Don’t use these posters


Are you ready for the big No Kings protest on Saturday? Are you making signs? I have to tell you that you shouldn’t use these as ideas for posters.

Those are sarcasm. Sarcasm doesn’t work in a protest sign. Short, simple, clear messages are much more effective.

Keep in mind that conservatives do not understand sarcasm or irony or even humor. This, for example, is a real poster put out by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

“Foreign invaders”…is that what we’re calling the people who are working so hard in our farm fields right now? Are the children of immigrants also called “foreign invaders”?

You know, that looks nothing like Steven Miller — he can’t grow that kind of hair on his ratty little face.

Comments

  1. strangerinastrangeland says

    “Foreign Invaders”, that means the armed, masked thugs who invade a neighborhood and kidnap people of the streets, right?

  2. rorschach says

    Stephen Miller’s family is from Belarus, fucking hypocrite. Btw, is it called the No Kings protest because of Jay Graber’s tshirt?

  3. raven says

    “Foreign invaders”…is that what we’re calling the people who are working so hard in our farm fields right now?

    You really missed the plot here.

    The illegal aliens are those beings that fly around in UFOs.

    They vary a lot but some of them are green and have antenaes.
    The Greys have big eyes, big heads, and thin limbs.
    The large ones with tentacles are hard to miss.

    If you see any UFO aliens, just call that ICE number and report them.

    Report any GOP members of congress as well.
    They are almost certainly Shapeshifting UFO aliens trying to destroy us.

  4. StevoR says

    @1. strangerinastrangeland : How many ICE agents are now the same thugs that rioted on Jan 6th in Trump’s Attempted Coup but have now been pardoned by him & employed favopurably by Fascists -R-Us (Slogan – Serve Trump & Oppress) I wonder?

  5. charley says

    I wonder how long it took one of them to come up with the clever and memorable phoneword 866-DHS-2-ICE.

  6. charley says

    Conservatives podcasters like Joe Rogan do understand the juvenile humor of poorly educated young men.

  7. raven says

    And the DHS poster is so clearly AI-generated, they can’t even be bothered to make this stuff themselves.

    It is actually a copy of an old World War II poster, changed in the wording.

    They didn’t get it right there either though.
    The left hand is supposed to be holding a nail but it is just floating in space.

  8. mordred says

    I was thinking you should spread the Gestapo number among the Indian population, as they sure see a lot of foreign invaders around them.

    But that would be dangerous, as Trump’s Gestapo defines ‘foreign’ as not-white and would love an excuse to round up all the Indians and deport the wherever their tiny brains believe they came from.

  9. Hoosier Bluegill says

    Hmm. Maybe I should report all the garlic mustard, asian honeysuckle, spotted lanternflies, emerald ash borers, etc around here. Those are definitely alien invaders.

  10. StevoR says

    @12. Hoosier Bluegill : Truth!

    Plus alien invaders that are actually harmful and really need removing versus the human beings who do not.

  11. robro says

    raven @ #3 — “The illegal aliens are those beings that fly around in UFOs.” Now, now. I’m sure you’ve seen the recent revelation that the UFO (now called UAP) thing was just a hoax created by the military to divert attention from weapons development projects in the Nevada desert. Of course, that story came from the Wall Street Journal, aka the Murdoch’s, so now I’m thinking the alien’s angle by be real.

  12. Ridana says

    Hmm, the hammer Uncle Sam is wielding looks suspiciously like the one from the old Soviet hammer and sickle emblem.

  13. johnson catman says

    re Ridana @18: I don’t know. Kind of looks like Andy’s rock hammer from The Shawshank Redemption.

  14. birgerjohansson says

    Syringa vulgaris or lilac is a tree that speads so easily Norway regards it as an invasive Alien.

    Lupin or bluebonnet is likewise seen as an invasive alien in parts if Europe (although Iceland uses an Alaskan variant to make the topsoil of the central plain support plant life).
    Now, I am just waiting for the bluebonnet mat in central Iceland to link up its roots and go full Quatermass as the network becomes sapient.

  15. says

    wonder what would happen if someone had this on a poster?
    “The right of a nation to kill a tyrant, in cases of necessity, can no more be doubted, than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.” – John Adams

  16. John Morales says

    Someone would likely note that this alleged undoubted right to hang a robber is kinda old-school, phillipbrown.

    (Back in the day in that milieu, corporal discipline of wives was also an undoubted right)

    Hamilton under a pseudonym:
    “A Certain Judge, at an Assize, declared it from the Bench, as his Opinion, that every man had a legal right to chastise his wife, if she was stubborn and obstinate; but then he observed, that his right ought to be exercised with great lenity and moderation.”

    “Pacificus”: On Chastising the Colonies
    Printed in The London Chronicle, February 11–13, 1766.

    (https://founders.archives.gov/?q=wives%20chastise%20wife&s=1111311111&r=3)

  17. John Morales says

    The poster is about the USA, Hemidactylus.

