As we barrel through a long, hot political summer, with the prospect of a long, hot political fall to follow, let’s talk about political signs — ranging from the hand-drawn messages you might see at public events to the yard signs that brave souls post on their property.

Now, we understand these signs are not the places for detailed policy arguments or in-depth analyses of a candidates’ strengths or weaknesses. You’ve got maybe 10 words, probably less, to get the point across.

And we also understand Americans have a First Amendment right that allows us to say what we want on a sign (with some narrow exceptions).

But context matters.

And so does location.

At the recent Monument Fourth of July parade, for example, the occupant of a side-by-side was proudly waving a flag that apparently was inspired by the “Let’s Go Brandon” chant ridiculing President Joe Biden — complete with the obscene language of the original chant.

The flag also called to account people who voted for Biden, using the same coarse language. The side-by-side wasn’t in the parade, but it was in a location where everyone, including children, could see it (and presumably ask a parent to explain the language, likely not a conversation a parent had scheduled for the holiday).

If that language had been used in, say, a junior high class in Monument or in a school presentation, it would have erupted into a scandal.

We understand the presidential election, in particular, has triggered strong emotions. But there are more civil ways to express those messages. We also understand these signs are a symptom of a deep political divide in the nation and in Oregon, but let us suggest that hurling profane epithets might not be the best way to go about healing that divide.

That we have the right to express ourselves, without interference from the government, is not in dispute. But along with that sacred right, which is at the heart of what we mean in America when we talk of freedom, we have choices about how we exercise that right.

As we saw in Monument, some people make poor choices.

While we’re talking about campaign signs, indulge us in a quick thought experiment. Let’s say neighbors down the street have just installed a yard sign promoting Candidate X. You don’t care for Candidate X and much prefer Candidate Y. Do you:

A: Go out and get a sign for Candidate Y and proudly place it on your lawn, or:

B: In the dead of night, go to your neighbors’ lawn and steal or vandalize the sign for Candidate X?

There is a correct answer.

We never have understood the desire among certain knuckleheads to swipe or disfigure other people’s campaign signs. What are they thinking — assuming they’re giving any thought at all to their actions? Do they think their neighbors will wake up the next morning, see that their signs have been stolen, and say to themselves, “Gosh, my sign for Candidate X has been swiped. I think I now should support Candidate Y.”

This never has happened. Instead, what often happens is this: The neighbors check out the footage from their surveillance cameras and then call the police. Because it’s a crime. Then they call the campaign headquarters of Candidate X and get a new sign.

And the scofflaws who persist in this activity also fail to understand something essential about America: The same First Amendment that gives them the right to create and post a campaign sign also gives that right to everybody else.

Campaign and yard signs are a grand part of the American political tradition — and there’s some evidence that they can be effective, especially in close races. But there’s no reason why civility can’t be a part of that tradition. And there’s no reason whatsoever why they shouldn’t stay on your lawn.