"If you hear the word 'inclusive", something a majority wants is being banned". - Rex Murphy
Introduction
The pursuit of greater public visibility for our viewpoint in the fight against Islamic Supremacism is a core theme at 1683 AD. In view of this goal, we have consistently emphasized the promotion of various creative, distinctive and rather non-conventional approaches for adoption by our readers. However, in this posting, we will discuss some conventional, effective, yet surprisingly overlooked tools that can easily be brought into our armory. They pertain to the conveyance of messages on motor vehicles.
When it comes to the display of political points of view on vehicles, the first option which comes into most people's minds is adhesive bumper stickers ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_sticker ). They are obviously capable of expressing political opinions to fellow motorists and pedestrians, even with the limited amount of space which they provide. Yet despite their effectiveness, they are actually used rather infrequently. This, we believe, is due primarily to two reasons. First, since chrome has been virtually abolished from use in nearly all motor vehicles and the only remaining posting sites are painted surfaces, many people are afraid that they will damage their paint jobs if they apply bumper stickers with their strong adhesives. Also, there is a strong possibility that someone who opposes the viewpoint which a bumper sticker expresses will vandalize such an emblazoned vehicle when it is left unattended. Our own observations have found Leftists to be the primary culprits in such acts. Obviously, bumper stickers are not something which one can readily remove and apply on a steady basis for the sake of vandalism prevention when leaving a car unattended.
The end result of this situation is that the use of motor vehicles these days to promote political speech is quite limited. However, alternatives do exist, ones which have the same ability to convey a message, yet also avoid paint damage (found with bumper sticker adhesives) and be significantly free of vandalism risks. Of particular importance is the fact that these alternatives are fully available to people over the internet, thus eliminating any need of going to a store.
The options
The options at our disposal are: magnetic signs; license plates and license plate frames. We believe that all of these are quite viable for use in the U.S.. However, we do not believe designed license plates and license plate frames are workable in Europe. More on this specific concern is found below.
As things currently stand at the close of 2010, none of these items are being promoted or otherwise made available on the market which convey messages against Islamic Supremacism. We suspect that part of the reason for this is that there are too few organizations championing this fight and that, for one reason or another, the thought of vehicle based messages may simply not have crossed their minds. Combine all of this with the general tendency of people to wait for "others" to make something available and you can see a possible reason such items with suitable messages have not yet been made available.
This situation need not limit us any further. The following links show how any individuals (yes, individuals) or groups can easily make their own magnetic signs, license plates and license plate frames over the internet or, in some cases, secure them from brick and mortar stores. All one needs in order to obtain these items is a design and the required payment. Please understand that none of the businesses in the following links have any association with 1683 AD. Nor have we submitted any designs to them. These links are only meant to serve as an example of what services are available; an internet search by the reader will readily reveal many more.
Regarding Europe, we understand that the license plates are much longer than their U.S. counterparts. We also believe tat official license plates must be placed on the front and rear of vehicles. Such placement requirements would eliminate any use of suggested message license plates there. License plate frames may be workable in Europe, but no one seems to be making them. It appears that when considering these limitations (if verified), the use of license plates and license plate frames in Europe would not be possible. But at least the magnetic sign option would remain viable. Any further input on these observations would be welcomed by 1683 AD.
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Magnetic Signs
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http://www.fedex.com/us/office/marketing/signsbanners/specialty/vehiclemagnet.html?lid=Learnmore_specialty_vehicle
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/businesscars.aspx?mk=Magnetic+Car+Sign&ad=broad&GNF=0&GP=12%2f27%2f2010+10%3a55%3a03+PM&GPS=1419230325&GNF=1
http://www.carsigns.com/car-top-signs/car-door-magnets.html
http://www.iprint.com/cgi-shl/index.cgi?level=1205
http://www.123print.com/Car-Magnets
http://www.esigns.com/magnetic-signs/custom/
http://www.javasigns.com/category/3743
http://www.buildasign.com/MagneticSigns
http://designer.realtimedesigner.com/designyourownsigns/catalog/index.php&p=cGM9NDc5NQ==
http://www.magneticsigns.com/
http://www.designasign.com/magneticcarsigns
http://www.makesigns.com/Magnets_Home.aspx
http://www.pelicanmagnetprinting.com/
http://www.ehow.com/how_5106053_design-own-magnetic-sign.html
http://blogs.business.com/whatworks/2010/magnetic-signs-cost-rolling-billboards/
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License Plates
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http://www.designasign.com/signs/license
http://www.javasigns.com/product/104117
http://www.buildasign.com/LicensePlates
http://new.speedysigns.com/signs/license-plates
http://www.ehow.com/how_5062660_create-own-license-plate.html
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License Plate Holders
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http://usmcshop.grunt.com/Products/Marines/PID-LF7.aspx
http://www.elicenseplateframes.com/Customizable_License_Plate_Frames.php
http://www.altype.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=2
http://www.ehow.com/how_7677821_make-own-license-plate-holder.html
http://www.asurfshop.com/shop/item_lookup_live.php?ItemID=B0032IUOEO&CA=Racks_Pads
Points to keep in mind with message selection and placement
We mentioned previously that there is a high propensity for vandalism with the placement of political messages on one's vehicle. This risk can be dramatically reduced with the above items by taking a few steps. First, if you desire to use a message about Islamic Supremacists which is clear, direct and explicit, we would suggest that you limit it to magnetic signs. In doing so, you can easily remove the sign in settings where you can reasonably expect vandalism or even violence by the "offended' to occur. Furthermore, we suggest that any placement of such signs be limited to the driver's side, close to the window. This will enable the driver to remove the sign while parked and seated in the car, without any difficulty at all. Placement elsewhere on the vehicle would be inconvenient for most drivers, as people do not want to walk around their vehicle after each entrance or exit to place or remove the signs. Of course, these limitations on magnetic signs would not be suggested if the messages on them were a bit less explicit or direct.