    About reporting “foreign invaders”, that is, residents of the USA.

    (Whence the relevance of your news?)

  18. raven says

    BBC

    Israel says it has launched strikes on Iran’s ‘nuclear programme’ as blasts heard across country
    Israeli Launches Strikes On Iran

    Israel has carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme, the IDF has said, with blasts heard in Tehran

    The strikes were part of Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding Iran was a threat to “Israel’s very survival”

    This seems to be really stupid.

    .1. It isn’t like Iran hasn’t been expecting Israeli and/or USA strikes on its “nuclear facilities” for the last two or three decades.

    .2. Reports are that the Iranian nuclear facilities have multiple backups and all are deeply dug under ground. Not within reach of aerial bombing.

    .3.

    Netanyahu:

    “In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponise this enriched uranium,” he adds.

    “If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”

    Guess what idiot Netanyahu.

    If you push Iran hard enough…You change building a nuclear weapon from an option to a certainty.

    No one attacks countries with nuclear weapons.
    Ask the North Koreans how that works.

    We’ve never once been able to stop a country from developing nuclear weapons.
    Even the South Africans built 4 of them, since scrapped.

  19. John Morales says

    PZ: “Are you ready for the big No Kings protest on Saturday? Are you making signs? I have to tell you that you shouldn’t use these as ideas for posters.”

    Some commenters: uh, Israel and Iran.

    Me: Neither is the USA.

  20. drsteve says

    Making signs isn’t my thing. But I still want send a message and I live in San Diego so today I went out to a tourist trap gift shop and bought a Top Gun tee, and five flags which I still need to work out how to securely arrange strapped to my back: 🇺🇸, 🇲🇽, California, 🏳️‍🌈, and 🇮🇪, the old country of my own immigrant ancestors, at least on my biological father’s side.

  21. microraptor says

    robro @17: It’s hardly a new revelation. In the 90s, retired people from Skunk Works were openly talking about the development of the SR-71 and F-117 and how night flights of both aircraft would reliably generate a bunch of UFO sightings.

  22. robro says

    microraptor @ #28 — I am aware that this is not the “revelation” that WSJ seemed to think it is. I’m a little more curious why Lachlan et al decided nows the time to pump this bit out right now. Distraction? And do it through the Wall Street Journal. But then, perhaps looking for logic in their behavior is a waste of time.

  23. Hemidactylus says

    Ah yes the hall monitor has spoken. No relevance to the US.

    https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-embassy-iraq-preparing-ordered-evacuation-due-heightened-security-risks-2025-06-11/

    The decision by the U.S. to evacuate some personnel comes at a volatile moment in the region. Trump’s efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked and U.S. intelligence indicates that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Two posters decide maybe this breaking news is important enough to comment upon as it has majors ramifications on the world stage. What if Iran strikes back and things spiral badly in the next days.

    Hall monitor: Totally unimportant to anyone here.

    In the real world newcasters break into regularly scheduled programming to alert viewers of major developments.

    Hall monitor: Stop news people. Stop. This thread is about a thing.

  24. John Morales says

    Hemidactylus:
    Ah yes the hall monitor has spoken. No relevance to the US.
    &
    Hall monitor: Totally unimportant to anyone here.

    Topicality ≠ topicality.
    It’s not the topic of this thread, and this is not the open thread.
    Facts.
    The protest is the topic, but that does not mean nothing else is unimportant to “anyone here”, any more than abortion legislation or fiscal policy.

    PZ: Are you ready for the big No Kings protest on Saturday? Are you making signs? I have to tell you that you shouldn’t use these as ideas for posters.

    You: Israel and Iran!

    Me: What? That’s not the topic; this is about the upcoming protest by USAnians regarding the USA.

    You: Hall Monitor!!

    There’s an Infinite Thread open right now, you know.

    For off-topic stuff. So, no.

    Not hall monitor, rather interested participant.

    Off-topic, but in the news:

    U.S. Says It Was Not Involved in Israeli Strikes on Iran

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the United States had no involvement in Israel’s unilateral strikes on Iran but had been told that Israel considered the attack necessary for its self-defense.

    President Trump, who has been pushing for a deal with Iran on its nuclear program, was hosting the annual White House picnic on Thursday evening when reports of the strikes emerged from Tehran.

    Despite his expressed hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough, Mr. Trump had also acknowledged on Thursday that Israel might attack first.

    In a statement, Mr. Rubio said: “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.”

    It was not immediately clear how much detail about the strike Israel had provided the United States, its main ally, and how far in advance.*

    Despite the Trump administration distancing itself from the attacks, its statements and precautionary measures this week have indicated the concern that Iran’s retaliation, which is expected to be swift, could also include American targets in the Middle East.

    “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Mr. Rubio said.

    * we all know what that means in journalism, right?

