An electronic road sign on I-15 in Provo, UT near Brigham Young University was reprogrammed to say "God Hates Gays".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=704fAF-iatY&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=704fAF-iatY&feature=player_embedded)
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/54666287-90/sign-message-signs-dethman.html.csp (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/54666287-90/sign-message-signs-dethman.html.csp)
Hacked I-15 sign flashed "˜God Hates Gays'
Hate message » UDOT says it will ensure security of road signs.
By Lee Davidson
After one of its mobile construction-zone message signs on Interstate 15 flashed "God Hates Gays," the Utah Department of Transportation says it is now busy ensuring such signs are secured to prevent passers-by from reprogramming them.
On Tuesday night, a sign at Provo's University Avenue exit alternated flashing "Follow detour," and "God Hates Gays."
"Someone broke in and reprogrammed one of our message boards," said Leigh Dethman, spokeswoman for the I-15 Corridor Expansion project that is rebuilding the freeway in Utah County. "It happened sometime after 10 p.m., and was taken down about 5:30 a.m. [Wednesday], but we don't know exactly what time it went up."
Dethman said UDOT did not receive complaint calls, but a contractor noticed the message and stopped it. A video of the sign was posted on YouTube on Thursday, entitled "Really, Provo?"
Dethman said the sign was not secured, allowing any passer-by to reprogram it. "So anyone could have done this," she said.
"The program boards cannot be accessed remotely. So someone had to physically go into the board and reprogram it. This was an isolated incident and this sign was unsecured," she said.
"UDOT has taken appropriation action with the contractor," Dethman said without elaborating. But she did say that UDOT and the contractor are assessing all electronic signs to ensure they are properly secured "so that this never happens again."
Dethman added, "Obviously, this message is extremely offensive," and UDOT condemns it.
" We take this very seriously because these signs are so important to communicating road construction and traffic messages to keep the public informed and safe."
The online video was attracting plenty of negative comments – so one Provo spokeswoman even added a comment there saying the city did not do it, and condemned the message.
"This is not a Provo City sign and of course it does not reflect the opinion of the city. I personally find it very offensive. Despite every effort to prevent it, sometimes signs like this get hacked," wrote Provo spokewoman Helen Anderson.
it's this sort of asinine immaturity-disguised-as-extremism which will be the downfall of the religious right. that and old age. in 20 years, we'll be laughing at these sorts of things the same way we laugh at Klansmen.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beersoaked.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F07%2Fnelson-muntz.jpg&hash=6c84d0e0962b1b4d9017ff0a64bdf34a33a2c461)
Could have been a troll who hates the religious right. In which case good for him.
Quote from: NE2 on August 09, 2012, 04:39:18 PM
Could have been a troll who hates the religious right. In which case good for him.
in this case, I am sticking with Poe's law...
I'm not saying I support hacking into VMSes. I'm not saying God hates gays. BUT...
I'm sorry, I'm cracking up imagining driving down the highway in the middle of the night and seeing that message. That was one super-cool prank. Of course, I completely condemn the action. Sort of. Wait, yes, I most certainly do. I guess.
Quote from: kphoger on August 09, 2012, 05:17:37 PM
I'm not saying I support hacking into VMSes. I'm not saying God hates gays. BUT...
I'm sorry, I'm cracking up imagining driving down the highway in the middle of the night and seeing that message. That was one super-cool prank. Of course, I completely condemn the action. Sort of. Wait, yes, I most certainly do. I guess.
it doesn't require much intellect to reprogram an unlocked VMS. "hacking" is overstating it by a severe amount. it is about as much talent as spray-painting a three-second tag on it.
and besides...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yourfunnystuff.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F02%2Fcaution-zombies-ahead.jpg&hash=6ecbe360abc6b16af5fe503fdbdd2ddfa15441b5)
much funnier.
Most definitely. Maybe this thread should be merged with the one I started about roadgeek jobs for non-engineers. I'd love to get paid to come up with alternate messages for VMSes.
The only humor I could have managed to get out of the situation would be from the fact that it was still alternating "GOD HATES GAYS / FOLLOW DETOUR".
Well, yes, it would have been much less funny if the "Follow Detour" part had been removed. Also funny would have been:
Follow Detour / We Shoot to Kill
Stupid People Ahead / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Or Else ! ! !
Follow Detour / And Don't Come Back
World Will End 1 Mile / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Then Eat at Joe's
I do not approve of the message that was said as it is like graffiti, but I do not support the act of the lifestyle either. Plus, God loves everyone! He hates nobody. Even those who are the most evil in the world, he loves. He may not approve of what many of us do, but he loves us unconditionally.
I think this goes in the category of what was said at a New Jersey Wal Mart a few years back by a customer who grabbed a store phone to access the public address system to make that comment about blacks needing to leave the store. Both are a little to far and give Christians a bad name!
I wholly believe that whoever did this was someone with a bone to pick with the dominant religion around these parts (which, as you may know, is against same-sex marriage, but vociferously condemns any hateful words or discrimination against gays). Believe me—we hate the Westboro Baptist Church way of doing things as much as the next guy.
All this does is perpetuate the stereotype that Utah is nothing but a cultural and intellectual backwater. Which is a shame.
Quote from: kphoger on August 09, 2012, 05:54:53 PM
Most definitely. Maybe this thread should be merged with the one I started about roadgeek jobs for non-engineers. I'd love to get paid to come up with alternate messages for VMSes.
MIT has been known to hack VMSs left around - and that's not to say they're unsecured, either.
