Squeezed!
January 10th, 2006
Well, it took only three days, and eight signs before I had my first encounter with the law.
I decided to take a different route to work this morning - in an effort to spread the word. While crawling along in traffic on the Southern State Parkway, I saw a perfect sign for a quick post - reachable by foot, definitely visible to a ton of people daily. So I pulled my car to the side of the road, popped the trunk and grabbed a sign. While sitting in my car listening to some Pearl Jam, I applied the duct tape, and grabbed my camera. I hopped out, slapped up the sign, took a couple of pictures, and returned to the car. While putting on my seat belt, a State Trooper passed by, and quickly pulled off to the side of the road, popping on his lights.
He pulled along side me, and asked what I was up to. At first I drew a complete blank, and then replied “Uhhhh… political speech”. He took a look at the sign, and asked, “Impeach? Impeach who - the big guy?” After a little chuckle, I replied, “Well, of course”, and over the course of the next 90 seconds or so, I explained to a New York State Trooper how I felt that for lying to the American public, and for crimes against humanity, GW deserved impeachment.
I then respectfully informed the trooper that I believed what I was doing was legal, but I would be happy to take the sign down immediately if he wished. He instructed me to do so, and waited for me until I had it down. He then told me, I shit you not, “Be careful hanging those signs“. I almost laughed out loud.
So, kudos to the officer that informed me that he did not want to intrude upon my right to speak out. I respect the fact that he was concerned with the safety of the motorists - he didn’t want me causing a distraction, potentially leading to an accident (though traffic was almost at a stand still). I have always found it to be prudent to speak to the police with respect and courtesy - I would advise you do the same should you have a run-in.
Check out all of my freeway blog pics.
January 10th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
What a coincidence that you got the same remark that the freeway blogger got. When I was hanging signs in San Francisco the other night, we had two police cruisers drive by slowly but neither one stopped or asked us anything. It’s a lot of fun and pretty exciting, isn’t it?
January 10th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
almost verbatim to the “You be careful out there hanging those signs” - i thouhgt it was pretty ironic.
i love your Vermont Street pic - when i lived in san francisco, my wife and i had a house on potrero hill (connecticut and 18th) and i used that exit all the time.
January 10th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
I was happy to see the picture of one of your signs right in downtown San Diego. It’s good to know that there are people who understand that to criticize or question the Bush Administration is by no means any criticism of the armed forces. . Talk about places to “be careful” saying anything about the Bush Administration…
January 10th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
i believe the signs in downtown san diego were the work of “the” Freeway Blogger. or maybe not - fortunately, so many people are now getting involved that keeping track may prove difficult.
January 11th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
You’re my hero! Way to go!
Denise
January 14th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
Keep up the good work and stay safe out there, Greg!
January 17th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Well, this is proof as far as I am concerned that we are under a Police State, however “soft” it may be…I will be out hanging signs if someone wants to tell me how to get them…Indiana needs to WAKE UP. Thanks.
January 17th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
for info on how to find, make, and hang signs, see the freeway blogger’s “how to”