Sign ideas for Moderate Marchers
September 22, 2010 9:03 AM   Subscribe

Okay, so I would love to go to John Stewart's Million Moderate March, but I need a really clever design for a sign to brandish. John himself gave a few suggestions, so those are taken. What's a self-deprecating moderate who's sick of the hyper-partisan political climate to do?

The best I can come up with is:

Reason is not Treason.
Respectfully Disagree.
I See Your Point.
I ff>> through attack ads (pic of TV and remote control)
Angry is as Angry Does.
Left Wing. Right Wing. Bleh. I'm more of a breast man. (pic of lady liberty with breast exposed)
Talking Heads make great music, but terrible policy!(Pic of David Byrne in the big suit circa 1980's.)

Yes, I know these suck. MeFi can do better, I know it.

They need to embrace the spirit of Stewart's rally -- no vitriole, self-deprecating, humorous -- while making teh point that extremism in teh pursuit of virtue is indeed a vice. C'mon hivemind, let's put sign ideas in the hand of moderate marchers like me.
posted by cross_impact to Law & Government (59 answers total) 21 users marked this as a favorite
 
The post on the blue about Colbert and Stewart's rallies is full of sign suggestions from mefites.
posted by burnmp3s at 9:06 AM on September 22, 2010 [4 favorites]


How about "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER HELD A SIGN SHOUTING AN OPINION"
posted by fontophilic at 9:11 AM on September 22, 2010 [4 favorites]


Don't sell yourself short!

Respectfully Disagree is good, and has multiple readings.

& you're on to something with the Talking Heads reference; run with that. Something about "Start Making Sense" might work too.
posted by activitystory at 9:17 AM on September 22, 2010


I think the estimable Father Ted and Rather Dougal could be of assistance here.
posted by Decani at 9:17 AM on September 22, 2010 [7 favorites]


HOORAY FOR OUR SIDE
posted by thirteenkiller at 9:17 AM on September 22, 2010


Or even Father Dougal...
posted by Decani at 9:18 AM on September 22, 2010


I HAVE NO STRONG FEELINGS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

ALL I KNOW IS MY GUT SAYS MAYBE.

(source)
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:18 AM on September 22, 2010 [6 favorites]


I actually love your "I See Your Point" idea. So I'm not really answering, but instead casting my vote for that one.
posted by kavasa at 9:20 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


NOT SHOUTING
posted by Omnomnom at 9:23 AM on September 22, 2010


REASONABLE DISAGREEMENT!
(You may disagree)
posted by artlung at 9:29 AM on September 22, 2010


Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right,
Here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you.
posted by MuffinMan at 9:31 AM on September 22, 2010 [6 favorites]


SELF-DEPRECATING MODERATES
AGAINST HYPER-PARTISANSHIP

posted by scratch at 9:33 AM on September 22, 2010 [2 favorites]


Let's explore issues more.

I use my indoor voice for policy discussions.

Is there a better way? Probably, but not a best way.

What's so funny about understanding?

Populism sure takes us to funny places.

A million people can't be wrong, but if you think so, why?
posted by glaucon at 9:36 AM on September 22, 2010


"OH! I see what you did there."
posted by Citrus at 9:37 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


"MY ARMS ARE TIRED FROM HOLDING THIS SIGN"

"A SLOGAN THAT FITS ON A SIGN IS TOO SIMPLISTIC"

"AGREE WITH ME OR I'LL HOLD THIS SIGN SOME MORE"

"IT'S OK IF YOU DISAGREE -- YOU AND I ARE STILL COOL"

"I WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR BLOG"
posted by pardonyou? at 9:40 AM on September 22, 2010 [4 favorites]


Your first idea, "Reason is not Treason," is, in fact, excellent.
posted by nangar at 9:44 AM on September 22, 2010


I'd like a sign with a red "no" sign, the circle with line through it, over the word NO in black. Less obstructionism, more cooperation. (But it's not very funny.)
posted by anadem at 9:47 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


MEH
posted by jquinby at 9:54 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


"MY VIEWS ARE TOO NUANCED TO BE FULLY EXPRESSED ON A CARDBOARD SI", with the "GN" cut off. ;-)
posted by julthumbscrew at 10:00 AM on September 22, 2010 [2 favorites]


to quote the great randall munroe...

"EVERYTHING IS PRETTY OKAY!"

"ANYONE FOR SCRABBLE LATER?"
posted by sarastro at 10:01 AM on September 22, 2010


DON'T ASSUME I'M ANGRY
JUST BECAUSE I WRITE IN
ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
posted by hermitosis at 10:07 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


GOOGLE RUPAUL

Previously
posted by schmod at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


I AM A SINGLE
VOTER ISSUE
posted by verb at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2010


Personally, I'd suggest:

"MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT"

and

"GET A SIGN MORANS"

But that's just me.
posted by davejay at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2010


That, or "IN BED" and stand next to other people's signs that fit like a fortune cookie.
posted by davejay at 10:17 AM on September 22, 2010 [15 favorites]


My brain inadvertently spit out one more: "THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE", and below it, somewhat smaller "AND MY MESSAGE IS 'CARDBOARD'"
posted by davejay at 10:19 AM on September 22, 2010 [5 favorites]


or "AND I FOUND MY MESSAGE IN A DUMPSTER" or similar
posted by davejay at 10:21 AM on September 22, 2010


drop the and, actually: "THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE" and smaller "I FOUND MY MESSAGE IN AN ALLEY"
posted by davejay at 10:21 AM on September 22, 2010


SO, HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING?

