Yellow "Support our Troops" Magnets

[MercyStreet]

I've been holding this in for months now. Can't take it anymore.

When I see a yellow "Support Our Troops!" or "Pray For Our Troops!" magnet on a car, I neither support nor pray. I think about how the driver is contributing to the wealth of hucksters who are preying on sentiment.

Beyond that, the dippy cursive font really irritates.

Done now.

[Fear Itself]

Do like I do. Get a blue ribbon. (http://www.troopsribbon.com/purchase.html)

[lisacurl]

When I see a yellow "Support Our Troops!" or "Pray For Our Troops!" magnet on a car, I neither support nor pray. I think about how the driver is contributing to the wealth of hucksters who are preying on sentiment.
It's literally the least they could do.

[Una Persson]

You haven't seen anything. I can't count the number of "people" with red ribbons in the same style that say "Support the Chiefs" on their SUVs, pickups, and minivans. Jesus Christ, that's just pathetic on at least 5 levels, perhaps 7.

[PigBoy]

One of my parents' cars has the yellow ribbon magnet on it, but we're not contributing to anyone's wealth, because it came from the ground in a parking lot. We are displaying pride in the American "woohoo, free stuff!" spirit.

[Una Persson]

(for non-US Dopers, and Dopers with a life outside of sports - the "Chiefs" is the name of our worthless local American football team)

[AskNott]

I'm pretty sure the troops in Iraq can't see all the way to the back of my neighbor's car, so the ribbon is a waste of money. Besides, if you leave one in the same spot for a year or so, you'll have an unfaded spot in the shape of a ribbon. :smack:

[Ruby]

Hey! Not all of the Yellow Ribbon sales are going to hucksters!

My husband is serving in Afghanistan. I am the Family Support Group Leader. We are continually sending care packages to the soldiers and the money to pay for postage is raised through the Yellow Ribbon sales.

Also, when my husband's unit returns, all of the Welcome Home celebrations have to be paid for by us.

What annoys the crap out of me is that many retailers are also selling the ribbons without making it clear that the profits are going right into the pockets of Walgreens or whoever. I was at a local Hallmark store recently and there was a stack of yellow ribbons at the front register. I asked the clerk where the proceeds were going and she gave me a long song and dance about how the money is being used to pay for the soldier's Welcome Home celebration. Since I'm the one planning the Welcome Home, I knew better and called her manager the following morning. I was very disappointed that his staff was "telling tales" of supporting the troops. :mad:

[Amberlei]

Wives in my brother's unit stationed in Germany sell these to raise money for care packages and welcome home parties also. My mom went to visit my sister in law over there and brought back the first of the yellow ribbons I'd ever seen. She'd bought a ton of them. All four of mine, placed one at a time, have wound up stolen though.

[voguevixen]

The thing that really chaps my hide is that it's a MAGNET. It's like "I support the troops, this week, but maybe not NEXT week, and not actually enough to, you know, STICK something on my car!!!"

[World Eater]

There's a parked cop car downstairs with a yellow ribbon that says "until they're all home". Everyday I walk by it I mumble to myself, "you're going to waiting a long time motherfucker"

[bup]

Do like I do. Get a blue ribbon. (http://www.troopsribbon.com/purchase.html)That'd be a good idea, if they were actually sending the troops Pabst Blue Ribbons.

[FilmGeek]

(for non-US Dopers, and Dopers with a life outside of sports - the "Chiefs" is the name of our worthless local American football team)

.... the land of the freeeeeee, and the home of the...... CHIEFS!!

[Loach]

Hey! Not all of the Yellow Ribbon sales are going to hucksters!

My husband is serving in Afghanistan. I am the Family Support Group Leader. We are continually sending care packages to the soldiers and the money to pay for postage is raised through the Yellow Ribbon sales.

Also, when my husband's unit returns, all of the Welcome Home celebrations have to be paid for by us.

