Protesters vandalize two more Ballard billboards
Posted by Geeky Swedes on July 10th, 2009
Last week this vandalized billboard was turning heads near the Ballard Bridge. Now two more billboards have been defaced with political messages. All three seem to be the work of the same person (or group of people.)
Robby sent us these photos. This Starbucks sign is on Leary near 11th.
And this McDonald’s sign was on the opposite side of the Starbucks billboard. It has already been replaced.
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1 xerces // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Now that's amazing, I hope they leave it up.
2 workethic // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:14 pm
There really needs to be more of this. Kudos.
3 JohnF // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Really? What's the difference between this and defacing the mural at Bergen Place?
4 Rounder // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I think there is a big difference between some gangsta wanna-be scribbling his name on art like a kindergarden, vs. politcal and true statements. Mcdonalds is $hit, $tarbucks is the cancer of coffee…
5 Ellen // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm
It's still vandalism, regardless of your opinions of the parties/corporations involved.
6 Tanner // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Graffiti is graffiti… No matter what has been defaced. This person or people need to grow up and think of more constructive ways to express their thoughts rather then vandalizing other's property.
7 mason // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:39 pm
yes, but it is hilarious vandalism!
8 moniguzman // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Wonder how long it takes to bring these down. Anyone know how long they've been up? Also – how does somebody go up there and make these changes without being caught?
9 Black ock // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Maybe “some little wanna-be gangster” scribbling his or her name on art IS a political and true statement. Maybe even moreso than calling starbucks the “cancer of coffee.” Come on… I can see if you don't like starbucks (which I don't)… And I could even see if you stretched an argument far enough to say that because of starbucks' sheer proliferation was ruining the chances of smaller coffee shops
to be profitable (which said would also be a stretch but I would grant it to you anyway – just on strength of concept alone). But … in NO way is starbucks ruining coffee at large.
Hooray for vandalism (and f*** yo' couch)
10 Ballardog // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:50 pm
The irony is if we did not have capitalism we would not have as much of a choice and likely would be subjected to crap far worse than McDonald's. If you don't like it don't eat there. And what 'specifically' is so bad about Starbucks?
The argument against capitalism is an argument against freedom and opportunity and the principles this country was founded upon. If you don't like freedom you are 'free' to leave unlike some other non capitalist countries.
I hope they catch the vandals and deport them to North Korea.
11 bmvaughn // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Funny once… now it's just vandalism. This is no different than the vandalism of the Bergen Place mural, you just may like one more than the other.
12 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Yep, these are still funny. And that's the difference between these and tagging. Not any less illegal, just funny. And meaningful — I guess it doesn't hurt that I agree with the message.
13 Black ock // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:03 pm
The argument against capitalism is an argument against the worldwide exploitation of people. Capitalism does not equal freedom, you sophister. Go argue with other people who practice doublethink – more entertaining for you.
To all, since we're talking about freedom now, maybe the best thing about public art in a free society is one's ability to go vandalize it if you don't like it. Unless these companies are paying me for my eye-space I applaud anyone who takes certain liberties. I mean … It can also be destructive but…
14 NEIGHB0R // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:04 pm
No sir you are wrong. The argument against capitalism is an argument against the corporate hegemony that has drained our neighborhoods of their souls and have left so many Americans out on the streets, spending their last dimes on triple-non-fat lattes as the drive their SUVs past the McMansion they lost to foreclosure because the couldn't pay their subprime mortgage! Revolution has to start somewhere and it might as well be a billboard owned by the fatcats~!
15 Annamatopoetry // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Belltown seems to have the same thing happened recently: http://www.belltownpeople.com/2009/06/25/three-...
16 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Incidentally, if you're not already familiar with the McLibel trial:
http://www.mcspotlight.org/case/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458425/
it's a great case study in why some people might feel that these kinds of methods are justified and necessary against this particular corporation.
17 RH // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:14 pm
So let's see… in the Bergen Place thread we have people violently opposing even legal graffiti as an art form, and here it's applauded on the grounds that “it's funny”. So, if somebody defaced the Bergen Place mural with something really funny nobody would mind, is that right?
