Idaho sign advertises Obama 'public hanging'

VAY, Idaho _ The Secret Service is investigating a sign erected by a northern Idaho landowner that advertises a "free public hanging" of President-elect Barack Obama and other political figures.

Bonner County Sheriff Elaine Savage said Thursday that she and a Secret Service agent from Spokane, Wash., planned to take a look at the sign put up by Ken Germana.

"That's a political statement," Germana told the Bonner County Daily Bee. "They can call it whatever they want, a threat or whatever."

The handmade cardboard sign posted to a tree has the words "FREE PUBLIC HANGING" written in large letters above an equally large "OBAMA." A noose hangs down the middle of the sign.

In smaller letters are the names of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and civil rights activist and former presidential candidate Al Sharpton.

The Secret Service in Spokane did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Thursday.

Germana said that he poses no threat to Obama, but that he wouldn't lose sleep if the Democratic president-elect came in harm's way.

Vay is about 50 miles north of Coeur d'Alene in a region known for past ties with white supremacist groups. The Aryan Nations had a compound in the area until it was forced into bankruptcy in 2003 after losing a lawsuit.

Germana said his sign was not racially motivated.

A rope found in a Baylor University tree on Election Day also sparked an investigation. The school's president said Thursday that the students who acknowledge leaving the rope say it was not a noose but an attempt at making a swing.