OC Register Says "TALK ABOUT IT"

An interesting thing on the road today: I was driving near the 405 this morning and on a pedestrian island at the corner of an intersection I noticed two gruff-looking young latinos holding relatively small banners asking the question, "Are Minutemen a solution or a problem?"  Underneith the question was the logo "TALK ABOUT IT". 

Huh? 

The two of them were doing a pretty good job catching the attention of passing motorists.  I thought they had to be anti-Minutemen, so I passed them by rolling my eyes.  There wasn't much I could say there, behind the wheel.  But then I came upon another sign.

There was a huge billboard on the left side of the 55 north asking another question, "More freeways or treeways?"  Again, underneith was a logo, "TALK ABOUT IT".  This time I caught something else.  Just under the command to express oneself was the header of the OC Register.  I promised myself I would look into it when I got a chance. 

Well check this out. 

The sign wavers and billboard are a part of campaign by the Register to advertise it's seemingly new discussion "threads" on issues of interest to readers.  Right now there are questions like "Is the Da Vinci Code evil?" and "Are you afraid of MySpace?" as well as many others.  I imagine many of OC Blog's patrons would have something to contribute to the thread "Illegal immigration or Minuteman-ization?"  It's great because you get to converse with the reporters who typically cover these issues, much like our ability to converse with the editorial and political staff before.  And the Register supplies you stories they've run on the thread's topic, if one wasn't able to navigate their miserable search engine.

I have to applaud the Register for devising a catchy, engaging ad campaign to lure in customers/readers/news consumers and for making an effort to incite online discussions.  In addition, I encourage OC Blog acquaintances to check in with and contribute to TALK ABOUT IT. 

Comments

[sportsmonster]

You're right... it's a good forum. But "Freeways or Treeways?" That should be "Freeways or Weedways?" It's hardly Sherwood Forest out there east of the I-5 where Foothill-South will be built.

[Patrick Strader]

At the Jeffrey and Alton intersection in Irvine, the signs said, "Healthcare, Right or Privilege?"

[Travis]

Traditional media organizations are finally starting to embrace the 2-way communication opportunities that the Internet has given us. I was impressed when the Register started a business blog last year. They must have liked the results, because now they have two of their business writers doing daily blogs and directly responding to comments from the community.

[Illegal Alien]

Who do I have to complain to to get this stopped.

It worked over at the SA Citizens site.

[Anthony Kuo]

The "myspace" folks were on Newport at the Triangle square at the end of the 55. (Patrick, you must have seen those signs after the Board meeting!)

[El Comandante]

I spotted two guys on the corner of Bristol and Sunflower in Santa Ana with signs that read "Google.gov?" and then "talk about it".

Interesting strategy.

[Critic]

Yawn.

The Register has never understood blogs or two-way communication. They are thin-skinned and always need to control content.

[petit bourgeois]

Yes, and the citizenship status of those they employ is questionable. Too bad a phone call to ICE won't do any good.

[Rolling my eyes at silence dogood]

Oh I see silence Dogood,

First you'll discount(rolling your eyes) the two men because it appeared that it was a few wackos exercising their rights.

Then when you see the name and money behind this "read all about it " campaign you are all, Hey that's something worth checking in too.

If you could see me, "I'm rolling my eyes at people like you that feel political expression has to have money and a name to be credible

[Silence Dogood]

While I appreciate your not-so-subtle innuedo that I'm a rich political elitist, the actual reason for rolling my eyes was my continued frustration about the inopportune situations that have me wanting to engage in debate. I was behind the wheel. For that I was mildly upset. I rolled my eyes.

Thanks for playing.

You misread me..not isinuating your wealth just your attitude.

So the OC Register is hiring illegals to hold signs in the medians when they are not selling flowers or oranges? What next? I expect to see them supporting unions and higher taxes.

[el s]

well yeah, thier hiring illegals! silence said they looked hispanic.. that's good enough for me!

[Silence Dogood]

I never suggested they were illegal.

Latino? Yes. Illegal? How would I know?

That's probably why he rolled his eyes...Saw a latino discounted it as some pro-latino propaganda and then found out it was was okay because the OC register was behind it.

[Silence Dogood]

I've explained why I rolled my eyes. Keep trying to race-bait. You look foolish.

Alert...there is a motorist out there who is constantly rolling his eyes becauuse of all these "inopportune situations". Let's all imgine how many billboards are along the 55 Frwy. Don't be listening to the radio silence dogood because you'll surely be rolling your eyes into the back of someone's car. Watch out for those bumber stickers, another "inopportune situation", still rolling his eyes.

Silence dogood, nobody trying to bring race into this discusion, only confirm what you stated on your original post, " I thought they had to be anti-Minutemen, so I passed them by rolling my eyes" but now your saying it was a "inopportune situations", that made you roll your eyes. Who's looking foolish now!