 MADEIRA - John Woodrice used to drive a Toyota Prius. He
also used to speak out against the war in Iraq. He was what many Tri-staters
would call a "Liberal." That all changed, however, on the day he was stuck in
traffic on I-71.
"I was sitting in my car, listening to National Public Radio on WVXU, when I
looked up and noticed a magnet on the [Cadillac] Escalade in front of me," the
37-year-old Madeira High School biology teacher recalled. "It was in the shape
of a ribbon, with a pattern of the American flag, and the words 'Freedom Ain't
Free!' written across it."
"Now, it used to be that whenever I saw a patriotic slogan on a bumper
sticker, or a magnet, or whatever, I would clench my fist in frustration. The
fact that these people actually believed they were debating the issue at hand by
mindlessly sticking store-bought propaganda on their under-utilized,
gas-guzzling SUVs - it just drove me bananas," Mr. Woodrice explained. "But this
magnet...this magnet was different."
 "That one phrase, 'freedom ain't free,' responded to each
and every objection that I ever had about the war in Iraq. You see, it doesn't
matter that the war was sold to the American public and her allies under false
pretenses, or that it's providing muslim tyrannies with a convenient scapegoat
for their peasant population's economic troubles. Freedom ain't free! Our blood
was shed to free this country from England, and our blood must continue to be
shed to keep it free," Mr. Woodrice said while holding a hand over his heart.
After seeing the magnet, Mr. Woodrice immediately changed the radio station
to 700-WLW and got off at the next exit to trade in his fuel-efficient Toyota
Prius for a brand new 5.3-liter V8 Chevy Suburban at Kings Auto Mall.
"My countrymen gave their lives so I could have the freedom to drive any car
I want, regardless of its gas mileage or whether I actually need it. It would be
an insult to our fallen troops to not buy the biggest, most expensive vehicle
that I can afford. Freedom ain't free."
Mr. Woodrice has since decorated his new truck with similar magnets in an
attempt to inspire others to change their political philosophy.
"If my car magnets convince just one person to start thinking the right way,
then I've served my country and earned my freedom. Cuz freedom ain't free."
Patriotic car magnets are available for $4.99 at various Tri-state stores.
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