotton's employee, he's all for it, as "Well, Moe Cotton is his last name and he's asking people to pick him, to vote for him for senator, so I can't see why it would be insensitive," said the staffer.
Others may see it differently. A resident outside the Department of Revenue & Taxation said, "I can see how it can be offensive."
And others see it as just Cotton-picking, as another person we talked to said the sign and its concept was "funny".
Well, if there's one thing he's gotten this election season, its mo' attention. "If somebody has been offended, I'm apologizing," Cotton said.
Dpw meanwhile encourages the community should they notice any signs that may be in violation of the law such as being on government buildings, on trees, in parks or in any way causing safety concerns to call its offices at 646-3131 or 3232 or its Highway Encroachment Team at 649-3114 and someone will be out to investigate.