America and the Western world prides itself on the idea of free speech - the concept that you should be able to say what you think about whatever you choose. So that's what we do on this site: we put into the public domain t-shirts with messages that reflect what we believe in, or at the very least, images that will provoke comment and discussion about issues that in our view are of critical importance. These shirts are snapshots of our stand on the environment, American and Western foreign policy, racism and other subjects. We don't make t-shirts that represent "the other side" of the debate - in any case, who said there were only two sides to a debate? As we choose not to sit on the fence in some kind of "neutral zone" we sometimes receive hate mail. A selection is provided below. Replies and comments are in pink text.
Got this "Dinosaurs against your shirt" email from "John":
I regularly talk to dinosaurs when i don't take my pills, and they are not happy with how they are drawn on your "against Creationists" shirt. The apotasaurus is all like "WTF, I don't f*cking have spots, you liberal c*cksucker." You must excuse him, because he's still pissed about losing the whole "thunder lizard" name. The stegosaurus would like to point out his spines are too close together, and that he looks like he has downs syndrome, when in fact only 32% of all stegosaurs have downs. The T-rex wants you to know that you should be expecting a call from his lawyer, because not only are you showing him in the incorrect posture, you've got his face all funny. He's such a f*cking celebrity, he is. And surprisingly right winged, in fact, he was hoping to run with McCain, but couldn't because of the fact that he was extinct and all. He thinks its a conspiracy. The pterosaurs are fine with their look, however, but they are homos and none of the other dinosaurs really care what they think. Also, the raptors are requesting a spot, since they have grown in popularity since Jurassic Park and all. And the triceratops feels miffed, but is kinda happy, since the apotosaurus and stegosaurus both look douchey, he is afraid he'd look the same. And wise ol' plesiosaurus wanted to let you know that there is a difference between young-earth creationists and creationists, and that other groups of creationists accept that the planet is billions of years old and that dinosaurs and evolution both are realities, and that by generalizing all groups into one you are no different then the right winged rednecks you are mocking, you smelly twatface. I told him he was going too far with the twatface bit, but I mean, who's really going to argue with a plesiosaur? I'm going to make peanut butter brownies now.
Sent two replies:
"Dry up."
"By the way, don't stop taking the pills, there is obviously a good reason why you have been prescribed them, you right-wing c*cksucker."
Why would I care about which shade of creationism John believes in? They all have one thing in common; they mold the evidence to fit their beliefs rather than coming to logical conclusions based on the available evidence. I do not CARE what you believe, John, I could not give two shits. What I care about is that your backwards beliefs are creeping into our educational system and into society and polluting children's minds. You're fanatics, all of you.
* * *
I've had several emails from people criticising my site for "praising" Che Guevara (even though I never really have), but this is the first one I've received criticising me for "hating" him. I'm sure I will get emails about Che until the end of time. This one has come from someone with limited spelling and grammatical abilities, but he compensates for it with ample helpings of cliché:
At first I was not sure what your site stood for, as I was shopping for a t shirt of Che.
Then I read the ignorant, cruel and hateful comments towards Che and his memory, that to tell you the truth, you termites affects none of us whom respect him and have him in our memory.
Ignorance seems to be king here and then in our nation--you people are the poster child for every thing wrong with America. We decent Americans are embarrassed by your stupidity.
You must be so unhappy to have that much hatred and to try to instill that much hatred....therefore your site is a BOG--A total Flop! and will be even worse now when I put my mouth on the trombone and blow, to all my friends whom shop for t-shirts on the net.
