"Punishment T-shirt" At Odds with Schools Officials

Jessica Rocha,  of Fort Morgan, Colorado, had sent her kids to school wearing "punishment T-shirts" with statements saying they 'steal' and are 'disrespectful'.  School officials at the Green Acres Elementary School disagreed with the T-shirt and forced the kids to to cover up the language on the T-shirts.

Jessica was at her wits end on how to discipline her children, and with agreement from her kids, decided wearing these "punishment T-shirts" was the correct action.  Jessica feels the school over-stepped their bounds.  Even though the kids were forced to cover up the language on their T-shirts, Jessica has noted their behavior at home has improved.  To maintain the good behavior, she will send them to school again with the punishment T-shirt if they misbehave.  (CBS)

Wow!  Last thing you want is your mom making wakes at school.  Then, to have her make you wear a punishment T-shirt and cause all this commotion, getting the principal invalid.  Oh the horrors of elementary school.  I feel its a grand idea.  Embarrassment is a great motivator towards good behavior.

What's you thoughts on punishment T-shirts?

Verizon Center T-Shirt Gatling Gun Guy

From the SB*Nation Casual Hoya comes an interview with the Gatling Gun Guy.  Follow the link below to read the interview and marvel at the gatling air gun used.  The pictures are amazing.  Anyone who's been to a basketball game has most likely seen the single shot cannon which fires T-shirts out to the audience.  That's fun.  But this… this gatling gun looks like a blast.

http://www.casualhoya.com/2013/3/7/4054662/georgetown-hoyas-verizon-center-t-shirt-gatling-gun

Here's a short video of the gatling gun in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjsNjVzWiRE

Bryan Firefighter Benefit Raises over $50,000

In the wake of the tragic fire at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bryan, which killed and injured people, a benefit was held and people were buying T-shirts with the proceeds going to a fund to help those affected by the fire.  The shirts costs $20 with $15 going to the fund.  As of February 28, 2013, they'd collected $50,000 and orders were still coming in, even from England.  (CBSDFW)

This is another good story of T-shirts being used to do good things.  I love to see this.  Too often news of T-shirts is about someone being offended by a certain slogan. Here, T-shirts can be used to do good things to help people.

Do good things.

Protesters Stripped of T-shirts at Council Meeting

Protestors Mark Sharp, Party Link and Sheena Walker, wearing T-shirts with the slogan "SCRAP THE CABINET" were forced to remove their shirts to attend the council meeting.  Mark Sharp from campaign group SKIPP claims he was asked to remove the T-shirt by security.  The campaigners wore black gags as councillors spoke.  (Echo news)

I wish there was more to the story other than being forced to remove the T-shirts which the councillors were offended by.  Combining the fact that three people were half-naked in attendance wither T-shirts removed (Patsy did have her bra on) and Mark was identified as also wearing a black gag over his mouth indicates their is something of a deeper story here of the council.

Who you go half-naked to a council meeting to make a point?

Manchester Police Raise $ for Newtown Fund

Patrol officers, detectives and dispatchers volunteered their time, in representing the Manchester Police Benevolent Association, to sell custom designed T-shirts for $10 each.  The fundraising was successful, raising $27,890.35, which they donated to the Newtown Memorial Fund.  The effort was so successful during the fundraising that little kids were giving spare change, which accounts for the .35 cents.  (Hartford Courant)

Below image below was designed by T-Shirts Etc in Glastonbury was on the T-shirts sold by the volunteers.  Very nice.  A good cause.  Excellent effort.  If you want to learn more of the Memorial Fund, there's a link below.

http://newtownmemorialfund.org/

Do good things.

Josh Duhamel Can't Get Rid of T-shirts

Seems I'm not the only one who can't get rid of T-shirts.  Josh Duhamel, husband to Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie, who like the rest of us, has his favorite shoes and jeans.  But, T-shirts are his real weakness.

