The story of suppression of free speech and one man's humorous way of displaying his political views and dislike of war and the Bush Administration.
July 16, 2006 (Press Release) --
Taipei, Taiwan – July 17 - Honolulu Airport security officials were not amused, when on June10th, 2006, Jim Peterson wore a t-shirt saying "George Bush, War Criminal" They refused him entry to the flight until he turned the shirt inside out.
Peterson, a self-described political activist and pacifist who had made the shirt himself later commented, "Frankly, I find those Hawaiian shirts way more offensive than my t-shirt. I have strong opinions about war and I know others do too. This is my way of speaking out".
Peterson’s project got its start when he went looking for a t-shirt that would express his dissatisfaction with the Bush administration and the Iraq war. When he couldn’t find any interesting ones, he started printing them himself. He is now selling the "War Criminal" t-shirt and many others with far more controversial slogans and images, as well as humorous designs, at www.cooltease.com or through Ebay for US $20.
Peterson likes to wear his shirts wherever he goes and says they always get a reaction. "Sometimes it’s negative (like at the airport), but mostly it’s positive. A lot of people smile, or say thinks like ‘cool shirt’ or ‘that’s awesome’ and shake my hand. "With the direction the US is headed, you can either laugh or cry. I decided to laugh," added Peterson.
The t-shirts sport slogans such as:
What if they had a war and nobody showed up?
Drop Bush, not bombs.
Weapon of mass destruction (above a wacky looking picture of President Bush)
One t-shirt compares pictures of Bush with pictures of monkeys. "I like that one. You have to admit the resemblance is striking", says Peterson.
Peterson considers himself a pacifist and hopes more people will get involved in politics. "A lot of people in the U.S. still think Bush is a shrub; they really need to wake up."
In addition to the politically charged t-shirts, cooltease.com sells pro-drinking-themed shirts and a diet book. "It’s an strange product mix but it makes sense to me. Think too much, drink too much; therefore need to diet too much," said Peterson.
Contact: Uli Krach, Taiwan
886-958921895, info@cooltease.com
Peterson, a self-described political activist and pacifist who had made the shirt himself later commented, "Frankly, I find those Hawaiian shirts way more offensive than my t-shirt. I have strong opinions about war and I know others do too. This is my way of speaking out".
Peterson’s project got its start when he went looking for a t-shirt that would express his dissatisfaction with the Bush administration and the Iraq war. When he couldn’t find any interesting ones, he started printing them himself. He is now selling the "War Criminal" t-shirt and many others with far more controversial slogans and images, as well as humorous designs, at www.cooltease.com or through Ebay for US $20.
Peterson likes to wear his shirts wherever he goes and says they always get a reaction. "Sometimes it’s negative (like at the airport), but mostly it’s positive. A lot of people smile, or say thinks like ‘cool shirt’ or ‘that’s awesome’ and shake my hand. "With the direction the US is headed, you can either laugh or cry. I decided to laugh," added Peterson.
The t-shirts sport slogans such as:
What if they had a war and nobody showed up?
Drop Bush, not bombs.
Weapon of mass destruction (above a wacky looking picture of President Bush)
One t-shirt compares pictures of Bush with pictures of monkeys. "I like that one. You have to admit the resemblance is striking", says Peterson.
Peterson considers himself a pacifist and hopes more people will get involved in politics. "A lot of people in the U.S. still think Bush is a shrub; they really need to wake up."
In addition to the politically charged t-shirts, cooltease.com sells pro-drinking-themed shirts and a diet book. "It’s an strange product mix but it makes sense to me. Think too much, drink too much; therefore need to diet too much," said Peterson.
Contact: Uli Krach, Taiwan
886-958921895, info@cooltease.com
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