NationStates Jolt Archive

So, tomorrow is Pink Friday (http://www.pinkfriday09.org/)--the deadline for teachers to receive their pink slips--and the teachers in my city are heading en masse to City Hall to protest the budget cut and lay-offs. Then we're going to a tequila bar. But never mind that now!

We're going to wear pink shirts and carry signs during the rally. After school today a couple of my coworkers were thinking up snarky messages for the signs: things along the lines of, "Do the math, Sacramento--our kids can." I wasn't in love with any of their ideas, though. So naturally, I came to NSG for suggestions!

I'm looking for something short and biting but not too far over the line--no personal attacks or profanity. Anyone willing to chip in an idea will have my gratitude. I'd offer you more, but I'm a soon-to-be-out-of-work teacher, so all I really have are bills and finger paints.

We are in pink, but we are not gay we are pissed off.

We are in pink, but we are not gay. We are pissed off.Fxt, and I LOL'D. :p

Pink with anger?

Or there is nothing gay abut a pink slip!!

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/upload/2009/03/cant_we_all_get_along/cthulhu_hates_chordates.jpeg

"If u want ur kidz to type lyke thiz, gimme dat pink slip!"?


...I was never good at this...

Or there is nothing gay abut a pink slip!!

Isn't California under control of the republicans?

You should say "It's gay to have pink slips"

"If u want ur kidz to type lyke thiz, gimme dat pink slip!"?


...I was never good at this...

Actually that's good.

Teachers - Preventing L33t Sp3@k1ng Since The Internet.

Actually that's good.

Teachers - Preventing L33t Sp3@k1ng Since The Internet.

...you just want me to stop choking you, don't you ;)

"PINK IS THE COLOR OF FAILURE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION"

or something.

What about "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!"

that could work pretty well.

Wait do you want to get a pink slip? Because that slogan only works for not wanting a pink slip. I was under the impression that pink slip=fired

Pink slip, it sounds like something our school introduced one year. The blue slip basically a slip given out every time we did something wrong. It was my first lesson in how printing money makes the value diminish.

How about "Cut the budget, cut the future" Yeah that is pretty crap.

Our education minister is Bat O'Keefe. When protesting the re-introduction of 3rd level fees and a graduate tax there were signs that said "Batman is robin students"


Not at all relevant to the OP, but it makes me smile.

NSG would be better at finding the satire angle -- i.e.

"Vote for ignorance -- cut the education budget!"
"Support our teachers, bring them home!"
et cetera.

"Support our teachers, bring them home!"

That's quite awesome.

That's quite awesome.

I'm not sure how effective it would be though... people are notoriously dumb, especially where it comes to picking up on sarcasm.

Also, posters of the form "[pithy quote about education]. Do you know who said that?" could work. You pick the pithy quotes based on how you want to come across.

Did you ever think with all the pink that everyone might jsut assume your another gay rights protest ???

what about No on prop 8 and no on education budget cuts.

I'm not sure how effective it would be though... people are notoriously dumb, especially where it comes to picking up on sarcasm.

You could put on peace signs and dress like a hippy.

You could put on peace signs and dress like a hippy.

opposition party drives by takes pictures. See the teachers wanted to be fired.

"I needed a vacation anyway."

I hope you make some sort of chant out of this song..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8D4T--0v4

Ohhhh let's drink-a drink-a drink to getting the pink-a pink-a pink..

Here's the lyrics, I won't adapt them for you since I don't remember any teacher offering to take my exams for me..

we'll drink a drink a drink
to lily the pink the pink the pink
the saviour of our human race
for she invented, medicinal compound
most efficasious in every case

mr freers, had sticky out ears
and it made him awful shy
and so they gave him medicinal compound
and now he's learning how to fly

robert tony, was known to be bony
he would never eat his meals
and so they gave him medicinal compound
now they move him round on wheels

we'll drink a drink a drink
to lily the pink the pink the pink
the saviour of the human race
for she invented medicinal compound
mosr efficasious in every case

i vote for counter-protesting. signs saying "fuck the children!" and "throw the bums out!" and "get a brain, morans"

Firing teachers-because the general public isn't stupid enough yet.

"Babysit your own damn kids"

Without Teachers, kids will think 2+2=3!