18 Ernie_98107 // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Sorry Neighbor, you can't blame “capitalism” for the fact that lots of people are stupid. We live in a free society and people choose to spend their money however they want, even if it's not responsible or the way you would choose.
Now if you want to start a petition to eliminate billboards all together, sign me up.
19 workethic // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The difference is that the mural at Bergen place isn't an advertisement for multinational earth raping corporations that could care less about the well being of people. If we are forced to be subjected to the constant bombardment of mental waste that is advertisements that do nothing more than support a morally corrupt and failing capitalist system then I see no harm this very minor (in comparison to what really needs to be done with these advertisements) offense. On average, and obviously depending on where, Americans are exposed to anywhere between 300 and 2000 advertisements a day. Whoever is taking the risk to make this statement certainly differentiates between doing so and pre-teen misplaced rebellion and disregard for things that are culturally meaningful.
20 Ballard_Rocks_Now // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm
As an aside, lookup the coffee sales trends in the 5 years before Starbucks started to grow. Alternatively 60minutes did a bit on it as well which you can watch streaming on their website.
Coffee shops work in agglomeration economies just like car dealerships. How many coffee shops are on Broadway? How many are Starbucks?
21 silence_kit // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:20 pm
You don't get it.
22 chopper_74 // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:27 pm
wow, so capitalism has drained America's soul? Really?
I haven't seen anything but the left handing nuggets to the capitalists, just so they have something to whip in perpetuity. (evil rich, etc.)
Destruction is NEVER the answer, NEVER acceptable.
How about some accountability all the way around?
From wall street to main street to Olympia, all they way to Pennsylvania Ave., accountability is what we lack.
We don't get it unless we demand it.
23 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm
RH, this “people” group that you refer to actually contains multiple individuals with differing opinions.
I think that whoever did this should be punished if caught. I also think it's wonderful and hilarious.
24 xtevex // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Lots of people's hypocrisy showing in this thread.
So if the vandals of the Bergen Place mural had defaced it with some anti-corporate sloganeering, you would be cheering it?
25 Sarah // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:38 pm
What about the “Everything that cracked Dad's arteries?” That was awesome because they took the extra steps to change “Grade A eggs” to “Grade A shit” and “I'm lovin' it” to “I'm dyin'.” That was the first one I saw. I have a picture, if you guys want it.
26 D.Baker // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm
So Ernie, If we live in a “free society and people choose to spend their money however they want, even if it's not responsible or the way you would choose.” Why am I bailing them out with my tax money? If its REALLY a free society I should be able to choose if I want to help them out, right?
27 Ballardog // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Well, then your argument is about corporatism and cronyism not capitalism. You are misguided.
28 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm
No, and if you concentrate really hard you can probably figure out why.
29 Ernie_98107 // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I think the real issue here is why do we still have billboards all along 15th anyway?
ClearChannel is the real evil corporate entity that everyone should be wailing about.
30 captain obvious // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Awesome…they billboards now speak the truth!!!!
31 Structural // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Good to see all the far-left, death-to-capitalism crazies out. Thank god Obama tossed you useful idiots overboard.
32 xtevex // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Sorry gurple, guess I don't speak fluent jackass.
33 59thandBlake // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:49 pm
“Broken Windows” by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling Read it… Sure you start with a billboard, but that billboard turns into a mural like Bergen. What's next? Give me a break!
34 moniker74 // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I think that I shall never see
a billboard lovely as a tree.
Indeed, unless those billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.
–Odgen Nash
35 Joe // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:58 pm
All I read was: marx, marx, marx.
36 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Sorry, xtevex, I shouldn't have snarked at you. You were proposing a false equivalence between a piece of corporate property that can be (and has been) replaced within a day and a precious community mural that may never be restored completely.
Obviously no one, even the folks who are adamant that all these crimes should be punished severely and equally, believes that those two things are the same.
37 silence_kit // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:01 pm
You can't be this dense.
