Comments on: Pouring from the annals of government design

Pouring from the annals of government design

chlorus — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:48:56 -0800

Remember the new, inscrutable license plate put out by the state of Oklahoma commemorating 9/11? Well, apparently the CIA can design logos pretty well too. Presenting the Terrorist Buster.

By: found missing

found missing — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:51:12 -0800

That's from the Onion, right? Right? Please tell me I'm right.

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:54:32 -0800

The war on Mr. Bill's shadow continues unabated...

By: Camofrog

Camofrog — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:56:06 -0800

With designers like that on our side, I expect Al Qaeda to be on its knees any minute now.

By: Zinger

Zinger — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:57:54 -0800

Oh. My. Someone forwarded me this logo a few days ago with a copy of the Ghostbusters logo, and I thought it was a joke. Definitely pegged it for a The Onion story. Now I see it on the CIA site for real. Words fail me.

By: Tacos Are Pretty Great

Tacos Are Pretty Great — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:59:06 -0800

I love America a little bit more every day! hums theme to TerroristBusters!

By: arcticwoman

arcticwoman — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:59:21 -0800

Ninjas! Yes!

By: SassHat

SassHat — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:59:59 -0800

Give me ten minutes and the first version of Paint and I'm pretty sure I could still kick that CIA designer's ass. Please let this be a case of agency nepotism, wherein the program head let his middle schooler create the logo: "OK Timmy, just give him a big phallic gun, and one of those no-smoking circles with a line through it. Oh yeah, make him look like a black man. This will totally earn you your Computer Literacy scout badge!"

By: Sticherbeast

Sticherbeast — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:00:35 -0800

Upon viewing the logo, I feel like there should be animated .gifs of fireballs arrayed on the page (using tables, of course) and a .mid of "Master Of Puppets" blaring from my Power Computing Mac clone. I also feel like killing myself while vomiting.

By: machaus

machaus — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:02:10 -0800

this is about 5 years old. how did this get recycled?

By: skepticbill

skepticbill — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:05:26 -0800

Who you gonna call???

By: skepticbill

skepticbill — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:07:58 -0800

And yes, Al Quaeda will be on it's knees soon and not praying to mecca. They'll be busting a gut thinking that they are fighting(?) a country that can piss away epic amounts of money on truly shitty design.

By: The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:11:29 -0800

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...wait....are we at war with gingerbread men?

By: empath

empath — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:11:37 -0800

That license plate is the tackiest thing I've ever seen.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:12:10 -0800

I htink they got the guy who does the IRA murals in to do it.

By: googly

googly — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:14:47 -0800

More like HoodedJusticeBuster.

By: bassjump

bassjump — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:20:10 -0800

Where exactly are they planning on using this logo? Their matching jackets? Their Ghostbusting proton guns? Secret tattoos? Never mind, I'm too disgusted even to care.

By: roomthreeseventeen

roomthreeseventeen — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:22:02 -0800

Wait, this is a real link. Was the CIA hacked?

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:22:53 -0800

If there's IEDs in your neighborhood. Who y'gonna call? If he's got a beard, and he's up to no good. Who y'gonna call?

By: fefofifum

fefofifum — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:23:50 -0800

Die Gumby scum!

By: Atom Eyes

Atom Eyes — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:24:39 -0800

It's nice to see America finally joining the Global War On Cavity Creeps. Or is that a Soggy (scroll down 3/4 of the page)?

By: kuujjuarapik

kuujjuarapik — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:24:50 -0800

I think the CIA is experimenting with moronic cuteness as a new interrogation technique. Because that thing is wince-inducing for me.

By: ormondsacker

ormondsacker — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:25:59 -0800

The irony here is that they chose the image of the Twin Towers and 9-11 rather than Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that was bombed on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City. You want the "OKC Bombing" Specialty plate, with the teddy bear and the flowers and the heart in the second "O". Also available: "Agriculture", "Heart of the Heartland", "American Patriot", "Support Adoption", and "Choose Life". (Not available now or ever: "Right to Choose".) It's a grand old state, it is. (Meetup Nov. 16th at Tapwerkz in OKC!)

By: psmealey

psmealey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:27:12 -0800

The irony here is that they chose the image of the Twin Towers and 9-11 rather than Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that was bombed on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City. Ironic, like RAAAAINN on your wedding day. When did the word "ironic" become a catch-all for things that are obviously stupid? Is Alanis to blame?

By: OmieWise

OmieWise — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:27:21 -0800

I think I'm moving to OK.

By: ormondsacker

ormondsacker — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:34:25 -0800

Shall I put you down for the meetup, then?

