What do I take to a Tea Party?
April 14, 2010 6:01 PM Subscribe
I'm going to a Tea Party tax day protest rally tomorrow. Looking for ideas on what to put on my sign. Something with a subtle double entendre would be nice, but I would prefer not to get beat down by gray panthers. Help me look nice and seditious!
"END MILITARY SOCIALISM" with a big no-smoking symbol over the Department of Defense emblem?
posted by 0xFCAF at 6:14 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by 0xFCAF at 6:14 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
we discussed this in another thread... there were a lot of folks that felt this approach is not a good idea... It might be worth reading before you move forward.
posted by HuronBob at 6:15 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by HuronBob at 6:15 PM on April 14, 2010
Response by poster: I think this is the kind of thing one needs to decide for oneself. My intent is to participate and enjoy while doing no harm.
posted by ackptui at 6:19 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by ackptui at 6:19 PM on April 14, 2010
One thing to remember, considering your tags, is that one of the things they brag about is the number of people showing up. By showing up, with a sign that even mockingly 'supports' their stance, you ARE aiding them.
So this is a pretty bad idea, as your mere presence will add to their marketing.
posted by Rendus at 6:20 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
So this is a pretty bad idea, as your mere presence will add to their marketing.
posted by Rendus at 6:20 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
I think this sounds like a fine idea. Just one person isn't going to be the tipping point that changes a big protest to a huge one. Besides, the experience alone will be good for laughs for the rest of your days.
My idea: a sign that says socialist with Obama's face on it. However, make it so that you can change faces, and in the middle of the protest, when everyone is really frothing at the mouth, change the face on the sign to GW's or Sarah Palin's. Maybe you could even switch it back to BO's every once-in-awhile.
Or, you could have a face that doesn't make sense at all, like the Fonz or Bill Murray.
Sure you might anger some of the more excitable people there, but oh boy, it will be fun to see the confused faces. Have fun!
posted by elder18 at 6:28 PM on April 14, 2010
My idea: a sign that says socialist with Obama's face on it. However, make it so that you can change faces, and in the middle of the protest, when everyone is really frothing at the mouth, change the face on the sign to GW's or Sarah Palin's. Maybe you could even switch it back to BO's every once-in-awhile.
Or, you could have a face that doesn't make sense at all, like the Fonz or Bill Murray.
Sure you might anger some of the more excitable people there, but oh boy, it will be fun to see the confused faces. Have fun!
posted by elder18 at 6:28 PM on April 14, 2010
Maybe a chapter:verse reference to something Biblical? Of course, there might be someone around quick-witted enough to know what you're referring to just by memory though, so it could backfire.
Job 13:5 might be appropriate, but I'm sure there are better ones.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:33 PM on April 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
Job 13:5 might be appropriate, but I'm sure there are better ones.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:33 PM on April 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
Tell the Truth about Project Bluebook!
Free Sarah Palin!
End Women's Suffrage!
Take Back the Panama Canal!
Obama Won't Eat Pork!
No Bailout for Medicare!
posted by digitalprimate at 6:36 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
Free Sarah Palin!
End Women's Suffrage!
Take Back the Panama Canal!
Obama Won't Eat Pork!
No Bailout for Medicare!
posted by digitalprimate at 6:36 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
or, how about you show up with:
1) a sign that expresses your honest convictions
and
2) the courage to defend these in public?
posted by washburn at 6:38 PM on April 14, 2010 [24 favorites]
1) a sign that expresses your honest convictions
and
2) the courage to defend these in public?
posted by washburn at 6:38 PM on April 14, 2010 [24 favorites]
Speaking practically here, check and see if any restrictions have been made on what kind of sign you can take (Here I mean the physical sign itself.) Seems like I have heard over the last day or two that the one being held near here won't let you take a sign attatched to any wood or plastic-I know that some rallies I have been to in the past have actually limited the size of the sign itself (to what I consider ridiculously small.) Nevertheless, apparently these things do get enforced so do check what will and will not be allowed where you are.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:38 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:38 PM on April 14, 2010
I think irony and subtlety would be wasted on that particular crowd.
