Words on a board, Queue Politicians

‘Words… they are but letters stringed together. Empty of all, except the ink we used to create them and the material we lay them upon.’ – Tracy-Lee van der Haar

Of course, that is until you apply feelings to the equation.

I recently saw the news about billboards being put up, advertising the E-Tolls. They were pretty simple, blurred picture of the things as the background and the message ‘E-Tolls. Proudly brought to you by the ANC’, pretty straight forward, to the point, no fluff.

But obviously, someone found offense, most likely an ANC supporter or maybe even one of the officials passing by in their helicopter [you know, ‘cos driving costs, petrol, etc….]

Their complaint is basically how this ‘is not funny’, ‘defamation’, ‘against election something or other…’, I’d go one but it’s a bunch of BS.

Oooo, did I just say that •o• !? Yes, yes I did.

‘E-Tolls, Proudly brought to you by the ANC’

There is absolutely nothing untrue about this statement, it is FACT. Whether the ANC likes it or not, it cannot be changed. That thing was 100% ANC supported and signed into existence, not to mention financially sustained, under the ANC administration. Our President made sure of this when he knowingly and willingly [can I add negligently… O_o] signed that law into effect last month.

It isn’t false advertising, just words. Powerful words, yes but only because they were given power by those who chose to take offense by it [Those pesky feels … >.<].  

The only way to find that statement offensive, derogatory, or whatever defence they plan to cook up, is if you take from it a feeling of guilt or discomfort.

It is unfortunate that it happens to be negative publicity, but you kinda did it to yourself… can’t really blame that on others.

Admittedly, the DA could have dealt with the President’s snub to the public, differently. But having played nice(ish) for so long and constantly hitting the wall, I can sort of see why they take the jabs where they can. Of course it doesn’t change the fact that this stunt will cost them.

But at least the billboards will be around for a while according to a recent statement from the DA. 

Frankly I think there should be more and they should last longer, you know to prepare everyone for it. After all, according to all advertising laws and regulations, this ad is in no way a violation of any legislation.

Huh… Funny how one can have a love/hate relationship with the laws and regulations in this country *-*