Fender Philosophers

"Focus on Your Own Damn Family." "Abolish Southern California." "Think Globally, Act Locally." In this lightly entertaining look at the ubiquitous phenomenon of bumper stickers, filmmaker Lisa Leeman interviews men and women on the street, hears about the business side of bumper stickers from various vendors, and tosses in a few political references to "the original sound bite" from Clinton, Bush and Ford. Whether it's the woman with the van sporting over 140 bumper stickers who feels an obligation to "educate the public" (with complex issues neatly encapsulated in 10 words or less), or the man who's tired of seeing "Free Tibet" (is this something he should do before or after his morning coffee, he wonders), the opinions expressed herein by liberals, conservatives, hippies, environmentalists, ranchers, surfers, and others, are often as variable as the messages adorning the backs of cars themselves. While not much deeper than the subject it attempts to cover, Fender Philosophers does remind us that bumper stickers cannot be easily categorized: some are wise ("Condoms are Easier to Change Than Diapers"), some are silly ("Visualize Whirled Peas"), and some are mean-spirited ("My Son Knocked Up Your Honor Student"). Two things about bumper stickers are for sure: 1) they're one of the most popular expressions of free speech in America, and 2) they're really hard to get off. A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)