Go to another planet , earth won't miss you!
paul
NY
***
I was brought to your site because I saw an anti-war t-shirt that caught my eye. I was quickly turned off by your site when I saw your "Jesus needs your money" and "God is Dead" t-shirts. I find it so offensive that you stereotype all religious people as violent, war-mongers and creationists. You claim that "...Islam and Christianity... present God in an inflexible, dogmatic way and demand slave-like conformity to an 'objective' morality." If I claim to be Islamic (I'm not Islamic) then beat a woman in the street because she looked at me, does that say anything at all about Islam at all? It says that this person has not taken the time to read his Qur'an. While I agreed with your anti-war and pro-environmental stances, I am truly offended by your attack on religion. I hope one day something horrible happens to you and you must be rushed to the nearest hospital. Maybe your opinion of religious people will be swayed when you see "St.
Mary's" on the front of the hospital. I think you should take some time to actually learn about Christianity before you go judging it.
-Jason Rodowicz
This is the email I sent back: Before you say "I hope one day something horrible happens to you and you must be rushed to the nearest hospital", maybe it should occur to you that "something horrible" already HAS happened to me? You don't know jack shit about me. You know what, I hope you open your goddamn eyes and stop reading stories that were made up hundreds of years after Jesus died. I've got nothing against Christians with an open mind, or any other faith, but I sure have something against YOU. I'm tempted to say that I hope "something horrible" happens to YOU, but I don't want to stoop down to your level.
***
Just before the
election we sent out an email (to subscribers) stating
our support for Obama and urging people to vote for Obama.
This was the reply from one subscriber, who must have
thought that she had signed up to a KKK mailing list.
hey f*ck you dont tell me who to vote for you terrorist
piece of sh*t
***
I love your business. This is a great idea.
Make money off of the stupid by selling them t-shirts.
You RULE!
Thank you, I look forward to
your custom!
***
Classic "I
will pray for your soul" type email:
I just want you to know that I think you are lost and
mis-guided. I will keep your company in my prayers.
***
F*CK YOU LIBERAL BASTARDS. HOPE YOU F*CKIN
DYE WHEN THE SAND NIGGERS COME OVER.
Don't worry, the "sand niggers"
came and went. Bush flew them back to Saudi Arabia first
class right after 9/11.
***
The following email was received from someone who starts off complaining about the Heil Bush shirt, but then degenerates into a free for all anti-liberal rant.
I only wish you had a clue as to what horrid
atrocities the Nazis inflicted on the world and how painful
your blatant commercialization of the suffering that many
people went through at their hands causes. To even consider
that Bush is in any way identical to the Nazi party is
not only childish and stupid but it is also tremendously
hurtful, disgusting and just plain wrong.
And here's a history lesson for you. Clinton identified
Saddam as an enemy while Bush was just a governor.
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq
the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and
the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
- President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998 http://www.cnn.com/US/9802/04/us.un.iraq/
Remember the Gulf War? 1991?
I believe Saddam Hussein was the enemy.
As for nationalism, I never realized that actually having
pride in one's nation makes you a Nazi. How f*cking shallow
is your life that you feel you have to hate your country?
Hating Bush equals hating your
country?
Control of the Media? What the hell "dude"? You people
cannot have your cake and eat it too. The media is the
most liberal bunch of pansies on the face of the earth
so in f*cks name is Bush controlling them? Yes,
of course. Media person = pansy.
Shielding of corporations? Again, what the f*ck? Enron.
Gone. Arthur Andersen. Gone. HP is being investigated.
Seriously, you need to lay off the smack. It
takes a brave man to stand up for the poor victimised
corporations!
And as for increased "militarisation" it's spelled with
a "z" genius. Read this.
And just because Bush is undoing the damage that Clinton
wrought on our military does not make him a Nazi.
Of course, I guess that you prefer a President who sells
weapons technology to China, pardons more corporate criminals
than any President before him, awards more no-bid contracts
to Haliburton than Bush has so far and is an adulterous
pig to boot. Really speaks to your moral fiber and quality
of being a human.
You sicken me.
***
Dude...great website...I hope you do very well for yourself, but (there's always a but)... you're a f*cking tool for your anti-bush communist views....
