Time to buy our own Billboards

[Protagoras]

After hearing about the latest billboard that tells people to QUIT second guessing Bush and the troops I think it's time for us to give the obvious response. (er...I am not suggesting anyone deface/destroy/dismantle/paintball/burn/or otherwise violate the law...really..really...)

Seems to me that THE best way to deal with these huge public signs of fascism is to hit them head on.

Buy our own Giant Billboard Directly across the street from each of these authoritarian landmarks and put up a message that contrasts and rebuts the other in the strongest possible terms.

For the Bush OUR LEADER signs, across the street ours could read "Democracy and Dictatorship Don't Mix"

For the QUIT second guessing sign...we could respond with "QUESTION ALL fascist signs telling you to stop thinking for yourself!"

etc...etc....etc...

We have split this country NOT because good people don't live here and wonder about Bush and his lies...but because we do not directly confront those lies, and in the absence of a direct rebuttal, the lie is allowed to stand. This is a simple way to begin *BEING* begin rectifying things.

Anyone know squat about how you put up Billboards and what they cost?

[ailsagirl]

1. My understanding is...

that you have to rent them. God knows how much that could cost but there must certainly be lots of $$$ left in the coffers.

But you know the bushies would just destroy them.

Still, I'd love to see it.

I have a bumper sticker that is an American flag, but where the stars should be, there are the words: "Think. It's patriotic."

I have another, "DARE to think for yourself."

Or any pithy sayings by the Founding Fathers.

No shortage of things to put up-- just money with which to do it.

[sundancekid]

2. good ones -- easy to get prices -- variance geographically but well worth

[tavalon]

8. Do you have a printer, some paper

and a stapler? If so, you have what you need to be part of the underground media. So many of us have exactly that. The media won't give us an outlet, lets make our own. Yeah, it won't turn it around this week, or this month, probably this coming year is out to. It is even possible that we won't see it turn around in our lifetimes (I don't really believe that one).

I'm doing it and I challenge each one of you out there to do it too. Print out ten flyers with the pithy statements of your choice, or pictures of destroyed Iraqis or mutilated American soldiers or Brand Democrat or whatever! Grab your stapler and put them out there!

[DireStrike]

3. I think we should do the OPPOSITE

Infiltrate some clear channel or 'pub oriented media organizations(Or make your own.) Get in on the planning teams and put up some real scary shit. Something like: "One Country, One People, One Leader" (Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Fuhrer.)

Maybe even less subtle. Depends how deeply you can get into a red org, or how credibly you can make it look like it comes from a red org.

I think this could be more effective than "Bush is a nazi" posters, because educated people who see this sort of thing springing up are likely to be alarmed, and it will not look like some wacko far left criticism.

Of course, you run the risk of people falling for it...

[Protagoras]

10. I don't think Bush is a Nazi is the way to go either

I think direct rebuttal of THEIR message is the way to go. We do need representation INSIDE CC and places like that...but that takes time and expertise we may or may not have.

On the other hand, if we can have intelligent underground media (as suggested above) we can do stuff on a personal level. More importantly though, we can have intelligent, organized rebuttal. Especially if there is someone listening who understands the whole industry of signs and billboards and such, we might be able to coordinate something through DU for instance. I'd trust Skinner if he took up a collection.

So, hey Skinner! Want to rent us a billboard or 3 for some direct, rebuttals here? You do it and I know we'll donate!

Besides, wouldn't you like seeing a little "Brought to you by DU" logo at the bottom?

[Us vs Them]

4. Oh snap.

I love this idea. There are billboards like this in Michigan, as well, even though it's definitely within the margins of a blue state.

Most billboards have a number to call posted at the bottom. The next time I see one, I will.

[labouchet]

5. First, try and find a billboard that isn't owned by Clear Channel.

They own half the billboards in Times Square, over 700,000 nation-wide (I think that's over one-third of all billboards in US).

Maybe you remember the flap about the Times Square anti-war billboard and CC this past summer?

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0712-01.htm

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/14/1410247

[newyawker99]

9. Hi labouchet!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Timebound]

6. You are BRILLIANT!!!

I do not have a lot of money, but I am going to try to get this together as quickly as possible! I know people have been donated to death, but...perhaps there are some out there who can still pay. We just need one or two in high traffic areas to start appearing on the local news when people get 'outraged'.

In my homestate, I drive a major interstate to work every day. There is a big billboard with a US flag on it, and it says 'congradulations Senator Richard Burr' on it. (I'm in North Carolina).

Now, there is a board for rent right behind it (within view in the distance). If its not owned by Clear Channel...

What do you guys think? Probably thousands and thousands of people drive this interstate every day. (In Winston Salem, the area is split about 50-50 Dem-Repug, leaning slightly towards the Dems because of the African American and Hispanic populations).

[KnowerOfLogic]

7. Wanted to buy one for a long time. How much do they cost?

Given that i'm broke it probably doesn't matter, but someday if i ever get any money i love to do it.

[pstokely]

11. the billboard companies won't put them up

find owners of buildings near busy highways and put banners on those builders

[genius]

12. I want stolen election billboards.