Can someone tell me what exactly is so offensive about the "Together We Thrive" shirt?

[RandomKoolzip]

I'm hearing and reading that conservatives have their Superman underoos in a twist about it, but I can't actually fathom why, and I'm not about to go seek out a conservative website to find out (no hits for you, FR!)

Thanks in advance.

[Rex]

1. It is..BLUE!!!!

Therefore, according to the petty little GOPukers that hate everything Obama, it MUST symbolize the LEFT!

[LeftishBrit]

22. Note that in the UK, blue = Conservative!

Anyway, do Tea Partiers think the sky is left-wing?

[blondeatlast]

2. No, I can't. But I'm a reasonably intelligent adult, so I may not be the best choice

to ask.

[justiceischeap]

3. From what I understand, there are a couple of reasons

1) They are laboring under the false belief they were provided by Obama (the University printed and handed them out)

2) They felt it was tacky, kinda like a concert souvenir shirt

3) They hate everything that is associated with Obama

[Ineeda]

4. Maybe they couldn't

come up with much else to bitch about? I don't get it either, but that's nothing new regarding the RW outrage about everything.

[RandomKoolzip]

6. I was thinking that it was because the word "together" implies "collectivism"

or some such other Randian bull-crud. Cuz I know conservatives don't believe in interconnectedness or interdependence and other realities. I know they feel that some people SHOULDN'T thrive.

[GoCubsGo]

5. No American flag on it?

They're petty assholes? Hell if I know. I don't think like that, so it's difficult for me to understand their reasoning.

[meegbear]

7. They couldn't make a buck off it

[Warpy]

8. They all think of themselves as Randian superheroes

who don't need another living soul to survive.

That's what they hate about it. They're all Horatio Alger, pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps, never realizing somebody else made those boots.

One of the most pernicious myths in this country is that of the rugged individualist on the frontier. The far right has bought into it whole hog.

[RandomKoolzip]

11. That's the conclusion I came to, too.

"How DARE someone besides myself thrive!" I read some conservative staffer actaully was CRYING about the shirts and Tweeting about her tears. What strange, strange people.

See, that's the difference between liberals and conservatives - I want EVERYONE to do well, even if I disagree with them ideologically, except if they poison the well for everyone else. The conservatives I know, on the other hand, would rather not do well if it means someone other than themselves does well. IT's just...weird. I don't understand that worldview.

[jillan]

9. I wanted to criticize Obama's speech, but all I got was this lousy T-Shirt.

What more evidence is there that Obama touched the right tone last nite if all they can complain about is a t-shirt?

[LostInAnomie]

10. Together We Thrive!!! Sounds like a Communist plot, to me!!!

:sarcasm:

Honestly, they were just looking for something to bitch about. That's what they're paid to do.

[Cerridwen]

12. I could, but first you'd have to adopt the mindset of a poorly adjusted

two-year-old, prone to tantrums and stealing other children's toys.

Of course, if you can do that, I'm not sure I'd want to try to explain it to you. :D

[woo me with science]

13. Not sure I would ever wear a t-shirt of the memorial after my daughter's murder.

or want to see it on someone else.

I suspect some people think of them as a souvenir-type thing more associated with concerts or political rallies than a memorial service. People tend to dress nicely for memorials, out of respect, so a t-shirt as a memento feels a bit odd.

[RandomKoolzip]

15. Hmm...I took the message of the t-shirt as a token of hope or positivity.

I saw it as an attempt to emphasize a silver lining.

Have you seen people who wear t-shirts memorializing the friends and families they've lost? I have. When I lived in New Orleans, those t-shirts were quite common. It's a way of keeping close the loved ones they've lost and I see nothing wrong with it.

[Toucano]

18. If find all sorts of commemorative clothing odd, actually.

Goodwill is full of printed T-shirts from events like, "2006 Gibson Family Reunion" and "Albany Fun Run 2007".

Obviously, they hold great symbolic meaning to people and no resources are wasted in the production of them at all. I mean, the people who showed up at those events probably didn't have a shirt to wear.

[seabeyond]

23. for me it would be more a reminder of united, connected, a whole. nt

[CTyankee]

25. It IS odd but it's not the Obama people's doing. It's the University.

I think the students thought it was a good idea...they wanted something positive out of this tragedy...it's "youthful indiscretion" IMO. The event was held at their school and they can do really what they want.

What might happen is that this tempest in a teacup might backfire on these complainers. It'll make them look a bit petty...we should let it just die away...

[librechik]

14. becasue when we work together we are commies. When they work together, they ar patriots.

It's quite simple.

[Atman]

16. The Obama people thought of it, therefore it is offensive to many.

Many who would be offended if Obama had held up a picture of Jesus hugging a basket full of kittens and puppies. These people don't care...if Obama has anything to do with it, it's offensive.

[madmom]

17. They are trying to say it is an

inappropriate way to grieve. They are saying it was a memorial service, when it was billed by UofA as a Celebration of Life. They are getting the vapors because someone DARE grieve in a way other than what THEY deem appropriate. Some are even saying the the "Together We Thrive" theme is Obama's new campaign slogan.

[sinkingfeeling]

19. +1 Yes, someone brought up that it was worse than Wellstone's.

[chelsea0011]

20. anything Obama can be associated with = I hate you

[FourScore]

21. Because they didn't think of it themselves. n/t

[old mark]

24. K&R-Socialism!!!111!!nt

[RedCloud]

26. It's way too first person plural for those selfish lunatics.

[madrchsod]

27. i tend to discount what 2 year olds.....

have to say about anything profound.

[JoePhilly]

28. The correct way to memorialize those killed was to drop the corp tax rate to zero!!

[ChoppinBroccoli]

29. Because Everyone Knows Thar Ain't No Such Number As "Thrive"........

Everyone knows that three and five make NINE!!! They don't? Oh, OK, then....TEN!!! No? Thirty-five?

Maybe they're mad because, like their hero Sarah Failin, they don't really understand what those words MEAN.