The US Dunkin' Donuts chain has pulled an online advertisement featuring celebrity chef Rachael Ray, it says.
Here's the ad that had to be pulled:
Well, you would pull it wouldn't you.
Supporting terrorism as it does.
Uhhh?
Yes, "the ad offers symbolic support for terrorism."
What do you mean you can't see what they're frothing at the mouth about?
Here's a clue..."sporting of a jihadi chic keffiyeh"
Jihadi chic! I nearly fell off my chair.
Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf appeared to be traditional garb worn by Arab men. The ad's critics say such scarves have come to symbolise Muslim extremism and terrorism.
These people terrify me. More so because they come from the world's most powerful country, with armed forces that its government is happy to use on a whim.
It's not so much the far-right extremists, paranoid loonies frothing at the mouth when they see things that aren't there, who frighten me. Every country has some of them and they're best ignored. As are the far left fanatics, religious fanatics and fanatics of all persuasions.
But in the good ol' US of A a huge company like DD is running scared of them. What does that say about the climate of fear, where the society they live in finds itself?
The lunatic fringe makes a fevered infantile accusation and it's taken seriously. The company buckles at the accusation and pulls the ad.
They should have threatened legal action for the libel of accusing them of supporting terrorism, demanded a grovelling written apology acknowledging the crass stupidity of the accusation, and run a campaign in the media to expose and ridicule the loonies.
Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf appeared to be traditional garb worn by Arab men. So are sandals. Will wearing sandals come to symbolise extremism and terrorism to these people?
Concede to demands by fanatics and where will it end? The situation will worsen with every win they have.
And since the ad was withdrawn, Michelle Malkin has had this to say on her blog:
It's refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists...Fashion statements may seem insignificant, but when they lead to the mainstreaming of violence -- unintentionally or not -- they matter. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. In post-9/11 America, vigilance must never go out of style.
At this point I'm speechless.
The story is here.
15 comments:
She is clearly getting ready to throw that shake, which is probably so loaded with additives that it would qualify as a 'dirty bomb'...
and the handbag looks like one my wife bought at Karama recently.... another obvious symbol of blatant terrorism.
Yet another reason to visit Krispy Kreme.
Fer feck's sake.
http://www.michellemalkinisanidiot.com/
What riles me is all the publicity that these idiots get.
I hate that informed and educated opinion has given way to ignorant, bleating sound bites. It's not even Infotainment anymore, it's Ignorantainment and it's dangerous.
There's a case going on in Oz at the moment where plans for an Islamic school have been vetoed by the Camden council because the land has been deemed not suitable for a school of its size. (The Koranic Society wanting the school has been invited to resubmit their proposal with more info, and advised to choose another piece of land more suitable for a 1200 pupil school.)
The media showed bigots draped in Australian flags attending the council meeting, dribbling on about how muslims are taking over the world and how they aren't welcome in Camden. But they're not racist, oh no, they're just protecting their turf.
Idiots.
God fordbid SeeBee, that you ever become speechless. The world, as we know it, would turn ss dark as did on the day JC was crucified, a desolate place it would be without your comment.
Keep going old dear you fill our lives with humour and merriment. What we would lesser blogs do without you.
Caz.
the scarf isn't even the right pattern....
When I read about this I went bananas and had to blog about it myself (http://birdsnack.blogspot.com/2008/05/american-television-reveals-disturbing.html)
I've seen an increase of anti-Muslim sentiments lately on American television that airs in the Middle East. I am outraged to say the very least.
This is just political correctness gone mad.
As a charter member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy I can tell you Malkin has clearly gone around the bend on this one. I oppose any support for terrorism or sympathy with any terrorist group. Frankly, I'm gobsmacked that anyone could make the leap from a black and white scarf to "Let the Holy War Begin!" Sadly Dunkin' Donuts was callow enough to cave. Shame on them.
anon, the original bigotry concerns me much less than the caving in by DD. Every country has its lunatic fringe. The cowering in front of it says an awful lot about the society, the acceptance of extremism, the culture of fear that the loony fanatics thrive in. For the US to have reached that stage is the frightening part.
>>sporting of a jihadi chic keffiyeh<<
Oh well, I know what I'll be sporting when I go back to the old country on holiday soon! In fact I think I'll buy some as presents for all my friends too!
So thats it then. Everyone don your terrorist gear when travelling this summer. Lets give every immigration department their worst nightmare.....yahhhaaaaaaa
Seabee,
I understand (and share) your revulsion for DD caving. It is, however, unsurprising. Corporate America is a bunch of cowards petrified of offending anyone for any reason. The slightest complaint leads to a withdrawn ad. Usually though, they claim they're going to withdraw it and do nothing. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
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