Best Way To Present Ron Paul's Message On A T-Shirt?

I can't remember where I got them from, but I have a few that just have a little hand with a 2 finger peace sign - and then to the right, they say "Ron Paul Likes Peace." It's simple, to the point, nothing to disagree about.

It says it right across the chest. They're great for girls. I tell them guys will pretend to be reading your shirt while looking at something else, but they would have been looking there anyway. "Stop Looking at My Chest" would be an interesting shirt as well.
 
It says it right across the chest. They're great for girls. I tell them guys will pretend to be reading your shirt while looking at something else, but they would have been looking there anyway. "Stop Looking at My Chest" would be an interesting shirt as well.

"Stop Looking at My Chest and Ask Me About Ron Paul". ;)
 
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Wow, thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate the feedback. I can see that the opinion is split, that's why I felt confused myself.

I know that "Truth is treason in the empire of lies" was a paraphrase of Orwell and I wouldn't want to try to credit the original direct quote to Ron Paul. I wasn't even planning on using quotation marks, but I was trying to think of a way to include Ron Paul's name somewhere in the design.

I still think that even though he's paraphrasing Orwell, and he isn't currently running for office, he's still the best messenger we have. My hope would be that including his name might get people who see it to think to themselves, "Hmm, I like that. Ron Paul said that?" and then go home and Google "Ron Paul" or "Truth is treason" or watch a YouTube video. That might be an unrealistic goal, but I think getting people to read or watch Ron Paul is the best way to convert them to the ideas of liberty.

I agree that Orwell deserves bucketloads of credit. However, 'improved quotes' (for lack of a better description) are generally attributed to the person who improved them. Just as improvements on existing inventions have always been patentable seperately from the original.

I agree 'revolutionary act' and 'treason' ring different bells, and Ron deserves credit for his.

I also agree that he deserves a little credit for the "improved quote". And thank you for posting the picture of the billboard. That's kind of the idea I was going for.

The ideas stand on their own and many of them were not original to Dr. Paul. Leave his name off and focus on the philosophy. Without a name the person will be forced to think about the message and not the messenger.

I also somewhat felt this way too though. I personally love Ron Paul, but I thought maybe focusing on the message without a name might make more people open to thinking about it. Throughout the campaign I know we all had experience with people that would dismiss anything related to him because they already heard he was crazy or because he was a Republican or whatever.

And I also say that I want a shirt with one of these quotes on the front and the other on the back!

Now that's an interesting idea, thank you. I'll try to play around with that and see if I can come up with something.
 
I agree that Orwell deserves bucketloads of credit. However, 'improved quotes' (for lack of a better description) are generally attributed to the person who improved them. Just as improvements on existing inventions have always been patentable seperately from the original.

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”--George Orwell

Now, what Orwell said is a truly great quote, and deserves a place of honor on a t-shirt. But in my opinion, it is neither as short nor as sweet as:
["Truth is treason in the empire of lies."]​

And though it's clearly a related concept, it isn't an identical sentiment. Yes, unquestionably there's a fine line between a time of deceit and an empire of deceit, or between revolution and treason. But sometimes those fine little lines can have a disproportionate effect on the idea it expresses and/or the impact it has. As for the idea, traditionally America looks upon revolution and treason very differently. America was born in revolution, and America runs on revolution--the framers of the Constitution considered every election a revolution! But treason, well; unlike revolution, treason is an affront to that very Constitution that allows and even encourages revolution.

I say Ron Paul deserves more credit for his words than Orwell, no matter how much Ron Paul owes to Orwell.
I think you make a really sound, well-thought-out argument. I am inclined to agree.
And I also say that I want a shirt with one of these quotes on the front and the other on the back!
Best idea so far!
 
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Does anyone know where Orwell's quote came from? I've tried searching and all I can find is that it's just generally attributed to him but can't find a source.
 
Does anyone know where Orwell's quote came from? I've tried searching and all I can find is that it's just generally attributed to him but can't find a source.
I think the first person to credit Orwell in print with the quote was in a magazine article discussing Orwell and his views (I could be wrong about this); I'm pretty sure there are a few books by others who also credit Orwell with the quote.