***
Man, It's people like you that I hold zero
respect for. You put down the government. You put down
the soldiers risking their asses so that you can sit safe
and sound behind your computer while they get shot at.
You preach freedom of speech, but then you put everything
down. What the hell do you have to stand for?
OK, let's divide the world into
two groups, those that agree with you and are therefore
allowed free speech, and those who don't agree with you
and are therefore denied free speech.
***
It's amazing the amount of ignorance displayed
on your website... Were it not for the men and women who
have, and are currently, serving our country you would
not be able to publish this bullsh*t. Really?
I thought freedom of speech was guaranteed by the First
Amendment.
Now, to you and all of your stupid - tree hugging - military
bashing - leftist fricken kook job friends, go roll yourself
another joint and relax knowing that some of us will continue
to protect your freedoms.
As for the so called "Marine" serving in Iraq that provided
the message dated 15-04-05 - you are a disgrace and don't
deserve the title. You shame all of us that have had the
honor to wear the uniform. However, you will still get
your benefits through the GI Bill for college you coward!
***
oh really ft benning is state sponsored
terrorist you wouldnt last to minutes there your little
pussy ass would be cyring of all the pain you would be
in ive been there trained for 3 months there its because
of us you can sale your little dumbass t shirts your a
punk ya you might not like bush who cares good for you
but running your mouth against my brothers in ft benning
where i spent the last 3 months thats bull and low dude
were real men not little bitches you want your freedom
then earn it.
The US military has trained Latin
American military personnel in techniques of torture and
"counter-insurgency" (a euphemism for terrorism)
at Fort Benning. That's just a documented fact. It doesn't
mean that everyone who trains there is a terrorist (although
you do sound like one).
***
sh*t shirts. you guys are idiots.
***
First of all
I have to say I disagree with every point you are trying
to make with these t-shirts. On the other hand I do wholly
support your right to state these viewpoints and have
dedicated my life to defending your right to state whatever
you want. I am a military member that has spent my entire
life in the military so that you can be as misguided as
you want.
What is really classic and I do think it is hilarious,
is that you are a capitalist selling these t-shirts that
are promoting communism and other ways of life. Do you
think that dyed in the wool communist Che would have supported
your capitalist ventures? I think not. Anyway I hope you
make lots of money and get to pay the majority of it back
to the government in taxes.
Will I see this email on your hatemail section? For some
reason I don't think I will.
Military Guy
Oh dear. What I find "hilarious"
is how some people can get so worked up when they see
a red star. Communism does not equal Che Guevara, just
as capitalism does not equal George Bush. Another thing
that I find "hilarious" is that this email was
sent at almost exactly the same time (to the hour) that
the US government finalised a rescue package costing the
US taxpayer 700 billion dollars in a desperate attempt
to prop up a failing financial system. How much does it
take for some people to see that the system is not working?
Isn't it about time that we started looking at "other
ways of life"?
***
Hey, I got a new idea for an equivalent t-stirt to the "don't Confuse the War with the Warrior, I support our soldiers and verterans" one. How about "don't Confuse the Liberal with their Supposed Support, Sorry it doesn't work that way".
***
I shop online quite often for t shirts
that I wear when I perform. I really feel that you need
to keep your political views to yourself. You have lost
a potential customer. I'm so sick of people either bashing
Bush or Kerry. We don't need any kind of outside influence
to make a frail attempt to sway the vote. I strongly suggest
losing the anti-Bush shirts in order to maintain potential
business.
If I make a shirt that says "I
have no opinion" will you come back? Please?
***
You guys are ignorant pieces of trash and you have to know it somewhere in those naive, close-minded heads.
***
Socialist idiot. nice, shirts...i am surprised you took the time to get your nose out of michael moore's ass? why don't you educate yourself?...oh yeh...you must get your news from cbs.
***
wow you guys are the biggest deuschebags and if you don't like the country move to canada. I heard they have a great health care plan up there.
***
Kiss my royal Republican ass.....you liberal assholes.