If you're dead set on going I would suggest playing to the demographic with a bible verse (either quoted or simply cited a la John 3:16). Here are a few that might work:
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth perishes too. (Proverbs 11:4,7)
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 14:20-21)
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matt. 6:24)
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go,
sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the
rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:21-23)
posted by contessa at 6:39 PM on April 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
If you're dead set on going I would suggest playing to the demographic with a bible verse (either quoted or simply cited a la John 3:16). Here are a few that might work:
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth perishes too. (Proverbs 11:4,7)
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 14:20-21)
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matt. 6:24)
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go,
sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the
rich to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:21-23)
posted by contessa at 6:39 PM on April 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
Matthew 22:21 ("Give to Caesar what is Caesar's…") might be appropriate as well, but too well known for your purposes.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:50 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:50 PM on April 14, 2010
GOD HATES SHRIMP
NO GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR SHRIMP
posted by amethysts at 6:50 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
NO GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR SHRIMP
posted by amethysts at 6:50 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
This will be on my sign:
"...I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
posted by cowmix at 6:52 PM on April 14, 2010
"...I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
posted by cowmix at 6:52 PM on April 14, 2010
Are you part of this guy's plan? If so, it should be as outlandish as possible.
posted by jasondigitized at 6:54 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by jasondigitized at 6:54 PM on April 14, 2010
I agree that this a bad idea. But given that you're committed to this, how about
STOP SOCIALIZED MAIL DELIVERY!
If asked, you can explain that you think it ought to be privatized, and mention that the Post Office was started by Benjamin Franklin, the rogue founding father that was an atheist. (He was! Have you read his autobiography? If you have read it, it would help, you'd be able to answer questions.)
posted by nangar at 6:54 PM on April 14, 2010 [9 favorites]
STOP SOCIALIZED MAIL DELIVERY!
If asked, you can explain that you think it ought to be privatized, and mention that the Post Office was started by Benjamin Franklin, the rogue founding father that was an atheist. (He was! Have you read his autobiography? If you have read it, it would help, you'd be able to answer questions.)
posted by nangar at 6:54 PM on April 14, 2010 [9 favorites]
A Few Ideas:
KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF MEDICARE
TELL CONGRESS TO STOP MAKING LAWS
THE PRESIDENT HAS NO BUSINESS IN LAW MAKING
THE MAJORITY SHOULD RULE
NO MORE TRICKS, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:58 PM on April 14, 2010 [6 favorites]
KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF MEDICARE
TELL CONGRESS TO STOP MAKING LAWS
THE PRESIDENT HAS NO BUSINESS IN LAW MAKING
THE MAJORITY SHOULD RULE
NO MORE TRICKS, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:58 PM on April 14, 2010 [6 favorites]
I fear that by posing as a Tea Partier you open yourself to criticism at best, and violence at worst. But the decision is yours. That said, I think bible verses are classy. I particularly like this one from the New Testament (pithy slogan linked):
Acts 4:34-35 (King James Version)
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
posted by abirae at 7:08 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
Acts 4:34-35 (King James Version)
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
posted by abirae at 7:08 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
"Stop Taxing Our Unemployment Benefits"
or
"No more government pork" festooned with Stars of David.
posted by logicpunk at 7:13 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
or
"No more government pork" festooned with Stars of David.
posted by logicpunk at 7:13 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
"I don't know what I'm protesting. Blame the teachers union"
posted by malp at 7:26 PM on April 14, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by malp at 7:26 PM on April 14, 2010 [6 favorites]
Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!
posted by whiskeyspider at 7:30 PM on April 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by whiskeyspider at 7:30 PM on April 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
On the religious tip, "Would Jesus do Sarah Palin?"
posted by priested at 7:32 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by priested at 7:32 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
"I Paid For My Own Ride Here"
"Brought to you by Fox News"
"I Paid My Taxes, Did They?"
"<> "
"Re-Elect Sarah Palin"
"Sarah Palin 2012: 2.5 Years of Adequate Leadership"
"I Disagree With Democracy!"
"I Parrot Fox News"
"Gimme Gimme Gimme"
"Taxes are for Everyone Else"
"Astroturf"
"Unregistered Voter"
"Where's My Bailout?"
"The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth"
"I Was Led To Believe There Would Be Refreshments"
posted by gjc at 7:45 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Brought to you by Fox News"
"I Paid My Taxes, Did They?"
"<> "
"Re-Elect Sarah Palin"
"Sarah Palin 2012: 2.5 Years of Adequate Leadership"
"I Disagree With Democracy!"