38 Martin Cron // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I like street art. I like political protest. I don't like McDonald's and I only like Starbucks when there's no workable alternative.
But this? Meh. It feels like immature attention whoring from someone either trying too hard or not trying hard enough.
39 silence_kit // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm
It's simple. One is a cherished neighborhood mural, the others are a Starbucks and McDonalds billboard. That's not speaking jackass, it's simple logic.
40 workethic // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Well then you must have voted for bush, bush, bush. Try and think outside of ism's and those who created them.
41 jm // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Starbucks and McDonlads are open for business. If people didn’t shop there, they wouldn’t exist would they? America hates success! Who is forcing anyone to shop there? McHypocrites!
42 shanedillon // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:14 pm
It's simply vandalism.
If the person that did this paid for their own poster to be put up and it said whatever they liked (even about McDonalds and Starbucks) then that is fine (can even be called freedom of speach). But to do this on a poster that someone else has paid for (even if it is a huge corporation that people are against) it is wrong wrong wrong.
What would happen if everyone started defacing the signs of shops they didn't like? Imagine the horror if someone defaced and renamed the Chai House or changed the name on the sign of Lombardi's to 'Gaybirdi's' or something?
43 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Again, though, please see the McLibel case: http://www.mcspotlight.org/case/
McDonalds has dealt harshly, illegally, and unfairly with people engaging in exactly the type of free speech you're talking about.
Granted, it was extremely bad press for them and they might be more cautious now.
44 SweetRose // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Oh but chop it has most certainly drained the soul of the US. That’s why your generation is so pathetically generic. Neo Seattlites dress alike talk alike and even eat and drink alike. There is no creativity at all.
As for destruction? Well those tea party guys in Boston made a fairly loud statement with destruction and it benefited this nation. Geee and don’t the wingers all revel in The idiot Regan calling to, “tear down that wall.”
Oh and those Boston men were disguised as Indians to hide their identity so your accountability argument goes right out the window.
45 jm // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:50 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25681643@N03/
46 AndreaL // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Exactly. People don't understand that capitalism doesn't incite greed, and having a socialist or communist system wouldn't eliminate greed, either.
Can't blame capitalism for the fact that people are greedy jerks.
47 SweetRose // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:53 pm
And as for the left handing capitalism nuggets? The left is not at fault that idiot Americans sold their power to corporate America thus corporate America has them all by the short and curlies. The best the left can hope for at this point is some containment and putting a cushion in pace to break the fall.
48 jm // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:53 pm
No creativity? That's BS.
49 AndreaL // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:54 pm
These billboards don't sound like intelligent, politically-minded young souls to me, just dumb kids born and bred in a Marxist household, probably on some kind of drugs.
McD's and Starbucks paid for these properties, and if those kids don't like it, they can either not shop there or buy the billboard themselves. The latter is looking like a good option if they want to market their far-left crap.
50 C // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Funny how its always someone else's fault your fat or sick or hurt but NEVER NEVER NEVER your own fault. Just put the fork down folks.
51 Thomas W // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Drug dealing gang grafitti is bad and people demand a special police unit be called out to stop it.
Marxist/anti-capitalist gang grafitti is good and people applaud it.
Both are equally ugly, equally offensive, and equally contribute to increased urban pollutuion.
52 FremontSheila // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Defacing is defacing, which is a crime no matter your politics.
53 silence_kit // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Why do you assume they're on some kind of drugs?
54 Sara // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I love Starbucks only because they brought clean restrooms to New York City.
55 Local_0009 // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:33 pm
In the end, both is vandalism. While I enjoy one, my sensibility says, both are wrong.
56 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Anti-McDonald's != Marxist.
Anti-McDonald's != anti-capitalist.
McDonald's is, in fact, the indirect recipient of billions of dollars of taxpayer money annually, in the form of farm bill subsidies to cheap corn production (corn goes into the cows, the pigs, and pretty much everything else McDonald's serves).
McDonald's' success represents a gross violation of free-market principles.
