Sure, it's been about a month since the mysterious infestation of ribbon stickers on nearly each and every car that I see during my commutes. But I saw three today that finally pushed me to ask:

What's with the ribbon stickers? You know, the "movement ribbons", specifically:
Yellow = Support Our Troops
Red/White/Blue = Support America?
Red/White/Blue + Yellow = Support Our Troops and Support America?
Pink = Fight Breast Cancer
Black = Remember our POW/MIA
Camo colored = Support Our... Undergrowth?
And tons of combinations of the above, both in standard size and in the mini version.

I mean, overnight the ribbon virus multiplied exponentially to the exponentially. Clearly not contagious because my car remains unaffected. But, I keep seeing more and more of them! Two on each car is the average with such outliers as the big white Ford pickup that had EVERY stick (and three of the mini versions). Where did they GET this disease??

Though disturbed by the possibility that these were Pro-Bush icons, I didn't really worry about it until today. During my commutes, for the first time I saw *immitation* ribbon stickers; a slightly different shape than the widespread pathogen. What, is this thing mutating, adapting to its metallic environment? And the one that really made me wonder was the tye dye one I saw tonight. What is that for, "Support Legalizing Pot"?? (I actually think it said "Animal Procurement" or something of a similar shape and size).

Since I haven't researched this epidemic online, I'm clearly not asking for an answer. Just kind of asking.... what *ARE* those things??

While they're certainly (to me) not-so-subtle pro-Bush messages they're sold by (in my area) by National Guard boosters at the exit of the Wal-Mart for a buck or two. And who _doesn't_ want to support our troops after doing their patriotic duty of buying Chinese goods from the nice folks at the Wal-Mart?

O/T: Anyone like this week's Southpark?

-Zeke

Bitt-
Sorry, I forgot to set my sarcasm flag to '1'.

For the record: Walmart are a steel fist around the throat of American retailers with a thin veneer of chintz folksy charm spread over the outside.

-Zeke

I'm waiting for the ribbon that signifies "Support America and its troops. Impeach Bush." Until then, my car will remain ribbon-free as well.

Personally, I'd rather buy one and tell them to keep it & just take the money. I know I support our troops (meaning: several of my cousins), but I don't care to even have the off hand chance that anyone would interpret that as a Pro-Bush statement.

-Zeke

Of course, the great part is that they're not stickers, but magnets. Which means that as soon as they decide that they're tired of "supporting our troops", they can simply remove them, no worse for the wear. Some people have the courage of their convictions. Others prefer their convictions to be easily removable, apparently.

It was a little of both. I'm not accusing anyone of anything who doesn't ask for it. I'm just so tired of the accusations, and I realize I'm sort of being hypocritical as a result of my last post, but it just gets to me and I usually just can't help but be defensive. So, I appologize for that.

*pre-emptive edit*
I had written up this long, protracted explanation as to why I just can't wrap my mind around the concept of this sticker thing, but I came off sounding way too much like a clichéd and cynical grouch I'll just say that there are about 5 connected reasons this doesn't make sense to me, and if I ever come into contact with these military representatives (I've never seen them), I'll give them $10 from my wallet if I have it (which I don't), and refuse the sticker.

Has anyone ever heard George Carlin's rant on this very subject? I think it is part of "Free Floating Hostility"...

How about the guy in the Wal-Mart parking lot and who just takes the ribbon off another person's car and slaps it on his?

The implication is "I support our troops, and therefore GWB, you Hanoi Jane mofo", as evidenced by the significant number of "I support President Bush and our troops" placards.

I support our troops, too. It should be a given. (In fact, I think my stance supports them more than the Hawk stance does. The longer we keep them at war, the more they get injured and die.) But the fact that they feel the need to point out that they gave $5 for a magnet (instead of, say, donating it to the VFW or VA Hospitals or whatever) is an act of claimed superiority.

And, again, the fact that 99% of the people with those magnets seem to also have "I voted against President Clinton and her husband, too" bumper stickers is not irrelevant.

as one of those troops id like to say that i have no clue what this 'supporting our troops' is. i also see the stickers/magnets everyday. when i do see them i tend to think something along the lines of 'damn right, support our troops'. i guess its nice to know people are behind us.

When I see them, I typically read;

"Support Our Inavasions"

Because, I support the troops as long as they are doing what I think they should be doing - like coming home. I don't support them in obeying unconstructve orders.

as they normally say 'support our troops', you may be misreading. you seem to be under the assumption that we have a choice in what orders to obey. in the strictest sense, i suppose we do. but, for me, that choice is not a choice.
you are more than welcome to try your hand at Commander in Chief, provided you make it that far. there is so much more to say, but i dont wish to waste my time.

please, keep in mind that you are able to support or not support as you wish because of the troops that are following and have followed 'unconstructive orders'

I'll come out and say it: I hate Christmas!

It's a great holiday for the kids and I certainly loved it as a child, but aside from getting the family together, the gift giving is really not needed for adults. The decorations are OK, and I like the lights in the dark of winter, but the gift giving stress I could do without 100%.

Thanksgiving's probably my favorite holiday, all the nice family togetherness, a great meal and not too much stress, save for the cook. Being the cook has its own rewards, but that's another subject.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled discusison about magnets, war, troops, Clinton, Bush, Kerry & Walmart...

-Zeke

Heh, actually it was kind of a joke for me to say that, as I'm a pretty bah humbug guy around Christmas myself. "Hate" is probably too strong a word, but I'm not a big fan. Now "Hate" is EXACTLY what I feel about Wal-Mart + Christmas.

From the guy who created RockPaperSaddam.com, here is...

Antimagnet

This thread isn't as old as I remembered. Threads just drop down the stack pretty quickly.

Anyhow I thought of this thread immediately when I heard this essay on NPR this eve when driving to a meeting. From the Dad of a returned troop. It sums up pretty well what I feel when I see the new yellow ribbons on cars.

Too dang bad there aren't transcripts, just Real. I know how dirty that makes some of us feel!

If I ever get motivated enough to dig the crater in my front yard for it, I have a plan to mount 4 flag poles (of different heights) in a circle, to fly the Stars and Stripes, the Pennsylvania state flag, the Rattlesnake Flag and the POW-MIA flag. I have no doubt that this will confuse some of our neighbors after the Kerry Edwards campaign signs my wife had in the yard, but the flags would be entirely sincere. Even if I don't support current military policy, the servicemen didn't write the policy, they were simply deployed as a result, and their service is no less valuable than previous generations who have been called on. My mother's father, and two of my mother's uncles, served in World War 2, and one was a prisoner of war. Unlike generations since, their contributions have been better appreciated. Just because you served in an unpopular war should not mean that your service is unappreciated.

Hah. I hadn't seen that anti-magnet site. I've got the same sentiments towards yellow bracelets.