What annoys the crap out of me is that many retailers are also selling the ribbons without making it clear that the profits are going right into the pockets of Walgreens or whoever. I was at a local Hallmark store recently and there was a stack of yellow ribbons at the front register. I asked the clerk where the proceeds were going and she gave me a long song and dance about how the money is being used to pay for the soldier's Welcome Home celebration. Since I'm the one planning the Welcome Home, I knew better and called her manager the following morning. I was very disappointed that his staff was "telling tales" of supporting the troops. :mad:


Our FRG is also selling the ribbons. They are using it to help support the families of troops with financial difficulties. They are buying gifts for all the children at the Christmas party. They are paying for the welcome home. It is not all going to "hucksters". Try not to look down your nose at those who have them on their car. They may have a good reason to have it. No I can't see them from where I am, but I appreciate the sentiment. I don't like that stores are making a profit off of them but what are you going to do. I saw street vendors selling pictures of the WTC on 9-12.

[Blackclaw]

Do like I do. Get a blue ribbon. (http://www.troopsribbon.com/purchase.html)

Was "Let's abandon the Iraqis to wallow in the mess we helped to create!" too long to fit on a ribbon?

[Liberal]

(for non-US Dopers, and Dopers with a life outside of sports - the "Chiefs" is the name of our worthless local American football team)I thought the Chiefs were in Kansas City.

[fessie]

In some novel or another (The Thorn Birds maybe?) a mom with sons at war is wearing a pin, with a thingie dangling from it for each boy. I wouldn't find the Support the Troops stickers so annoying if I knew what they signified. If it was a way of saying "Our family is making the huge sacrifice of serving this country" it would get my respect. Heck, I might let 'em merge ;) . Right before the election those stickers seemed to multiply overnight, and it felt like a right-wing "More Patriotic Than Thou" attack.

[Contrapuntal]

Do like I do. Get a blue ribbon. (http://www.troopsribbon.com/purchase.html)


Great idea. I think I shall do just that.

[jayjay]

.... the land of the freeeeeee, and the home of the...... CHIEFS!!

"Who are the Chefs?"

"Great googly-moogly!"

[Fear Itself]

Was "Let's abandon the Iraqis to wallow in the mess we helped to create!" too long to fit on a ribbon?Gonna happen anyway. I predict a Republican President will pull a Nixon: declare victory and go home, and watch the civil war from afar. I just think we should do it now and spare American mothers the grief of losing their sons and daughters to an unjustified war. Unfortunately, the sad fate of Iraq is sealed.

[Blackclaw]

Gonna happen anyway. I predict a Republican President will pull a Nixon: declare victory and go home, and watch the civil war from afar. I just think we should do it now and spare American mothers the grief of losing their sons and daughters to an unjustified war. Unfortunately, the sad fate of Iraq is sealed.

You may, unfortunately, be right.

[Una Persson]

.... the land of the freeeeeee, and the home of the...... CHIEFS!!
Ugh. You actually made me groan.

I hate them so much now I even turned down free tickets.

I thought the Chiefs were in Kansas City.
They are. I don't think I said they weren't, at least not in this thread... :confused:

[Bob55]

I know it's the new hotness to be intellectual and heartless since the internet is anonymous, but can't you all let the facade down for one minute and think that maybe, just maybe people really want to show that they support our troops? I have family serving overseas and God forbid I let others know that I'm thinking of them and praying for their safety. It's worth the $4, and if someone took the time to put the magnets together, mass produce them, and offer them at locations near me, then they deserve a little profit. Lets face it, without incentive a lot would not get accomplished in this country. The last I checked even the SDMB isn't free.

And who knows, maybe someone who's so caught up in their everyday lives and miniscule problems will see the ribbon and think about what our troops do for us. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing 18 year old men and women fighting in Falluja while 18 year old boys and girls are back home only worrying about what they're going to wear to the club that night, what chick they're going to bang, and how to piss off people on the internet through their intellectual superority.