I AM A SOCIALIST NIGHT ELF IN WORLD OF WARCRAFT, AND A LIBERTARIAN BARD IN D&D

I LIKE PIE

MOVIE-CRITICS ARE MEAN. I KINDA DUG "THE LAST AIRBENDER".

DUDE, YOU'RE HARSHING MY MELLOW!
posted by gkhan at 10:23 AM on September 22, 2010 [3 favorites]


(all those are separate signs, obviously, not one big one)
posted by gkhan at 10:24 AM on September 22, 2010


Steal and modify a line from a Nirvana song:

"Left wing, Right wing, Broken wings. "
posted by volatilebit at 10:27 AM on September 22, 2010


Picture of John Stewart as Mother Teresa with the caption, "Well, when you think about it, not really..."
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:33 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


MORE NUANCE - LESS NONSENSE
posted by richyoung at 10:39 AM on September 22, 2010


THESE SIGNS ARE VERY HEAVY.

IT'S A GOOD DAY TO BE OUTSIDE.

STEVEN COLBERT LOBOTOMIZED GLEN BECK IN 1990, WHY HASN'T HE COME FORTH AND DENIED THIS?
posted by samsara at 10:40 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


Oh wait...that last one was for the "Keep fear alive" rally...disregard.
posted by samsara at 10:41 AM on September 22, 2010


If you use a name in the sign, please remember it is Jon Stewart
posted by I am the Walrus at 10:42 AM on September 22, 2010 [6 favorites]


I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, SO I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP SHOUTING.
posted by meese at 10:43 AM on September 22, 2010


Of all the suggestions so far, I like your original suggestions of:

Reason is not Treason.
Respectfully Disagree.

the most, if you mean for your sign to send a message. If you are just trying to be funny, then there are other good suggestions in the thread. I also like:

THIS SIGN IS FOR SALE

Finally, sorry, I can't help myself but correct: It's 'Jon' not 'John'..
posted by tuxster at 10:44 AM on September 22, 2010


I were to go to this, I would totally steal these sign ideas. Mostly the first three from the question, and "IT'S A GOOD DAY TO BE OUTSIDE."
posted by teatime at 10:53 AM on September 22, 2010


I was into the Justin Bieber sign guy at the G20. Just hold up a poster of Bieber.
posted by Beardman at 10:54 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


EXTREME MODERATES FOR OXYMORONICITY

COMEDY CENTRAL UNFAIR TO HUMORLESS ZEALOTS

I CAME
I SAW
I MODERATED

MODERATION: I CAN TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

VOTE MAYBE ON PROP. 4

STAMP OUT SPANISH DANCING
posted by Hardcore Poser at 10:55 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


I still like:

What do we want?
Passive Indifference
When do we want it?
Later...maybe?

posted by JaredSeth at 10:58 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


If you use a name in the sign, please remember it is Jon Stewart

Colbert is doing a March to Keep Fear Alive rally purposefully on the same day as Stewart's. So on Oct 30th switching or intermingling between both rallies might be fun...thus the joke I made above.
posted by samsara at 11:01 AM on September 22, 2010


I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the matter and look forward to a day when we can sit down and discuss things!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:23 AM on September 22, 2010


THE COUNTRY IS IN A MESS AS A RESULT OF POOR PLANNIng
posted by phunniemee at 11:29 AM on September 22, 2010 [7 favorites]


DISCUSS.
posted by Scoo at 11:40 AM on September 22, 2010


Or you could goof on the OBAMA=HITLER with the Hitler moustache sign with a

OBAMA = HIPSTER depicting him with a handlebar moustache and neon horn-rim glasses
posted by Scoo at 11:43 AM on September 22, 2010 [2 favorites]


YOU ARE GETTING YOURSELF AND GOD CONFUSED.
posted by effluvia at 11:54 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


Although it's been done (at least once), I still like OBAMA BRING BACK ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.
posted by mhum at 11:58 AM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


How about "S'UP"?
posted by davejay at 12:06 PM on September 22, 2010


HAS ANYONE SEEN MY KEYS?
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:33 PM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


Or maybe a retro look?
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:40 PM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


"I'm somewhat peeved, and I'm probably going to continue taking it."
"I disagree with your opinion, but you're not as bad as Hitler."

... and my favorite:

"We're here."
posted by jacobian at 12:59 PM on September 22, 2010


Since you will presumably be standing:

My feet hurt.
posted by phunniemee at 1:02 PM on September 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


I heart Thoughtful Discourse

More Respectful, Well-reasoned Discussion

Rational Public Debate for All, who wish to participate, respectfully, etc.

Or a Shepard Faireyized picture of Jon Stewart sub-titled JOKE.
posted by theora55 at 3:30 PM on September 22, 2010


How about:

If you can't see shades of grey, you're missing part of the picture.

where the bolded words are in black, and the unbolded words are in a shade of gray. There's a double message - get it? One for those of us who see the world in shades of gray, and another for those who can't see the gray. Maybe a little too subtle for a rally sign.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 5:09 PM on September 22, 2010


Freedom for Axolotls!
posted by HiroProtagonist at 6:56 PM on September 22, 2010


TOY STORY 2 WAS OKAY

With credit due to Demetri Martin's joke about indifferent bathroom graffiti.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 7:41 PM on September 22, 2010


[has favorites]
posted by davejay at 10:28 PM on September 22, 2010


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