Crackstarter T-shirts raise funds for 90-second video of Mayor Rob Ford

Politicians and T-shirts rarely combine into a positive story.  And, Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto in Canada, does not seek to change the balance of stories.  In may 2013, a crowd funding campaign was started, asking for $100,000 to release a 90-second video clip of a person who resembles the mayor allegedly smoking crack cocaine.  The campaigns appears to have raised the required $100,000 in just four days with a few people claiming to have seen the video.

All the obnoxious political nonsense aside, there are people selling T-shirts to raise funds to have the video purchased so it can be distributed and verifiers if the person is in deed Rob Ford.  The T-shirt shows a picture from the video and sells for $15 with all proceeds going to what called the Crackstarter campaign.  Too bad it takes incidents like this with Rob Ford to get people involved with government.  

Meanwhile, over in Karachi, Pakistan…

Trends in using printed T-shirts with election slogans are proving to be very popular among the various political parties.  Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) placed an order for 20,000 T-shirts with their logo and slogan, with 6,000 of them coming from the city of Islamabad.  The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is following the trend and placed orders for 1,000 T-shirts.  

The result of all the T-shirts being printed is a boost of the garment traders.  Due to general concerns in the city due to bombings, routine business is down, but the local retailers involved with T-shirts, caps and wristbands are seeing a boost due to the election related T-shirt orders. (Daily Times)

Other than myself, I've not seen anyone else note the positive effect of printing T-shirts has on the economy, which is a positive factor.  Most people get caught up in the emotional aspect of the slogan on the T-shirt, and not the fact that merchants, vendors, retailers, suppliers, laborers, and business owners are all doing well due to T-shirt sales.  Let us be reminded by those in Pakistan that T-shirts have a message, create solidarity, but also create jobs, and maintain jobs.

T-shirts battle over landfill issue in Arcadia Hills, NY

This has to be a first for me.  Supporters and those against the recent efforts to bring a solid waste management facility to Arcadia Hills, NY have donned T-shirts.  Supporters were dressed in yellow T-shirts "We support Arcadia Hills" and those against "No landfill" had white T-shirts.  Meeting at the Newark High School to discuss the matter, I'm sure it was a wondrous cavalcade of T-shirts.

The issue of a landfill is not the subject here.  Its the matter of using T-shirt to send a message and show solidarity.  Much like cheering and applause denotes support, so too do the number of T-shirts.  Its a psychological issue.  If, say, the number of yellow (supporting) T-shirts outnumbered the white (against) T-shirts by 2:1, then it indicates the majority want the item or service.  Does that make the minority position any less valid?  It may prompt even more action on the minority showing to do more to make their point here and accepted.

Should those who attend be forced to wear a colored T-shirt either for or against?  Imagine having to wear a red t-shirt with the slogan, "I don't care.  I just want to know the decision."

Point here is, if you want your message to be heard and seen, wear a T-shirt with your cause clearly stated.

We Say Gay T-shirts celebrate legislative victory

The Tennessee Equality Project is selling T-shirts with the slogan 'We Say Gay' to celebrate a legislative victory as Senator Stacey Campbell's infamous 'Don't Say Gay' bill failed to pass, again, at the end of the legislative session on friday.  For years Campbell has been diligently working to get some version of the 'Don't Say Gay' bill passed which would stop educators from discussion homosexuality in grades kindergarden through eighth grade.

There is change sweeping the nation over the past couple years with the view on homosexuality becoming more and more accepted. See Stephen Colbert's humorous dissection of the story as an indicator that being anti-gay becoming a joke.

http://www.advocate.com/comedy/2013/02/08/watch-stephen-colbert-dissects-dont-say-gay-legislator

Usually, we see T-shirts sold to raise funds for a nonprofit organization. We also see T-shirts being worn to raise awareness of issues and subjects. But, its only in sports that we see T-shirts worn to celebrate the winning of something. The successful completion of something, like the recent NCAA basketball championship. Or, the Superbowl. But, this T-shirt to celebrate victory at a legislative is a rare item. It raises awareness of an issue, in that the issue was overcome.