[Liberal]

They are. I don't think I said they weren't, at least not in this thread... :confused:But your location — I see that it's now been changed — said something like Ohio. Do you carry a laptop and change your location as you drive? :D

[Bad News Baboon]

Wives in my brother's unit stationed in Germany sell these to raise money for care packages and welcome home parties also. My mom went to visit my sister in law over there and brought back the first of the yellow ribbons I'd ever seen. She'd bought a ton of them. All four of mine, placed one at a time, have wound up stolen though.


Where do you think those people selling them on the side of the road get theirs? ;)

[Una Persson]

But your location — I see that it's now been changed — said something like Ohio. Do you carry a laptop and change your location as you drive? :D
Um...hm. I change my location to be humours at times, and sometimes when I commute overseas I change it, but I don't think it's said "Ohio". Perhaps something similar...

[Una Persson]

and be "humorous"...damn. Fingers too cold from shoveling snow.

[World Eater]

I have family serving overseas and God forbid I let others know that I'm thinking of them and praying for their safety.

As are we. I hope they're safe, I'll be sending good vibes in that direction.

[voguevixen]

but can't you all let the facade down for one minute and think that maybe, just maybe people really want to show that they support our troops?

Putting a cheap flimsy piece of crap does not support the troops. It's a way to pat yourself on the back and tell other people what a "good american" you are. If you want to support the troops you write them letters or join the USO or volunteer at a vetrans hospital or like me you knit sand-colored hats and fingerless gloves for Adopt-a-sniper and send them jerky and Skittles and Kool-aid because they are down to like 5% body fat and pens and paper and envelopes so they can write to people they miss.

You don't put a lame-ass magnet on your car so you can think "there, I'm awesome" and sleep like a baby because you've "done your part" for the war effort.

I can appreciate that sometimes part of the money goes to related causes, but why not just give the money? By the time something is developed and packaged and mass-produced and distributed like 10 cents of it is going to be left over for any cause. A check to the VFW would enable them to accomplish a hell of a lot more than some schmuck with the incentive to make a quick buck off people who can't be bothered to do something personal.

Like already mentioned, it is LITERALLY the least you can do.

[Priam]

Those ribbons rub me the wrong way but not for the usual reasons. I support our troops. I even support taking as much time and effort as needed to stabilize Iraq for a hopeful future democracy. I was even in tentative support of going to war to depose Saddam Hussein.

I personally think Bush has made a huge cock-up of the entire thing, but that's not my point right now.

My point is how those damn ribbons are phrased. "Support Our Troops" reads more like an order than a sentiment. "I Support Our Troops" is fine. I do, too. Some people do not. It is neither our right nor our obligation to tell them they should be doing otherwise in a free country. Bumper stickers should be used to express your own views, not yell at the views of others.

Personal pet peeve.

[Justin_Bailey]

Right before the election those stickers seemed to multiply overnight, and it felt like a right-wing "More Patriotic Than Thou" attack.

When I look around and see the way they've disappeared now that the election is over, I'm siding with this one.

[Loach]

I can appreciate that sometimes part of the money goes to related causes, but why not just give the money? By the time something is developed and packaged and mass-produced and distributed like 10 cents of it is going to be left over for any cause. A check to the VFW would enable them to accomplish a hell of a lot more than some schmuck with the incentive to make a quick buck off people who can't be bothered to do something personal.

Like already mentioned, it is LITERALLY the least you can do.

Look at some of the above posts. In many cases it is not a small portion that goes towards the troops or their families, in many cases all of the money is going directly to the Family Readiness or Family Support Group. Ours happen to have our unit crest on it so I like them a bit more. Sure you can give money without getting the ribbon. You could also give money to the girl scouts without getting the cookies. I get the cookies. I also take the poppy on Memorial Day from the VFW. I could give them the money without getting that outward sign of my support but I take the poppy. If you don't, thats fine.