Would this have been better or worse? . .
God hates gays / John 3:16
On the one hand, people might actually read John 3:16 and realize God doesn't hate gays.
On the other hand, . . . well, it's simply terrible!
I don't support the lifestyle, but this is completely unnecessary. I'm not ever gonna go out of my way to offend anyone, regardless of sexuality, religion (or lack there of in some cases), or race. As for the Westboro Baptist people, and their "God Hate [ya know...]", they piss me off. I know God doesn't hate anyone. Everyone else might not agree with my views, but oh well.
I do however like those other hacks, about Zombies! Haha.
BigMatt
Quote from: kphoger on August 09, 2012, 06:01:17 PM
Well, yes, it would have been much less funny if the "Follow Detour" part had been removed. Also funny would have been:
Follow Detour / We Shoot to Kill
Stupid People Ahead / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Or Else ! ! !
Follow Detour / And Don't Come Back
World Will End 1 Mile / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Then Eat at Joe's
Or, given the subject of the "hack", "Follow Detour/Then Eat at Chick-Fil-A"
Quote from: CL on August 09, 2012, 06:27:07 PM
I wholly believe that whoever did this was someone with a bone to pick with the dominant religion around these parts (which, as you may know, is against same-sex marriage, but vociferously condemns any hateful words or discrimination against gays). Believe me–we hate the Westboro Baptist Church way of doing things as much as the next guy.
All this does is perpetuate the stereotype that Utah is nothing but a cultural and intellectual backwater. Which is a shame.
This. This needs to be said far more. I'm so sick of being lumped into this "backwater" stereotype. I can't say that it isn't an LDS Church member doing this, but if it is, they're likely towards the fringe side of things.
Not to get on the soapbox but IIRC said church is fine with civil unions, and I (as a member) am too.
Above all else, though: Can't everyone just get along?
Quote from: kphoger on August 09, 2012, 06:01:17 PM
Well, yes, it would have been much less funny if the "Follow Detour" part had been removed. Also funny would have been:
Follow Detour / We Shoot to Kill
Stupid People Ahead / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Or Else ! ! !
Follow Detour / And Don't Come Back
World Will End 1 Mile / Follow Detour
Follow Detour / Then Eat at Joe's
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
Quote from: BigMattFromTexas on August 10, 2012, 04:02:14 PM
I do however like those other hacks, about Zombies! Haha.
BigMatt
Wasn't one who used once the classic "All your bases belong to us"?
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 12, 2012, 09:53:32 PM
Wasn't one who used once the classic "All your bases belong to us"?
Someone else once used "Gort Klaatu barada nikto"
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 12, 2012, 09:53:32 PM
Quote from: BigMattFromTexas on August 10, 2012, 04:02:14 PM
I do however like those other hacks, about Zombies! Haha.
BigMatt
Wasn't one who used once the classic "All your bases belong to us"?
"All your base are belong to us."
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
So your statement undeneath your avatar "Fan of the DOT everybody loves" might be sarcastic or ironic.
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 08:02:20 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
So your statement undeneath your avatar "Fan of the DOT everybody loves" might be sarcastic or ironic.
"PennDOTFan" was originally meant to be a joke, since the entire roadgeek community hates PennDOT. While I'm not a huge fan of PennDOT, I don't really hate them, even though some things they do are annoying. Can't be too hard on the DOT for my home state. :biggrin:
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
The main obstacle to building a Pennsylvania Beltway is Lake Erie.
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 09:20:38 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
The main obstacle to building a Pennsylvania Beltway is Lake Erie.
:rolleyes:
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
As a Pennsylvania native, I regret yet tolerate your hatred of me. Good thing I'm not gay, though...
Quote from: empirestate on August 15, 2012, 09:50:47 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
As a Pennsylvania native, I regret yet tolerate your hatred of me. Good thing I'm not gay, though...
No hatred here...
-a fellow PA native
PA is one of only two states I've visited where I can remember feeling that my own state DOT did a better job overall.
(NM is the other.)
I don't like that Pennsylvania invented some of the shittier signage features of the last 50 years: the '70 spec US and interstate route shields (as far back as 1965!), and Clearview.
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 09:44:14 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 09:20:38 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
The main obstacle to building a Pennsylvania Beltway is Lake Erie.
:rolleyes:
Floating bridge.
Quote from: Steve on August 16, 2012, 08:17:15 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 09:44:14 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 09:20:38 PM
Quote from: PennDOTFan on August 15, 2012, 07:21:54 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 15, 2012, 07:17:09 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 15, 2012, 05:41:33 PM
Quote from: NYYPhil777 on August 12, 2012, 09:04:21 PM
I have an idea:
Bud Shuster's I-99 Ahead/Detour NOW!
:biggrin:
How about ...
Pennsylvania Ahead
Detour Now
Other than I-99 and Breezewood, what do you have against Pennsylvania? :eyebrow:
It's a roadgeek custom to hate Pennsylvania and everything about it :-/
The main obstacle to building a Pennsylvania Beltway is Lake Erie.
:rolleyes:
Floating bridge.
A 50-mile-long offshore viaduct between Ohio and New York.
hhhmmm...while I was in Utah (the Provo area) earlier this month, I never found any VMS sign read that anti-gay comment. :-/ If we on vacation see something like it, I don't need to explain it to my two sons under the "age of innocence" (7 years old) and my wife who's behind the wheel won't like it either, and we don't like intolerance or prejudice towards groups of people because of their social group status, including sexual orientation. Teach children to read first, but how equally important it is not to hate.