  25. says

    white people wanted daddy trunk to make them feel safe, and yet it took less than half a year for multiple nuclear powers to start attacking each other. fascist deathclown administration good for business. accelerating climate change and nuclear belligerence are good for business. measles and covid are good for business. safe, safe, safe. no ouchy needles, no queers tellin u what to do. we’re so safe now, bigly safe in the tiny hands. like how jeezy peets has the whole world in his. god i feel safe.

  26. microraptor says

    If anyone’s hard up for a decoration for their protest, might I suggest a guillotine?

  27. KG says

    Some commenters: uh, Israel and Iran.

    Me: Neither is the USA. – John Morales@26

    And of course the USA, which has been arming, funding and supporting Israel, the aggressor, for decades, has absolutely nothing to do with its attack on Iran, no sir. And all the participants in the “No Kings” demonstrations will of course recognise that, because demonstrations are always strictly about one clearly defined issue. If the participants fail to do so, they can expect John Morales to wag a very stern finger at them.

  28. John Morales says

    “And of course the USA, which has been arming, funding and supporting Israel, the aggressor, for decades, has absolutely nothing to do with its attack on Iran, no sir.”

    Other than providing the munitions and the financing and the support, no.

    Point being, this post is “Don’t use these posters”, and the topic is the protest tomorrow, not Israel’s actions.

    There is an Endless Thread for off-topic comments, you know.

    Or, is anything that is in any way related to the USA–6 degrees of separation OK?–topical, in your estimation?

    Yes, Israel would be pulped into oblivion were it not for the big bully the USA, that is fucking obvious, has been since its establishment. But it’s not about the “no kings” protest, the topic of this thread.

  29. lumipuna says

    If you see any UFO aliens, just call that ICE number and report them.

    I suppose you could also report sightings of actual foreign invaders in Ukraine and Palestine, citing news stories and social media posts.

  30. KG says

    Yes, Israel would be pulped into oblivion were it not for the big bully the USA, that is fucking obvious, has been since its establishment. But it’s not about the “no kings” protest, the topic of this thread.

    So why are you continuing to post off-topic material on this thtread, John? But if PZ wants commenters to keep strictly to the topic of the “No Kings” protest, he’ll say so. He doesn’t need you to act as hall monitor. And your comment is wrong, since Israel has nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them, which is almost certainly that is enough to deter any likely “pulper”, as such a “pulper” could expect to be “pulped” in return.

  31. John Morales says

    So why are you continuing to post off-topic material on this thtread, John?

    Because I responded to you, obviously.
    That ‘Yes’ you quoted? It indicates just that. I was responding to you.

    But if PZ wants commenters to keep strictly to the topic of the “No Kings” protest, he’ll say so.

    Where did I impute, never mind suggest, that PZ wanted that?

    What I noted is that this thread is very specific: “No Kings”

    I also noted that there is an open thread for current news; I know you know of it, since you’ve been posting there very recently.

    So, not about what PZ wants, but about the basic etiquette of at least being on-topic.

    (My excuse is that I am responding; it was not I who debouched from the topic just to post breaking world news here)

    He doesn’t need you to act as hall monitor.

    Nor am I, nor have I ever pretended to be one.
    That is a very stupid framing; I am a commenter who is peeved that the topic has been ignored needlessly just because this is the current thread.

    And your comment is wrong, since Israel has nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them, which is almost certainly that is enough to deter any likely “pulper”, as such a “pulper” could expect to be “pulped” in return.

    Um, deterrence is not prevention, and if you haven’t got it by now (Hamas’ attack that started this particular current instance of Middle East conflict retaliatory action by Israel (with interest, of course)) suicide bombing is a thing.

    Trust me on this; when people become sufficiently motivated, deterrence is futile.

    (I suppose you don’t get that; you never grew up in an honour culture)

  32. StevoR says

    Huh, Israel, Iran and the USA all have something in common an it is that they have no kings!

    Israel has a Prime Minister and a President, Iran has Ayatollahs, Mullah’s and a President and the USA has a President – albiet one that seemingly thinks he is a king or an emperor and is working to make himself into a dictator or maybe already has suceeded in becoming that.

    Also all three have or have recently had major ongoing protests against their present terrible leaders.

  33. StevoR says

    Huh, Israel, Iran and the USA all have something in common an it is that they have no kings!

    Israel has a Prime Minister and a President, Iran has Ayatollahs, Mullah’s and a President and the USA has a President – albiet one that seemingly thinks he is a king or an emperor and is working to make himself into a dictator or maybe already has suceeded in becoming that.

    Also all three have or have recently had major ongoing protests against their present terrible leaders.

  34. StevoR says

    FWIW, if there’s someone commenting posting a BREAKING NEWS this is something major that you might well want to know about in any thread then I’m fine with that.

    A comments thread is a type of conversation (discourse) and those do flow and change and depend on what people are talking about at the time..

  35. rorschach says

    I somewhat agree with John M, off-topic or breaking stuff should go into the Endless Thread, and in my experience quite often PZ will pick it up from there and make a post on it. But I’ve noted that posts in the ET don’t show up in the Recent Comments list anymore, which makes it harder to follow what’s going on there.

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