Warmer weather is on its way. Time to dig out the old T-shirts and buy some new ones. It’s also time to think about what slogans or pictures are on those shirts. After all, when we dress we often become a walking billboard for what we believe. One set of beliefs is described by these sayings (actually seen on shirts): “It’s All About Me;” “Silence is Golden, Duct Tape is Silver;” “Orgy of Hate;” “The last hope for humanity rests on a high powered machine gun;” “A woman’s place is chained to the stove.” Then there is the fuzzy-headed kid urinating on a person of a clearly definable ethnic origin. Other beliefs are expressed, of course, by crosses and religious references or Biblical quotes, but also by “I ♥ [person or place],” “World’s Greatest Mom,” “Do random acts of kindness,” and pictures of a grandchild or multi-ethnic group linking hands. The question to ask ourselves is, Does what I’m wearing reflect who I am inside? Now, about those bumper stickers……..
Tag Archive for slogan
A Slogan for All Candidates
If you’re a regular reader, you know I don’t get into politics. This isn’t meant to be political It’s just that I’m heartsick at how people in high positions are treating others verbally. Name-calling, belittling them as people, criticizing their viewpoints as stupid or anti-American, saying negative things opposite to what the person said about them until that person did/said something that went against their wishes.
None of this serves us as human beings or as Americans. In fact, it demeans all of us as we repeat lies, half-truths, and nasty verbiage.
I have a campaign slogan I want ALL political candidates to adhere to: MAKE AMERICA CIVIL, DECENT, AND RESPECTFUL AGAIN!
Rolling Balls, Politics, and Interesting Americana
Here’s a phrase most of us use: ““Keep the ball rolling,” meaning to keep an activity going, to keep people enthusiastic about it. It has an interesting history, especially in politics.
That’s what the Presidential candidates are trying to do. “Keep the ball rolling” is an old American phrase that originated during the 1840 election–a contest between incumbent President Martin Van Buren and Whig candidates Martin Van Buren and war-hero Gen. William Harrison. That was the election that historians say began all the hoop-la of campaigning, like publicity stunts, songs, and slogans. In fact, historians say that’s when the first campaign slogan was born: “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.”
So what does that have to do with our phrase “keep the ball rolling”? Here are some of the song’s lyrics: “Don’t you hear from every quarter, quarter, quarter,/Good news and true,/That swift the ball is rolling on/For Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.”
PLUS, the Harrison camp referred to “Victory Balls,” referring not to formal dances but to the 10′ diameter balls made of tin and leather that they rolled from one campaign rally to the next one, where supporters were urged to push the balls to the next rally…to “keep the ball rolling.”
I have to admit, right now, with all the political rhetoric and negativity, I’d very much like to let the air out of all the candidates’ rolling balls!