the boy boy young mess right offa 1500 eddy block.

On the solar power thing... can we recalibrate it to miss the receiver and zap select individuals in the area instead? Just a thought.

Re: 10 worst signs:
-Which of these IQ and Societal Gems came from our fair city? (none are listed as being from Fresno.)

Wow, those signs. That was bad. I'm actually embarrassed for Fresno...as if I didn't have enough proof already...

...ahh, got it.

-first thought of these signs?
Compared to the other signs (nationwide) our signs were not just 'stupid' but really non-creative and stupid...
(double-bummer)

I'm glad I had nothing to do with this thing on either side of the issue,
I'm wondering, however, how many people went to it, saw what a lot of others were saying and were like,
'..um, I dunno if I want to be associated with this,'
(or) just plain flat out turned on their heels and left.

somebody set us up the bomb! i love the reference to the greatest engrish video game of all time

Damn, Fresno is ugly sometimes.

congrats on the 1500 impressive my friend!!

Thanks for the link Mike. And just to let you know, I can be retained to design said BeeHive.

And on the Kutcher/CNN thing that KMPH wants to do. I think they missed the point of what about. It was about media changing to the point that a single person can have a louder quicker voice than a large network. KMPH not wanting to take on Mike is evidence that they didn't get it.

Those signs and the fact that we had one of the largest turn outs really makes me embarassed.

It would be different if it weren't just a punch of finger pointing and consisted of people who were willing to take as much blame as they give.

People are acting like Obama got us here, and while I don't necessarily agree with the federal bailout, people need to stop taking this as an opportunity to put the blame on Obama. Instead look at WHY we're in the economic trouble we're in now.

..well, look at the bright side:

-at least nobody was standing there with a big ol' picture of a pair of women's legs sticking out of the hedges with the caption '...hey, Mr. President..'

(I mean, it would have been edgy, risky, thought provoking, and definitely gotten some attention... maybe lotsa media coverage...)

(What? It's a commentary on Taxes... what were YOU thinking...)

Though,
the media's use of the word has also brought a few challanges to the dinner table when the average pre-adolescent asks:

'...Mom?
What's Tea-Bagging?'
(I even had to look that one up...
(so out of the loop these days, thankfully, but boy, THAT's provocative, ohhh yeah.)

(Thumbs up! we're doing good.)

maybe creative fresno can hire some of those sign makers for their next flyer.

zing!

or maybe the sign makers can hire creative fresno for their next event. they sure know how to attempt an innocuous message and yet put forth a controversial message.

double zing!

those signs were...well, I won,t call them art. Thanks for the double "zings," ed.

Floyd, nice post on famous...keep it real, my man.

This was a very robust Fres-Know...now go let Creative Fresno know who you want at the FUSE Festival...

thanks trav-er.

Ok, I probably am... but am I the only one most annoyed by the use of children in protests? Don't know why it bugs the heck out of me.
I guess it's because they aren't informed protesters. They don't know why they're holding a sign or what it really means.
And the little tiny one holding the "Liberty or Death" sign just squicks me out.

I totally hear ya.
-it's kind of an 'innocence defiled' thing.
like when people to teach kids to use profanity and do stuff that's really innapropriate because it's 'cute.'

I mean, a kid stoked up or bummed out or mad at something that's 'kid-centric,' makes sense...
-But, when you consider most adults just take views, reduce them to childishness, and then act worse than kids?

But the imagery of a kid being into something really is a nasty headgame.

-Ya see, when you see an adult saying or doing something stupid, you can deal with them for who they are and deal directly. (and hopefully discuss view to view,
--that's a mighty big hope, though.)

-Cause when you take a kid, and the kid is promoting or acting in ways that are not right,
--whatttya gonna do? Argue with a kid?
You bring up points, you try to discuss, they get upset, they get flustered, they cry, (their caretakers get all pissed, their friends get pissed, next thing you know? an army of children (be it literal or mental) is attacking...
-saying:
'...What a meanie you are, you just disagreed with a kid, and the kids enthusiasm, you're not nice, you're evil...'

