Bumper Stickers Get Older and Crazier in '08
Non-verbal opinion can spark violent reactions
Victoria Pelletier
Issue date: 11/10/08 Section: Opinion
People have many different ways of expressing themselves and their opinions, whether it's by the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, or for those concerned with politics, the bumper stickers that decorate their car.
Political bumper stickers, a popular form of expression, vary from subtle to blatant. They display the opinion of the person who owns the car to the entire world of passers-by. It's a unique way to broadcast your opinion in a non-verbal way, whether you're a democrat or a republican.
Political bumper stickers are an expression of one's self and personality. Without having to speak it aloud, they expressing their policital interests. Political bumper stickers are also beneficial because you can express your opinion freely without the fear of being chastised by others which may happen in a verbal discussion. Also, the security of having it on your own vehicle is beneficial because you can feel safe inside your car, while your views are being shown to everyone on the outside.
During this year's debate, there were anti McCain and anti Obama stickers present, as well as those that promoted them. The anti Mccain bumper stickers varied, some displaying: "McAncient...Grandpa doesn't know what's good for you", to "McCain...like Bush..except older and crazier", and "John McCain, more of the same." There were also anti Obama bumper stickers, some which stated, "Hell NObama '08", "Vote McCain not Hussein", and "An Obamanation is an Abomination". There were also bumper stickers which showed the person not fully supporting either candidate, but chosing one over the other for a lack of better options. Some of these bumper stickers stated, "I love my country more than I hate John McCain," "Choose Obama...he sucks less," and "Anti everything...we're gonna die anyway". Kevin Burkes, a student at Suny Albany an an active member in Political fan groups online, as well as on campus, stated that he had supported Obama throughout the entire election, and had 3 bumper stickers on his car. "My favorite one is "Obama is my homeboy". I love bumper stickers, especially when they are politically invovled. Everyone's usually got one or two on their car. They're just a good way to show who you support."
When discussing the affect of bumper stickers on more of the public, people had different opinions; some thought the bumper stickers were a part of free speech and that everyone should have one on their car, whereas others thought they were somewhat cowardice, the person hiding behind the safety of their vehicle, and also that it was a bad idea due to the people who could anonymously scratch off the sticker or vandalize the car without consequence.
"I think bumper stickers are an awesome way to express yourself, without getting too intense and offending others. They see it from afar as they are driving past you, and though they may honk at you, it's your own vehicle, so you should be able to put whatever you want on it." said Danielle Mays, a student at the University at Albany. "I love reading people's bumper stickers because its usually funny, and we're allowed to have free speech so people shouldn't be offended. I have one on my car for Obama, and no one has showed any offense about it."
Another person who supported political bumper stickers and their message, Kathy Crahens, stated "I love political bumper stickers! It's an awesome way of being opininiated without being in someone's face about it. You get your point across, people get to see who you support, and that's it. It's just another way of trying to show people who you are. It's always fun to see who supports/rejects the candidates, especially during this election because the stickers are always witty and get funnier and funnier."
However, there are those who get offended by political bumper stickers, and think that they are a way to hide behind what you believe. Jeffrey Thombs, who works in Eastern Wonders Boutique at Crossgates Mall, says that there is an entire section of bumper stickers in the store, many of which are political.
"There's probably 10-15 people who bought bumper stickers every other day in the past month when this election was getting heated. I support the election but I really don't like political bumper stickers, because I had originally gotten two supporting one of the candidates, and it got scratched off my car. I think the best way to promote who you like in the election is to say it out loud or wear a pin or something. Don't put it on a $15,000 car, because the wrong person is going to come along and get offended, and vandalize your vehicle. The worst part is, you'd never know who did it--its pointless. I understand free speech, but I just don't think its worth it." Jen Lyons, another student at Ualbany who was an active member in a group supporting Obama, stated, "I dont think it's good to put who you're voting for on your car. People are getting really intense, and not only could they vandalize it, but I think you shouldn't hide behind your car. If you have enough strength to really support the election, you should be upfront and honest about who you're voting for and why."
Another person who wished to remain namless, was an Obama supporter and had a sticker on his car actually got the right headlight smashed in their car when parked in one of Suny Albany's parking lots.
"I was so angry; I don't understand why people have to act this way. We all have different opinions and support different things. He wasn't even elected President and this happened to me. Imagine what'll happen now. Politics get intense, and I wouldn't put your beliefs anywhere else but in your own mind."
Overall, political bumper stickers are a way to express yourself, whether it's for better or for worse. Some think that it is part of free speech and that it's a great way to show your opinion without being too intense, and some think it's either a way to hide who your supporting behind the safety of your car, or a dumb way to get your car vandalized. Whatever the point of view, political bumper stickers are something that we all have seen, and whether it amuses or offends us, it does its job in getting a strong reaction and is another way of expressing your beliefs.
