More news from the front of the Wiki Wars, the ideological battle for the soul of Wikipedia: it seems left-wingers at the online encyclopedia site are angry that anyone would want to mention Absolut's reconquista controversy in the vodka maker's article.
How do we know this? From reading the "Talk" page for the Wikipedia entry "Absolut Vodka," where people can discuss the article and changes they'd like to see made to it. Apparently liberals there do not want the public to know that the company got in big trouble win consumers after it ran an ad in Mexico portraying that country as having taken over certain parts of the United States.
The discussion starts off with an anonymous person (apparently from Loyola University judging by their IP address) who asks that the Absolut entry be partially blocked from editing to prevent "vandalism:"
"Could someone protect this page to new users? Apparently some non-notable bloggers have taken offense to their recent ad campaign and have repeatedly vandalized this page."
Those "non-notable bloggers," include Michelle Malkin, NewsBusters, Glenn Reynolds, and Jim Hoft, and about 3,000 other blogs, but nevermind. The discussion continues as some rational people begin to make their point:
WHY would you have to "protect" this page? IT seems top me that those that want to "protect this page" have a political agenda and that agenda is NOT the truth. It seems as if to me this page actually is endorsing the "reconquista" movement. If WIKI is going to survive, it needs to be on truth. This was a STUPID thing for ABSOLUT to do with 50% of their market share in the UNITED STATES. It serves a PERFECT business lesson of what not to do i.e., DO NOT ALIENATE YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS" and then, expect the customers to by hook line and sinker a political agenda cleverly disquised as an "ad". This is about politics, NOT knowledge or documentation. A pox on your "scholarly" activities as a charade of political activism.
Another:
Considering the fact that Absolut has issued a statement on their website regarding the matter([2]), and it has been mentioned by the Los Angeles Times ([3]), I think it is a bit more than a few "non-notable" bloggers. I myself am rather incensed at the ad, and will go out of my way to not buy their product in the future. I've added a segment on the issue to the article.
The libs, of course, cannot allow such language to stand. And in keeping with their tradition of labeling left-leaning opinion as objective, they phrase their arguments in favor of censoring the story using neutral-sounding language. Here's lefty at IP 67.173.127.11:
It was in LA Time's blog, an opinion site, and the other source used was a blog as well. If there are some neutral points of view, like a newspaper article, a news story, etc, I would consider keeping it, but for right now, I'd keep my emotions in check about it.
Think that's bad? Wait till you see user "Orange Mike" describing Michelle Malkin, one of the early bloggers who followed the story:
I never called her "non-notable." I will call her extreme, radical, eccentric and other things; but she's certainly notable among her fanbase.
Notice the subtle spin "notable among her fanbase." While that's certainly true, it sure is a funny way of describing Malkin who actually is the number one conservative blogger in terms of traffic (adding her Hot Air and personal site together), a nationally syndicated columnist, and a regular on cable television.
All that aside, though, Absolut's controversy is eminently relevant to the vodka distributor's entry. From a marketing angle alone, this story is a fascinating example of the power of the blogosphere, viral emails, and bad multinational decision-making.
This story has a happy ending, though. Thanks to some sane people who made a difference, the Absolut Vodka entry now has language describing the controversy, a perfect example of how there's no need to cede dominance of the critically important resource of Wikipedia to the left.
—Matthew Sheffield is Editor of NewsBusters.
Comments Policy
So is the green part
April 9, 2008 - 09:07 ET by Hero SquadSo is the green part a free and independent Texas?
Wish I drank vodka more often so that I could make a statement by switching brands.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
"So is the green part a free and independent Texas?"
April 9, 2008 - 11:05 ET by Indiana JoeOnly in an "Absolut World."
;^D
The ad does have
April 9, 2008 - 13:29 ET by Hero SquadThe ad does have the unintended side effect of reminding Mexicans that they lost the war to the U.S., and in the 155-odd years that have passed since then, they have been unable to reclaim that land for Mexico.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Hero Squad
April 9, 2008 - 17:02 ET by ahusserI drink Tito's Vodka and I live in Maryland.