You may not find them aesthetically pleasing to you but don't look down your nose at people who have them on their car. I'm sure there are plenty of people who picked one up at 7-11, threw one on their car, and have never done anything for the troops. There are plenty of others who are doing a lot and that is only the outward sign of their support. When I was last home on leave I appreciated the sentiment. I'm sure others appreciate it too.

[Bob55]

voguevixen, I support our troops - I vote. I also write letters and send care-packages. But if I also want to show others I support them with a yellow ribbon I don't see why it gets everyone so up in arms. Tell me, what percentage of the people in this thread against the yellow ribbons voted against Bush? I'd guess 90% or more, and this anti-ribbon campaign going on here is merely a front for the SDMB Bush haters.

[LouisB]

Just a silly question, but would anyone care to hazard a guess as to what percentage of the ribbon carriers actually do anything concrete to support our troops? I think I would like to ask that question of the ribbon carriers.

[Farmwoman]

Just a silly question, but would anyone care to hazard a guess as to what percentage of the ribbon carriers actually do anything concrete to support our troops? I think I would like to ask that question of the ribbon carriers.

You're right. It is a silly question. Impossible to answer and entirely irrelevant.

Some people like to put shit on their cars. Full Stop.

I've seen McDonald's bags tossed out of cars sporting environmentalist bumper stickers and got the finger from a prick with a giant peace sign on his door.

Some people just like to put shit on their cars. I find it rarely says anything about the character behind the wheel.

[BabaBooey]

I agree with the OP. They're almost as stupid as those dumbasses that have a bumper sticker of/fly their nation's flag. :rolleyes:

[AmericanMaid]

The ribbons bug the everliving crap out of me too! Every time I stand in line at Walgreens, there they are - as all of us go about our conspicuous consumerist lives. God forbid, if we had to ration. I'd rather do without to support our troops than slap a crappy magnet on my car. But I forgot this is the new milennium where shopping is patriotic.

[Angel of the Lord]

I repainted a "Support a Cure" ribbon with acrylic paint. Now it's a rainbow ribbon. I think I have to varnish it, though, before I can put it on my car.

It looks kinda crappy, though. I wish there were a pre-made ribbon that would succinctly announce my political leanings. :( Guess I'll make it m'self.

That being said, they annoyed me for a while, but I got over it. It wasn't a political annoyance, though, so much as the fact that these frickin' things were EVERYWHERE. Like slap bracelets were, but not as cool.

They're better than bumper stickers, at least. I noticed, though, as I was shopping for one to paint, that they've become harder to find this past week or so. If I see a plain old "Support Our Troops" one, I'll have to pick one up for posterity.

[MrFantsyPants]

voguevixen, I support our troops - I vote. I also write letters and send care-packages. But if I also want to show others I support them with a yellow ribbon I don't see why it gets everyone so up in arms. Tell me, what percentage of the people in this thread against the yellow ribbons voted against Bush? I'd guess 90% or more, and this anti-ribbon campaign going on here is merely a front for the SDMB Bush haters.
You're probably right about the 90% figure, and let me explain why...

"Support our Troops", thanks to people like Loach, and many other right-wingers, has become synonymous with "Support the Iraq war". If I put one of those damned ribbons on my car, it will be assumed by almost all who see it that I approve of Bush.

Imagine if the phrase "I Like Freedom" became synonymous with a movement to ban churches. If you put a sticker on your car, people would assume you supported the movement, and if you didn't, people would say "what, you don't like freedom? why do you hate America?". You'd be starting a pit thread too.

[davenportavenger]

In many cases it is not a small portion that goes towards the troops or their families, in many cases all of the money is going directly to the Family Readiness or Family Support Group.
But some of the proceeds have to go toward actually manufacturing the ribbons. Even if it's only a small percentage, that's still a few cents that would be better spent directly supporting the troops, instead of buying a token so other people know you support them.

For the record, I don't think the blue ribbon is any better. Why not put that money toward an anti-war organization?

[Gatopescado]

I have a football-shaped magnet that says "FUCK THE BCS" on my car.