"Don't mind us, it's not like it's our job to know stuff."

If you fire us, we aren't the only ones who'll slip!

I got nothing, sorry.

"Hey, guess what happened to the former Economics teacher who could have told you how to solve your budget problems?"

Needs to be shortened, though.

In Soviet Russia, intelligentsia gets rid of YOU!

In Soviet Russia, intelligentsia gets rid of YOU!

*sigh*

Paint the board as a brick wall with one pink brick in it

Another brick in the wall? We don't need no education? No, no? Really?

Or a picture of Will Ferrell in Anchorman with the slogan: Stay Classy Sacramento!

I better get some goddamn prize for this stuff.

"Government: where failure means increased funding for assholes that fucked up."

No good? Maybe something about the extravagant accommodations of the legilature? Bring up how they are clinging to their fat per diem while demanding everyone else tighten their belts. I know that I could live pretty damn good on $100 a day for pushing buttons and spouting baseless opinions/slander for the attention it would garner me.

This is what should be on all of the shirts:

You know what this reminds me of?

http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/2158911/2159086/2159087/070221_CL_HitlerEX.jpg

"Babysit your own damn kids"

I love this one!

What about this: "Sacramento - Promoting juvenile delinquency since 2009"

Paint the board as a brick wall with one pink brick in it

Another brick in the wall? We don't need no education? No, no? Really?

Or a picture of Will Ferrell in Anchorman with the slogan: Stay Classy Sacramento!

I better get some goddamn prize for this stuff.

I support both of those.

Paint the board as a brick wall with one pink brick in it

Another brick in the wall? We don't need no education? No, no? Really?

Well, 'cause some people still won't get it...

the slogan attached should be something like "Sacramento Teachers: Not just another brick in the wall", or some other reference to the song. Otherwise people will just be like "wtf, are they trying to say that some bricks are gay?"

Otherwise people will just be like "wtf, are they trying to say that some bricks are gay?"
Some are, are they not?
I've always had my suspicions...

"How many Kids did you cut off at the knees today?"

Well, 'cause some people still won't get it...

the slogan attached should be something like "Sacramento Teachers: Not just another brick in the wall", or some other reference to the song. Otherwise people will just be like "wtf, are they trying to say that some bricks are gay?"

Saint Clair Island, always dumbing down, you're probably on the education committee in Sacramento.

"We don't need more teachers, we just need to make education easy enough for a 5 year old to understand, then we can save money on all those teaching older than 5 year olds, we'll save millions!"

Saint Clair Island, always dumbing down, you're probably on the education committee in Sacramento.

No, but I've seen democracy inaction. And the main purpose of a protest is to get across a message effectively -- whether through simple direct statements, or cutting, terse sarcasm. Confusion on the part of the message leads to PR disasters, like those Muslims who protested against cartoons depicting Islam as violent by rioting, sending death threats, and throwing stones.

Why can't Johnny read? Because Sacramento can't count!

...like those Muslims who protested against cartoons depicting Islam as violent by rioting, sending death threats, and throwing stones.

It was a great day out though.

I caught possibly the worst movie the other day on cable, Hot Rod or something, just awful. Having said that, they did manage one funny, probably not original, scene where they head out to accomplish the point of the movie to the soundtrack of Europe's *some song or another*, and slowly the town joined them, walking behind in support as the music rose in chorus and the march just descended into a full-scale riot.

With the brick in the wall motif, you might catch the attention of a TV crew to ask what it means, unlikely but you might also gain appreciation from your peers in the march when they ask and you explain.

I mean, 1 placard isn't going to make much difference.

I wasn't being serious in the above post, imagine mock-rolling of the eyes and a 'typical Saint Clair Island..' while sitting in a pub.

The brick-in-wall motif makes more sense if all of the participant teachers are carrying placards like that, or a good percentage of them. They can then put the snarky slogans on other signs. And use the brick in the wall motif to explain their cause.... or something....

I dunno. I don't even *live* in California.

The brick-in-wall motif makes more sense if all of the participant teachers are carrying placards like that, or a good percentage of them. They can then put the snarky slogans on other signs. And use the brick in the wall motif to explain their cause.... or something....

I dunno. I don't even *live* in California.

See, it's inviting discussion already, I'm elevating it to genius.