Made in Texas and better than any foreign Vodka especially Absolut.
"...there's no need to cede
April 9, 2008 - 09:11 ET by lotr"...there's no need to cede dominance of the critically important resource of Wikipedia to the left."
I couldn't agree more -- thanks Matthew for providing us another concrete example illustrating this.
I fail to see why an
April 9, 2008 - 09:14 ET by LeonI fail to see why an encyclopedia should document a fake controversy whose impact will be ZERO.
All this shows is the insane amount of control Malkin has over her obsessed internet fans. They're the only people squawking.
The best part, is all the free press Pernod is getting. Take it straight to the bank.
If you keep insisting it's fake
April 9, 2008 - 09:16 ET by sarcasmoThe controversy is likely to continue. I agreed with Warner the first day, and I never even saw Malkin's take. The company's change of ownership is certainly well-timed, though...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Had Absolut not apologized
April 9, 2008 - 09:29 ET by Matthew Sheffieldit definitely would have had a problem.
As someone who runs a marketing company, I can't tell you enough how important viral stories like this scandal are for companies trying to protect their brand name.
Matthew, Any similar
April 9, 2008 - 10:15 ET by LeonMatthew,
Any similar examples of a small time, blogosphere manufactured controversy bringing a major corporation to its knees?
CBS, to name but one
April 9, 2008 - 10:32 ET by Matthew SheffieldLeon, your argument is patently ridiculous and incredibly ignorant.
Every large company spends a significant portion of its income on protecting its brand image.
I personally know several people whose sole job is monitoring the web for companies and non-profits and counteracting negative statements.
Apology?
April 9, 2008 - 10:29 ET by PolazerusTheir "apology" consisted of we are sorry you Americans saw this add. That is like a criminal being sorry he got caught or a racist being sorry a black person heard them say the "n" word. There was no sorry in that apology and absolut will not make my cabinet again.
I've said it before and
April 9, 2008 - 12:41 ET by lotrI've said it before and I'll say it again -- it's always about the money. If they feel it in their pocketbooks, they'll not only apologize, but get on their knees and grovel. While I'm generally not one for vodka, I'll be even less one for Absolut Vodka. If the tables were turned and the ad showed the United States annexing a large portion of Mexican real estate, including the Baja, I think you would have more than a few offended Mexicans.
"I fail to see" Right
April 9, 2008 - 10:02 ET by mattm"I fail to see"
Right again, L.
The impact probably will be
April 9, 2008 - 10:08 ET by Hunter12The impact probably will be zero, as in Absolut's profits from American sales. I realize that 0 is an exaggeration, but I do believe this will hurt their sales. I think Vox or Ketel One are better anyway.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Hunter, Of course Vox and
April 9, 2008 - 10:13 ET by LeonHunter,
Of course Vox and Ketel One are better. They're also more expensive.
Absolut is a cheap vodka, like Smirnoff. Vox and Ketel are top shelf.
Isn't that why we work?
April 9, 2008 - 10:28 ET by Hunter12Isn't that why we work? To obtain the finer things.
Actually, Ketel One can be found for only a couple bucks more per bottle than Absolut [based on a quick scan of web prices]. By the drink, that's pennies a day. Or a couple of dollars, if you're really thirsty.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Hunter, That's
April 9, 2008 - 10:55 ET by LeonHunter,
That's interesting. I've never bought liquor off the web, but at my local liquor store, Absolut is in the cheaper price range than Ketel. It's like $20 for Absolut and like $27 - $28 for Ketel.
I've just always thought of Absolut as a cheap vodka. I wouldn't rate it even close to ketel, goose, or vox.
