New Clearview Controversy?

[Thunderbyrd316]

From a news story that appeared in the Vancouver, Wa. Columbian newspaper this morning.

AP - Washington D.C.

   President Donald Trump has ordered Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to eliminate what he calls "effeminate" font types from traffic signs. Experts speculate that this is likely a reference to a somewhat controversial font type known as Clearview.

   Clearview font was developed in the early 2000's in a joint venture between the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute with the intent of improving legibility. Since then its use has been implemented on certain traffic signs in numerous states and several foreign countries. 

   Studies have been inconclusive regarding the actual benefits of the font with some viewers indicating that viewing the font for extended periods caused actual physical discomfort.

   In April 2014, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicated it expected to rescind Interim Approval to use Clearview in the future, eventually doing so in January 2016. Congress ordered the FHWA to reinstate the interim approval on March 28, 2018.

   President Trump, in his written directive to Transportation Secretary Duffy, noted that "...use of this effeminate font in lieu of the much more masculine appearing standard FHWA fonts is just one more example of the Deep State trying to emasculate men and boys." 

   In response, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a known homosexual, dismissed the claim by President Trump as "just another attack on the LGBTQIA++ community". 
 
   Online link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

[LilianaUwU]

At least try to change the link.

[NWI_Irish96]

I had always wondered why I started singing Broadway showtunes every time I was around Clearview font. Now I know.

[Max Rockatansky]

April Fools is so passé nowadays.

[kphoger]

Wow.  Just wow.  This one was actually just believable enough...

[74/171FAN]

I honestly could see some pastors actually saying that certain sign fonts are effeminate.

[Rothman]

Wow.  Just wow.  This one was actually just believable enough...

Not really.

[kphoger]

Wow.  Just wow.  This one was actually just believable enough...

Not really.

Yeah, now I'm trying to imagine Trump actually saying 'FHWA' out loud, and I just can't.

[TempoNick]

April fool's joke or not, Clearview sucks on the overhead highway signs but I think it looks pretty good on surface street sign blades.

[Henry]

April fool's joke or not, Clearview sucks on the overhead highway signs but I think it looks pretty good on surface street sign blades.

I tend to agree with that assessment, but although Clearview is terrible when used exclusively on guide signs, it doesn't look quite as bad when the FHWA Gothic series is also mixed in.

Wow.  Just wow.  This one was actually just believable enough...

It's ironic that on a day where pranks abound, I actually believe it as something Trump would've said, and then again, in reality he may not care what the signs look like.