Slow for the Toby Zone
California Department of Transportation runs a campaign called “Slow for the Cone Zone.” It is a public awareness campaign to lower the number of collisions in construction zones.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation has started a similar campaign cleverly titled “Slow for the Cone Zone.” Fifty-three ODOT workers have been killed because of work zone accidents.
Could we not come up with a better campaign?
There is an alternative to the “Slow for the Cone Zone” campaign that Oklahomans would understand, and slow down for. It’s called for “Slow for the Toby Zone.”
Instead of small “Slow for the Cone Zone” signs that nobody will pay attention to, what we need is a 50-feet tall cutout of Toby Keith’s head.
The head could be placed on the lanes next to the construction zone and drivers must drive through the mouth of Toby Keith.
Once inside the mouth, drivers will travel down a long tunnel to the frightening brain of Toby Keith:
Some of the features of “Slow for the Toby Zone” would be:
1) Horses drinking beer.
2) Angry Americans.
3) A picture window of people eating in Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar & Grill restaurant.
4) A drunk Whiskey Girl, with no teeth.
5) An audio clip of “I Wanna Talk About Me,” skipping like a broken record. “I wanna talk about meh-I wanna talk about meh-I wanna talk about meh-I wanna talk about meh.”
6) A giant oil painting of Toby Keith on a fur rug saying, “Who’s Your Daddy?”
7) And finally, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks will sign autographed copies of her FUTK (Friends United in Truth and Kindness) fashion line.
The Shock’n Y’all value of Toby Keith’s mind will force drivers to slow down. It could also encourage drivers to find alternate routes and stay away from construction zones.
Construction crews are safe, and we avoid Toby Keith’s mind.
Everyone wins.

April 29, 2008 at 6:59 pm
that is really very unkind putting it midly! VERY VERY poor taste! Glad I don’t read this paper.
April 29, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I think you have a great idea…….Toby Keith….what an arrogant ass that guy is!
April 29, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Dear Barbara,
I’m glad you don’t read this also. You obviously lack a sense of humor.
April 29, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Irritated Tulsan:
Best blog I’ve read in a while. You really are a talented writer, presenter and visual arts expert. You must have had excellent professors and peers. Keep up the GOOD WORK, Irritated Tulsan! Go F**K yourself, San Diego.
April 29, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I agree with Barbara. If I saw a 50-foot Toby Keith I would be very offended as well. Barbara, thanks for standing up for the overly-nationalistic, red-neck multi-millionaire. You’ve got guts. Oh and by the way, since you don’t seem to pick up on this subtlety, THIS IS SARCASM!
April 30, 2008 at 7:53 pm
how does Toby eat all those cars?
April 30, 2008 at 8:14 pm
He’s like the Man from Mars in Blondie’s Rapture, before he started eating guitars instead.
April 30, 2008 at 10:41 pm
OMG. Maybe Toby Keith is the Rapture.
May 1, 2008 at 9:41 pm
YOU ARE A ASS !
May 1, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Actually, it’s you are “an” ass. Not “a” ass. And thank you. Flattery will you get you seconds. Learn English.
May 4, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Donna needs to relax! Come on, have an cup of tea, take an deep breath and light a aromatherapy candle. Grab an copy of English for Dummies and make an night out of it.
Irritated Tulsan, thank you for brightening my day with your humor and insight.