Josh admits he has some T-shirts in his closet for 15 years, but for some reason, he can't throw them away, even though he doesn't wear them any more.  Why would you throw them away.  (Belfast Telegraph)

Josh, listen.  Rather than 'hoarding' the T-shirts.  Give back.  Let's you and I team up and market these T-shirts and sell them with the proceeds going to your favorite charity.  C'mon, we gots to know what's so special about these T-shirts.

For those not familiar with Josh Duhamel, he stared in the recent movie Safe Haven and is probably more well known for his appearances in the Transformer movies.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0241049/?ref_=fn_al_nm_5

Batman Under Armour T-shirts

Sweet!

http://batman-news.com/2013/03/28/batman-under-armour-t-shirts-now-available-in-boys-sizes/

Check out this very nice Batman Under Armour T-shirt.  This particular version is for boys.  UA does offer a mens size too.  Didn't realize they offered a line of superhero T-shirts.  I will definitely have to get me one of these.

Follow the link below if you want to see the other superhero T-shirts.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/ua-baselayer/alter-ego?GAN=1&cid=AF%7CBatman-News.com%7CGAN%7CUS&ganlid=Under%20Armour®%20Alter%20Ego%20Baselayer%20–%20Shop%20Superhero%20T-Shirts&clickid=0004d91683b4e6080a2a62038e007087

The Amazing Spider-Man is excellent.  I like the Iron Man one, too.  They're all good looking shirts, but those were my favorites.  I'm a huge Captain American fan and was disappointed by the design.  Just a shield…?  The uniform top of old Cap would have been a better design.  Yes, more complicated, but jeez, look at Spider-Man's shirt.  Excellent detail.  Cap's uniform shirt is nowhere near that detail.  Who knows what went into the contract deal.

Nice shirts.  What's your favorite?

Oh-no. Berry Runs Cancelled

Bummer!  But, hey, keep the T-shirt.

http://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/22102139/article-Berry-racers-to-get-discount--T-shirts?instance=home_news

An estimated 2,000 registered runners for the the Berry runs will not be participating in any of the races.  Organizers elected to cancel the various runs due to morning lighting and concerns over a flooded course.  

Its not all bad news, though.  The registered runners do get to keep their T-shirts for the event, and any medals they'd won so far.  Plus, they get a discount on next year's run event.  That's nice, but I'm the runners would have met the challenge of inclement weather and carried on.

The most expensive T-shirt cost $91,500

We have a winner.  Hermès men's store on Madison Avenue has a T-shirt for sale made of crocodile for the shocking price of $91,500.  This has to be a record.  

http://www.theawl.com/2013/03/the-most-expensive-t-shirt-in-new-york-city-costs-91500-00

Can you imagine wearing a crocodile T-shirt…  Without seeing and touching personally, it seems like it would be hot, heavy, possibly slimy.  Who am I to criticize fashion.  To some, these may be the exact qualities they are looking for in an undergarment.  

I have to get back to the price tag.  $91,500.  A good quality 100% cotton T-shirt weighs about 6 ounces.  If the T-shirt were spun of gold thread, with the current price for gold bullion going for about $1,600, the shirt would only go for $9,600.  In order to achieve the $91,500 price tag in gold, they T-shirt would have to be made of nearly 153 ounces of gold.  That's a little over 25 pounds of gold.  

For those who cannot picture 25 pounds, think of a one gallon plastic bottle of water.  Each gallon of water is approximately 8 pounds.   Pick up three of the gallons of water at the same time.  Doable, sure.  But, now walk around for 5 minutes, holding all three gallons of water.  That's 25 pounds of gold.  In today's prices, that's how much weight in gold you'd have to wear to equal a crocodile T-shirt.

If you were stupid rich, would you buy this crocodile T-shirt?