"I Parrot Fox News"
"Gimme Gimme Gimme"
"Taxes are for Everyone Else"
"Astroturf"
"Unregistered Voter"
"Where's My Bailout?"
"The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth"
"I Was Led To Believe There Would Be Refreshments"
posted by gjc at 7:45 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
Crap! That was supposed to be:
"left arrow-- I'm With Stupid --right arrow"
posted by gjc at 7:47 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
"left arrow-- I'm With Stupid --right arrow"
posted by gjc at 7:47 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
To echo amethysts' idea, how about
Plate of Shrimp
It'll do for your non-sequiter approach. As a bonus, maybe the people there in earnest will see it, and realize that, indeed, they could really go for a plate of shrimp, and leave the protest.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:58 PM on April 14, 2010
Plate of Shrimp
It'll do for your non-sequiter approach. As a bonus, maybe the people there in earnest will see it, and realize that, indeed, they could really go for a plate of shrimp, and leave the protest.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:58 PM on April 14, 2010
If you want to maximize the number of pictures and news stories you'll end up in, wear a costume or at least a funny hat. Meatbomb had some really good ideas in the fpp mentioned above but they might be too crazy for your purposes. Just get as many of the following words and phrases as you can on the sign in any order and you'll be doing fine.
OBAMA
SOCIALIST
KENYA
WHITE SLAVERY
GUNS
TAXES
TAKE BACK
OBAMANATION
PORK
COMMUNIST
HITLER
STALIN
I could go on all night but you get the idea. Look at signs from previous Tea Party events to get ideas about layout and color (presentation is important!) and don't be shy about gluing some celebrity photos to your sign before writing on it (a la Thomas Jefferson saying SPICS GO HOME). If asked what the sign means or what you're protesting say "Glenn Beck says America is going to Hell and I believe him!"
posted by irisclara at 8:52 PM on April 14, 2010
OBAMA
SOCIALIST
KENYA
WHITE SLAVERY
GUNS
TAXES
TAKE BACK
OBAMANATION
PORK
COMMUNIST
HITLER
STALIN
I could go on all night but you get the idea. Look at signs from previous Tea Party events to get ideas about layout and color (presentation is important!) and don't be shy about gluing some celebrity photos to your sign before writing on it (a la Thomas Jefferson saying SPICS GO HOME). If asked what the sign means or what you're protesting say "Glenn Beck says America is going to Hell and I believe him!"
posted by irisclara at 8:52 PM on April 14, 2010
"If you can read this, thank the free market!"
"Looking for ride to next protest."
"I'm not racist, I just dress that way."
"Dictionaries are for the liberal elite!"
"Protect my 9th Amendment Rights!"
(aka rights not specifically enumerated)
posted by contessa at 8:53 PM on April 14, 2010
"Looking for ride to next protest."
"I'm not racist, I just dress that way."
"Dictionaries are for the liberal elite!"
"Protect my 9th Amendment Rights!"
(aka rights not specifically enumerated)
posted by contessa at 8:53 PM on April 14, 2010
"America! Fuck Yea!"
posted by Hurst at 9:04 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Hurst at 9:04 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
I also think this is a counterproductive idea, but...
RICH = HONEST & AMERICAN
SCIENCE DOESN'T ADD UP
JESUS LAUGHS AT BEGGARS
CHILD LABOR BUILDS CHARACTER
THE STRONG MUST RULE
SCIENCE = NOT HONEST
NO MORE MIND-CONTROL RAYS
DON'T TAX MY 30 PIECES OF SILVER
FNORD SARAH PALIN FOREVER
posted by darth_tedious at 9:56 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
RICH = HONEST & AMERICAN
SCIENCE DOESN'T ADD UP
JESUS LAUGHS AT BEGGARS
CHILD LABOR BUILDS CHARACTER
THE STRONG MUST RULE
SCIENCE = NOT HONEST
NO MORE MIND-CONTROL RAYS
DON'T TAX MY 30 PIECES OF SILVER
FNORD SARAH PALIN FOREVER
posted by darth_tedious at 9:56 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!
posted by abirae at 10:39 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by abirae at 10:39 PM on April 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
How about a big sign with your own face on it, labeled "Socialist!"
