About those "DON'T VOTE" billboards -- maybe this is it

[Newsjock]

Edit to add context from Daily Kos.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/9814942.htm?1c
A series of billboards around the Twin Cities that brazenly declare "DON'T VOTE" have angered civil rights activists.

Fifteen of the billboards have sprung up in Minneapolis, St. Paul and its suburbs in the last few days. Several are in areas with large minority populations, including the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis, leading the NAACP and other groups to criticize even the suggestion that citizens shouldn't exercise the right to vote.

...The billboards are owned by Clear Channel Communications Inc. Lee Ann Muller, the company's general manager for outdoor advertising in Minnesota, wouldn't say who is paying for the billboards, but said it's a "teaser" campaign and its full meaning would become clear soon.

But look at this:
http://www.adcouncil.org/campaigns/campaign_for_freedom/

Look on the right side for audio and video versions of a campaign called "Don't Vote."
Don't Vote.
You don't have time.
You don't know the candidates.
You don't even know which district you live in.
While you are at it,
turn off the news, pipe down and step aside.
Keep freedom strong. Exercise it. Learn how at explorefreedomUSA.org.
(Ad Council logo) Freedom. Protect it.

The actual website is mildly disquieting. There's a page called "Homeland Security" that says:
All Americans are responsible for protecting the nation. Countless ordinary citizens have prevented incidents by noticing something unusual and notifying the appropriate authorities. Although we cannot expect to prevent or predict every possible attack, we can be ready. Knowing how to respond in an emergency can make all the difference when seconds count.
and concludes with a link to ready.gov.

I don't have any inside information to confirm that this would be the source of the DON'T VOTE billboards, but it sure seems likely.

[NightOwwl]

1. I actually agree...

If you don't have a clue what/who you are voting for or against, educate yourself first.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

4. On the other hand . . .

If your are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no candidates and no measures you want to vote for...but there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong.

If this is too blind for your taste, consult some well-meaning fool (there is always one around) and ask his advice. Then vote the other way. This enables you to be a good citizen (if such is your wish) without spending the enormous amount of time on it that truly intelligent exercise of franchise requires.

-- "The Notebooks of Lazurus Long", Time Enough for Love, Robert Heinlein

[NightOwwl]

6. "In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong".

That can be very be dangerous.

I remember reading an interview with a man who said he used that rule to decide his vote. So he voted against school integration, and it wasn't until years later he realized what he had voted against. It was especially iron since he was a black man.

Maybe you'll end up voting against funding for school lunch programs, or against legalizing gay marriage. Anyway, that's why I don't vote unless I have some background knowledge.

[Carla in Ca]

5. A better sign n/t

[jean]

7. That is utterly brilliant

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Whoever it is,

they have big bucks for that outdoor advertising.

[nostalgicaboutmyfutr]

3. whoever it is...

they are getting good buzz...i like the sound of their message

a similar one for you: "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." George Jean Nathan