G-Artist
New Member
Today I got a call from an old colleague asking about an editor of a political blog. That "editor" was one of the very few folks/entities I have tossed out of my shop and banned for life.
Anyway the blog itself was interesting and one of the topics was of Clear Channel rejecting some gay-themed artwork for billboards promoting St. Pete Pride which is a local gay pride movement. I saw the pics in question and I failed to see what was objectionable (just several folks smiling).
The issue will be interesting as there was a contract in place and I assume just one person at CC doing the censoring.
That got me to thinking back to a day before I had a plotter. I needed a sign bud to quickly make me a few film bumper-strip size pos's on his Gerber Edge. He did three. The 4th he wouldn't print. He was the religious type and a JW (if it matters). Yes, the text was smutty. So, he, like Clear Channel, became a censor (and we were friends!).
Let me start off.
I graduated from print trade work which towards the end included re-building large printing presses and went on to ad specialties and eventually into signage with a few other semi-careers in between. For most of my life I have been associated with graphics arts in one form or another.
When I hung my shingle as an sole proprieter entrepreneur the first philosophy I instituted was that we would "print" anything for anyone. I believed then and still do today that everyone, regardless of political affiliation or personal view(s), has a right to publish even w/o the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Not necessarily a right to be heard or read but certainly a right to publish.
The second principle I adopted was there are no black, white, brown or yellow clients....they are all green as that is how they pay.
I sometimes have to explain that philosophy to customers who see work on the walls we did for organizations that can be considered racist, violent, anti-government or all of those combined. I tell them they should be thankful that we do not care who they are or what color they are or what their religious or personal beliefs are, we will print/publish your message. Not everyone will.
I don't censor, even if I am a bit repulsed by the copy.
Do you censor? Have you ever censored even if you normally don't?
Anyway the blog itself was interesting and one of the topics was of Clear Channel rejecting some gay-themed artwork for billboards promoting St. Pete Pride which is a local gay pride movement. I saw the pics in question and I failed to see what was objectionable (just several folks smiling).
The issue will be interesting as there was a contract in place and I assume just one person at CC doing the censoring.
That got me to thinking back to a day before I had a plotter. I needed a sign bud to quickly make me a few film bumper-strip size pos's on his Gerber Edge. He did three. The 4th he wouldn't print. He was the religious type and a JW (if it matters). Yes, the text was smutty. So, he, like Clear Channel, became a censor (and we were friends!).
Let me start off.
I graduated from print trade work which towards the end included re-building large printing presses and went on to ad specialties and eventually into signage with a few other semi-careers in between. For most of my life I have been associated with graphics arts in one form or another.
When I hung my shingle as an sole proprieter entrepreneur the first philosophy I instituted was that we would "print" anything for anyone. I believed then and still do today that everyone, regardless of political affiliation or personal view(s), has a right to publish even w/o the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Not necessarily a right to be heard or read but certainly a right to publish.
The second principle I adopted was there are no black, white, brown or yellow clients....they are all green as that is how they pay.
I sometimes have to explain that philosophy to customers who see work on the walls we did for organizations that can be considered racist, violent, anti-government or all of those combined. I tell them they should be thankful that we do not care who they are or what color they are or what their religious or personal beliefs are, we will print/publish your message. Not everyone will.
I don't censor, even if I am a bit repulsed by the copy.
Do you censor? Have you ever censored even if you normally don't?
Actually just doesn't bother me but again - always my arbitrary call. 
:ROFLMAO::scream::Big Laugh
