What does this bumper sticker mean?

The other day, I was at the Food (W)hole, driving out of what is always a very congested parking lot. Right in front of me, there was a red and white bumper sticker smack-dab in the center of the bumper of a newish black Volvo sedan. It said:

If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.

Okay, I am sure I am missing something here, but what does this mean? I think it’s supposed to be a liberal message, a bumper sticker kind of akin to the one that went something like “Join the Army, meet people in foreign countries, and kill them.” I found an example of this sticker here at cafepress.com, and it was being sold by something called the Divided by Politics Liberal Shop, so I guess that is the intent. And the fact that this sticker was on the back of a Volvo coming out of the Whole Foods parking lot gives evidence to that.

But it seems to me that this is exactly the kind of thing that folks on the far right (the Limbaugh dittoheads of the world) and maybe even the far right pretending to not be so far on the right (the Bush administration) would embrace. I mean, is it too much of a stretch to imagine Rush saying something like “You’re damn right you should thank a soldier if you’re speaking English right now– that means you’re free!” Or W. saying “The War in Iraq has brought freedom to those people. Why, they can even speak English now in public places if they want to.” Just very confusing to me.

Maybe liberals need better stickers….

6 Replies to “What does this bumper sticker mean?”

  1. I too find stickers curios sometimes. I’m currently trying to figure out one that I’m seeing more and more often. It’s a plain black sticker with a single blue bar at the bottom. I saw one yesterday in the form of a front license plate but usually there just in the rear window lower left corner. I thought it may be that the person driving the car has Nationwide Insurance, but their site’s logo doesn’t match the design. So, I keep looking.

  2. It means that you should thank the soldiers for protecting your land…. otherwise we would be speaking a different language.

  3. The plain black sticker with the single blue bar is called the “Thin Blue Line.” I noticed these stickers & front plates and no one knew what they meant. According to http://www.policetees.com: “The ‘Thin Blue Line’ decal is an internationally recognized symbol displayed in honor of Fallen Brothers & Sisters.”

  4. it means that you should be thanking soldiers or WWI and/or WWII for not letting letting anyone take over our country and forcing us to speak their language. If they would of not defeated Hitler, than we may be speaking German for example. It’s not a liberal plate, its a plate for anyone who respects our soldiers and appreciates what they do and have had done for us. Get a clue

  5. I am in the Military, and not far left or right, trust me there are plenty of Miltary out there who are nut right wing sheep. First off all I dont expect thanks or respect from anyone. Although anyone appreciates it from time to time. But please keep in mind that Rush Limbaugh does have a clue how the Military family thinks or operates nor does any left wing head job. The only ones that do are current or past members and the friends and family of the same.

    Our Miltary does far more than defend war efforts and support decisions of our Politicians. Ask some of the Millions and civilians supported in various humanitarian efforts around the world throughout history. Most recently in the efforts put forth with displaced, and desperate Americans along the Gulf Coast.

    Please keep in mind that their is HUGE difference in a Politician and a Uniformed American. If that doesnt make you think, then go for a nice walk in the park, and breath deeply.

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