posted by chairface at 10:51 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by chairface at 10:51 PM on April 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
I'M AGAINST IT
posted by klangklangston at 10:54 PM on April 14, 2010
posted by klangklangston at 10:54 PM on April 14, 2010
I PINE FOR A MYTHIC PAST
STOP PROGRESS NOW
Or you could actively advocate for a worthy cause:
LISTEN TO SLAYER
POTATO SALAD IS TASTY
NO ONE EVER DOES ANYTHING ABOUT THE WEATHER
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:00 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
STOP PROGRESS NOW
Or you could actively advocate for a worthy cause:
LISTEN TO SLAYER
POTATO SALAD IS TASTY
NO ONE EVER DOES ANYTHING ABOUT THE WEATHER
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:00 PM on April 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
Teabaggers: We can see your nuts!
[The correct/incorrect spelling of "your" should not worry most of them, judging from the signs I've seen]
posted by MuffinMan at 12:17 AM on April 15, 2010
[The correct/incorrect spelling of "your" should not worry most of them, judging from the signs I've seen]
posted by MuffinMan at 12:17 AM on April 15, 2010
Bring these and three friends and spread yourselves out a bit.
MUSTACHE RIDES 5¢
BEARD RIDES ALONE
CHAPLIN NOT HITLER
OBAMA SHAVE!
posted by wobh at 12:43 AM on April 15, 2010
MUSTACHE RIDES 5¢
BEARD RIDES ALONE
CHAPLIN NOT HITLER
OBAMA SHAVE!
posted by wobh at 12:43 AM on April 15, 2010
"Set the Hot Tub Time Machine for 1886!"
"Obama wasn't born in the US, but his English is impeccable!"
"REEL Americans speak English!"
"I couldn't find the Beer Party"
"Do they serve tea at Voyeur?"
Beatles refs:
"This revolution is neither evolution nor intelligent design"
"Tea Party? You can count mein out"
"We'd all love to see the plan"
"Brother, you'll have to wait"
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:58 AM on April 15, 2010
"Obama wasn't born in the US, but his English is impeccable!"
"REEL Americans speak English!"
"I couldn't find the Beer Party"
"Do they serve tea at Voyeur?"
Beatles refs:
"This revolution is neither evolution nor intelligent design"
"Tea Party? You can count me
"We'd all love to see the plan"
"Brother, you'll have to wait"
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 12:58 AM on April 15, 2010
I haven't read that other thread yet, so this might've been covered there, but my approach would be to assume everyone was full of free-floating anger and see if I could craft a sign that directed that anger somewhere more related to the actual problems. Maybe put a crazy tea party spin on something about corruption or corporate handouts (or maybe fascism if you want to really fit in with the extremists)? I think people actually have good reason to be angry, and I'd do what little I could to point toward some of what those reasons are, while not going against the grain too much. (Is that too earnest for this thread?)
posted by salvia at 3:22 AM on April 15, 2010
posted by salvia at 3:22 AM on April 15, 2010
How about:
STOP THE SOCIALIZED MANNED NASA SPACE MISSIONS!
and act like you didn't read the news this morning.
posted by yeti at 6:39 AM on April 15, 2010
STOP THE SOCIALIZED MANNED NASA SPACE MISSIONS!
and act like you didn't read the news this morning.
posted by yeti at 6:39 AM on April 15, 2010
NO SOCIALITES!
posted by knapah at 8:43 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by knapah at 8:43 AM on April 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
So, you want to counter a movement you don't agree with by deliberately misrepresenting them.
I'm about as far from the Tea Party movement as you can get, but that's not remotely ethical and I hope you realize that.
posted by ripley_ at 12:06 PM on April 15, 2010
I'm about as far from the Tea Party movement as you can get, but that's not remotely ethical and I hope you realize that.
posted by ripley_ at 12:06 PM on April 15, 2010
I saw a news story pasted to my facebook... what did you choose? Are you in these pictures?
posted by kch at 1:07 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by kch at 1:07 PM on April 15, 2010
Ignoring whether I agree with this approach or not, I like the Bible quotes idea. Tasteful, yet subversive.
posted by ishotjr at 1:21 PM on April 15, 2010
posted by ishotjr at 1:21 PM on April 15, 2010
I'M THIRSTY -- WHEN WILL TEA BE SERVED?
posted by exphysicist345 at 8:51 PM on April 16, 2010
posted by exphysicist345 at 8:51 PM on April 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by alms at 6:04 PM on April 14, 2010