Leon, You local store may
April 9, 2008 - 12:17 ET by Hunter12Leon, You local store may move more Absolut, so the differiential will be higher. They may keep just a few Ketels on hand for the discerning taste to keep their overhead down. Try one of the warehouse store's. Liquor is usually a good value there. You have to buy a big bottle, but it doesn't spoil. I'm not sure about Grey Goose being high end. I think I saw a report on some news magazine that the bottle was more expensive than what went inside. I've never shelled out to try it because I've had the other two and know the quality. Isn't it nice to know we don't disagree on everything.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Don't forget, Leon lives in
April 9, 2008 - 12:29 ET by Hero SquadDon't forget, Leon lives in the Peoples Republic of Pennsylvania (as do I). Which means he can only buy his liquor at a gov't run State Store... or I guess he can cross the state line and buy it in NJ. Might eat up the savings in gas, though. And I think there's some transporting over state lines legal issue involved as well.
It's why we folk in Pa. always get a little taken aback and a tad giddy when we see beer in the grocery store cooler next to the Swanson's.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
HS, Well stated. I love
April 9, 2008 - 13:35 ET by LeonHS,
Well stated. I love when I see beer in the grocery store. It's almost like being in some more fun parallel universe!
I generally just buy my liquor at the state stores, but if I'm having a huge party at my house, I'll generally run to Delaware to pick up liquor & Beer rather than NJ.
*In my environmentally friendly Philly Car share! ha. Don't have to pay for gas, just approx. $5/ hr (includes gas)
Right... no sales tax. And
April 9, 2008 - 13:41 ET by Hero SquadRight... no sales tax. And you don't have to cross the Walt Whitman to get there.
Fortunately, we have a state store right next to our grocery store, so when the need arises it's almost like you're in the same store. I had heard some state stores were starting to operate inside grocery stores, but don't know if that ever came to pass.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Tito's handmade vodka is the
April 9, 2008 - 17:05 ET by ahusserTito's handmade vodka is the best and I dont't work for their company. It is made in Texas.
Absolut NOT cheap
April 9, 2008 - 10:55 ET by SickofLibsUnless you mean taste, the fact is Absolut is not cheap vodka.
Cheap vodka is Popov, Wolfschmidt, Majorsky and numerous other cheapo brands that are around $10 or less. Absolut is at least twice that.
And there was a time not that long ago when Absolut was one of only a handful of top shelf brands before the inundation of ultra-premium vodkas.
Absolut's own blog on the controversy is now up to 300+ pages of complaint posts and growing by the hour.
Sick, I don't include
April 9, 2008 - 10:57 ET by LeonSick,
I don't include anything that comes in a plastic bottle in any sort of quality analysis. Doesn't even deserve mention.
300 complaint posts? That's nothing, thus proving my point. Nobody cares except die hard blog participants.
Vodka is vodka
April 9, 2008 - 12:05 ET by SickofLibsLeon, that was PAGES of complaints, not individual posts. At 8-10 per page, thats maybe 3,000.
And I always decant my Popov into a Grey Goose bottle, you know, just for storage purposes...
Not so, troll boy
April 9, 2008 - 18:33 ET by Blonde300 complaint posts? That's nothing, thus proving my point. Nobody cares except die hard blog participants.
Once again, you come up on the reading deficient side of the fence. 300 PAGES, Leon. Not 300 complaint posts.
Too bad, you lose again, Buckwheat.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
My dad always reminisces
April 9, 2008 - 10:59 ET by JasonCMy dad always reminisces about when a Smirnoff martini was considered top-notch. Now it's basically underage college kid stuff, to be mixed with OJ and Sprite. I'd put it in the same category as Absolut in terms of taste; nothing special, but not like drinking rubbing alcohol either. It's the strong brand recognition, through their iconic ads, that have kept them in people's minds, and thus basically forced every bar and restaurant in the country to stock it.
Who can revolt if man has become a simple conglomerate of organs, a person barely free enough to use a remote control to choose his channel? -J. Kristeva
Smirnoff Ugh. Bankers Club? Double Ugh!
