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A controversial billboard in Caldwell is shocking many people with its extreme message.  It compares President Obama to the man, who massacred 12 people in Colorado.
   
The latest message on the digital billboard shows a picture of James Holmes and says quote, “kills 12 in movie theater with assault rifle, everyone freaks out,” and then there’s a picture of President Obama saying “kills 1,000’s with his foreign policy, wins Nobel Peace Prize.”

We stopped by a local diner and found people on both sides, passionate about the issue.

“Saying that the president killed all these people because one guy killed 12 people in Colorado, that’s not right,” said Ross Pursifull, Nampa resident, “because most presidents, they got to do what they got to do, and I'm not an Obama fan, but I do not call him a killer like this guy did in Colorado at all.”

Others said they want the message to go away. “I invited some people in my class up to my work to eat and several of them have refused to come to Caldwell because of that sign. It’s affecting our restaurant and stores as a whole, so I think that sign needs to be taken down,” said Michelle Drake, Caldwell resident.

However, some said they didn’t mind the billboard's message and talked about first amendment rights.

“I don't see anything false on it. Freedom of speech, and I think just because certain people don't agree with it, they want to get away from allowing you to express your opinion,” said Wanda Haines, Middleton resident.

Maurice Clements, who works as a real estate agent by day, put up the message on his private property and defends the billboard. He said he put it up to protect U.S. soldiers.

“We knew it was edgy, kind of over the top. We’re trying to raise awareness to people on the lack of outrage over the boys and girls dying in Afghanistan, our troops,” he said.

Clements calls himself a Libertarian Conservative.  He admits most of the response he's received is negative, but said that will not stop him.

“Keep reading the board. We’ll have messages there on the future and some people will like them, some people won't,” he said.

Clements said the message will stay up for a while, until he thinks of something else. If anyone has any questions on his billboard, he said he has no problems talking to people directly about his messages.

Here is his contact info: (208) 250-2193 or smeedonstate-ism.com/