[infamousmom]

Not to mention that the whole "tie a yellow ribbon" deal came from a song about a guy getting out of JAIL.

Does this mean that our troops are in prison? Tony Orlando really wants to know!

[infamousmom]

Nothing pisses me off more than seeing 18 year old men and women fighting in Falluja while 18 year old boys and girls are back home only worrying about what they're going to wear to the club that night, what chick they're going to bang, and how to piss off people on the internet through their intellectual superority.

And you've done your best to fix this by demanding that the crew of draft dodgers in the White House either send their own kids over there to fight or bring everyone else's kids home, no doubt? Don't you think Jenna Bush Jr. should be worrying about something more important than getting carded at an inconvenient time?

Best way to "support our troops" is to get them the hell out of Bush-wah's war. If he wants to go duke it out in Falujah, tell him to put on his little Prez fatigues and have at it. What a photo-op that'd be.

[Dan Norder]

Do like I do. Get a blue ribbon. (http://www.troopsribbon.com/purchase.html)

OK, I have to ask... Are these things for real? The reason I ask is the photos section of the site looks more like someone just did a poor job of Photoshopping their graphic on random car photos. Did you actually get one of these (and currently have it, not waiting for it to show up in the mail)?

[Philster]

Perhaps the people that help the troops the most are those that pay the most taxes.

The rich.


You're welcome.

[Dan Norder]

Perhaps the people that help the troops the most are those that pay the most taxes.

Let's think about that... Nope. Definitely not.

[Velma]

That's not the worst part. Around here I see those ribbons all over the place, and people are putting them on sideways. Apparently they think that since there is writing on the leg of the ribbon, it is supposed to be displayed so that the writing is horizontal. This is resulting in ribbons leaning every which way all over people's pickups, and it just looks crappy. Or sometimes people can't decide, so they put it on slanted so it is neither horizontal nor vertical, but veering off like a blind 2 year old attached it, usually with 2 or 3 others. It drives me to irrational amounts of irritation.

People, put the ribbons on if you must, but display them properly. See the ribbon? It is supposed to look like your car is wearing it, see? See how people wear ribbons with the loop up and the end pieces hanging down? Do it like that. I promise people will still be able to read what it says.

[Philster]

Let's think about that... Nope. Definitely not.

Oh, well....I'm sure that settles that.

Guess there is disdain for the folks that contribute the most?

[Fear Itself]

Guess there is disdain for the folks that contribute the most?Contributing what? Funding for an unjustified war? If you are not in favor of bringing the troops home NOW, you are not supporting the troops. Abusing their patriotism by ordering them to fight an unnecessary war is not support, it is desecration.

[Debaser]

Why was in nessesary to bump this useless thread?


It drives me to irrational amounts of irritation.


This says it all.

[NurseCarmen]

Guess there is disdain for the folks that contribute the most?Well gee, I guess folks might just consider that those who are sending over their sons and daughters are contributing a mite more. Are they the rich ones you're talking about?

[NurseCarmen]

Let's just get American and co-opt the damn ribbon thing, that'll get rid of it faster than middle aged suburban moms can kill an urban fashion craze.

White Ribbon: Charmin is all that touches my trunk!


Blue Ribbon: Pabst!


Black Ribbon: Black Flag kills VW bugs on contact!


Red Ribbon: Tampax, because nobody wants a red bumper.

[voguevixen]

That's not the worst part. Around here I see those ribbons all over the place, and people are putting them on sideways. Apparently they think that since there is writing on the leg of the ribbon, it is supposed to be displayed so that the writing is horizontal.

I think that's so they match the Jesus Fish.

[JohnBckWLD]

3 Things I learned about these magnets Pit threads always get more replies than ones in IMHO (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=281753)
There's a doper c_carol (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5387046&postcount=2), who makes them in a factory (http://www.magnetamerica.com/) down in NC.
The charitable / profit question is unanswerable