License plates and license plate frames can be viewed as permanent or semi-permanent in nature. With this in mind, as well as the increased threat of vandalism with the use of "explicit" messages, we would suggest that you limit messages on these particular options to ones which, as alluded to above, are not direct in their condemnation of Islamic Supremacists. For example, you could use a message such as "Remember 9/11" (or "Remember" any other major Islamic Supremacist terror attack), as it imparts an "acceptable" thought held by most in society. However, such a message can indirectly, and unofficially, be seen as conveying a severe displeasure with Islamic Supremacists. After all, everyone knows who in our world tends to demonstrate the greatest propensity for mindless violence of the nature we experienced on 9/11. Since such a message would have a double or hidden meaning of sorts, any potential vandal would likely be a bit hesitant to arouse the ire of someone who, in actuality, is an entirely apolitical member of the public and who has no intent to express anything beyond what is actually written. In essence, he has to consider that he may end up making an enemy of someone who actually held no animosity to many of his own viewpoints in the first place.
No matter what option is chosen, we would urge that all of these items include the posting of a website address through which people can learn more about Islamic Supremacism and order the same items for their own personal use.
Image creation and image sharing
We presume that there are many readers of this post who would like to secure all or some of these items right away. After all, they are now aware of the ability to design and order them from home. However, we suspect that most lack the requisite artistic skills to bring properly designed magnetic signs, license plates or license plate frames into fruition. With this in mind, we call upon all of those who have such abilities to make their artistic creations available for free on the internet, on a steady and consistent basis. Since many of the readers of 1683 AD have blogs of their own, that would be a good place to start with providing these designs. We would also urge that any readers who are members of organizations which have the resources to create truly masterful designs to urge them to get on board with this action.
Naturally, an overall promotion of this concept, primarily on the internet, should go hand in hand with an image display effort.
Making these items available to large numbers of people
We have mentioned how people can share their artistic creations to assist others in making their own vehicle display items. It is also suggested that information about self-production be heavily promoted at any group events, such as meetings or protests. The mere printing and distribution of brochures or business cards with pertinent information would go far in this regard. The actual distribution of such items at group events would make a greater impression. The use of general merchandise websites, such as eBay, should also be considered. With respect to this particular option, be certain that the language used will pass their censors of political correctness. And of course, general internet promotion would be essential.
We would also ask that if you are aware of any additional websites which enable individuals to create their own magnetic signs, license plates and license plate frames to please send links to 1683 AD and to any others who may promote this concept. Of particular interest would be any non-English language websites.
Considering the manufacturers
We anticipate that any manufacturer who creates these items will be subject to boycott or other censorship campaigns by the opposition. Therefore, we urge that you do not mention anywhere in your writings which specific retailer has provided the finished products. Of course, should the opposition "charge" a retailer with producing items which have "objectionable" messages, there is always the possibility that some rogue employee occasionally puts an order through by accident.
The importance of this tactic
Unlike some of the other, more discrete, tactics put forth by 1683 AD, this one enables the promulgation of blatantly clear and up front messages. As such, this approach can go far in quickly getting our message (which can include website addresses) across to the general public, which is our main goal. This tactic is also important in that it empowers the individual to take action. He does not need to wait for approval of a group; he needs only get on his computer and get to work.
Finally, as stated in other 1683 AD submissions, the copying of this tactic by the opposition would actually help us. Any further awareness of the increasing Islamic Supremacist presence, even if painted in a "favorable" light, can only serve to help alert the general Western public to the threat at hand.
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