-Puts you in the position of not going after the issue, concept, idea, point at hand, because it's 'impolite and insensitive'
to go after it (wrapped in that package, delivered like that.)
So it's kind of a marketing ploy
'...who dares argue with this innocent well meaninged parrot, er, child...'

-Um, lady? I don't think your kid really understands the ramifications of wind-turbines (or) a mall going in...
-It gets worse when you have them walking around with
'thanks for not aborting me.' signs.
(Politics really blow me away.)

But one of the biggest needs for 'kid use' is that it's using 'cute,'
(cause kids are cute,)
and floating in a lot of stuff on the backs of that
(hmmm, Dickensian era child labor revisited.)
--Cause directness, truth, responsibility, respect, straightforward-soberness about an issue?
Not cool, not snarky, not cheeky, not 'cute,' don't get too into it...
(gotta have those little ;) and :) markings, or somebody gonna get offended.)
(loud noises make junior cry.)

It's like we need even our sugar with sugar coating,
and the most direct comment or point? Toned down, feathered, and passive-aggressived to a nicely digestable shade of beige...

Meanwhile?
They got the cartoons of our blankie and cheerios with banannas days flipping us the bird, smoking dope, and making porn.

I really had to chuckle at the thought of some guy leaning over and arguing with a five year old about the bailout! Ha! Total SNL skit and a very good point.

Shove a sign in a kid's hands and dare anyone to protest the issue.

I will say, the only time it didn't squick me out was during the Prop 8 debate when kids were trying to help legitamize their families. I'm thinking it's because, in that issue, I'm pretty dang sure they were well informed.
;)
:)
:X
:~`)
( You just know I HAD to go there)

yep... I see yer point.

I am still thinking of this though...

I mean, during the Prop8 hysteria?
you had people standing on one street corner (screaming) at people on the other street corner --with one side 'speaking for God' and taking a very very hard stance (in God's name... kinda ominous, ya know?)
I've never seen such thorough all out blanketing of an area (Fresno) at such horrendous expense of money and effort, (at a time where people are financially circling the drain in droves.)

Then, --after all that?
Life goes on as if it's 'no big deal.'

(Which is kinda weird, I mean, when you're used to statements, positions, money, stances, and beliefs and actions held 'that' firmly being mobilized and declared?
You sorta figure that it may 'mean' something...
but nope, not really...
it all went back to business as usual within a few hours.

Along with that?
Something as deep as a core belief
'...are these people loved or hated by God? ...are these people doing what God wants or not? ...are we responsible for condoning or confronting these people, -as God acts upon our behaviors?'
(all that, VERY heavy subjects and accusations that you don't just leave hanging in the air unattended...)
-With a TON of push and backing (Mormons kicked in a gazillion dollars on this thing,)

--and a lot of Christians that I know (personally) just really didn't say anything either way. (I mean, when they're with one crowd? they 'agree,' when they're with the opposing? they 'agree' there too...)

(A bunch of them would tell me 'Yeah, I personally don't agree with it, and don't think it's Scriptural, (but)'
--and then they'd go party with their gay friends (and) not discuss the issue and leave the whole thing as some sort of 'no-mans land' in discussion.
-no real discussion,
no real support,
no actual clarifying or ministering whatsoever, which is dumbfounding,
I mean,
when I have that many gay folks in my life saying
'...You're really different, you have a 'No on 8 sticker on your car, but you're a Christian, I just don't know Christians who talk about this, nor who are as non-drama-vocal and supportive as you...'

-When I'm cavalry and example?
you KNOW something is wrong.

(For me?
This was even worse, (as) as Christians, (regardless of which side of the issue we stood,) there is the direct command to love, nurture, support, respect, correct, shelter, and actually, STAND and act out something that we're compelled of, (and) to demonstrate the Love of Christ...
(not just shaking a sign and hollering,
--But out of not wanting to 'get into it,' with the 'rabid right,' (nor) not alienate the 'loud (or lanquishing) left,'
--basically nothing was said, much less done.