April 9, 2008 - 12:13 ET by Roger the ShrubberPersonally, I am partial to Grey Goose, but, whatever floats the boat, right?
Absolut got a big boost in the USA 20-some odd years ago when bottles of it began appearing (in mass quantities) around the members of Metallica...
Gimme my moonshine so I can
April 9, 2008 - 12:20 ET by Dan The Man 2Gimme my moonshine so I can go blind. Good old everclear in the morning to knock the daylights out of ya, straight up of served with a coke chaser.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Everclear isn't moonshine, and you won't go blind drinking it.
April 9, 2008 - 13:16 ET by sarcasmoAnd it's also not legal to sell in Florida, due to some state legislator's slutty daughter servicing an entire fraternity following a good-sized dose of "purple passion" punch. I have to get it (for sanitary purposes, I drink good vodka because I can afford it) from out of state for that reason. Stupid slut.
And 151's still legal here, but only IF you sell it with (Bacardi's proprietary one is an example) a flame resistant cap, to protect chemistry-impaired idiots from themselves. This has effectively given Bacardi a monopoly on the Florida 151 rum market. The most intoxicating change I can imagine? Freedom, for a change.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
TOO LATE !!!!
April 9, 2008 - 09:32 ET by American TaxpayerThe sad part is absolut vodka is correct in the discription that we have given part of our country away. My only disagreement is, it is not a portion of the country it is the entire country. We currenty kiss the asses of any imagrant that wants to move here and CHANGE what used to be our culture. I am sure if I were to move to Mexico the mexican people would change everything to accomadate my language and culture.
A-Tax
April 9, 2008 - 09:42 ET by ThisnThatI am really getting $issed-off at the acceleration of Spanish in everything these days. Want to call a company? Press 1 for Spanish. Want to buy something? EVERYTHING is printed in Spanish -- product explanations, Aisle labels (especially Lowes), installation instructions, credit-card transactions.
Why is that? Do these companies believe that we have been invaded? Do they believe that these jerks DO NOT have to learn English? Are they afraid of lawsuits? Are they under some kind of Government mandate? Is this the only way to make a profit?
Why are we capitulating? I don't understand this at all.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
"So, let it be written,...
April 9, 2008 - 10:22 ET by SyriusMatthew,
...So, let it be done." We all love controversy. Battling over the content of any media has been going on for thousands of years. The disturbing part of this is the tracking of IP addresses which could lead to suppression and intimidation of valid information from both sides. Do you condone the practice? It can cut both ways...
From a blogger site-
"I went to the door and there was a police officer along with three men
in suits. It appeared they were here to see me about something. Wanna
guess what it was? If you guessed the 100 plus comments at the post
below you are correct. Authorities that are not of the local kind came
to my house armed with a search warrant for my computer. They told me
that they needed to trace ip addresses because the comments on my blog
were a form of witness intimidation and slander. They told me that the
main concern they had was the comments were coming from police officers
who had knowledge of ongoing investigations and they were afraid things
were going to be jeopardized purposely.
So, without a warning
or a chance to clean up my house, the authorities came in and spent
over two hours clicking and searching my computer. The entire time they
were here comments kept floating in one right after another. They asked
me a few questions and then thanked me for my cooperation. They told me
that they now could monitor where comments were coming from without
having to be at my house. I imagine some folks are going to get a visit
from the same folks that visited me this morning. However, I bet their
visit will not be as nice as mine was.
Here's the link...
http://thetroublemak...
Let the controversy be noted and continue to debate it without Big Brother watching us.
I could change your comments...
"There is a large body of people out there who are willing and eager to
help advance the cause of conservative libertarianism but because
would-be activists (especially on the right) lead very busy lives, they
need assistance from the political class to know what to do and how to
do it. The right needs to spend the time and money necessary to
cultivate this group. So far it hasn't."-M.Sheffield
Into...