57 bob // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:51 pm
People, get over yourselves. It's a crime, regardless if you like the companies involved or not. An entertaining crime, but crime nonetheless. Why does every comment board have to turn into some moron complaining about the corporate rape of the earth? Honestly, you need to sit down and watch some HBO.
58 Capitalist Pig // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:58 pm
“No” Workethic says “multinational earth raping corporations that could care less about the well being of people.”
This uninformed opinion should be removed as it has no connection with reality. I know real women who have actually been raped. A billboard does not rape anyone you clueless lowlife…..
59 Ernie_98107 // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Its because you were “free” to vote for the guys who thought that regulating the banks and investors would hurt the “Free” Market.
60 elle // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:01 pm
damn skippy!
61 Structural // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Take away the Loony Left's right to exaggerate and they'd all be left with nothing to do but suck their thumbs.
62 SweetRose // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Which of course is a perfect example of your lack of creativity
63 gurple // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Brilliantly played! Your exaggeration will show their exaggerations what's what.
64 changehappens // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Really? Really? Really? I still feel like I have a soul. I have bought food at McDonalds before, and starbucks! Things are screwed up granted but don't bite that hand that feeds you Mr middle class American.
65 changehappens // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:45 pm
what ism doesn't exploit some people? I will take imperfect capitalism over the rest of them. Socialism doesn't help people much either….
66 changehappens // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Anyone that says capitalism has drained America's needs to read up on their history and understand why our standard of living is so high.
The reason the left hands nuggets to the capitalists is because most of the intelligent left knows it is a system we need, with limitations.
Accountability is right. The problem is the lunatic fringe on the left and right are too often the ones screaming the loudest so they are the ones everyone hears.
67 silence_kit // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Get over yourself, Pig. He (obviously) wasn't speaking literally.
68 Capitalist Pig // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Gurple,
maybe you should find another direction for your pent up bitter rage. Gee, McDonalds? Such an easy target; they serve cheap unhealthful food in many locations. Ooohhh. Are they run by Dr. Evil too??
If they all went away tomorrow, do you think McVegtables would immediately fill the void?? Or would most people riot to have their Big Macs return?? Do you have equal rage against those individuals who choose unhealthful lifestyles by relying on their caloric intake from corporate burger giants??
Starbucks is another company. It shows ignorance to equivocate the two simply because they both are so prevalent. Would you think it's funny for the people who rely on the health care benefits Starbucks generously provides if they lost these??
If you or anyone needs to find “meaning” from a billboard, any and all opinions rendered are farcical….
69 Drew // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:30 pm
That is the most narrow-minded, yuppy crap I have read all week. You think just because one speaks to your experience and the other doesn't, that the former is more meaningful expression? You think Ballard was made for you? You see kindergarden (sic) in a scribble… others see Wonderbread arguing over their $3 coffee in a Starbucks defacement. Whether I agree with you that * is $hit or not, you sound ridiculous with that us vs. them argument. Graffiti always has a reason, whether you can appreciate it or not.
70 datajunkie // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:30 pm
The irony is that you speak of freedom in one sentence and the next talk about authoritarian punishment for a petty crime.
71 LBB // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I didn't vote for Bush and I don't agree with you
72 LBB // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:35 pm
How old are you and how old is Chopper? You might be in the *same* generation . . .
73 D.Baker // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I wanted Ron Paul, voted for Bob Barr. I didn't for none of these guys and yet I'm still screwed!
74 LBB // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:36 pm
amen sister!
75 trigger.cut // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:30 pm
it's always drugs. duh.
76 chopper_74 // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:21 am
Yes, thank you, the extreme on either side is our enemy.
And, they defy accountability.
We let them.
