Boston Globe article on freewaybloggers:

[wicket]

Be sure to read the whole article if you can, some interesting info towards the end about roadcrews removing these signs while leaving up the "Support the Troops"-type signs.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/25/overpasses_become_activists_podiums/

It takes only a bedsheet and 18-gauge wire for Bruce Macdonald to stir road rage in some motorists. For eight months the Cambridge lawyer has been stringing homemade banners from highway overpasses, including those crossing Interstate 93 and Route 128. His neatly painted messages usually take short jabs at the Bush administration or the war in Iraq.

Like noxious fumes and traffic snarls, a well-placed road sign can't be ignored by a driver, he said. Tens of thousands of cars can stream beneath an ``Impeach" or ``U.S. Out of Iraq" banner before it is ripped down, usually by a passerby or road crew. ``If they stay up a day they're doing well," Macdonald said. ``Some people get upset ." Macdonald, 59, is one of an increasing number of ``highway bloggers" -- loosely connected activists who favor bridges over websites as posting places for their antiwar slogans. They say it is an easy, inexpensive way to reach large numbers of people, especially those who may not be receptive to their opinions.

While highways have long been used to publicize everything from political candidates to marriage intentions, after the disputed 2000 presidential election a small group of self-proclaimed ``freeway bloggers" began plastering California overpasses with signs criticizing President Bush. Since the Iraq war began, the campaign has gained popularity nationwide, especially on the East and West coasts.

Patrick Randall, a pseudonym for the California man cited by several local highway bloggers as their inspiration, said in an interview that he considers major thoroughfares ``rivers of humanity." They allow him to reach a captive audience with roadway-reading material more stimulating than ``Happy 50th, Carol" or ``Huge yard sale, next exit!"

[babylonsister]

1. That's a great way to reach the masses! Nice of the Globe to

plant the seed. :)

[unhappycamper]

2. The seed has been planted for quite a while up here.

http://cancelmyglobe.com/ is a good example. We were surprised when we heard the Globe was going to do an article on freeway blogging.

:hi:

[babylonsister]

4. Hi, uhc! When I read this, I DID think of you!

:hi: :thumbsup:

[wicket]

7. Excellent work!!!!

:thumbsup:

[emanymton]

3. Support Freeway Blogger All The Way!!

[Sydnie]

5. I do this but further South on 195

Summer time, 195 is the gateway to the Cape and a lot of tourists coming from the east see my signs.

I am waiting for the first law suit for discrimination to happen too. If they target just the speech they don't like, then a suit could be brought to stop them from taking them down for that reason. I guess the stretch of highway I use must have some (with the power to remove them) that must agree with my sentiments. They often stay up for weeks at a time.

Keep on blogging!

[jarnocan]

6. I need to get out more

I mostly do little ones, but if like me you aren't up for the big ones just get a pack of rectangle post it notes or print some signs from your computer and go to town. they are harmless and I have seen them last for quite a while on coke machines and ETC.

[lonestarnot]

8. Wooodamnwhoo! I love a freeway blogger! Free Speech try it some

time you just might like it!

[intheflow]

9. That IS disturbing -- that Mass road crews are playing editor.

I'm from Mass. originally, and not to paint a broad brush, but every road worker I personally knew (6 or 7 people) were redneck repugs. Not that they voted, mind you. Not that they had any idea what was really happening in politics. They just consistently voice support of conservative views, even when those views went against their own best interests.

Sheeple! x(

K&R :kick:

[wicket]

11. I agree

It should be all or none. I live in Mass and see the signs welcoming troops all over the place. If those are allowed so should the Freewaybloggers'!

:kick:

[Jara sang]

10. kick & r

[wicket]

12. kick

:kick: