Lots of readers responded the idea of an Honor the Earth ribbon. If you make them, people said, I want one.
I looked into it, and discovered that the ribbons were originally produced by the owner of a chain of Christian bookstores in North Carolina. That company, Magnet America, now mails out thousands of magnets a month.
On their site, there is a page where you can order custom magnets, using whatever slogan you choose.
Being more of an anti-preneur, I went to the webpage of Northern Sun, whose progressive bumperstickers, pins and T-shirts, are sold nationally in the backpages of Mother Jones and other hip zines. They have a "submit ideas" button.
Here's what I wrote them, and their response.
"In response to the proliferating 'Support Our Troops' ribbons that bedeck the back ends of gas guzzling SUV's, that those of us frustrated with the current administrations priorities, entanglements, rejection of science, and lack of foresight, want to counter with ribbons on our cars that say 'Support the Planet'.
Among my friends, the disappointment with the election has lead to deep frustration. People are looking for a voice.
We need a way to say, I don't agree.
A simple symbol for the things we care about is the earth. Our children, our future, our hopes.
What difference does a magnetic ribbon on someone's car make? It takes one person's sense of urgency and makes it visible. It a gives a feeling of solidarity, a sense that you are joined by many many others.
As people contemplate the damage of the tsunami, wonder at the terrible power of nature, and our own vulnerability in the face of it, this is the time to send a message.
Those of us who want clean air and water, who care about our planet and the threats we've created to it ARE the majority. There are millions of us.
I hope you take this idea to your board. It's a simple thing to do, let's do it together."
Here's the response.
"Thanks Deb, We have gotten several requests for essentially the same thing
as you suggest, and we are working on it."
www.northernsun.com

A huge wave reared up out of the ocean one Sunday afternoon, and an unimaginable possibility came to pass.
Human beings are not wired to recognize a distant threat. Every day we jump into our cars, though the odds are such that we've take a risk far greater than that of being struck by lightening or bombed with an airplane.
We live in an age of optimism. We send men to the moon, alter genetic destinies, put tiny robots into our bloodstream. Who wants the role of prophet of doom?
What was the initial reaction of people who detected the earthquake, which led to the tsunami, which led to so much disaster and inestimable destruction and grief?
It was disbelief. Minimization. Denial.
Does the tsunami have anything to do with global warming, with the environmental changes that human beings are effecting through the release of greenhouse gases?
Yes. It was predicted to happen. One year ago, a scientist even pinpointed the Indian Ocean. But very few people entertained the idea.
Those who detected the earthquake initially underestimated it. Those who were warned failed to recognize the consequences or imagine the magnitude of what was at hand.
A village of Thai fisherman, on the other hand, were saved from the tsunami by a proverb passed down by their elders. Intially, the sea was pulled off the beaches, a strange portent that many noticed but few understood. In this village, the elders heeded the signal.
What we are doing to our environment is also happening, but it's a disaster in slow motion.
As people contemplate the damage of the tsunami, wonder at the terrible power of nature, and our own vulnerability in the face of it, this is the time to wake up.
Counting the blessings of 2004, a few events jump out. We had three hurricanes in Florida, an enormous chunk of the arctic shelf fell off, and a tsunami hit half of Asia. What kind of signal do we need?
Cassandra was the goddess in Greek mythology cursed with a gift. She could see the future but could get no one to listen.
We find ourselves in the same position.
On the executive branch sits a trio of monkeys, one with his hands over his eyes, one with her hands over her ears, and one with his hands over his mouth.