I don't even live in America but I am currently listening to a song called America's Snoring.

So, tomorrow is Pink Friday (http://www.pinkfriday09.org/)--the deadline for teachers to receive their pink slips--and the teachers in my city are heading en masse to City Hall to protest the budget cut and lay-offs. Then we're going to a tequila bar. But never mind that now!

We're going to wear pink shirts and carry signs during the rally. After school today a couple of my coworkers were thinking up snarky messages for the signs: things along the lines of, "Do the math, Sacramento--our kids can." I wasn't in love with any of their ideas, though. So naturally, I came to NSG for suggestions!

I'm looking for something short and biting but not too far over the line--no personal attacks or profanity. Anyone willing to chip in an idea will have my gratitude. I'd offer you more, but I'm a soon-to-be-out-of-work teacher, so all I really have are bills and finger paints.

The only pink I like is my girlfriend's

The only pink I like is my girlfriend's

Neo Art - unable to resist the cheap sexual innuendo.

I'm slogan'ing everything today

Neo Art - unable to resist the cheap sexual innuendo.


Unable, no. Unwilling, yes.

Unable, no. Unwilling, yes.

That's what you always say. Seriously, there are pills for that, it's no big deal....

Dammit, now I'm doing it.

Why can't Johnny read? Because Sacramento can't count!

I'd be surprised if this doesn't make it on a sign.



The best I can come up with is, "Oh yeah? Well now your kids won't know who won WWII."

In other words, I got nothin'.

"Ironically, I was an economics teacher".

"Ironically, I was an economics teacher".

that explains so much about you.

"Ironically, I was an economics teacher".

Always knew you were secretly Jim Cramer, lol...

Why can't Johnny read? Because Sacramento can't count!

...I like that.

If your protest is taking place on Friday, I'm going to assume it's scheduled for after school hours, because otherwise, with education being so important and all, you'd be in school, teaching, instead of milling about in public places waving signs, yeah?

As for protest signs, the only slogan I can suggest is the same one I suggest for every protest 'Somebody Give Me Something Useful To Do, I've Got Too Much Time On My Hands' and this time, it's even more apropos than it usually is, seeing as how the protest is concerning employment.

If you can read this poster, thank a teacher.

It's not our fault that you can't balance a budget.

If you paid us twice what you pay a legislator, it still wouldn't be enough.
If you paid a legislator half what you pay us, it would still be too much.

Don't lay off teachers
Lay off the politicians.

If your protest is taking place on Friday, I'm going to assume it's scheduled for after school hours, because otherwise, with education being so important and all, you'd be in school, teaching, instead of milling about in public places waving signs, yeah?

As for protest signs, the only slogan I can suggest is the same one I suggest for every protest 'Somebody Give Me Something Useful To Do, I've Got Too Much Time On My Hands' and this time, it's even more apropos than it usually is, seeing as how the protest is concerning employment.

Yes, of course it's scheduled after school hours. WTF? You really think we're like, "Sorry kids, no learning today, we have to go fight for your right to learn!"

Blah blah cynic blah blah I'm so cool blah blah everything is a waste of time, why don't we all just die blah blah blah. Would YOU like a suggestion or two about useful ways to fill up all your spare time?

If you can read this poster, thank a teacher.

It's not our fault that you can't balance a budget.

If you paid us twice what you pay a legislator, it still wouldn't be enough.
If you paid a legislator half what you pay us, it would still be too much.

Don't lay off teachers
Lay off the politicians.

I like those, too!

Yes, of course it's scheduled after school hours. WTF? You really think we're like, "Sorry kids, no learning today, we have to go fight for your right to learn!"

I wouldn't have been surprised. Entertained, but not surprised. Nothing gives irony something to do like protestors.

Blah blah cynic blah blah I'm so cool blah blah everything is a waste of time, why don't we all just die blah blah blah. Would YOU like a suggestion or two about useful ways to fill up all your spare time?

'everything is a waste of time' and 'why don't we all just die' are, I think, a bit of excessive hyperbole, although I will confess to being a cynic. As for the rest, I'm always interested in suggestions, although I don't have a whole lot of spare time. Even now, I'm doing about four different things.