Made in Staten Island

Geoffrey Celis of Staten Island, NY just wanted to make a thank you gift for those people who worked on his last music video (Les Vinyl's "Overboard").  When social media got involved many people started asking where could they get the T-shirt.

http://www.silive.com/entertainment/recreation/index.ssf/2013/03/spilling_the_t.html

Instant hit!

The T-shirt can be purchased for $15 at the link noted in the article.  Geoffrey is proud to be from Staten Island, and so are many others.  Its good to see someone giving back and being proud of their home.

Nice T-shirt, and thanks for sharing Geoffrey.

Bahamas Independence T-Shirts presented to Governor General

Nassau, Bahamas - 

Chief Administrator of the Independence Secretariat for the 40th Anniversary of independence Mr. Jack Thompson (Second from left) presented the official T. Shirt and Hat to Governor-General His Excellency Sir. Arthur Foulkes (Third from left) on Wednesday March 27, 2013, in the Drawing Room of Government House.

Looking on are Member Ms. Sharine Symonette (First from left) Member Dr. Tracey Thompson (Forth from left) and Member Mr. Ronnie Armbrister (Far right). (BIS Photo Derek Smith)

Nice to see T-shirts being used as acceptable gift at that level.

http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/bis-news-updates/Committee_presents_Independence_T-Shirts_to_GG27487.shtml

Happy anniversary.

Appeals Court Backs District's Ban on Confederate T-Shirts

Its the kids that suffer, as the adults fight.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/2013/03/appeals_court_backs_districts_.html

This article highlights yet another student who wishes to wear themed T-shirts which others find offensive in someway.

In this case, Candace Hardwich clashed repeatedly with school administration from 2002-2006 over her desire to wear, what is being labelled as "Confederate" themed T-shirts.  Below are some of the T-shirts.

"Southern Chicks"
"Dixie Chicks"
"Southern Girls"
"Daddy's Little Redneck"

Candace also sought to wear a T-shirt with 'Black Confederates," honoring the Louisiana Civil War regiment made up of free African-Amercians.

There are other slogans noted, and the article does properly indicate that perception in a school district where racial tension can be high and misperceptions concerning that of the Confederate themes does warrant a closer look into allowing a student to wear such a shirt.

This is a sensitive area and in this case since students are confined with one another in a school on a daily basis, it would be best to alleviate any potentials for aggravation that can be done.  As noted by the March 25th decision, circuit court said the decision to regulate the T-shirts would be controlled by the Latta schools.  Its a delicate balance between suppression of First Amendment rights and keeping the peace in an enclosed environment, like a school.

Here's a followup article from the Gay & Lesbian Political Action & Support Groups organization.

http://www.gaypasg.org/GayPASG/PressClippings/2006/Mar/Girl%20Sues%20School%20Over%20Confederate%20Clothes.htm

Dubai entrepreneur puts wearable art on T-shirts

Luma Makhlouf, of Chicago, has started a T-shirt business named Ursom, which means "drawing" in Arabic.  She prints graphics from local artists to find Middle eastern art.

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/the-life/dubai-entrepreneur-puts-wearable-art-on-t-shirts

Luma was always looking for a way to keep in contact with her heritage, and this was a great way to it.  Working from a database of 400 artists, she is doing everything but the art.  Printing, shipping, all of it.  She's only sold 55 T-shirts and knows she needs to scale up to be competitive.

Here's wishing Luma a successful business venture.

Art Headed For Cleanup T-shirts

Congrats to Selena Rosa Santillan's contest winning design in support of the West Frankfort town-wide cleanup on April 20th.

http://www.dailyamericannews.com/article/20130328/NEWS/130329083/1001/NEWS

Selena's environmental message will be emblazoned onto 300 T-shirts and donned by this year's volunteers which in includes individuals, service organizations, church groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and others.  

Its refreshing to see positive news concerning T-shirts in light of the continued flurry of stories on obscene T-shirts which induce new laws.  

Do good things!