Whole time?
(with what we're talking of?)
(swept up in the middle of this,
soaking in it 24/7.)

You have these kids.

(Who are forming their opinions and stances regarding what matters on the world in general and us (and them) in particular...)

(who in all honesty?
some, by virtue of their ages, are not ready to go into heavy sexual themes
-and only need to know and be assured of a few things:
'...the adults in my life love me, they love each other, and I have home with them, home loves me, I love them, I am protected, I'm safe, these people are building me well, (though I don't know what that means, exactly...'

-that's it.
That's the kids job, and that's hard enough.

-The rest of it?
The parents job.

-And this MASSIVE threat to their home comes up, they're forced to wrestle with stuff that no kid should have to cope with...
and then?
a week later?,
after the firefight has stopped?
It's like nothing ever happened...

-THAT messes a kid up.
It just blows their doors off, and sets no real standard nor example of what is a real concern (and) what is not. You can't get bearings in that.

Sometimes I'd just like to rent Ad Space along a public area, and write an apology to the kids (some now older) who have had to reap this.
(What Apology?)

-Well, you have this league of kids (my age, a bit older, a bit younger,)
-who never learned to be responsible, were too into themselves, never really grew a spine, never were really disciplined, were chameleons, negotiators, and drama junkies (who basically stand for nothing.)
(who now?)

Have their own kids, and the kids just see adults acting like big babies that never actually grew up, don't really believe much of anything, and are too busy trying 'not to alienate at any cost.'

Their parenting skills are awful, they completely lack discipline, they struggle to be mature, (and) they don't shoulder the burdeon and take the hits --so their kids DON'T have to,
-no real conviction, path, knowledge, nor responsibility.
-And then in this refusal to act like an adult? (for example not really addressing what sorts of relationships people have, discussing the issue with any sense of clarity or tact, --just endless screaming and knee-jerk threats (back and forth.)

They push it over on the kid,
-and put the kid 'on point,'
-force the kid to deal with stuff they should never have to (who have no choice.)
(when the parents choose not to,)
-hand them some sign or rabid stance,
and call this 'enlightening'

--when it's just plain lazily chosen ignorance.

What gives (our) generation hope in the future? (is not) that we're a generation of 'excellent parents,'
-it's that our kids love us regardless,
(because that's what kids do... kids usually just 'love.')
I just really hope that folks wake up and realize what they're doing to their kids (by basically being too self-absorbed to do their jobs as parents,)

-And that the kids would be provided with better examples and input from healthier areas.

Either way, we'll find out soon enough, won't we?

Very good point.
You know, I tend to be involved with people who either don't have kids by choice, or who are similar in their parenting as I. So, I will own up to being niave about assuming that the parents who allowed their children to protest, on behalf of their family, with them gave their children all of the information (including the "people might say this" talk).
I based this off of my high school best friend who has two moms.
I mean, I had to explain it all to my little one because every other ad on tv was that yes on 8 garbage. It didn't even effect our life, directly, but I felt the need to lay it out there for her in saying "What your daddy and I believe is...." and allowing her to ask questions and answering them as honestly as we could without pushing our agenda.
Yet, you're right about the personal agenda of parents our age. I see it ( out and about and at work) all the time.
Everything you wrote is something I've been vocal about before, it just didn't click to apply it to the idea of political protest.
Love the lightbulb moments!

I like how you and the hubster are handling it though, I mean, I know in life you are sometimes handed events that push things faster than you want them to go, (and that can be a real challange.)

What gets me is:
so often we're headed into full freak out over 'oh my god, THIS subject (or that one,) is going to come up, how do we work with this...? (and we see the opera from one end to the other,)
--but so many times, kids ask stuff,
and it's sorta like how I'd ask my attorneys things:
'...what does this mean?' is kind of a cross between
'I want to to know about this (and) I want (more) to know you got this under control.'
Beyond that?:
'..where's the girlscout cookies.'
So there's a degree of insulating (and) informing in a 'as need to know,' basis.