"There is a large body of people out there who are willing and eager to
help advance the cause of fascism but because
would-be supporters of the fascist movement lead very busy lives, they
need assistance from a political class to know what to do and how to
do it. The supporter of this fascist movement needs to spend the time and money necessary to
cultivate this group. So far it hasn't."
...as an example of a future Wiki entry describing how to promote fascism. You could obviously track my ip address and try to attack me on a personal level as being a plagiarized version of your comment but would the content of the comment be incorrect?
Syrius
Syrius, did you notice the
April 9, 2008 - 10:33 ET by Ruths husband BenSyrius, did you notice the date of that post you linked to? April 1, 2008. Do you know what April 1 is famous for? I mean beside Debbie Reynold's birthday.
The celebration of Assyrian
April 9, 2008 - 10:44 ET by Roger the ShrubberThe celebration of Assyrian New Year?
Russia started using Daylight Savings Time?
I am stumped!
Of course, I did.
April 9, 2008 - 10:48 ET by SyriusRuth,
I commend you for your astuteness. Did you read the comments below his blog? Only some were duped. It goes back to a good point on false leads and misinformation on the WikiWars.
Syrius
"...the dire consequences to society when people begin to believe that by
renaming someone to erase their humanity opens the door to the
devaluation of everyone's life..."-dscott
Yawn
April 9, 2008 - 10:36 ET by Matthew Sheffield"There is a large body of people out there who are willing and eager to
help advance the cause of liberal fascism but because would-be activists (especially on the left) lead very busy lives, they
need assistance from the political class to know what to do and how to
do it. The left needs to spend the time and money necessary to
cultivate this group. So far it hasn't."
--Syrius
Touche!
April 9, 2008 - 11:01 ET by SyriusMatthew,
But wait there's more...no there isn't. From this site, hasn't the left spent the time and money to cultivate a liberal fascist political movement? Whatever "Liberal Fascism" is? It's like saying "Compassionate Conservatism"!
Syrius
"...the dire consequences to society when people begin to believe that by
renaming someone to erase their humanity opens the door to the
devaluation of everyone's life..."-dscott
"Whatever "Liberal Fascism"
April 9, 2008 - 11:18 ET by Indiana Joe"Whatever "Liberal Fascism" is?"
Guess you didn't get the memo. The original "fascists" were, first and foremost, socialists. Re-distribution of wealth, government control of markets, "free" health-care, the works. Sound familiar?
I trust the parallels with modern "liberalism" are readily apparent to you.
I think it's a
April 9, 2008 - 12:33 ET by Hero SquadI think it's a book.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Syrius is right
April 9, 2008 - 11:57 ET by exLibConservatives are compassionate.
So I always hated GWB for coining that phrase.
So you are right liberals are facistic by nature.
Good Call!
What can I say, I like this
April 9, 2008 - 11:05 ET by JasonCWhat can I say, I like this ad. It's funny, relevant, can be read as ironic, and appeals to it's target audience, as any ad should.
Who can revolt if man has become a simple conglomerate of organs, a person barely free enough to use a remote control to choose his channel? -J. Kristeva
I'm with you. It's a little
April 9, 2008 - 11:07 ET by balboaI'm with you. It's a little zany. I don't take it seriously.
Zany?
April 9, 2008 - 11:43 ET by Roger the ShrubberZany? Who are you, Rip Taylor?
I like this ad campaign even better.
Yeah, Rog, that's totally
April 9, 2008 - 11:59 ET by Indiana JoeYeah, Rog, that's totally harmless, right? People shouldn't get worked up about it, they're just xenophobes.
ROTFL
Loved the Rip Taylor reference, too. Cue the confetti! ;^D
Just use that from now on...
April 9, 2008 - 12:03 ET by jpatch"I'm with you. It's a little zany. I don't take it seriously."