It's Now Legal to Wear Pizzeria T-shirts Near Eagan Pizzerias

Whew!  That's good news.  Especially for the Little Caesars pizza franchise on Diffley Road.

http://photos.al.com/4558/gallery/offensive_t-shirts_at_surf_style_in_gulf_shores_orange_beach/index.html

It seems the very act of wearing a T-shirt in public with a company brand upon it constitutes as a sign, which is usually heavily regulated.  City attorney reviewed the laws and said its ok for the employees to continue to wear the T-shirts, so long as they stay on the companies private property.

Let that be a lesson to you.  If you wear a company-branded T-shirt, do wave at anyone, else it will make you a sing, and that is forbidden.

Who else is hungry for pizza, now?

Portland Thorns women's soccer team pulls T-shirt from sale

"Feelin' Thorny?"

The women's Portland Thorns soccer team is removing a popular T-shirt from their team's website once  criticism from social media started.  Available for less than 24 hours, the T-shirt had sold well.

http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2013/03/portland_thorns_womens_soccer.html

How sad that the team felt compelled to remove the T-shirt that both fans and the team liked in response to others who had criticism.  I wonder how many of those doing the criticism live in Portland, or even knew the team existed prior to the devilish T-shirt being unleashed upon the unsuspecting world.

I like the saying.  Its a fun play on words and promotes the team name - "Thorns."  Don't you get it?  Portland - City of Roses.  Thorns.  Thorny.  Idiot criticism.  I think some people make it their life's mission to seek out ways to be offended.  They are not happy unless they are offended.  This is an excellent T-shirt that fans want to buy and wear.  They should not be denied.  I hope the T-shirt is put back on the team's website.

Go Thorns!

Take the Poll. Are These T-shirts Offensive?

Here's a poll offered by an Alabama publication.  Based on the abysmal reactions by Orange Beach, FL city officials, we see some of the "obscene" T-shirts.

Additional information on the Orange Beach ordinance will prohibit anyone under 18 entering designated areas where these T-shirts will be located.  Violation of the ordinance could result in a fine up to $500 and jail sentence up to six months in jail.  That seems really harsh.  As noted in another article, the purchaser of the T-shirt can wear the T-shirt in public with no threat of a fine or jail time.  So, who are we actually protecting?

Look at the shirts in the article and you decide if these are offensive and obscene.  If you are predisposed to avoid over-18 areas, you might miss out on some cute and harmless T-shirts.

http://blog.al.com/live/2013/03/take_the_poll_are_these_t-shir.html

Here's some of the T-shirts: (as of 05/01/2013, the link is no longer available)

http://photos.al.com/4558/gallery/offensive_t-shirts_at_surf_style_in_gulf_shores_orange_beach/index.html

Crude T-shirts Get the Boot

This hate-filled tirade in support of censorship makes me laugh.

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/03/baggy_pants_crude_t-shirts_all.html

Laugh, and applaud.  They rightfully ridicule the crazy old mayor in Orange Beach, FL for making up new ordinances to protect the children from these vile T-shirts, and then point out the obvious no one else wants to touch, which is the fact that women running around in bikinis that barely cover anything.  What's worse for children; a crude slogan that a child will probably not understand, or a 95% naked female, walking around in front of them, in a bikini?

While references the obvious craziness associated to censorship, they fist-pump and celebrate other forms of T-shirt censorship in other areas.  What many of these articles fail to do is show you a sample image.  Without seeing ourselves, we are at the controlled whim of the author, who is using words to advance their righteous perception of their world.

Let's be clear here. Obscene and adult-themed T-shirts are very different from hate-based and violence promoting T-shirts.  If a T-shirt design is suggesting a sexual concept in nature, that's very different than  the "Keep Calm and Knife Her" T-shirts we saw last week.  T-shirt designs which promote violence against anyone is WRONG.  They should be censored, shut down and destroyed.