What are other legislative victories you feel warrant a celebratory T-shirt?

Watertown Police release T-shirt to celebrate capture of terrorists

Watertown Police Department is working with a local business to produce a celebratory T-shirt to commemorate the elimination and capture of the Boston marathon bombing terrorists.  The T-shirt is navy blue, and they have replaced 'Boston' with 'Watertown' to the slogan of 'Watertown Strong'.  Proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to foundation, which has yet to be created.  (Watertown Patch)

The Boston marathon bombings were, and still are, an emotional subject.  There have been many T-shirts created with proceeds going to a few common organization, such as The One Fund.  But, this Watertown T-shirt being offered to an organization which has yet to be created, and with no understanding of who is helps does sit well with me.  If someone found the time to coordinate the efforts of Watertown Police Department, TR Miller Company, Three Twins Productions, San Mar, NEW Clothing and Wired Blue to make the T-shirt available, surely the foundation (I'm assuming / expecting) will be a nonprofit organization with a goal to help those hurt by the bombings.

Do good things, but have a little more information when you press conference your intent to sell a T-shirt.

Jamie Nation T-shirts released to support Hahn family

In response to the terrible stabbing and subsequent death of Jamie Hahn, a 29 year-old Democratic campaign strategist, who died on 04/24/2013, a Raleigh, NC online company is partnering with a screen printer (Raleigh Screen Print) to print and sell T-shirts.  They will have two designs; 'Raleigh Nation' and 'Jamie Nation'.  Funds raised from the selling of T-shirts will go to the Hahn family. (News 14 Carolina)

I agree with Ralieghiscool co-founder, Will Hardison, that these T-shirts are a small, but generous action taken to help the Hahn family.  This is a great thing.  This is a perfect example that you do not need a world changing event to step forward and help.  It can be a local effort to help one person, or one family.  These acts of kindness should be more common in our society.

Do good things.

Cashing in on Nelson Mandela with T-shirts

News: Cashing in on Nelson Mandela with T-shirts 

Nelson Mandela is second only to Coca-Cola in terms of being a world recognized brand.  As a frail 94 year-old, Mandela is recovering from a lung infection in his Johannesburg home, South Africa is airing the reality show "Being Mandela" which is seen as a horrific defamation to the character of Nelson Mandela.  And, more importantly, some of his children and extended family are racing about offer all manner of products and services bearing the name of Nelson Mandela to cash in on his respected name.

In addition to a T-shirt with his image and the slogan "Long Walk To Freedom", there is a wine being offered, boxing matches, the above mentioned reality show and many more.  It has degraded to such a point that that some of his children filing lawsuits to gain control of financials of Mandela.

T-shirts can say a lot about the person wearing it; their likes, beliefs, but this is a case where we have to interrogate who is offering the T-shirt.  The motive here is purely money.  Monetary gain with maximum profit and minimal effort.  Who doesn't like those odds, but at what costs?  Aside from being a walking canvas to display great art, T-shirts in our current age have become synonymous with making a strong statement, and helping people in need.  

When I read stories about Nelson Mandela's children fighting over his money and cashing in on name, or brand, if you will, for the sake of maximum cash value before he dies is troubling to say the least.  If the party involved with offering the T-shirt with Mandel's image on it were to donate a percentage to a charity then we'd see this in an entirely different light.  The stain of bickering children over vaults of money can't be erased, but we'd see the desire to put those funds, which were prostituted from Mandela's image were going to a good cause.  

But, instead, all we see is greed.  Pure, primal, greed.  I can dream though.  I can have hope that those lusting over the fortunes of Mandela will see that good things come to those who give.  Give, and you shall receive.

Let them hear me quote one more time; Do good things.

Where is the line between Free Speech and Offensive T-shirts?

In this blog we've coverage numerous good deeds done through T-shirts.  We've even covered cases where people in positions of power seek to crush the expressions of a few because they felt the T-shirt was 'offensive' or could spark something more troublesome.