Yes, we know this stuff isn't serious to you. That's the problem with your whole liberal movement: you don't understand just how serious the rest of the world is about everything. You have the luxury of being an American, where you live in a giant bubble of safety, power, and prosperity that those who came before you bled for. You don't have to take anything "seriously" because you have 2 million armed brothers and sisters defending your way of life who take things very seriously.
It must be nice to live in a delusional world where you can pick and choose what needs to be taken "seriously". Those decisions are being made for you, trust me.
I'm sure years from now,
April 9, 2008 - 12:43 ET by balboaI'm sure years from now, when Mexico has wrestled the American southwest from our grasp, we'll all look back at this Absolut ad and say, "If we'd only known how dangerous a magazine ad for vodka could be."
What don't you understand?
April 9, 2008 - 13:16 ET by jpatchFirst of all, most of us take offense to this ad because we're in the midst of a serious struggle with immigration problems. Having another country send a backdoor ad is bad business. ("...it was meant for a Mexican demographic..." So insulting the U.S. is ok, because it was meant to be behind our backs?) Many of us, as I'm sure you read here, are getting seriously upset as each day goes by, and millions more Mexicans illegally enter our country. The implications of this HUGE Mexican migration are only beginning to be known.
Secondly, I believe that the reason why you don't take this seriously at all is because you don't have any sense of what is important in this world: safety.
Like I was saying earlier, you, again, fail to realize the seriousness of most issues that are impactful on our lives. It's easier to pretend that all of these "dangers" and "problems" are just concoctions of evil, greedy conservatives. Unfortunately, in the real world, people like us are forced to care about our country and our way of life.
"You can lead a liberal to truth, but you can make 'em think."
Let's all try to imagine
April 9, 2008 - 13:19 ET by sarcasmoA blatantly anti-Mexico and anti-Mexican liquor ad using as an excuse "it was aimed at an English speaking American demographic." I'm sure the lefties here wouldn't see any issues at all. Riiiight...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
jpatch, If you're so
April 9, 2008 - 13:30 ET by Leonjpatch,
If you're so concerned about the illegal immigration problem, why don't you start looking around your own community for American businesses that hire illegals?
Again, there is no serious struggle with immigration. There's only a struggle to get people to hold Americans that hire illegals accountable.
Our fellow citizens are to blame. All we need do is go after them and illegal immigration will end. Stop whining about
We have a solution, we just need to use it.
If you really do care about this issue, your country, and your way of life, start going after those who are to blame. american businessmen that hire illegal immigrants.
Let's say he and I decided to spend a day doing just that.
April 9, 2008 - 13:34 ET by sarcasmoHow much should we be paid for doing the government's job that the government will not do? Right now, you seem to be expecting something close to slavery from us just because we have the temerity expect the US government to finally ever-in-hell do its job. Oh, and by the way, the crickets are chirpin' just above this comment...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Leon, I think most of us
April 9, 2008 - 14:01 ET by Hunter12Leon, I think most of us here feel we should do just that, go after the businesses hiring these illegals. It would provide jobs to US citizens, in that the meat packing plants and similar opeartions aren't going to go overseas. It would relieve a signifigant burden to our local schools in not having to provide dual language courses, and it would take pressure off our welfare systems. Our own politicians are selling us down the river because they fear the backlash of a large bloc of voters going over to the party that caters the most.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Hunter, Great post. I
April 9, 2008 - 14:26 ET by LeonHunter,
Great post.
I agree with everything you said. Eliminating the illegal immigrant burden is in our best interest.
What I don't get is all this ALARMISM about it. People freaking out about the immigrant 'crisis'.
How much of a crisis can it possibly be if we already have a solution?
All we have to do is enforce the rules on the books and it's game over. No more illegal immigrant problem. What's the big deal?
As I've said time and time again, it's incredibly easy to target industries that are most likely to hire illegal immigrants.
It's a crisis, and emotional, because...