Technically, it's one of the Orwell quotes that is still in dispute since it's not in Orwell's own writings but is claimed by others to be something he said often, which is one of the reasons various people have heard so many variations of it (since orally passed on quotes often have several variations). The variations of the quote that I'm aware of that are attributed to Orwell are:
  • In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
  • In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
  • Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act.
  • During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
...Hope that helps.
 
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Thanks for the help Article V. Yeah, I had just wanted to make sure the quote was correct if I used it. But I guess since there isn't an exact correct version it doesn't matter as much.

I tried mocking it up each way. I'm not sure what the final design will be but this should give an idea of how it would look with and without Ron Paul's name. As was suggested, I tried to include Orwell's quote and name on the one that has Ron's name to be fair to both. Then there's the one with just the "Truth is treason" quote.

FileItem-267631-treason7_small.png


FileItem-267638-treason6_small.png


So after seeing an idea of what it would look like, does anyone have an opinion on which way would be better at reaching the people on the street that will be reading it?
 
Thanks for the help Article V. Yeah, I had just wanted to make sure the quote was correct if I used it. But I guess since there isn't an exact correct version it doesn't matter as much.

I tried mocking it up each way. I'm not sure what the final design will be but this should give an idea of how it would look with and without Ron Paul's name. As was suggested, I tried to include Orwell's quote and name on the one that has Ron's name to be fair to both. Then there's the one with just the "Truth is treason" quote.

FileItem-267631-treason7_small.png


FileItem-267638-treason6_small.png


So after seeing an idea of what it would look like, does anyone have an opinion on which way would be better at reaching the people on the street that will be reading it?

I like the one with the Orwell quote, it adds context. --- t-shirt message goal complete. Turn on printers...:)
 
I like the one with the Orwell quote, it adds context. --- t-shirt message goal complete. Turn on printers...:)
At first viewing, I was inclined toward the one without the Orwell quote... but the more I stare at them, I believe I too may prefer the second one with the Orwell quote. It sort of lays out the reality that truth is treason... and then says tell the truth anyway and start a new American revolution. A nice thought because it puts morality and power in the hands of the People rather than the Empire.

One thought about the coloring: I feel like the word "truth" should convey a different emotional quality than the word "lies" so that the two sides are contrasted more (treasonous truths vs lawful lies). Maybe change the coloring and/or font of Truth?
 
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At first viewing, I was inclined toward the one without the Orwell quote... but the more I stare at them, I believe I too may prefer the second one with the Orwell quote. It sort of lays out the reality that truth is treason... and then says tell the truth anyway and start a new American revolution. A nice thought because it puts morality and power in the hands of the People rather than the Empire.

One thought about the coloring: I feel like the word "truth" should convey a different emotional quality than the word "lies" so that the two sides are contrasted more (treasonous truths vs lawful lies). Maybe change the coloring and/or font of Truth?

Their positions separated by "treason and empire" is enough . And for what its worth, TRUTH is above LIES. I like it the way it is. Simple, catchy, understandable, point making, thought provoking, clear, NOT BUSY --- sounds like a good design to me. It has a "Read ME" quality to it. If you were standing in line behind a person wearing it --- you would WANT to read it. And the small text Orwell quote brings that extra bit of inquisitiveness to the potential reader. Its a comment just waiting to happen.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I like the clean look of the first one but I also like the Orwell quote. I'll print it out on some paper and hold it up on a blank shirt to see which one looks better at the actual size.

Simple, catchy, understandable, point making, thought provoking, clear, NOT BUSY --- sounds like a good design to me. It has a "Read ME" quality to it. If you were standing in line behind a person wearing it --- you would WANT to read it. And the small text Orwell quote brings that extra bit of inquisitiveness to the potential reader. Its a comment just waiting to happen.

Thank you, that's exactly what I was going for. Something quick that people will be drawn to read and might plant a little thought seed in their brain.

I've still got a handful of each of the first two designs left so when I'm ready to re-order more of those I'll make these at the same time. Hopefully soon, I can't wait to try wearing one out to see the reactions.
 
What amount of the shirt proceeds goes to liberty candidates or similar?

It's funny that you ask because I was just updating the website. From now until October 9th it's going to be $5 from each shirt to Kerry Bentivolio.
 
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