Bumper Stickers and Fishes

Up to yesterday, my van was devoid of any outward signs or indications of the driver's beliefs and opinions. For some reason I've always had this reluctance to put anything on my car like a fish or a political or religious bumper sticker. I did have a Bush/Cheney sticker a few years ago because I felt strongly enough about the election to risk the possible abuse I might garner here in liberal Western Washington (the Left Coast, as I heard recently). And ten years ago, when Jill and I worked on a gubernatorial campaign, we had a huge cartop sign on our car (actually all our cars), and it made me feel extremely conspicuous, like I was actually driving around the would-be governor (she lost, alas).

I guess my reasoning is that my driving is going to reflect on whoever or whatever I'm "advertising" on my bumper. I mean, if I do something stupid in traffic or make somebody mad by driving too fast or too slow, they could look at a little fish and say, "Fine Christian she is!" I know it irritates me when I see someone with a fish or religious bumper sticker driving like a jerk. Some might say it should motivate you to drive right. My van does get more attention when I'm unloading or loading my harp, so that's been another deterrant, because I meet all kinds of people!

Well, I just put on a bumper sticker after several weeks procrastination (and a car wash). It says God bless JerUSAlem, and includes Israeli and American flags. Now this isn't too scary or controversial, but it has crossed my mind that some Muslim or anti-Israel person might get ticked at me and do something dastardly, or one more person is going to ask if I'm Jewish (my name and all)!

So my question is, are these kind of feelings regarding significant car decorations just cowardly, or is there some merit? How do you view the effect or consequences of posting your views for the world to see?