***
You are the most UN-CREATIVE company I've ever seen. Your in the T-shirt business, a business I don't have to tell you, is very competitive. You want to bash Your President, fine. And I'll bash you for being lazy and ripping off what everyone else rips off - Bush, Dick, Ha Ha -Boring, absolutley played out and boring. Try thinking of some NEW and ORIGINAL stuff, you lazy, crying, whining, boring, liberal.
***
I hope the frickin' Al Qaeda freaks come to your house and cut yours balls off and choke you with 'em before they chop your lousy infidel head off. Only a f*cking moron would try to sell such sh*tty T-shirts when there's such a real threat to your pitiful existence, as well as the rest of us good people out here. FOOL.
***
World would a lot better with people like
you, why don't you run for president, you must have alllll
the answers. Get a life and remember you don't give people
like Sadam any room to move, remember the guy with the
little mustache in 1939, if it was for people like you
we we would have been living under his regime for ever.
Get a life.
And long live BUSH The man with the balls!!!!
***
Just to let you know I visited your web site and can't believe you guys. Where are the Saddam Sucked Anyway shirts?
***
Obviously, some white trash, pot smoking protester owns this website. Someone who's never served their country or been overseas. I have, I don't take my freedom for granted, and your website is disgusting.
***
I can see where this guy's coming from on one or two of his more general points but he really let's himself down when he gets into specifics. Possesses a richer vocabulary than most "bigots" but must try harder with his spelling.
When I first came across this website, I knew just what to expect. Tired liberal cliches regurgitated as "bold" anti-establishment statements. I've grown quite weary of the left recently, so I had to compose and send this. It's not the Democratic party I loathe, nore the crowds of half-wit college kids in Che t-shirts holding "No Blood For Oil" signs, nor the Bill Mahers, Keith Olbermanns, or other left-wing mouthpieces. It's the ideology of liberalism itself that truly disturbs and offends me. That naseua inducing fusion of misguided priorities and naive idealism, hipper than thou posturing, and empty rhetoric. So many hallmarks of liberalism I find incipid. One is the irrational tendency to blame every social ill on "organized religion" (read: Christianity) and to further group all religions (Christianity, Islam, etc.) under the same banner of "fundamentalism" as if they are all mirror images of each other. Human nature itself is the root of all violence and "intolerance", not any given religion. Two is the tendency to overuse words like "intolerance" and "injustice", to label anyone with who disagrees with them a "racist", "sexist', "homophobe.", ad nasuam. This is irritating and shows a limited vocabulary. Third is the constant attempts to force "tolerance" on people. Political correctness, sensitivity training, etc. are all examples of this. This is insulting as it assumes that everyone is born an "intolerant bigot" and needs to be specially programmed. Third is their blind adherance to outmoded and imbecilic political beliefs. Gun control has been proven not to work, yet liberals conveniently overlook this and continue to support it. I don't have a problem with gay marriage or abortion, but they certainly aren't found in the constitution, and abortion should not be financed with government funding as it forces those who disagree with it to support it financially. Hate crime laws make no sense to me (they don't illegalize anything new, they just take something that was already illegal and make it more illegal) and affirmative action I find is entirely senseless (people should be hired in spite of their skin color, not specifically because of it). Hell, the only preferential hiring we should have is for American-born workers over illegal immigrants. (Also, why are we now paying for health care and other services for these immigrants, who now have access to such things when many people born here do not? Because that's the "tolerant" thing to do? If they want to move, live, and work here, thats fine. I have no problem with that. But they should have to pay their own way just like everyone else. ) To buy the current line of bullsh*t about "socialized healthcare" is incredibly naive, and I don't give a f*ck how they do it in Europe. I also don't have much reverence for the U.N., and I have no emotional stake in being part of a "global community." That's all I really had to say. Your t-shirts are ovverpriced, oh, and f*ck Che Gueverra.
