Sign stealer is out at St. Olaf

A visiting St. Olaf instructor who wrote an online essay about stealing John McCain lawn signs -- "like a ninja under the cover of [a] cloudy Minnesota night" -- has resigned, the Northfield college announced.

Philip Busse, an Oregon-based journalist and political activist who taught a media studies course, also will be charged with misdemeanor theft, according to the Rice County Sheriff's Office. He could face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Busse admitted that what he posted on the Internet was true, said Rice County Sheriff Richard Cook, so as of Friday afternoon, "it was essentially case closed." Busse was expected to receive a citation in his mailbox Tuesday, Cook said: "How appropriate -- on Election Day."

After learning of Busse's essay, "Confessions of a Lawn Sign Stealer," St. Olaf officials denounced his actions, saying they "were in direct conflict with the college's values and mission."

On Monday, the school issued a statement that "Mr. Busse has tendered his resignation and is no longer affiliated with St. Olaf College."

Busse did not return phone calls Tuesday.

In an essay published on the Huffington Post website last week, Busse used data, news articles and firsthand accounts to explore the impact of political lawn-sign theft, as well as its legal and ethical implications. He wrote:

Later, he wrote: "Mature? No. Illegal? Yes. Satisfying? Definitely."

Busse said Saturday that "in this politically charged environment we all say and do stupid things." He noted that he had talked Friday with the Rice County sheriff and offered restitution for the signs.

Cook said the Sheriff's Office does not typically consider accepting restitution in place of charges, "especially when you're bragging about [the crime] on the Internet."