I don't support the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, mainly because I believe that four more years of his lack of leadership and pandering to special interests will seriously cripple the Democratic Party in the state.

That being said, I think that this sort of behavior is out of line.

Opponents of the move to recall Gov. Gray Davis are asking their supporters to intimidate signature gatherers and complain of harassment at stores where recall petitions are circulating, stepping up the political battle taking place in front of Wal-Marts and Home Depots across California.

In an e-mail message and Internet posting titled "How to Advocate Against the Recall," Davis supporters were told, "It is OK to stand in front of their table or approach potential signers before they do, or otherwise inhibit their activity." The memo instructs people to say they are "offended by being harassed" and file complaints with managers of stores.

You can bet if the parties were switched, then there would be a bigger outcry. But then, conservatives are never victims -- they're the oppressors.