Before we get all caught up in the heated debate of long range consequences of the youth wearing baggy pants and obscene T-shirts, lets recognize the basic concept here - censorship.  Its a small clique of influential people who can and do suppress the will of the vast majority of other in support of their own personal agendas.

What are your thoughts?

Orange Beach outlaws display of T-shirts it deems obscene

Here we go again with officials telling T-shirt vendors what they can and cannot sell to the general public, via a new ordinance, to control obscene slogans and images.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20130328/NEWS02/303280023/Orange-Beach-outlaws-display-T-shirts-deems-obscene

This time its in Orange Beach, FL.  Officials are asking six stores (as of this article) to create an adult-only section, and put those obscene adult-themed T-shirts in that area.  The Miami-based company which owns 35 retail stores and employs 500 people is concerned by this action.  

“They come into your business and tell you what to do. I think there is a line crossed here. The last thing we want is this kind of ordinance.”

I understand about wanting to protect the innocence of children, or adults who do not wish to see these adult-themed shirts, I really do.  But I feel this is an abuse of power.  One or more people within the sphere of the officials can create an ordinance to advance their agenda.  

As noted by a city official, once the city officials, mayor and city attorney meet and determine what defines "obscene", they'll be able to control what T-shirts go into an adult-only section of the store.  But, once the "obscene" T-shirt is purchased, the purchaser can wear the T-shirt in public, with no censorship imposed upon them.

I feel its wrong to impose these conditions on the stores.  What are your thoughts?

Zombies on T-shirts

Being the serious zombie fan that I am, I couldn't resist sharing this T-shirt design I found.  This is great zombie version of the famous World War 2 photo titled "The Kiss."  

http://redditgifts.com/gallery/gift/zombies-tshirts---win/

http://thelmac.hubpages.com/hub/The-Kiss-WW2

Zombie TV shows and movies have been very popular in recent years.  And, considering the long history of that genre, its surprising that more zombie T-shirts are not on the market. Maybe they are, and people are not wearing them, unless it specially advertises a specific TV show or movie.

Have you seen any great zombie T-shirts?

Flickr : Episode 1 - Flowers

I'm starting a new segment in the blog where I pull images from Flickr based on a search criteria.  I'll try this at a weekly schedule, say Thursdays.  Search criteria this week is "flowers".  Let's see what we get this week.

This image from catsecret combines flowers and cats.  I like the vintage look of the design.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catssecret/7042563929/

This tank top design by Abi Skinner is outstanding.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17363257@N00/4102367431/

Using acrylic paint, I wonder how soft it is to the touch, but still, a beautiful piece of art anyone would be happy and proud to wear.

Quilting on a T-shirt, by tarapatices.  Now that is a cool idea.  I don't believe this is limited to just the crafters of the world.  The right colors, design and other embellishments, and I think quilting could go mainstream.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarapatices/3283798553/

That's it for this week.  What do you want to see for next week?

Babies Wearing Offensive T-shirt

You open a gift for your new baby and you are greeted with the "F" word printed on a T-shirt.  Its funny, right?  Cute?  The attending audience all laugh with you.  Yeah, maybe it is kind of funny.  But, would you let your baby wear it out in public, or let the grandparents see it?

The landscape of T-shirts are littered with accusations of being "offensive".  Kids are kicked out of school.  Adults are denied access to stores and restaurants for wearing T-shirts with offensive slogans or images.  Heck, some companies go out of business for selling T-shirts with offensive and hateful slogans or images on them.

But, babies?  They can't control what they wear.  Maybe that's what makes sayings on their T-shirts even funnier than what adults wear.

What do you think?

The T-Shirt Museum

http://tshirtmuseum.com/

For a T-shirt museum I was hoping for more.  I don't see any dates, so its difficult to gauge how long they've been doing this, or how long this site have been rotting in the interwebs with no activity.  

