Somebody please give me an answer on this bumper sticker!!

[kingsrings]

I keep seeing this same bumper sticker appear in different places in my town. It says a variation of either of this: "If you are not absolutely appalled, then you're not paying attention", or "If you are not angry, then you're not paying attention"
I am sooo tempted to pull up to the driver and ask them exactly what I am supposed to be angry or appalled about. But I don't want to do that and yet the intrigue is just killing me, so I thought I'd bring it up here on this forum for my answer. You can be as funny, quirky, and creative as you want to.

[blue2000]

Perhaps it refers to their driving?

[Rose2Bear]

Perhpas it refers to life in general, like if you arn't alert to whats happening in the world, you may be in a blind-bliss state of mind, but if you focus in on all the grief and world problems and really know whats going on, then you are fully aware and are appalled?

[Chartreuse]

Perhpas it refers to life in general, like if you arn't alert to whats happening in the world, you may be in a blind-bliss state of mind, but if you focus in on all the grief and world problems and really know whats going on, then you are fully aware and are appalled?

That's always been my take on it.  Ignorance is bliss, but if you really start looking around at things, you'll find something that'll horrify you.

Of course, they could be referring to a number of topics.  I suspect if you asked everyone what they're horrified by, you'll get a variety of answers.

[FoxPaws]

Found a couple of references to Tim McIllrath from a political punk band called Rise Against.

"If you are not angry, then you're not paying attention"

appears to be their tag line, or possibly a lyric from one of their songs.

[kingsrings]

Found a couple of references to Tim McIllrath from a political punk band called Rise Against.

"If you are not angry, then you're not paying attention"

appears to be their tag line, or possibly a lyric from one of their songs.

Ah-ha, perhaps that is what they are referring to, they're just fans of that band. Either that or they need to pop in a good comedy movie DVD or consult with an anger-management therapist.

[kingsrings]

Perhaps it refers to their driving?

 

[hobish]

Found a couple of references to Tim McIllrath from a political punk band called Rise Against.

"If you are not angry, then you're not paying attention"

appears to be their tag line, or possibly a lyric from one of their songs.

  Yep. I saw them a few months ago. Great band!

I've seen the bumper sticker before RA started using it, though. I've always thought it was a political reference, or a general one about the world.

silly hobgoblinish still believes that politpunk can change the world  

[Buffy2424]

Most will probably reply re: world atrocities, or environmental distress.

[Heavenly]

Though isn't it a little silly to be decrying environmental distress with a bumper sticker just over your *exhaust pipe*?

Ouch!!!   

LOL

[Ulla dances in a silly way]

Nothing says "world change" like a big, permanent sticker slapped on your preferred mode of transportation.

Cause everyone will read it and learn something they never thought of before, you know. What they just don't get is why people can't seem to remember to wave with all their fingers. It certainly doesn't have anything to do with those (insert your pet peeve cause here) bumper stickers.... not at all.

As for the OP, my vote would be for their hairstyle. Sometimes those are truly appalling. 

The sticker I hate the most belongs to some guy on campus. It's stuck to the back of a convertable BMW and says, "Don't let the car fool you, my real treasure is in Heaven." If the car isn't important, why didn't you buy a more reasonable car and spend the rest of that $$ on a worthy cause/food for the family/ something not so arrogant?

-Ulla who definitely tries to remember to wave with all her fingers.

[FoxPaws]

Nothing says "world change" like a big, permanent sticker slapped on your preferred mode of transportation.

The sticker I hate the most belongs to some guy on campus. It's stuck to the back of a convertable BMW and says, "Don't let the car fool you, my real treasure is in Heaven." If the car isn't important, why didn't you buy a more reasonable car and spend the rest of that $$ on a worthy cause/food for the family/ something not so dingdangity arrogant?

-Ulla who definitely tries to remember to wave with all her fingers.

Anytime I have been cut off in traffic, had a near miss accident, or been honked at, the offending vehicle has a "Visualize World Peace" bumper sticker or one of those little "look at me! I'm a Christian!" fish symbols on it.  

[blue2000]

Anytime I have been cut off in traffic, had a near miss accident, or been honked at, the offending vehicle has a "Visualize World Peace" bumper sticker or one of those little "look at me! I'm a Christian!" fish symbols on it.  

I think that is perfectly appropriate. Obviously you need some "peaceful visualization" to deal with someone like that.

[Clara Bow]

Ummmm I have always taken that sticker as a political statement. I can't elaborate on it here because it's not forum appropriate, but that was the way it was intended when my folks got it.

[Virg]

My answer to this is that you should be appalled at bumper stickers with vague messages.  I find that quite appalling.

Virg