The Story of CCRA's Burma SignsOrigins
Many Americans of the "older generation" are indeed familiar with Verse by
the Roadside -- the Burma-Shave slogans which dotted American roadsides
between the period 1927 to 1963. The CCRA has spearheaded the "Return of the
Burma's" as a means of providing information and even entertainment for
those plying the highways and by-ways of Illinois and beyond. The objective
of each sign set is to proclaim a basic truth, and to provide the viewing
public the means to find out more, such as by contacting our web site.
Dr. Richard Klein, past Chairman of the CCRA, is photographed in 1999 with
one of our original sets of signs. Since that time, we have changed to Arial
font for much-improved visibility.
Our First Signs
The first set of signs erected by the CCRA went up on I-74 east of Urbana,
Illinois in the spring of 1998. The first set, consisting of three signs,
proclaimed the simple truth, GUN CONTROL --- DISARMS VICTIMS -- NOT
CRIMINALS. Based upon positive public reaction received, our group expanded
the concept to a basic four-line message followed by a fifth, "tag line"
sign. In our case, the tag line makes a summary statement as well as
provides a web site address -- "GUNS SAVE LIFE.COM" It also provides legal
protection from the Illinois Department of Transportation (more on that
later).
More signs!
Following the appearance of our first sign set on I-74 east of Urbana in
1998, other area land owners interested in American ideals noticed the signs
and approached us through word-of-mouth inquiring how they might get a set
of signs on their property. The result has been a systematic sign building
and placement effort. The signs are now seen along various area interstates
(and soon on major state highways). In general, the CCRA orchestrates the
erection of new signs. A number of different tasks are involved, these
being; site procurement, slogan authorship/creation, construction and
printing of panels, on-site erection, fund raising to cover expenses, and
web site support.
1. Site Procurement: The task of site procurement is complex, but it
does happen. Friends of the Second Amendment (meaning patriotic Americans
who believe in the Constitution) are referred to us or contact us. One of
our members visits with the local landowner and inspects the site for
suitability and contacts "JULIE" to survey the area for buried cables,
pipelines and other infrastructure items. Once the "go-ahead" is agreed
upon, the materials are ordered and a work-day is scheduled.
2. Slogan Authorship/Creation: Interestingly, we get candidate
slogans from many different sources. We have a Burma-slogan Committee,
chaired by Christina Vrinios. Those with ideas for slogans e-mail them to
her and the Committee. They, along with the Steering Committee, serve as
editors and selection judges. Normally, if the Committee really likes a
particular slogan, it submits it to the general membership for approval. In
many other cases, we undertake surveys of non-gun enthusiasts for their
opinions. In these "focus groups," we look for sign slogans that do not
necessarily appeal to gun owners, but may have unique appeal to the general
public.
At the regular meetings, the slogans are given a pass/fail vote. To be
approved, the vote has to be nearly unanimously in favor of the candidate
slogan. If the majority approve of the slogan, but some have reservations,
it is sent back for "tweaking."
If you have an idea for a Burma-style slogan, please e-mail
David Pike.
3. Construction: As much as possible of the panel construction is
done off-site and in a shop environment. This includes plywood cutting,
installation of trim, and mounting of stiffeners. The construction of the
signs has evolved considerably since our first set.
Originally, we used all donated materials, including oak timbers and
untreated plywood. This kept the costs to a minimum, but the quality (and
the life) left a bit to be desired.
Today, we use vandal resistant hardware on all of our new sets. We are
nearly finished retrofitting many of our first sets of signs as the oak
timbers began failing after three years in the ground. Today's sign sets
have an expected life of approximately twenty years.
GSL solved a rash of spray paint vandalism by mounting a double decker set
of signs temporarily at a busy location that had been vandalized just a few
days before.
The printed messages are ordered from an area print shop and our cost is
$160 per five sign set. The sign panels themselves have an expected life of
about five years. We are experimenting with all metal signs for further
vandal resistance. We are also experimenting reflective letters.
4. Erecting the Signs: Most sets of slogans consist of five sign
sets. A desired spacing of about 200 feet between signs is maintained on
most highways, and this permits a comfortable two-second read time per sign
for passing motorists. Construction and erection amounts to setting in place
tens posts and attachment of backing panels that carry the printed slogans.
A three person work crew can generally install a set of sign panels in about
two hours with the right tools. Once in place, the condition of the signs is
monitored by area members to cause the grass and weeds to be kept trim, and
to repair any damage such as by windstorm.
5. Fundraising: Today, the cost per set for materials is right at
$500. The extra money we now spend on each set saves us hours on
installation time. It also nearly eliminates the ability of vandals to tear
down the signs. Lastly, it nearly doubles the life of the signs. The
necessary funds are raised by a variety of means such as: donations, group
fund-raising activities, drawings, and other special events. Because of
requests for sign panel sets in more distant areas, the CCRA will assist
other groups and individuals with the slogan and sign placement, but we
generally ask that each area generate its own funding support and some labor
assistance. If it is not too far away, we will help them install their first
set. This way, we can boost them along the learning curve.