April 9, 2008 - 14:43 ET by sarcasmoWe've had said solution since 1986, when we were promised secure borders in exchange for the last amnesty, and some of us haven't forgotten the promise because it blatantly wasn't kept. When promises spend decades not being kept, some people tend to object. Like, for example, me -- and I'm a "pro immigration" libertarian.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc, If you don't trust
April 9, 2008 - 14:57 ET by LeonSarc,
If you don't trust the government to handle the punishment of AMERICANs who hire illegals, then police your own communities.
Seems to be working with the Minutemen. They identified the problem, noted that a solution existed that the government couldn't (or wouldn't) address, and took matters into their own hands. So far, they've shown that if you can identify a solution, it's just a matter of putting it into practice.
Each and everyone of you that complains about the immigrant crisis should start to look around your own communities. It's so simple. For example, boycott any landscaper that uses illegal immigrants and spread the word among your townfolk. Don't go to restaurants that use immigrant labor in the kitchen.
Don't sit around whining while you wait for the government to do everything for you. My friend that used to work at Lockheed always told me about the signs they had in the hallway: Observe & Report.
It's sound advice for the immigrant situation. See something wrong, report it to the proper authorities. The employer will be punished and they'll most likely never hire illegals again.
The solution is simple. Punish those that hire illegals. Don't know how to make it any easier.
If I tried to "police" my own community
April 9, 2008 - 15:01 ET by sarcasmoThe real police would put me in jail. Plus, they'd be getting paid for it and I wouldn't. If the government wanted my help, they'd be willing to pay me. They don't because they don't.
Finding illegals doesn't take rocket science, and it doesn't even require my help. I don't know what you're worried about, it's not like big government's going to offer $50/head rewards to citizen-units for turning in deportable individuals, but that's probably all it would take.
JMR
PS Those crickets still chirp...
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Sarc, You can go to jail
April 9, 2008 - 15:05 ET by LeonSarc,
You can go to jail for making a telephone call?
Hmm.
This isn't Russia. Is this Russia?
I agree that the government should do it sarc, you complained that they aren't. I simply suggested if you can't wait for the government to take care of it, then do it yourself.
And I said
April 9, 2008 - 15:08 ET by sarcasmoIf they really wanted that, they'd offer a reward, but to me "police" means far more than a phone call to the failures, it means enforcement. Can you understand from our conversation here just why it seems that's a concept with which the left is unfamiliar? Crap, ten bucks could probably do the job. But I have enough big government failures to take care of myself without additional assignments from the left or the right.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
As seems to be the case
April 9, 2008 - 15:13 ET by LeonAs seems to be the case with everyone, you can go about two posts with Sarc and then it's just exhausting.
I don't know what you want man.
My only point is we have a solution that the government should be able to handle. If you don't feel that they're doing a good job, then do it yourself.
That's all.
Kept promises.
April 9, 2008 - 15:18 ET by sarcasmoHey, you said you didn't know what I want. I know, I'm "unreasonable" to want that, but kept promises is what I think all the conservatives here want. At least on this issue...
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Just an anecdote...
April 9, 2008 - 16:09 ET by SyriusSarc,
A few years ago, I was walking with a Venezuelan friend of mine near a fairly busy, small, tex-mex outdoors cafe. There were some high bushes and you couldn't see into the cafe. My friend said, "Watch this- he yells out 'Inmigra, inmigra!'" A moment later, there are a half a dozen busboys running up the street. So in the short run, you can impact your community if you were to yell out- "Inmigra!"
Syrius
"...the dire consequences to society when people begin to believe that by
renaming someone to erase their humanity opens the door to the
devaluation of everyone's life..."-dscott
I know we have a serious
April 9, 2008 - 13:33 ET by balboaI know we have a serious immigration problem. I don't think this ad changes that one way or another.
But I appreciate your thoughts on the sense I lack, and your insight to my ideas on evil, greedy conservatives.
