DHS tried to stifle this man for mocking ‘The Department of Homeland Stupidity.’ It failed.
By Brian Fung
February 18 at 1:41 pm
In 2003 — long before Edward Snowden ever got near a security clearance — an anti-government activist named Dan McCall decided to troll the Department of Homeland Security and the NSA.
Using the agencies' official seals, McCall whipped up merchandise that wouldn't look out of place on the National Mall — except, instead of those unselfconsciously earnest T-shirts shouting "FBI" at you, McCall's wares were slightly more subversive.
"U.S. Department of Homeland Stupidity," said one shirt. "The NSA: The only part of government that actually listens," read another.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before the Department of Homeland Security and the actual NSA saw their logos being re-appropriated without permission, and in 2011 they each sent cease-and-desist letters to Zazzle, the e-commerce site where McCall was selling his ironic merchandise.
Now, McCall's lawyer says he's reached a settlement with the government that acknowledges McCall's right to parody the agencies. Officials from the NSA had argued that using the seal for commercial gain without permission was a violation of federal law; DHS, meanwhile, had said it was a crime to "mutilate or alter" any government logo.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Even better (perfect for your next trip to Florida!)--the NSA hoodie:
Apparently they also carry tank tops, coffee mugs, tote bags, aprons, key chains, water bottles, iPhone cases, etc., etc......and of course, bumper stickers:
People who are wrong are just as sure they're right as people who are right. The only difference is, they're wrong.
— God@The Tweet of God
Thanks! The zazzle site didn't list them. I'm going to buy one as a gift or perhaps as 'barter goods'. Trade it for a "USGS, Science for a Changing World" shirt.