I mean, they're total little sponges who absorb everything and take on all manners of us (as patterns) -and we have to watch that.

What's cool is when older kids (even younger ones) can understand things
-But see people actually living out what they claim to follow, (and see somebody really 'working through' their beliefs and such, in a healthy manner with structure.

-This could apply to what folks term 'religious' or ideals, but it actually goes through everything, and kids don't make distinctions between complex issues and why they need to wear socks that match each other.

(How parents are towards them, then towards others the next, (and) then the next...
with stability and (not) endless shape-shifting? is huge with a kid.
Kids see this 24/7 and they're incorporating what they see and experience the whole time (not just what is said, but EVERYTHING.)

By maintaining, and staying 'same' in the everyday stuff, when you get thrown the curves, the kid is like:
'...okay, what's going on here? this is different and requires some reasoning and thinking through (but) I got good skills and stable foundations so far, soooo, we can do this...'

2. (kinda sidethought)

Regarding the Prop 8 stuff that was always in your day (tv, print media, little plastic signs every ten feet on each road driveway, sidewalk, etc.)

What I don't envy (any parent) who had to work through this with their child was: There was such unreal skewing of information.

Very clearly I was seeing this unreal highspeed 'pong' game of

'...this is what we're afraid of, this is what we want to believe, this is what we're afraid of happening further, tell us this is true/tell us our fears are coming true.'
-to which the respons was:

'you're afraid, we're afraid, this is happening further, you're fears are confirmed, (this, this, and that (factoid) now go and make others even more afraid...)

'...thank you, now we're really afraid, tell us more to be afraid of, so we feel more justtified in being afraid and attacking.'

'..okay, how about this, this and that...'

I mean, it wasn't really a grown-up (nor mature) dialogue on the issue, nor what or whom was really involved.
--And this is what people demanded and rarely veered from. It was like professional wrestling (is it real? is it fake? who cares, we have our battles and the smoke machines and lights are on, lets open up our cans..'

(which was really a trip because,
(again) a huge amount of money came in from LDS (by directive,)
and belief-systems who do not endorse LDS at all (and who the LDS does not endorse at all)
-were like
'...so what? they're throwing money into it, and we have a common (homophobia) goal here.'

-which just make a real mess and confuses people more...

(Little Johnny)
'...But, if they don't believe what we believe, and we teach that their belief is wrong, and they're going to hell because they're believing a wrong thing, WHY are we now on their team and holding hands and now friends with them and okay iwth them?

'(adult)..well, little johnny, you see God's wrath was due to pour out and wipe out the United States because those two men over there (or those two women over there) are together and want to be married,
--which also threatened your mommies and I's being married, and you don't want that do you?'

'(little Johnny) '....no!'

'(adult)..so the nice people who believe differently (who are still going to hell) were our special friends for a while, and now that our nation is safe, we don't have to be friends with them, because their beiefs are weird...'

'(Little Johnny) '...oh.'

-and that conversation probably happened by the bucketfull on either side... and that line of reasoning not only 'worked' for little Johnny, but on the adults too... (and they were cool with it.)

I'm not saying that there weren't people (such as you and your husband) who didn't sit down and explain (to the degree that you felt your children needed to understand) what was going on,
--but it was really something how (to an extent on both sides of the 8 issue,)
There was such hype and missinformation being used... (Overwhelmingly the Pro-8 (anti-same sex marriage) folks were really off the hook, but I saw some of it in the Anti-8 stuff too.

It gave people (particularly parents) the option of 'explain what you were explaining away from what they were explaining (and then explain why.')
-or have your head in the sand for a year.

It was actually a good place to continue the "nothing you see on tv is the whole truth, if there is any truth at all" discussion, and have it extend beyond commercials.

Not to mention that I've found full freak out does nothing but make a curious little mind even more curious. Hand them the truth, or admit what your version of the truth is.... and the dust usually settles.