Here, I'd like to dig a little deeper into the subject of suppressing T-shirt designs.  I'm not referring to cases where public opinion dictates how a company conducts business through T-shirts.  A recent example of that is Nike removing their 'Boston Massacre' T-shirts from sale.  A common theme in Boston used in the past as a rallying cry.  But, with the recent Boston Marathon bombings, the populace is still rightfully raw about the subject.  I predict the pain will pass, and Boston will re-adopt the 'Boston Massacre' slogan and a rallying cry.  Maybe not for anti-bad guy reasons, but for sports, as it once was used.

The most common cases of suppression of free speech through T-shirts which supposedly contain offensive material, which is argued as our First Amendment right, occur in our public schools here in the USA.  And, most commonly, I see junior high school students being at the forefront of this conflict between self-expression and suppression of that expression.  The other, and more disturbing case of suppression, occurs from city officials declaring they know what's best for the city by imposing laws on what constitutes an offensive T-shirt.

Before we can question the right to suppress offensive T-shirt designs, we first have to define the terms.

What is an offensive T-shirt design?

If we're looking into the public school realm, offensive leans to sensitive subject matter in relation to the Gay issue.  Or, racial issues.  In the case of race, its usually someone showing support of their own heritage or showing respect for another.  Those are usually shut down rather quickly, as the school does not want to risk any racial-induced riots or fights.  I can understand.  In my youth, in my latter years of high school, we had an infusion of Vietnamese kids come into our school.  Mind you, we weren't that long removed from the Vietnam war, er, conflict.  TV and movies were still showing Vietnam as the bad guys.  We had a few kids band together with T-shirts with crudely written hate messages with unfortunate racial slurs towards the Vietnamese.  Things came to a head when a big fight broke out near the buses at the end of the school day.  It was got really scary there until the fight was stopped by teachers and school officials.  

The Gay issue in public schools is very unique.  I think for as long as there has been public school, there have been anti-gay statements made within the schools.  The word 'fag' was so over-used that it became this ubiquitous term used to denote anyone who was stupid, dumb or dorky.  If someone wasn't liked, for whatever reason, they were labelled a fag.  I don't mean homosexual in nature, just in a general dumb-ass nature.  With that in mind, kids today are incredibly savvy when it comes to proclaiming their beliefs via a T-shirt in response to the Gay issue.  As an 8th grader recently showed last month, wearing a message that indicated she didn't approve of Gays was challenged by a school board.  They felt it was hate speech, but the ACLU stepped in and forced the school to change its position on the grounds that the student's beliefs said that being Gay was not correct.  Not acceptable.  It was evil.  Wrong.  Her T-shirt made that point.  She was not claiming hatred or acts of violence against Gays, only that she didn't approve of being Gay.  There's your First Amendment right working as designed.  Even if the message sets your blood on fire, its the student's right to make that declaration.  Its your beliefs versus the other person's beliefs.  Its only positions of power that can suppress the beliefs of one in favor of another.

If we're talking about city officials, the word offensive usually has a sexual origin to it.  Its these people in positions of power who will create laws to force one agenda over another.  In recent memory, city officials in southern Florida towns have taken upon themselves to decry the abomination of sexually oriented T-shirts, and force retailers to position these T-shirts into newly created 'adult' areas for 18 yeas and older for viewing.

I'm going to step out on this subject with common sense and declare these suppression of rights, to display in store and sell these so-called offensive T-shirts, a very poor choice for two core reasons.

First, once the offensive T-shirt is legally viewed by an adult, and purchased by an adult, said adult can wear the T-shirt in public, in direct and unhindered view of children (gasp - oh the horrors).  We're talking about the same T-shirt which could see the store owner fined (substantially) for displaying it in their store in direct, unhindered view of children.  That reason alone shows a desire to punish the store owner for daring to even sell the T-shirt.  I'm sure city officials would love to fine and jail anyone wearing an offensive T-shirt in public, but they are at least smart enough to know when they are overtly trampling the First Amendment and common basic civil rights.