By: mosk

mosk — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:35:44 -0800

Two thoughts: 1. In addition to coffee mugs and T-shirts, is that CIA logo also available as a cookie cutter? 'Cause that would totally kick ass. 2. Oklahoma used to have a motto on their license plates, "Oklahoma is OK," but that was only because the folks designing the plates were too stupid to spell "mediocre."

By: kittyprecious

kittyprecious — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:40:43 -0800

(Not available now or ever: "Right to Choose".) OK, but ~~ironically~~ amusingly, the Animal Friendly Specialty Plate features the adorable phrase "Overpopulation Crisis."

By: Gungho

Gungho — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:41:23 -0800

The irony here is that they chose the image of the Twin Towers and 9-11 rather than Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that was bombed on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City. There's no irony, the plate honors the Global War on Terrorism. They just as easily could have picked the London Subway, or the Madrid Rail system, as they were all civilian targets of terrorism. The OK bombings were on a government building (like the Pentagon, also not depicted).

By: Elmore

Elmore — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:42:37 -0800

Um... looks like that terrorist is breaking through the big red 'NO' circle.

By: MikeMc

MikeMc — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:43:10 -0800

When I was in the Air Force I would occasionally see aircrew with "Commebusters" patches (the red circle/line being replaced with a hammer and sickle). I guess it just never gets old.

By: oneirodynia

oneirodynia — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:45:30 -0800

What a cheerful looking terrorist. He's like all, O HAI!!! I HAS AN AK47!!! YAY 4 ME!!!

By: papakwanz

papakwanz — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:46:42 -0800

More like "pouring for the anals of government design"!

By: zerobyproxy

zerobyproxy — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:47:06 -0800

Choclate Rain! Some license plates don't have the fame! (I breathe out, away from the text box) Chocolate Rain! The Right to Choose is not found on the plains! Chocolate Rain! Scary logo created by the insane! Chocolate Rain!

By: klarck

klarck — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:48:47 -0800

Man, do the citizens have to do everything?

By: Terminal Verbosity

Terminal Verbosity — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:51:59 -0800

CIA agent: Answer the question. Prisoner: I-I don't know any- CIA agent: Answer the question! Prisoner: Please! I'm don't make any keys- CIA agent: Are you the Keymaster? Prisoner: No! Please. CIA agent: ARE YOU THE KEYMASTER? Prisoner: No! No! NO! [begins sobbing] CIA agent #2: [whispering] Waterboard? CIA agent: No. CIA agent #2: Gozer won't be happy. CIA agent: Okay do it. Just remember- CIA agent #2: I know, I know. Don't cross the streams.

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:05:46 -0800

The corn is as high as an elephant's eye.

By: box

box — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:12:17 -0800

Oklahoma's got the same crappy drawing on their Choose Life license plate that Arkansas has on theirs.

By: dances_with_sneetches

dances_with_sneetches — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:21:32 -0800

I'd like to see the losing entries.

By: Brian James

Brian James — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:25:49 -0800

I once created a logo for a Cabinet-level agency, and I can tell you this kind of design stuff is the province of interns and other low-level personnel. And, any attempt at novelty or creativity will get picked apart and committeed to death, so there's a tendency to put together something quick, simple, and easily understandable. Don't look to the federal government for feats of brilliant graphic design.

By: Anything

Anything — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:39:20 -0800

The problem with these plates is that once you've pressed like a thousand of them, you'll find that the background image in the rest of the batch is replaced with:

The web site you are trying to access has exceeded its allocated data transfer.

By: hjo3

hjo3 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:42:12 -0800

You guys realize the "terrorist buster" logo is just a goofy enamel pin, right?

By: quin

quin — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:55:11 -0800

I kinda wish the CIA logo was a bit better known, it'd make a great Halloween costume.

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:57:23 -0800

Others on the likeness to the Ghostbusters logo.

By: chrominance

chrominance — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:57:29 -0800

GLOBAL WAR ON BAD HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

By: rhymer

rhymer — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:57:33 -0800

Ironic, like RAAAAINN on your wedding day. Ha. There's two kinds of irony. The real sort as defined by the Oxford English dictionary and daytime TV irony. The difference is kind of like the difference between 18 month old cheddar and processed cheese slices.

By: kirkaracha

kirkaracha — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:01:12 -0800

The scimitar/bayonet is a nice touch. Or did they forget to turn off a layer?

By: ericb

ericb — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:03:33 -0800

Geesh -- why not be more direct -- No Sambos?

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:44:07 -0800

Oh puleeez, that logo's to laugh. Must be the kindergarten Halloween version of a terrorist. The logo should be this.