77 chopper_74 // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:28 am
“Unless these companies are paying me for my eye-space I applaud anyone who takes certain liberties. “
yeah, it's all about you, your eye space, blah blah blah.
btw, I won't pay you to see me walking in the hood…
78 chopper_74 // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:35 am
hey, that's not fair…even if it is true…
79 leavinglasballard // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:49 am
specifically, starbucks over-roasts their beans thus rendering their “coffee” bitter and undrinkable. they have then labeled this swill as “gourmet,” inspiring the sheep to replicate it and call it good. furthermore, they have a tendency to try to eliminate smaller, independent, and often good, coffee shops through intimidation and frivolous lawsuits, eg: http://overlawyered.com/2006/04/starbucks-claim...
80 leavinglasballard // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:51 am
billboards are disposable ads, the mural at bergen place is art. see the difference?
81 jm // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:57 am
Heard that one before.
82 jm // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:57 am
Heard that one before.
83 eric // Jul 11, 2009 at 1:07 am
*clap clap clap clap* BRAVO!
i love it. i also love how many peoples' panties are in a bunch over it.
84 rodstewart // Jul 11, 2009 at 1:21 am
All I do is wanna dance, dance dance!!!
85 SweetRose // Jul 11, 2009 at 2:41 am
Silly, nutrition is not the issue.
86 milo_dakkat // Jul 11, 2009 at 2:46 am
But enough of all this raucous discourse. Does anyone know where I can get good sushi in Ballard?
87 LBB // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:02 am
you could both be 21 for all I know! :)
88 eric // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:09 am
sam's is pretty good…
89 belly // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:17 am
I think you mean “hepped up on goofballs.”
90 belly // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:19 am
More ?? please.
91 Ballardmom // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:20 am
Ha ha ha ha! Oh wait … I suppose I shouldn't laugh about illegal behavior. =giggle=
92 Ballardmom // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:25 am
I'm sure they do it at 4am or sometime when traffic really down. And it's unlikely that someone out driving at 4am is going to see the person up there or is going to call the police on the person up there. Plus, those billboards are in a non-residential/non-retail area so there is even less traffic early early in the morning and no security guards out for neighboring businesses. It'd be a lot harder to do in Belltown or even on Ballard Ave where a lot of businesses stay open quite late and there are apartments and condos everywhere.
93 SPG // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:34 am
Drug dealers do good business too. Nobody forces the addicts to shop with them.
94 Walt // Jul 11, 2009 at 6:03 am
Solution obvious: remove farm subsidies.
95 feignedanger // Jul 11, 2009 at 8:20 am
there's a lot of people on this blog that need to get LAID. Find a real problem (there's lots to choose from) and complain about that.
96 ninaf // Jul 11, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Well, you might not like starbucks but they at least provide benefits for their employees which is usually a lot more than the 'local' shops provide.
97 ninaf // Jul 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I would have to disagree with you about starbucks not caring about people. They are one of the few coffee shops that offer full benefits to their employees. They also have nutritious food options for customers.
98 Foo Barolo // Jul 11, 2009 at 2:18 pm
The greatest heist in the history of our nation is being orchestrated by the current administration. Yes, it was started by the prior administration, but accelerated by the current one. This concept is finally starting to make it into the mainstream:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/2881...
Wake up. This is more of the same.
99 Sammy1981 // Jul 11, 2009 at 2:57 pm
You're not married are you?
100 SPG // Jul 11, 2009 at 3:52 pm
True, but so does the military.
101 samiam // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The real vandalism is that companies with money can deface the public and psychic space with a giant advertisement. Can you imagine what it would be like to drive across the Ballard Bridge without billboards?
102 chopper_74 // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Getting laid IS a real problem ;-)
103 chopper_74 // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:31 pm
So, what would be the 'PC' way to sell your products? Should businesses be out on the street corners panhandling? Should they just get their elected clowns to tax us for their revenue? I don't like much advertising, but I don't see an alternative either.
104 Black Octagons // Jul 11, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I repeat, capitalism is not the same thing as democracy. In fact, they many times find themselves directly at odds.
Luckily, in a free society we have no NEED to judge people based on their crimes because we have a judicial system for all of that.
In a free society, you are free to commit a crime as long as you are willing to deal with the possible consequences. It's kinda what separates us from being totalitarian (as in, we don't have thought police).
