Therese Tran / Staff Photographer Doug Cogan - or "Doug from Upland," as he is known - covered his new car with anti-Kerry and pro-Bush magnetic Bumber stickers, which he can remove to avoid vandalism.
Posted on 08/28/2004 5:57:46 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma
The Upland man has 14 bumper stickers clinging to all sides of his black 2004 PT Cruiser -- many of them taking blunt jabs at Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
"I admit it's a little obsessive -- but it is political season," said Cogan, 56, who is known in radio and Internet circles simply as "Doug from Upland."
The "campaign-mobile," as he calls his car, is an effort to celebrate freedom of speech and rev up support for President Bush -- all at 30 miles to the gallon.
And not to worry, Cogan said: The stickers are all magnetic, so he can take them off when he's at home or parked in more liberal parts of town, where the car might look tempting to potential vandals.
But that's about the only time they come off.
"I always drive with them -- my wife doesn't want to ride with me," said Cogan, a commercial real estate broker.
He's got the standard "Bush-Cheney '04" and "God Bless Our Troops" messages. But it's his collection of anti-Kerry stickers -- made at home with a computer -- he hopes will drive his point home.
One depicts the Massachusetts senator in his much-joked-about NASA anti-contamination suit, next to a shot of Bush hauling wood over his shoulder at his Texas ranch. "Which man do terrorists fear?" it asks.
Another proclaims: "News Bulletin - Al Qaeda supports Kerry (duh)."
Motorist response to Cogan's slogans has been mixed.
Some honk and give him a thumbs up. Others use a different finger.
"I've been flipped off many times," he said.
Cogan's rolling billboard is just one of the many ways he's found to express himself politically.
Over the last dozen years, he has made an estimated 2,000 calls to talk radio stations -- averaging one every few days. He has also written more than 1,500 parody songs -- putting political lyrics to popular hits -- for neoconservative Web site freerepublic.com.
His just-published book, "A Child's-Eye View of John Kerry" -- which pokes fun at the candidate through the mind of a school kid -- is now available on eBay.
Political statements even turn up in his choice of condiments.
"I take my own ketchup into restaurants, and I make a point to make sure everybody knows -- "take this Heinz ketchup off my table,'" he said, noting his distaste for the company affiliated with Kerry's wife.
"My wife doesn't like to go to dinner with me," he added.
Especially if he's the one driving.
Jason Newell can be reached by e-mail at jason.newell@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9338.
Doug, are you supporting Gary Ovitt for San Bernardino Country supervisor. I was supposed to go work the phone bank for him today, but I was feeling terrible and didn't make it.
They want me to host a coffee. Maybe, I will host one and you can bring that car over. I would like to get a look at it first hand.
Cool!
That second image is great! I have no idea why Kerry ever put on the "sperm suit" -- a president should be smarter than that!
Great article!
WOW....that is the best FREEP-MOBILE I've ever seen!
I'd like a close up of the "Unfit for Command/Comrades died" sign. That's nice!
Doug's the man!
Ha! I've seen that car in person 5 whole times,
with a wonderful new addition every time.
My fave is the "Comrades Died Because He Lied."
Wish it were a thousand billboards.
In the hard copy of the newspaper, the title is: UPLAND MAN STICKS IT TO KERRY. Above the picture, it says: This car veers to the right. You got that right.
Thanks!
Inner thigh? Ann has a gun.
WOO-HOO!
This is fabulous.
Our own Doug.
You're marvelous, Mr. "Upland."
Bump for a courageous stand!
GO DFU!
It was so funny at the store yesterday. A little old lady, probably about 80, just pulled in as I was loading the groceries. She told me she agreed with the messaged but asked, "Aren't you afraid you are going to be shot?" She really does know the other side, doesn't she?
All right, Doug!!
If You get that close, you'll forget all about BobS....great thread!
Holy crap!
And you know you laugh but in the back of your mind you know they are capable!
They're SKERRY people!
Oh poo. I goofed, didn't I?
I'm sorry......I really am.
You didn't goof. They put a different healine in the hard copy of the paper. You had the online version.
Well then. I'll sleep better....
:-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.