By: itchylick

itchylick — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:55:31 -0800

Is that thing cast in metal? It looks like a keychain.

By: snsranch

snsranch — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:09:12 -0800

How did Oklahoma go from Cherokee Nation to GWOT?!!!!

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:09:58 -0800

So that's what happened to Brak. I think the worst thing about this design, and there is much to choose from, is that he is literally shaking his guy outside the NOT. The NOT is supposed to hold him back. He could shoot through that thing all day. It looks like they're winning.

By: Parasite Unseen

Parasite Unseen — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:14:52 -0800

First Thought: That is AWESOME! The CIA has lost its collective mind, and the end result is something akin to that photoshopped crying American eagle picture that was going around about six years ago. Any time I'm feeling down, I need only think of this and be lifted to a higher plane of mirth and merriment. Second Thought: Wait a minute... Oh shit! I STILL LIVE HERE!

By: Saydur

Saydur — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:53:23 -0800

Once again, my state fails to create a license plate with Jesus driving an elevated Ford F-350 with a bootleg Calvin sticker on the rear window, urinating on the word "Osama."

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:03:59 -0800

Hey, did any of y'all head over to the "Kid's Pages"? Dig the groovy cartoon spy chick with a shoe phone!* *Valerie Plame in a black wig?

By: mattoxic

mattoxic — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:25:13 -0800

MetaFilter, the best of DIGG This was DIGGED to death and REDDITed yesterday AND in the local (Australian) papers.

By: jayder

jayder — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:34:48 -0800

I thought the comment upthread, about an OKC Bombing license plate was a joke, but poking around I found this: OKC Bombing plate. This reminds me of visiting the scene of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, and learning that the Book Depository sells a coffee mug with an image of the book depository on it.

By: rob511

rob511 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:03:25 -0800

"Put down the airbrush, kick it over to me, and nobody gets hurt!"

By: quonsar

quonsar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:26:24 -0800

This was DIGGED to death and REDDITed yesterday AND in the local (Australian) papers. oh, its worse than that. this was BLORTED on october 9, 2001. this shit is older than dirt.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:45:21 -0800

Do Australian newspapers steal all their scoops from BLORT? Breaking news: bin Laden captured!

By: JHarris

JHarris — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:45:30 -0800

This is as good a time as any to mention that the CIA has a "for kids" page. It used to feature cartoon mascots Decipher Dog and Crypto Cat. And although it seems to be gone from the site now, who could ever forget the adventures of Ginger, the CIA-compound exploring teddy bear?

By: ormondsacker

ormondsacker — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:46:54 -0800

How did Oklahoma go from Cherokee Nation to GWOT?!!!! Well, there were these pale-skinned dudes with guns, see, and...

By: fandango_matt

fandango_matt — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:10:51 -0800

Nice try CIA, but S.N.I.T.C.H. was first, and better.

By: drstein

drstein — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:20:02 -0800

Who cares? This is far less ridiculous than those stupid "Choose Life" anti-choice license plates some states have allowed.

By: BaxterG4

BaxterG4 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:25:20 -0800

I think the message here is that as long as we allow crescent-shaped holes in the Big Red Circle, the demons of terrorism will continue to be able to penetrate and defile the sanctity of our Nation.

By: naoko

naoko — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:27:34 -0800

You know, "choose life" is actually interesting wording for an anti-choice plate, if you think about it - it reinforces that one should in fact have the ability to, you know, choose. Also, choose is a funny word if you look at it long enough. Also, I'm drunk.

By: fandango_matt

fandango_matt — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:30:08 -0800

Well, just wake us up, before you go-go.

By: Iosephus

Iosephus — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:53:46 -0800

Crypto Cat sounds like a guilty-secret specialized furry guy that is just waiting in hiding to corrupt the children.

By: empyrean

empyrean — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:37:28 -0800

Hello, CIA.

By: abcde

abcde — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:24:20 -0800

Nothing will ever be this classic, ever. (For the few who don't know, yes, it's real, it was on the Homeland Security site in its earliest stages.)

By: Artw

Artw — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:07:00 -0800

It's actually a pretty acurate statement of intent.

By: malocchio

malocchio — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:07:24 -0800

That is the cutest goddamned terrorist I've ever seen. Is there a plush version?

By: Lentrohamsanin

Lentrohamsanin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:18:52 -0800

In addition to coffee mugs and T-shirts, is that CIA logo also available as a cookie cutter? 'Cause that would totally kick ass. Wait, wait,wait: I can get this on a mug? Awesome. Can someone point me towards the CIA gift shoppe?