The dangers of your bumperstickers.

[OutNow]

29. Yes, Austin

I lived in Round Rock, a suburb of Austin, during the lead up to and the start of the war in Iraq. My neighborhood had many "support our troops" bumper stickers and yard signs. I had the only "No war for Oil" yard sign and several similar bumper stickers on my truck. The first yard sign was stolen in 1 day. I replaced it immediately. It disappeared the next day. I lost 4 yard signs and then wired number 5 to a big live oak in the front yard. That worked well. My truck, in my driveway, was egged and had beer poured over it. I washed the car and added another peace sticker. For a while it seemed hopeless. Until one day I was mowing the lawn and a neighbor walking her dog stopped to chat. She told how she wanted to oppose the war but felt very alone. She told me that my visual opposition to the war gave her the strength to attend several of the antiwar rallies in Austin and add a peace sticker to her car bumper. Then she burst into tears and thanked me for replacing the yard signs as soon as they were stolen.

And that's why you should wear your heart on your car bumper. Not for you, but to show others they are not alone.