Therefore, stop with the 'capitalism=good, vandalism=bad' arguments, maybe, and let's talk about the issue.
Structural, for instance, why are your comments all aimed at the 'loony left' when the 'righteous right' would preach the same tactics were the subject matter different? The tactics of protesters differ much less than the subjects that rile them. Clear common sense will tell ya that.
If the left is so loony then what about those people who picket soldiers funerals with “God hates fags” signs? (I'm sure they have a 'good' reason, albeit retarded). I dunno, I'm just saying that people are people ,no matter what end of the belief spectrum they fall under. No one side is less or more capable of being loony, unless all of humanity is just essentially crazy.
My real response to this is to think that, as an act of protest, this is an interesting one. After all, hasn't Mickey D's been forced to offer healthier choices because of these types of “left-hand” protests? Isn't Starbucks far more accountable for its global practices because of such visibility and critcism?
Furthermore, would we even be a country now without acts of protest that essentially amount(ed) to property destruction? Sometimes the individual finds it necessary to fight against a paradigm, ending up such that, whether left or right, it may come to define what you view as freedom -i.e. dumping some corporations' tea into the harbor.
I would say you have the right as a human being to deface a billboard. It might get you locked up, though…
105 SweetRose // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Did you know that there is no real evidence that this sort of advertising even works?
Location, product and price have proven to be effective. PC has nothing to do with it.
106 SweetRose // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:01 pm
That's an oxymoron.
107 Ernie_98107 // Jul 11, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Damn Straight brother sam!
108 Joe // Jul 11, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Well said.
109 bilsemon // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:30 pm
One starts out as beautiful and gets uglier. The other starts out ugly and gets more humorous
.
110 petsfriend // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:39 pm
And you need to get out and stop watching so much. You have your opinion, I have mine.
111 demian // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:45 pm
you want to lick ayn rand, don't you?
112 demian // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:48 pm
right on!
113 demian // Jul 11, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Sweet Rose is the smartest person on here.
114 ThomasW // Jul 11, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I subscribed to recieve these comments by email.
Big mistake.
That's being disabled RFN.
Nothing but mindlessness out there.
Old Ballard is gone forever. Time to move on.
115 Name // Jul 12, 2009 at 4:25 am
I hope people think critically about the foundational premises of society, and not simply accept without question the implied notion that legal = ethical, and its converse (illegal = unethical).
The public of Washington was never consulted as to whether it wanted gigantic advertisements *cluttering* – an objective and defensible terminology – its aerial landscape; in Vermont and Maine, however, the public resoundingly answered “No!” when it was asked, and the states thus prohibited billboards.
It seems fair to me that someone take the initiative to respond; granted, it could have been done in a much better way, but at least it WAS done. (Perhaps the vandal doesn't have the time or funds or ability to d any better.)
What would it say about a place if this kind of visual pollution (my judgement, sure) goes up constantly and nothing is done about it? Complacency or cowardice is nothing to be admired or take pride in.
Obviously the vandal(s) knew he/she/they was/were risking arrest, incarceration, and fines – but they took the risk to counter/disrupt the commercialism in public space. I applaud that.
116 Elliott Blatt // Jul 12, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Should have changed “I'm lovin' it” to “I'm losing it”
117 elesterb // Jul 12, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Should have changed “I'm lovin' it” to “I'm losing it”
118 cheriepicked // Jul 12, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Nice! Well done…I hope it stays that way.
-Cherie
http://cheriepicked.com
119 NoraBell // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Exactly!!!!
Art (historical art too) vs an ad made of removable paper. Hmmm….
What would you rather see 'tagged?'
120 NoraBell // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm
But I bet they work better than annoying internet pop-up ads.
Agree that nothing works better than location, product, and price. My political leanings won't keep me out of a Starbucks if it's the closest place to get coffee.
121 sick of sweet rose's bs // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:25 pm
My guess is that this is Sweet Rose under another handle. hahaha
122 NoraBell // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I just got back from a trip to Oakland. It's strange to see everyone getting so fret up over grafittied billboards. I saw graffiti on gas pumps in Oakland. It was everywhere. I came home with a little more perspective.