Second, with the curious, and unnatural aversion to sexually oriented T-shirts, why is not the same attention drawn to violent themed T-shirts.  Its my position that violence is much more corrosive to our youth than sex.  Have you actually seen some of the cartoons today's youth watch?  Try making it through just one episode of Sponge Bob Square Pants without cringing in view of the exaggerated violence.  One only has to dial the time machine back a few ears to the Power Rangers.  In its zenith of popularity, children were wearing clothes, had lunch boxes and all manner of merchandise of their heroes.  I personally witnessed children mock beating the shit out of each in their desire to replay those wildly violent battles they saw on Saturday morning cartoons.  

I find it truly mind boggling that people are more accepting of allowing our youth frequent and unhindered access to violence, but fall to near seizure mode when considering how to explain the world of sexually oriented material to a child.  I'm not calling into question the violence consumed by children, as I grew up watching the Roadrunner cartoons and I consider myself a respectable and stable person.  I'm no one special in that department though.  In the USA entertainment culture, it is incredibly difficult to to navigate life without seeing some level of violence in entertainment.  I hope that's not an argument for suppressing sexually oriented T-shirts.

So, what have we learned?  Have we defined what offensive means?  No, because offensive is subjective.  Offensive is defined by those in positions of power.  As a king may dictate laws of the land, edicts are established, based on the those currently in power, to suppress views and beliefs of others.  In some cases, those rules are in place to maintain a sense of peace, but in most cases its to further a personal agenda which is believed to be for the betterment of society.  

In closing, let me try a definition of offensive.  I believe any T-shirt with imagery or slogans which promote Fraud, Force or Coercion towards another person is offensive.  Those acts are morally and legally wrong, too, but to wear a T-shirt which promotes that is offensive.  That said, I don't consider "Cereal Killer" an offensive T-shirt.  Its punny.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Chik-fil-A challenges 'Eat More Kale" T-shirt slogan

It seems if Chik-fil-A isn't in the news with curious or bad press, they're doing something wrong.  Anyone remember  when Chik-fil-A threw their hat into the Gay issue back in July 2012?  Well, they're at it again.  This time, commanding Bo Muller-Moore to stop printing T-shirts with the slogan "Eat More Kale."  According to Chik-fil-A, the slogan is too close to the slogan they use; "Eat Mor Chickin'."

To combat this attack by Chik-fil-A, Muller-Moore has filed for a trademark for "Eat More Kale", but preliminary indications are that he won't get it.  He's been given six months to appeal the decision.  He hasn't decided if he'll appeal, but for now, business has been good and he's garnered a fan base, along with Vermont governor, who hope he pulls off an upset against Chik-fil-A. (Newser)

There must be more to this story than the slogan.  Until it was revealed that Chik-fil-A felt the slogan conflicts with theirs, I didn't make any such association between the Kale slogan and Chik-fil-A's, who's slogan suffers from poor spelling.

Power to the underdog.

Jamie Foxx wears "Know Justice. No Peace" T-shirt to MTV Movie Awards

While accepting awards at the MTV Movie Awards, Jamie Foxx walked on stage with a design that mixed Trayvon Martin and the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting.  When questioned about the T-shirt, Foxx told MTV hosts Josh Horowitz and Karlie Kloss the T-shirts wasn't meant to be a political statement, but meant to honor the children. (The Blaze)

Not political?  Maybe so.  Maybe not.  But, Foxxx is using T-shirts to their intended purpose in today's culture.  He's making a statement.  Its a way to be seen, and talk with someone without slapping them along side the head with your message.  Others will see the T-shirt design and think about it, which was Foxx's intention.  Just to keep this types of events in your mind so you don't forget about them.

That's a powerful T-shirt.  You want to step it up a notch, Jamie?  Sign the T-shirt, sell it, and donate the funds to a relief organization for one of both of the events you're drawing attention to.

Students call for repeal of anti-gay language in sex education law

On April 9, 2013, in Montgomery, Alabama, high school and college students came to the Alabama State House wearing T-shirts supporting a bill to repeal state law (House BIll 496) that requires sex education courses to teach that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and that homosexuality acts are against the law.

