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#159583 07/21/06 01:07 AM
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old hand
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old hand
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I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read:

"I'm pro-accordion, and I vote!"

#159584 07/21/06 02:08 PM
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stranger
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stranger
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I've always liked "Visualize Whirled Peas".
(Say it out loud if you aren't familiar with this one.)


American English | Yooper | with a dash of Yiddish
#159585 07/21/06 04:01 PM
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Pooh-Bah
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I've always understood that particular bumper sticker to be mocking those who encourage others to visualize world peace, which in my opinion is something worth visualizing. As Elvis Costello said, what's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

#159586 07/21/06 05:30 PM
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veteran
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It's funny in the same way that, say, Tom Lehrer's "We are the Folk Song Army" is funny.

#159587 07/21/06 09:37 PM
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Pooh-Bah
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We are the folk song army,
Every one of us cares.
We all hate poverty, war, and injustice
Unlike the rest of you squares.

There are innocuous folk songs, yeah,
But we regard 'em with scorn.
The folks who sing 'em have no social conscience,
Why, they don't even care if Jimmy Crack Corn.

If you feel dissatisfaction,
Strum your frustrations away.
Some people may prefer action,
But give me a folk song any old day.

The tune don't have to be clever,
And it don't matter if you put a couple extra syllables into a line.
It sounds more ethnic if it ain't good English
And it don't even gotta rhyme... (excuse me: rhyne!)

Remember the war against Franco?*
That's the kind where each of us belongs.
Though he may have won all the battles,
We had all the good songs!

So join in the folk song army!
Guitars are the weapons we bring
To the fight against poverty, war, and injustice.
Ready, aim, sing!


I'd say it's the difference between clever and snide.

#159588 07/21/06 10:15 PM
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Quote:

I've always liked "Visualize Whirled Peas".




I like the one "Forget World Peace, Visualize Using Your Turn Signal"

#159589 07/21/06 10:28 PM
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stranger
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stranger
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Quote:


It's funny in the same way that, say, Tom Lehrer's "We are the Folk Song Army" is funny.



Excellent point. I was afraid - momentarily - that I was the only fan of Tom Lehrer here.

I always felt the bumper sticker was more of a warning against being too focused, even in support of worthy causes. It's my feeling that I am in trouble when I take things too seriously.


American English | Yooper | with a dash of Yiddish
#159590 07/21/06 11:11 PM
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Pooh-Bah
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Quote:

I like the one "Forget World Peace, Visualize Using Your Turn Signal"




Now that's one I like. In fact if people would use their turn signals more often it might help world peace. I agree with the general sentiment that people who plaster their cars with bumper stickers aren't really doing much more than supporting the bumper sticker industry. As Tom Lehrer said of his own politcal satire, "I don't think this kind of thing has an impact on the unconverted, frankly. It's not even preaching to the converted; it's titillating the converted." I just don't think that actively mocking world peace in particular expresses any sort of Tom Lehrerian hipness. I guess this is becoming a politcal discussion so I'll desist.

#159591 07/23/06 12:54 PM
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Carpal Tunnel
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> Whirled Peas

as I see it on mostly liberal thinkers cars, I think it's a clever way to get people to think about the concept of world peace. I've never seen it on a car that has (an) NRA sticker, too, e.g..


formerly known as etaoin...
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