Billboards


Two Facts
Courtesy: Joe O'Neil
Two law partners and their wives—Joe O'Neil and his wife Sue and Eric Mertz and his wife Nan—put up three of these billboards with their own money in Defiance, Ohio.  The first one went up Sept. 17, 2012 for four weeks and two more went up from Oct. 1, 2012 through Election Day.

Joe O'Neil explained: 

This billboard simply presents two facts: GM is alive and Bin Laden is dead.  Thoughts and opinions have been projected or derived from these two facts.

This billboard does not advocate for or against any position, policy or person.  Two facts are presented.  Today, facts are omitted from too many conversations and beliefs.  Opinions should not replace facts.  With all the political and opinion discussions, we merely wanted these two facts to be part of the discussion and not ignored.  The two fact statements did not originate with us.  But we committed to these billboards and their content weeks before the political parties conventions where the statements were used more frequently.

Fact:  Bin Laden attacked our country.  We lost loved ones, including 3,000 civilians at the World Trade Centers, first responders, passengers on four airliners and Pentagon personnel.  The U.S. placed a $25 million bounty on his head.

Fact:  Bin Laden was indicted for murder and placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted List before 9/11 for the African embassy bombing.

The billboard depiction of Bin Laden is about as generic as possible.  Given that Bin Laden attacked our citizens and the Pentagon itself, we learned any image of Bin Laden is sensitive to some people.  One veteran suggested putting a bullet hole in the SOB's forehead.  How do you get a tasteful picture of a distasteful person?  A depiction more generic would be difficult.  The billboard did not use a real picture, but a sketch and neutral depiction.  Nightly TV broadcasts bombings, shootings, and maimed victims go well beyond any depictions here.  Everyday talk radio spews toxic opinions claimed as “facts.”

"GM is Alive."  GM supports the economic base of Defiance County Ohio and surrounding counties.  Our county's unemployment rate for September 2012 was 6.7%.  It had been in double digits.  GM and Chrysler both received collateralized loans (during bankruptcy) from the Obama's administration others call it the "GM bailout."  GM has made all payments with interest on time or ahead of time.  Chrysler has paid back its loan in full.  Auto workers are working.

Our names and my address appear on the billboards.  We did not give prior knowledge or consent from any political party or candidate before the boards were erected.

There has been overwhelming favorability for the billboards we have received, with a few exceptions.  The objections do not criticize the substance of the billboards and mostly seem to have their own agenda or political interest involved behind their complaints (Like Romney supporters who might say "I find it objectionable" without dealing with the fact that GM is alive and Bin Laden is dead). 

We have been partially successful in people communicating within the billboards topic areas, but for those people perceiving the message hurts their interest their comments go outside the subject of the billboard to complain or express warped beliefs.  ("GM could have had a managed bankruptcy anyhow" ignores that the credit markets were frozen at the time and effective changes or restructuring by GM needed the collateralized loan beyond bankruptcy.)  Defiance County has been a conservative Republican county for more than a half a century.

Generally, support for the billboards remains.  However, after all has been said there are two indisputable facts--GM is alive and Bin Laden is dead. 


Details:

Panel 9780
SESSIONS @ RALSTON DEF.
OUTBOUND SFE 10' 6" X 22' 9"
09/17/12-10/14/12
This is within the City of Defiance on the northwest side of town.


Panel 9737
SR 18 E/O SR 281
DEFIANCE SFE 10' 6" X 22' 9"
10/01/12-11/06/12
This is across from the GM Powertrain foundry immediately east of the City of Defiance.


Panel 9778
SR 66 S/O BANNER SCHOOL RD
DEFIANCE WFN 10' 6" X 22' 9"
10/01/12-11/06/12
This is a few miles north of the City of Defiance.