Bumper Stickers

The Gentleman Farmer resides, most week days, at the epicenter of the Empire: Washington, D.C. We quickly confess that life in this place is often different from life in other places. Not to put too fine a point on it, there are few intersections between Washington and the real world. [Consider: In 1984,when Mr. Reagan carried every state except Mr. Mondale's Minnesota home,receiving nearly 60% of the popular vote nationwide, the District of Columbia voted for Mr. Mondale 85% - 15%.]

Your correspondent does not generally apply stickers -- particularly political stickers -- to our vehicles. There are two reasons. First is the mere aesthetics of the thing, not to mention removal issues. But second, this being the District of Columbia, even a modest "W" emblem is likely to produce violence of speech or action, perhaps escalating to a tossed Grande Skim Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Blended Crème. The horror is paralyzing.

In the days prior to the last general election, there were thus observed on our streets very few bumper stickers expressing support for the President, while there were a great number urging the election of the fellow running against him. Indeed, we make two additional observations. It is our sense that a greater than usual number of automobiles sported Democrat bumper stickers, and it is also our opinion that an enormous proportion of these failed to name their candidate, instead saying something like "Re-Defeat Bush," or the like.

Following an election, one would think normal practice called for prompt removal of bumper stickers, particularly those touting the defeated candidate. For how long would one wish to be reminded of defeat, and to publicly underline one's loser status? How depressing to whirr down the street in one's Prius defaced by obsolete failure. But not so.

It has been suggested that, as a matter of fact, there has been no reduction whatever in the number of Democrat bumper stickers in and around Washington. Further, it is boldly suggested that the number has actually increased since election day. It is posited that the final validating event for many Washingtonians was utter rejection of their political views by a majority of Americans.

We were skeptical. Aside from the mental health objections to such a mind-set, there are logistical difficulties. Where would such an unbalanced individual acquire a bumper sticker after the election? A few leftovers, perhaps, in the bottom drawer of a now-surplus steel desk in the corner of some now-repossessed campaign office. But we were again in error.

One may not only acquire brand-new Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers, but they are available in bulk [HERE], for a price.

While our researchers have been unable to find evidence of an organized campaign to display new Kerry stickers, we stand ready to receive reports that might support such a hypothesis.

Hat tip to Short-timer.