123 ethel // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I do agree about Clear Channel. They have a monopoly on billboard space and are an unpleasant lot as well.
124 GretchenH // Jul 12, 2009 at 9:45 pm
yeah, because, you know…. online petitions are so effective…
http://www.stopthepetitions.com
125 Capitalist Pig // Jul 12, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Uh, the public of Washington was never “consulted”??? That's friggin hilarious!!! Business should “consult” with the public about advertising??? Great…..gimme more of this stuff!!!
I'm a vegan, strong liberal and live the concepts of sustainable food consumption. That said, it bothers me not one bit for McDonalds to advertise. You know why??? Because I don't have to eat there!!! What a country!!!!
126 Name // Jul 13, 2009 at 1:04 am
Capitalist Pig, are you intentionally being obtuse, or are you just daft?
Advertising can be done in many ways, understand? It can be done in private spaces such as newspapers or magazines. And/or, advertisements can be done through semi-private/supposedly (technically) public media like television and radio. But billboards – while a privately-owned property – are entirely in public space. They are being shoved into my, your, our line of sights. These private properties are taking over the skyline; call it crazy or consider me nuts, but I think we should have some say over whether or no this happens in our communities. (Incidentally, I mentioned two states that did just that – did you read that before you laughed off the suggestion that we in Washington ought to have just as much power over our lives?)
Why is it just “freedom” for corporations to foist their garbage to the public via ubiquitous, invasive, insidious enticements, but it's not freedom for someone to respond? OF COURSE the individual is not going to respond on the same level as the corporation, for (what should be obvious) differences of funds, favor of law, and personnel (to name just a few). So the respondent uses limited and extra-legal means, earning the pejorative “vandal”.
Would you have no problem if Company X marketed their toxic slop as a “The NEW Delicious Taste-tastic!” with all sort of allure and attraction to draw children, uneducated, and impoverished people? God, I hope such people as this billboard corrector continue, for I see the aforementioned example as the future of our hyper-capitalism. Anything to 'save the economy', I guess.
Saying that the billboard *vandal* (a disparaging term, but definitively accurate) and the vandal of the Bergen mural are alike is as flawed and shortsighted as saying that David's defeat of Goliath was the same as the guy who mugged the old lady.
127 1234 // Jul 13, 2009 at 3:31 am
Is it really this big of a deal? It was on Stumble, everyone chuckled and then stumbled somewhere else.
Let's all move on with our lives.
128 Christin // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:08 am
Seems to me these billboards are pretty successful at what they're attempting to do: provoke and shock their viewers. Reminds me of another piece of art that caused a similar stir while calling into question the very nature of what art is. That would be Marcel Duchamp's urinal.
I believe the kind of vehement debate going on here is exactly what this artist wanted.
129 Matthew // Jul 13, 2009 at 9:28 am
I'm laughing at the 2nd one. Snapped a photo of the first time it happened and put it up on my Flickr. I will have to head out to snap a shot of the new McD's one later today.
130 jm // Jul 13, 2009 at 11:52 am
Not art, it's vandalism and nothing more.
131 Ronzig the Wizard // Jul 13, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Good for them. Hope to see a lot more of this type of activism
132 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Are you a big fan of the status quo? Do you believe that McDonalds has our best interest in mind?
If the existence of McDonalds and the like helps to make large segments of our society poor, obese and unhealthy, don't you think it might be a decent objective to start a conversation about this? Even if it is “vandalism.”
133 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 5:23 pm
…because small local shops shouldn't have to provide health benefits for their employees. Everyone should have healthcare. Small local businesses always have this problem because of the way the system is set up.
134 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Have you been to poor neighborhoods?
There are no healthy options, just convenient stores and fast food restaurants.
It is society's fault. Blaming on individuals is a way of saying you are better than other people and that our society is blameless.
135 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Are all crimes bad?
It is illegal to own more than 5 dildos in Texas. It is still illegal to have oral sex in Alabama, Arizona, Florida and Idaho.