The sites boasts efforts of conducting monthly contests and categorizes T-shirt designs in 12 main categories.  Overall, I don't see a large number of T-shirt designs.  Most categories have 10 or less designs to show.  

Admittedly, these are not for sale.  Its a museum.  I like the idea and wish they'd do more, or at the very least, date their updates.  Good luck.  Keep expanding the site.

The Last Airbender

Found this interesting design from an obscure website.  The person posting the design indicates they used bleach to make the design.  It looks like finger-painted white ink, but could be the resolution.  Design pattern aside, its an interesting approach to use bleach in this way.

http://imgur.com/dOVp57W

I was curious of the design to see where it was used within the series of The Last Airbender.  I don't follow the animated series, but did watch the movie, which I did like.  I found what I believe to be the design, but I'm no expert.  I'm assuming it a sigil for one of the four elements.  I'm guessing - Earth?

I applaud the use of bleach in this way.  It gives me some ideas on a T-shirt design.

Any Airbender fans out there who can place the design and how its used within the series?

10 Funny St. Patrick's Day T-Shirts

Yes, I understand, this posting is bit late since St. Patrick's Day was March 7th.  Still, here's a list of what the Guy Code Blog calls the 10 funniest St. Patrick's Day T-shirts.

http://guycodeblog.mtv.com/2013/03/14/funny-st-patricks-day-shirts/

I don't know when this day became all about being drunk, but some of the designs are funny.  Oh, and just a note, see design #5.  Its in that "Keep Calm" meme of T-shirt designs.  You can see previous posting of this blog for references to "Keep Calm".  The motto that will not die.

My favorite design is #1, if for no other reason, the word play involved.  

What's you're favorite design?

20 Facts About T-Shirts You Might Like to Know

Here's some fun and interesting facts about T-shirts.  Here's a couple of my favorites:

http://visual.ly/20-facts-about-t-shirts-you-might-know-infographic

#5 - In 1939 the first promotional T-shirt was printed for the movie "The Wizard of Oz."

#6 - John Wayne, Marlon Brando & James Dean popularized the T-shirt in movies during the 1950's.  Up until then T-shirts were still considered an undergarment.

#10 - Today, T-shirts play a crucial role in commercial messaging as well as being a tool for self expression.  [This is what I'm saying.]

What's your favorite factoid from the list of 20?  Or, maybe you're aware of other interesting facts.  Share.

Heath Ledger Charity T-shirts

Heath Ledger's sister, Elana Rose, is partnering with photographer Ben Watts to to offer commemorative, limited edition T-shirt for charity.

http://perezhilton.com/cocoperez/2013-03-25-heath-ledger-commemorative-limited-edition-tshirts-for-charity

Using one of Ben's photos from 2004 with Heath holding a skateboard, the T-shirt, which is legit, will see all proceed go to the Channel 7 Australia Telethon Trust, Australians in Film Organization and the Heath Ledger Scholarship.

At $110, its pricey, but they benefit a good cause.  

Will you get one?

Keep Calm and Johnny Football

Keeping calm is the latest buzz in T-shirt controversy right now.  First Solid Gold Bomb and their violence against women T-shirts.  Now we have a company representing Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel filing a lawsuit to stop the sale of T-shirts using his "Johnny Football" nickname.

The lawsuit was filed by Manziel's limited liability company JMAN2 Enterprises, LLC against Eric Vaughan of Fairview, Texas.  Manziel's company filed for the trademark of "Johnny Football" on March 2nd and its still pending.  

It'll be up to the courts to determine if they can stop Eric Vaughan from selling the T-shirts or have to pay any lost compensation.  Until then, Johnny Manziel is a hot commodity, and everyone is wanting a piece of that pie.

Is Eric Vaughan wrong is what he is doing?  Until the trademark is finalized, is he really breaking any laws, other than trying to make a quick buck off someone else's name?

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/21780051/company-representing-manziel-files-suit-to-stop-sale-of-tshirts