There have been a couple different online petitions to remove the anti-gay language from the law.  One gathered 18,480 signatures and another obtained 78,000.  No word yet on how or if the petitions will influence any changes in the law.  

Celebrating patriotism and 2nd amendment with a T-shirt

Those who follow boxing will know that Muhammad Ali's name was Cassius Marcellus Clay.  But, did you know there was a patriot of the same name who lived 1810-1903.  Clay was a Tennessee duelist, soldier, abolitionist and patriot.  Friend to president Abraham Lincoln, one of the founders of the Republican party, ambassador to Russia, newspaper editor and practiced what he preached.  And, due to him being an abolitionist, many people tried to kill and failed.  (Powerline)

In respect to Clay and 2nd amendment, the company A.O. Courage has released this T-shirt.  Shows a hand gun on the star and stripes on the front, and on the back is a quote from Clay.  It reads:

"When society fails to protect us, we are authorized by the laws of God and nature to defend ourselves; based upon this right, the pistol and Bowie knife are to us as sacred as the gown and pulpit."

You can find the shirt here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C471632/?tag=powlin-20

Soup Nazi T-Shirt - No Serbu For You

Actor Larry Thomas, famous for his role as the Soup Nazi on the Seinfeld TV sitcom is upset that his image is being used on T-Shirts, playing off his signature line "No soup for you".  In this case, Serbu Firearms, is using Larry's image with a play on the words; "No Serbu for you."  (TPM LiveWire & NYPost)

Mark Serbu, founder of Serbu Firearms, is using the T-shirt to make a statement against New York's recent gun control legislation (NY SAFE Act) by not selling their BFG-50 semi-automatic sniper rifle to the New York Police Department, as under current legislation, the gun would be banned.  So, Serbu is giving New York the metaphorical middle finger.

So, how does Larry Thomas, the Soup Nazi, factor into this.  Firstly, he's upset that his image was used on the T-shirt without his permission.  Rightfully so, he owns his image of himself.  Larry has contacted Serbu, Facebook, where the image is still displayed, and the T-shirt manufacturer.  All have refused to stop the display and sale of the T-shirts.  Secondly, Larry is upset because he doesn't want to be associated with a hot topic such as gun control, even though he supports gun control.  

Well, Mr. Thomas… no copyrights for you.

"Scumbag" T-shirts - Turning Controversy into Money

A screen printing shop in Perry County in Pennsylvania is capitalizing on a story (of which is not fully defined at this time) by selling T-shirts with a design containing a caricature of Mayor Thompson.  The money raised will go towards the Newport Library and Playground, both of which are important charities for the owner of the screen printing shop. (FOX43)

I'd have more to say on this story if I knew more about it.  It must be a continuation of a larger story involving Mayor Thompson and those around him in which they are being labeled as "scumbags".  Regardless of the story or issues for those living in Perry County, I like the idea of selling T-shirts and donating the funds to charity. 

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?

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.

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?

Gulf Shores Mayor Wants Obscene T-Shirts Out of Store Windows

Just by the title you can tell this gets into censorship.  The glaring word used here is 'obscene'.  Obscene to one person is not obscene to another.  Risky.  Suggestive.  Perverted.  Cute.  Exciting.  Define these words in way that are universally understandable to everyone.  You can't.  Just like you can't define 'obscene'.  You may establish a technical definition as used by the dictionary, but the definition collides with morality.

I chuckled when I read Tony Kennon was "mortified" by what he saw.  Apparently not.  He survived his encounter with the obscene T-shirt to ignite a personal agenda to save us all from the situation of wishing we could un-see something - like an obscene T-shirt.

http://www.weartv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/gulf-shores-mayor-wants-obscene-tshirts-out-store-windows-30167.shtml

If you want to see obscene, check out this baby one-piece:

http://www.amazon.com/Please-tell-born-obscene-wealth/dp/B003EH7VIA/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1363817459&sr=8-18&keywords=obscene

How do you define obscene?