A politically charged election cycle

OSHKOSH - A misunderstanding over a sign at UW-Oshkosh led to some hard feelings and an apology.

The university says a professor took down a poster Wednesday for a showing of the movie, "2016: Obama's America.”    

The movie criticizes President Obama's policies.
    
A student with the UW-Oshkosh College Republicans, who sponsored the showing, saw the women's studies professor take the poster and reported her to student affairs.

The professor issued an apology Thursday, saying the issue was a misunderstanding.    

Both the university and the student are satisfied with the resolution.

"She said she wanted her students to attend it for extra credit but then said she realized it wasn't an appropriate film for extra credit for her class,” said Rocco Frievalt, UW-Oshkosh College Republicans.

"It wasn't malicious in nature and the faculty member has contacted the student and is apologetic,” said Dr. Petra Roter, vice chancellor of student affairs.

The professor is not being disciplined for the incident.

The incident is a reminder of how politically charged this election cycle has become.

Two weeks ago Republican State Senate candidate Rick Gudex's home was vandalized. Gudex's yard signs were ruined and his flag was turned upside down. So far no one has been charged in that case.

In August, Republican State Senator Alberta Darling was in Appleton to campaign for Mitt Romney. During her speech, a Democrat in the audience interrupted to ask Darling a question which led to an altercation with a Republican supporter. The Democrat, identified as Mary Hoglund of Appleton, was asked to leave and spit on a woman as she was being escorted out. Hoglund has yet to be charged in the incident.

And just last week, State Senator Neal Kedzie's son claimed he was beaten up by two men over a Romney signs in his yard. A $500 reward is being offered for information about the attackers in that case.

Acts of violence psychologist Dr. Frank Cummings says are caused by close races that are ratcheting up tensions along political lines.

"This is a common thing that happens in each election cycle, whether it be for a state or local or even a national election,” said Cummings.

Cummings says people who commit acts of vandalism and violence over elections are similar to football fans.

"You can root for your favorite team, but when it gets personal that's when you see the violence come into play,” he said.

Cummings also says it may not let up, even when the election is over.

"The outcome of the election is going to determine people's actions, so if someone feels cheated or they feel slighted, or something wasn't done the way they wanted it to be done, again it becomes personal and then they are going to act."

Many hope it can be in a civil way.