It was illegal for black folks to vote until mid-last century.
Perhaps the government is not always right. And perhaps that needs to be discussed. I believe the edited billboards sparked this discussion, which is a good thing.
136 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Have you been to Maine or Vermont. No billboards, pristine setting.
137 J.J. // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Art is in the eye of the beholder.
I believe it is art.
It took trashy advertising and made it provocative.
138 Pete S // Jul 13, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Earth raping corporations…..ahahahha. Capitalism is what created these blogs, sites and the ABILITY to protest. So please, STFU
139 jm // Jul 14, 2009 at 2:52 am
Well, we don't like it on our cars and garage doors. last year dozens of cars on my street were tagged with bright red spray paint. Not nice!
140 Name // Jul 14, 2009 at 7:35 am
JJ, these people proclaim a want and willingness for a fair, open discussion – forgetting that 'Freedom of The Press' belongs to those who own the presses! They'll tolerate dissent done by the approved means, and rebellion and change must be channeled through the legal, accepted routes. Because the powerful always establish a functional means for the people at totem-bottom to topple their rulers.
Yes, this criminal vandal should have sought the funds and taken the time to try to get his/her own billboard! As if the billboard lessors – an advertising company – don't judge and hold power of approval over the messages they'll post; of course they wouldn't run an anti-consumption message, or an ad un-competitively bashing major renters.
Would people still think this to be such a 'crime' if the message was for Nazi Party recruitment? Why might that be a target worthy of criminal correction, defacing, or destruction?
141 jm // Jul 14, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Ballard isn't an Oakland ghetto.
142 NoraBell // Jul 14, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Didn't say it was. That was merely for a little perspective.
And that graffitied gas pump was in Old Oakland, hardly the ghetto.
143 KUOWconvo // Jul 14, 2009 at 5:53 pm
We'll be talking about the Ballard billboard vandalism on today's episode of “The Conversation” on KUOW Public Radio. Tune in at noon. 94.9 FM.
What do you think of the vandalism? Call 206.543.5869 at 12:40 pm or email conversation@kuow.org.
144 J.J. // Jul 14, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Big corporations can afford to post a message. They have tens of millions in advertising budgets.
I run a small sustainable fast-food restaurant (called The Funhole in Fremont) with no capital for advertising.
I will never ever be able to afford a billboard. Is this fair capitalism? Are the best ideas really rising to the top?
145 jm // Jul 14, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I am at work and will try to listen to the show. I don't think we should encourage graffiti and vandalism. It stings when your property is damaged and you have to clean it up. Will the cheering crowd applaud when a tagger falls off the billboard at night?
146 Julia // Jul 14, 2009 at 8:13 pm
See Belching Out the Devil for the Soda Problem:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...
STOP DRINKING SODA. It wastes valuable water resources.
147 blite // Jul 14, 2009 at 11:44 pm
How about neither?
148 Farminton // Jul 15, 2009 at 12:42 am
Read about the BLO (billboard liberation front). This form of culture jamming has been going on for a while. Good to see it here in ballard.
149 Farminton // Jul 15, 2009 at 12:43 am
More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Liberati...
150 HappyPill // Jul 15, 2009 at 3:02 am
Join law enforcement FremontSheila: it's the only way to be sure.
151 NoraBell // Jul 15, 2009 at 4:58 am
In a perfect world….
152 miek // Jul 19, 2009 at 9:33 am
The original billboard was vandalism. The altered billboard was art.
153 WG // Jul 24, 2009 at 1:40 pm
all the people going on about how it's vandalism, relax! so serious all the time, it's a bloomin' macdonalds billboard not a national monument.
154 Nathan // Sep 27, 2009 at 4:22 am
I can't believe the leftist jingoism in here. (How's that for an “ism?”) Here's what I'm reading…
“If I have an opinion that's different from yours, I can vandalize your belongings and justify it.”
Can't wait till someone comes along and vandalizes YOUR stuff because they have a different opinion than yours!
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