Political bumper stickers, a popular form of expression, vary from subtle to blatant. They display the opinion of the person who owns the car to the entire world of passers-by. It's a unique way to broadcast your opinion in a non-verbal way, whether you're a democrat or a republican.
Political bumper stickers are an expression of one's self and personality. Without having to speak it aloud, they expressing their policital interests. Political bumper stickers are also beneficial because you can express your opinion freely without the fear of being chastised by others which may happen in a verbal discussion. Also, the security of having it on your own vehicle is beneficial because you can feel safe inside your car, while your views are being shown to everyone on the outside.
During this year's debate, there were anti McCain and anti Obama stickers present, as well as those that promoted them. The anti Mccain bumper stickers varied, some displaying: "McAncient...Grandpa doesn't know what's good for you", to "McCain...like Bush..except older and crazier", and "John McCain, more of the same." There were also anti Obama bumper stickers, some which stated, "Hell NObama '08", "Vote McCain not Hussein", and "An Obamanation is an Abomination". There were also bumper stickers which showed the person not fully supporting either candidate, but chosing one over the other for a lack of better options. Some of these bumper stickers stated, "I love my country more than I hate John McCain," "Choose Obama...he sucks less," and "Anti everything...we're gonna die anyway". Kevin Burkes, a student at Suny Albany an an active member in Political fan groups online, as well as on campus, stated that he had supported Obama throughout the entire election, and had 3 bumper stickers on his car. "My favorite one is "Obama is my homeboy". I love bumper stickers, especially when they are politically invovled. Everyone's usually got one or two on their car. They're just a good way to show who you support."
When discussing the affect of bumper stickers on more of the public, people had different opinions; some thought the bumper stickers were a part of free speech and that everyone should have one on their car, whereas others thought they were somewhat cowardice, the person hiding behind the safety of their vehicle, and also that it was a bad idea due to the people who could anonymously scratch off the sticker or vandalize the car without consequence.
"I think bumper stickers are an awesome way to express yourself, without getting too intense and offending others. They see it from afar as they are driving past you, and though they may honk at you, it's your own vehicle, so you should be able to put whatever you want on it." said Danielle Mays, a student at the University at Albany. "I love reading people's bumper stickers because its usually funny, and we're allowed to have free speech so people shouldn't be offended. I have one on my car for Obama, and no one has showed any offense about it."
Another person who supported political bumper stickers and their message, Kathy Crahens, stated "I love political bumper stickers! It's an awesome way of being opininiated without being in someone's face about it. You get your point across, people get to see who you support, and that's it. It's just another way of trying to show people who you are. It's always fun to see who supports/rejects the candidates, especially during this election because the stickers are always witty and get funnier and funnier."
However, there are those who get offended by political bumper stickers, and think that they are a way to hide behind what you believe. Jeffrey Thombs, who works in Eastern Wonders Boutique at Crossgates Mall, says that there is an entire section of bumper stickers in the store, many of which are political.
"There's probably 10-15 people who bought bumper stickers every other day in the past month when this election was getting heated. I support the election but I really don't like political bumper stickers, because I had originally gotten two supporting one of the candidates, and it got scratched off my car. I think the best way to promote who you like in the election is to say it out loud or wear a pin or something. Don't put it on a $15,000 car, because the wrong person is going to come along and get offended, and vandalize your vehicle. The worst part is, you'd never know who did it--its pointless. I understand free speech, but I just don't think its worth it." Jen Lyons, another student at Ualbany who was an active member in a group supporting Obama, stated, "I dont think it's good to put who you're voting for on your car. People are getting really intense, and not only could they vandalize it, but I think you shouldn't hide behind your car. If you have enough strength to really support the election, you should be upfront and honest about who you're voting for and why."
Another person who wished to remain namless, was an Obama supporter and had a sticker on his car actually got the right headlight smashed in their car when parked in one of Suny Albany's parking lots.
"I was so angry; I don't understand why people have to act this way. We all have different opinions and support different things. He wasn't even elected President and this happened to me. Imagine what'll happen now. Politics get intense, and I wouldn't put your beliefs anywhere else but in your own mind."
Overall, political bumper stickers are a way to express yourself, whether it's for better or for worse. Some think that it is part of free speech and that it's a great way to show your opinion without being too intense, and some think it's either a way to hide who your supporting behind the safety of your car, or a dumb way to get your car vandalized. Whatever the point of view, political bumper stickers are something that we all have seen, and whether it amuses or offends us, it does its job in getting a strong reaction and is another way of expressing your beliefs.
Be the first to comment on this story