Yes, of course it's scheduled after school hours. WTF? You really think we're like, "Sorry kids, no learning today, we have to go fight for your right to learn!"

Is it really after school hours?

Is it really after school hours?

Yes, it really is. Why is that so surprising? :rolleyes:

I have to go do more report cards now. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

i suppose i am too late to suggest that all the signs should be blank.

because without teachers they cant read them anyway.

"Will work for children's brains."

Home schooling is in your future, are you smarter than a 5th grader?

:)

i suppose i am too late to suggest that all the signs should be blank.

because without teachers they cant read them anyway.

Then joke may be lost on.....everyone.

The only pink I like is my girlfriend's

She doesn't have a job, how can she be fired? :confused:

"Cali. don't need no edumacation!"

(a double neg. that works...)

"We're here, not queer, get educated!"

"If you can read this sign, *pay* a teacher!"

(Death's head image) "Don't fire the teachers..."

Budget cuts, cut our children future short!

This isn't a sign idea, ....or maybe it is...

But it occurs to me that considering all the other lay-offs all over the place in order to save money, maybe we ought to consider laying off congressmen.

Hell, if Mitch McConnell had been laid off, we would've saved the $51 million in earmarks he inserted into the latest fuinding bill then complained about. ;)

Hell no, we wont go.

Hell no, we wont go.

I knew there was a reason I liked you. Your originality!

I suggest a variation on "What do we want? To be employed! When do we want it? Now!"

Pink is only good on hamburger. At least, that's what our kids will think if you cut the education budget.

EDIT: Or, perhaps a better sentence to put on a sign, "GIVE US MONEY OR WE'LL TEACH YOUR CHILDREN LIES."

"No Child Left Behind When There's Nobody To Lead Them in The First Place"

I'm thinking something along the lines of

"If you can read this thank a teacher, if you want you children to be able to read this then pay us you arseholes."

I think the "If you can read this..." part's solid, ending might need a little work.

I knew there was a reason I liked you. Your originality!

"Hell no, we won't go" was used during the Vietnam War, actually. ;)

Can we be told what was used?

How did the day go?

"Apples aren't pink."

"Apples aren't pink."

...and if your little brats learned their colors, they'd know that!"

"When they suggested bringing an apple for the teacher, they didn't mean it as a parting gift!"

How did the day go?

wat kalefonas edukasun wil b lik frum now on

"Cut soldiers,not teachers."

Those it really pisses me off that government can get away with cutting teachers like this. Shouldn't people be willing to cough up some extra dough so that our kids can have a education?

"Cut soldiers,not teachers."

Those it really pisses me off that government can get away with cutting teachers like this. Shouldn't people be willing to cough up some extra dough so that our kids can have a education?

Silly man. The proletariat dont need an education. That is reserved for the wealthy elite (who will be able to afford private school). The only thing the proletariat needs is to prepare their children to serve in the wealthy's factories or to serve in the military to fight the elite's wars.

An education isnt required for that!

Yes, it really is. Why is that so surprising? :rolleyes:

I have to go do more report cards now. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

The reason why it is so surprising Ryadn, is because the Education Union here in SA has always held their protests during school hours usually for an entire day.

Not that they have been protesting about losing their jobs but more about wanting to get large pay increases.

This isn't a sign idea, ....or maybe it is...

But it occurs to me that considering all the other lay-offs all over the place in order to save money, maybe we ought to consider laying off congressmen.

Hell, if Mitch McConnell had been laid off, we would've saved the $51 million in earmarks he inserted into the latest fuinding bill then complained about. ;)

I'm all for it, I think we could start by cutting 50% of the Congress (both house and senate). That's a savings of at least $81 Billion for the record, and thats just expense accounts, pay for them and thier employees, costs of transporting them all over the place, etc. That don't include earmarks and such.

This isn't a sign idea, ....or maybe it is...

But it occurs to me that considering all the other lay-offs all over the place in order to save money, maybe we ought to consider laying off congressmen.

Hell, if Mitch McConnell had been laid off, we would've saved the $51 million in earmarks he inserted into the latest fuinding bill then complained about. ;)

hmmm... you may be on to something... but each state/district needs their representativies...

Perhaps they should get a pay cut... pull them down to the Minimum wage, minus the percentage of unemployed in their State.