6. Legal Considerations: In most states laws prohibit digging
(especially with powered equipment) without first getting a dig-permit from
the state or other agency. In Illinois, for example, a dig permit can be
obtained by marking the site and then by calling J-U-L-I-E several days
prior to digging. There is no cost for obtaining a dig permit.
Any group, or individual, contemplating erection of signs along a public
roadway should be aware that regulations exist concerning "commercial
advertising." However, as these signs are posted on private property and
they are political in nature, they are protected by the Constitution, as
affirmed by the 9-0 1994 Supreme Court decision
City of LaDue vs. Gilleo. In 1999, the Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) send threatening letters to nearly all of the
landowners displaying Burma-style signs. Paul Vallandigham, our attorney,
sent IDOT a letter citing the LaDue vs. Gilleo decision and
explaining how the CCRA would respond if additional letter were sent to the
landowners or if IDOT removed the signs as threatened. A friend at the state
headquarters of IDOT told us that the chief legal counsel (at the time) told
his district offices to "not give Mr. Vallandigham any reason to send me
further correspondence." To this day, no additional letters have ever been
received from IDOT regarding the CCRA Burma-style signage.
Web Site Support
Our goal is to provide meaningful information to the public, as well as a
means for the public to access supporting documentation on the Right to Keep
and Bear Arms. We also strive to give credit to organizations sponsoring
highway signs in their area.
Gun Owner Response
The CCRA has been pleased (even overwhelmed) by the response to our sign
slogans. Response has come from many quarters of society. Americans who
respect the Second Amendment have been very supportive. This support
manifests itself in many ways: e-mail responses from around the nation,
telephone calls, support and donations at area gun shows, CB chatter along
the highway (which we monitor from time to time), and verbal feedback. In
short, the area pro-gun community is proud of these signs and doesn't
hesitate to tell us so.
Media
The media has also noticed -- to the point that The Champaign-Urbana
News-Gazette wrote the first feature article about the signs on February
19, 1999. The story also included color photographs on the front page. A few
months later, the Monticello newspaper had a front page story about the
signs as well. The Oliver North radio show even discussed our Burma-Shave
signs one day in the Spring of 1999. Since that time, we have received
additional newspaper articles (articles from the only area regional
newspaper with archives - 1 2 3 4 5 6) about the signs and our group's
activities.
In 2000, one sign set was posted on I-55 within sight of the rest area (near
Pontiac, IL) where a flight attendant named Heather Tomich was brutally
murdered one night on her way home. That set read CRIMINALS MENACING? A LADY
ALONE? DETERRENCE REQUIRES - MORE THAN A PHONE. Sadly, Heather Tomich only
had a cell phone in her purse that night. The newspapers in that area
published articles about the relationship between the crime and the signs
nearby.
Also in 2000, Dr. Richard Klein and John Boch were published in a color
photo on the front page of the Decatur Herald and Review in a story
about the signs. Other stories have detailed (some with photos) vandalism
done to the signs. Letters-to-the-editor in area newspapers have also
promoted or criticized the signs. Local 9-1-1 coordinators hate our "DIALED
9-1-1 - AND I'M ON HOLD - SURE WISH I HAD - THAT GUN I SOLD" slogan and are
quite vocal in their opinions. Other pro-gun groups in the State of Illinois
are organizing so as to get signs in their areas. We've even had pro-gun
groups in other states (as distant as Florida and as close as Missouri)
express an interest in adopting the roadside sign slogans.
Of course, the anti-gun community has noticed these signs. We hope to
educate the entire community as to one basic and undeniable fact -- Guns
Save Life. We say that because in virtually all responsible and scholarly
studies that examine the facts, society is safer when citizens have the
right to keep and bear arms. Yes, the opposition can cite isolated instances
(anecdotal in nature) of some unfortunate situation where an innocent person
was injured or killed by a gun, and it's a tragedy when that happens. But
the truth is that anecdotal information fails to look at the society as a
whole, and it fails to measure the good which a gun in the hands of an
honest citizens can do.
The most zealous anti-gunner is invited, for example, to read the book
More Guns, Less Crime by University of Chicago Professor John Lott.
After reading his book, anti-gunners are challenged to find a flaw in Lott's
logic or in his findings. The critic is challenged to present an acceptable
scholarly rebuttal -- "acceptable" means one which will stand up to
scholarly peer review. The point is that Lott's work has, to date, withstood
all attempts by the (anti-gun) critics to discredit his work in a scholarly
forum.
An Invitation: If you feel that American freedoms are at risk, and
you would like to join or assist in our efforts, you are cordially invited
to join, to respond, or to even help support our work through a donation of
time, materials, land site acquisition, or even dollars. Please contact
John Boch.
REWARD - $500 reward for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of individuals who vandalized any GunsSaveLife.com signs.
Contact us with any
information you may have.
For more information see:
Sign
Slogans and Statistics.
If you would like to send us e-mail, just send it to our
webmaster.
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