Very well stated -- this
April 9, 2008 - 12:56 ET by lotrVery well stated -- this about sums up the soil through which contemporary Western liberalism has grown like a weed: Luxury.
"Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants."
-- Mother Teresa
Typical liberal response
April 9, 2008 - 12:41 ET by ThisnThat"I'm with you. It's a little zany. I don't take it seriously." Pretty typical response. Try to divert, dismiss, minimize any controversy. "Completely harmless, no message intended at all -- ha ha ha".
Yet, let someone say "Macaca", or "Monkey", or any number of other things and all hell breaks loose amonst the liberals. "They're attacking. They're all racists".
So thanks, Bal and JasonC, for not letting us down here. We have certain expectations, you know.
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I never said that about
April 9, 2008 - 12:46 ET by balboaI never said that about macaca, so your whole little post there just fell apart.
And I'm not diverting, but I sure am dismissing.
"but I sure am dismissing".
April 9, 2008 - 12:55 ET by ThisnThat"but I sure am dismissing". In other words, a willing suspension of disbelief is required before anyone can think that this ad wasn't a deliberate attempt by someone in Absolut to push an agenda down our throats?
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Correct.
April 9, 2008 - 13:03 ET by balboaCorrect.
Hide your eyes beneath the covers...
April 9, 2008 - 13:45 ET by jpatch...and the monsters will go away.
Here's the real answer: this ad is really our fault. It's because of the actions of the United States that Sweden, along with the rest of the world, now hates us.
We all understand why you guys support the "humor" in this backhanded ad...because it denegrates the image of the United States. It's "benign" to you because you don't feel it's "authorial intent"; you have probably already divorced yourself from this administration and proclaimed yourself to be a "World Citizen".
Again, there is real life, and there is candy land. You can keep playing in your fantasy world only because there are other Americans out there keeping your precious little behind safe. Don't forget it. And while you're at it...
El Cliente: "Da me una bebida con Absolut Vodka por favor, el pinche gringo me ha estado haciendo todo al dia."
El Camarero: "Pinche gringo."
El Cliente: "Pinche gringo."
En un mundo Absolut.
Eh. You don't really
April 9, 2008 - 13:58 ET by balboaEh. You don't really understand as much as you think.
You're right...
April 9, 2008 - 18:15 ET by jpatchIt takes a lot of thinking to understand something. You should give it a try sometime.
I'm not interested in
April 9, 2008 - 13:09 ET by JasonCI'm not interested in authorial intent. I read this ad as a devious bit of gallows humor concerning a serious topic. Like a political cartoon, sort of. I would imagine that you have less of a problem with creative skewering of national issues when it's not your sacred cow on the chopping block.
For instance, there is a car insurance ad on TV now in which a man is outside his office, wearing biker shorts and the top half of a business suit. He is locking up his bike and lamenting that once he switches to [whatever insurance company the ad is promoting] he'll be able to drive again. A co-worker walks by and snickers at him. Now personally, I find it rather insulting and irresponsible both environmentally and economically to intimate that people who don't drive are somehow freakish or deserving of mockery. The ad's thrust is basically "Wait! You don't HAVE to take public transit or bicycle or walk to work! And if you do, well, you must be a dork." However, while this ad irritates me, I certainly do not read into it a concentrated effort to make everybody drive a gas-guzzler to work.
Meanwhile, I sure do get a good laugh out of these posters presumption to know so much about me and my life based on my response to such an ultimately benign ad.
Who can revolt if man has become a simple conglomerate of organs, a person barely free enough to use a remote control to choose his channel? -J. Kristeva
"presumption to know so
April 9, 2008 - 13:23 ET by ThisnThat"presumption to know so much about me and my life based on my response to such an ultimately benign ad". We have our ways, JasonC, we have our ways. Don't look behind you; but I recommend you stand up now and take 3 steps back from that keyboard and (especially) monitor ....
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber