Just my luck. First and nothing to say.
katsiskats | 12.06.05 - 12:58 am | #

this ford stuff is getting old, whats bush up to
leeroy | 12.06.05 - 12:59 am | #

Ford is Fuct. Frist!
Roger the Cabin Boy | 12.06.05 - 12:59 am | #

Liberals = wal-mart BAD Saddam GOOD
Rush | 12.06.05 - 12:59 am | #

keep rockin', john.

with your concerted pressure, ford will ultimately do the right thing.

fuck the wingnuts.
Jim in LA | 12.06.05 - 1:00 am | #

Oh, look! Even with the booger meltdown, the blog has passed 18 million visitors.
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:01 am | #

Will it reach 20,000,000 by New Year's?
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:02 am | #

Anyone see the story that the Wash. Post is running.

CIA Ruse Is Said to Have Damaged Probe in Milan

looks like big news
Foward With Feingold | 12.06.05 - 1:07 am | #

This article will sicken you even more. Ford has really sold out gays and lesbians. If you had any doubt about it or any second thoughts about not joining the effort to show Ford that we are not sitting around on this one.

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_for...erts_potential/
kerplunk | 12.06.05 - 1:07 am | #

[ Anyone see the story that the Wash. Post is running.]
Give a link, please.
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:08 am | #

According to a list of demands on AFA’s website, the organization insisted Ford and all of its brands stop donating – whether with cash, vehicles or endorsements – to homosexual social activities.

This includes donations to "gay pride" parades and pride weekend celebrations; homosexual organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and ending all advertising on homosexual websites and other gay media outlets.
kerplunk | 12.06.05 - 1:09 am | #

tc - will it reach 20 million by Fitzmas?

About the Times article - note at the end how HRC says it'll all be cleared up - yeah with no help from HRC!

Here's 'nuther one that points out how Ford family is always blaming someone for thei failings

"Chairman Bill Ford told the media, with apparent earnestness, that his company "can compete with Toyota, but we can't compete with Japan."

This is an old myth. Ford's competitive problem, according to its chief executive, is driven by the unfair advantages that the Japanese government allegedly bestows on its auto companies — government-funded health care for workers, government support for the pension system and subsidies to develop the batteries needed for hybrid vehicles.

What makes this claim so extraordinary is that Japanese companies, led by Toyota Motor Corp., are thrashing Ford by building vehicles in North American factories with North American-made parts and North American workers, who receive American-style wages and health benefits. And increasingly, these Japanese brand vehicles are engineered in America by Americans."

http://www.themoderatevoice.com/ ...133706435.shtml

... and it mentions America Blog and some dicey threads here ...
Mary | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 1:16 am | #

John,
Before you turn in, check out the story kerplunk links to above. There were two senior Ford officials involved in the AFA meeting:

David Leitch, general counsel and vice president
Ziad Ojakli, group vice president-Corporate Affairs

Also a Dallas Ford dealer, Jerry Reynolds, who was instrumental in arranging the meeting was present.
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 1:21 am | #

kerplunk, geez. What does AFA have on Ford? Evidence of kiddie porn on company computers?
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:24 am | #

Japan's always been a convenient, though undeserving, target for the American auto industry.
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:26 am | #

Oooh, Mr. Ziad Ojakli is quite a substantial Republican donor.

$2000 Republican National Cmte 10/1/2004

$1000 Republican National Cmte 5/27/2004

$1000 Freedom Project 5/26/2005

$2000 George W. Bush 3/24/2004

(A grand total of $5000 to Republicans in 2004 alone! Why doesn't this man have an ambassadorship?)

http://www.opensecrets.org/indiv...t2002=Y& Order=N
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 1:32 am | #

OK, there's some bigtime weirdness going on here. Ziad Ojakli, a major Bush donor, was, in fact, rewarded for his efforts as a Bush pioneer and was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President, Legislative Affairs.

So, WTF was he doing in Tupelo, Mississippi, in November meeting with the AFA on Ford's behalf?

http:// www.whitehouseforsale.org...pioneer_ID=1195
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 1:41 am | #

Here's Ojakli's company bio:
http://media.ford.com/ article_di...rticle_id=17499
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:46 am | #

I think that ambassadorship's coming.

From 2001 – 2004, Ojakli served President George W. Bush as principal deputy for legislative affairs, the President’s chief liaison to the United States Senate. In this role, he managed daily interactions for the White House with U.S. Senators...
...
In addition to promoting the President’s legislative agenda in the Senate, Ojakli directed the administration’s efforts to secure confirmation of presidential nominations.

Prior to joining the White House staff, Ojakli served as the Senate liaison for the Bush-Cheney Transition Team and as Congressional liaison for Victory 2000 at the Republican National Committee.
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 1:50 am | #

Just to collect these links in one place. Ward's Auto ran an article about the double super-secret meeting between Ford and the AFA in Tupelo, Mississippi. It reported that Ford was represented by David Leitch, general counsel and vice president, and Ziad Ojakli, group vice president-Corporate Affairs, along with a Ford dealer, Jerry Reynolds, from Dallas. (Someone please get screen shots of this page before it disappears from the web.)

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_for...erts_potential/

Mr. Ojakli is a Bush Pioneer fundraiser, who himself donated $3000 to the Republican National Committee in 2004 and $2000 for Bush's re-election campaign.

http://www.opensecrets.org/indiv...t2002=Y& Order=N

He was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President, Legislative Affairs, in 2001.

http:// www.whitehouseforsale.org...pioneer_ID=1195

So, believe it or not, this stinking Ford/AFA mess goes all the way to the White House. Why am I not surprised?
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 1:52 am | #

At Ford, Bigotry is Job One

http://www.unc.edu/~rtrice/Blog/...ages/ cross2.jpg
kerplunk | 12.06.05 - 1:57 am | #

cadejo4 - I think you have a major scoop there!
Mary | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 1:58 am | #

Mary,
You'd think the New York Times could do that, wouldn't you? I just don't get it. Granted, Ojakli left the White House last year, but his contacts are still in place. He would be Ford's obvious choice to lobby for the bailout package it so obviously needs. Why was he involved in these secret negotiations with the AFA? There's some political tit for tat going on here, and gays are on the losing end. I want answers, damnit!
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 2:04 am | #

Go John Go, GO JOHN GO:-)
dave i. | 12.06.05 - 2:11 am | #

I think you are going to love this information about Ford's General Counsel and Vice-President, David G. Leitch, who was in the AFA meeting. I think it is from 2004.

"In his most recent role at the White House, he advised the president and his staff on a variety of legal issues, including issues involving the war on terror, judicial nominations, legislative proposals and ethics."

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bi...03246708& EDATE=
* Former White House Deputy Counsel David G. Leitch named Ford Motor Company general counsel and senior vice president, effective April 1.
* Dennis Ross to retire June 1.

DEARBORN, Mich., March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company
(NYSE: F) today announced it has appointed David G. Leitch as its general counsel and a senior vice president of the company. Leitch served most recently as the deputy assistant to President George W. Bush and the White House's deputy counsel.
Leitch's appointment is effective April 1. He succeeds Dennis Ross, who will retire June 1. Until then, Ross will continue to report to chairman and chief executive officer Bill Ford while working on taxes and related issues. Following retirement, Ross will work for the company as a consultant with a primary focus on tax issues.
Bill Ford said of Leitch: "David's a brilliant lawyer with a remarkable record of achievement. His experience at the White House and in the private sector gives him a perspective that will undoubtedly offer valuable insights to our leadership team."
Leitch said, "I look forward to joining a company with the history and global presence of a Ford Motor Company. I see a vibrant future for Ford, as well as a place where my talents and experience can make a contribution."
Leitch, 44, has had a distinguished career in government and law. In his most recent role at the White House, he advised the president and his staff on a variety of legal issues, including issues involving the war on terror, judicial nominations, legislative proposals and ethics. From June 2001 through December 2002, he served as chief counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration, overseeing a staff of 290 in Washington and the agency's 11 regional offices. He is also a past deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel.
Leitch's law career includes serving as law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, and as a partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P. Leitch is a graduate of the University of Virginia, School of Law, and an undergraduate of Duke University.
. . .
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 324,000 employees worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.
Professor from Oregon | 12.06.05 - 2:24 am | #

Let's not forget that they are also now attacking Wells Fargo we need to show our support for these companies just like we showed support for Kraft when America's Taliban decided to attack their support for the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. We need someone to get a number and e-mail for Wells Fargo PR people just like we did for Kraft so that they know that we support them and will spend our money to use their services. We also need to remind these companies that gays and lesbians have above-average brand loyalty and that fundamentalists boycotts tend to not be successful such as the Southern Baptist Convention boycott of Disney.
Jason Young | 12.06.05 - 2:27 am | #

When corporations buy advertising space in your newspaper, does that mean reporters must treat news stories about them with kid goves?

:(
Wild Weasel | 12.06.05 - 2:27 am | #

Professor from Oregon, interesting that both Leitsch and Ojakli were at the WH together. Ojakli advised on legislative issues, Leitch advised on legal issues. There are some significant connections there.
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 2:31 am | #

BUSH bad, Ford Bad, walmart Bad...

Saddams an idiot.. no more of a murderer than our last few presidents.

But he cannot be tried while the country is under occupation, it's part of the Geneva Conventions...


Which is what, #8 that we have to hang George W Bush for.

NUREMBURG II - Film at 11!
Krackonis | 12.06.05 - 2:31 am | #

When the advertize in the same newspaper?

HA

These guys are constantly crawling in and out of each others oily orifices every day.
There are what, only 5 major media/maufacturing giants left?

Who do you think owns ford? Another company and so it goes...

I betcha they can't even figure out who owns who.
Krackonis | 12.06.05 - 2:34 am | #

Count on this str8 but open-minded one to boycott Ford.
krazykat | 12.06.05 - 2:35 am | #

cadejo4 - I think you found the tip of a big ol iceberg.
I was off looking up Tupelo Miss.
I was sort of mean - the town is probably OK little town.

It has a car museum. Perhaps the car museum & car enthusists are link to Ford & that guy who is the pioneer fundaiser. Or did some Tupelo fat cats 'donate' their cars to the museum in exchange for some tax breaks?

I can see an Elvis Museum ... but what is Tupelo in car history? They are stock car race crazy there ... but auto stuff in up by the Great Lakes. I don't think Tupelo has a racetrack even.
Mary | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 2:57 am | #

Krackonis - :lol: :lol:
Mary | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 2:59 am | #

I wonder how much money the AFA took them for.
Sherm | 12.06.05 - 4:25 am | #

Dammit - I lost my links. . .

What I had started reading about is how Jerry Reynolds isn't exactly just a run-of-the-mill dealer. From 1999 - 2001 he was the chairman of the North Texas region of the Ford Dealer Council, a group of like 17 regional chairs who apparently regularly traveled to corporate HQ to discuss sales and other issues.

But Reynolds, who, according to the ward.com report, wrote the letter to the AFA convincing them to stall six months on the boycott while dealers approached the company, was in a somewhat unique position. When he was chair, he represented some 370 dealerships in North Texas. . .and seems to be quoted quite frequently in publications about automobile industry issues and dealers.

This usually indicates he is somewhat of a mover-shaker in the dealer world - not just your corner car lot owner. And this also underscores how important this might be to complain to every dealer in every location in the country about this treatment - particularly when one of their biggies set up this whole negotiation process.

There is no way Ford could expect any member of our community to trust their dealers when someone with that much clout entered into negotiations with a hate group.
Kevin | 12.06.05 - 4:47 am | #

What this comes down to is, will a gay person ever buy a Ford product again? For myself, I won't even look at them.
Robert Melos | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 5:47 am | #

Hi all,

re. the "gay-inclusive" ads Ford Motor Company ran in Europe: I do recall something like that. Up until last year, I was a staff writer (music journalist) for Lespress, the then-biggest nationwide high-gloss mag for lesbians in Germany.

Now Ford for quite a while bought the most expensive ad space the magazine had to offer: the whole back cover; to promote their then-new baby roadster, the "StreetKA" convertible (what a nonsense name).

This was the last in a series of vaguely gay-positive ads Ford Motor Co. ran in Europe to promote the StreetKA and its closed-top sister model, the KA, since 2000.

The ads are archived here (chronologically):

http://www.commercialcloset.org/...tml? record=1360
http://www.commercialcloset.org/...tml? record=1344
http://www.commercialcloset.org/...tml? record=1343
http://www.commercialcloset.org/...html? record=979
http://www.commercialcloset.org/...tml? record=1842
Amy | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 5:49 am | #

John:

Let's give a two thumbs up to Virgin Atlantic for this great pro gay ad

http://media1.break.com/content/airplanegay.wmv

Wish more companies were like Vigin.

PS: I bet this ad came out as a tie in as the UK ushers in same sex law
Big Bear | 12.06.05 - 6:17 am | #

and, as everyone knows, Ford stands for "fix or repair daily."

the problem is not so much ford as that this is part of a pattern of american companies caving to this kind of pressure. witness Target, aptly named, and plan B. If ceos do not stand up to this bullying (from any source, left or right) where does it stop.
ttcrewes | 12.06.05 - 7:34 am | #

From today's Detroit Free Press: Gay, lesbian and transgender organizations from across the country had a conference call Monday afternoon to come up with a plan to formally request more information from the Dearborn-based automaker, said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of the Detroit-based Triangle Foundation."We're hoping that Ford is not abandoning its principles in this matter ... and caving into the AFA," said Montgomery, whose group supports civil rights and antiviolence efforts. "They have great policies in place. They treat their gay and lesbian employees very well."
Detroit | 12.06.05 - 7:51 am | #

So once again Ford sides with a hate group, nothing new there. Back in the 1930's they worked with the Nazis (just like Grandpa Bush) & today they're siding with the rabid homophobic groups out of Colorado Springs & southern California.
We (liberals, progressives, moderates, people of faith & ethics) should boycott any corporation or their political puppets who deal with, meet with, benefit from or do not publicly condemn them for the hatemongers that they are.
If any politician was courting the Klan, what would the reaction be?
DraftGin&TonicBush | 12.06.05 - 7:57 am | #

GO LOCAL !!!

Calling the Ford hacks in Detroit is all well and good, but we're all on the front line and should protest locally as well.

That is, call your local Ford dealership(s) and ask to speak to the sales managers. If you own a Ford now, say you won't buy another. Then tell them why. If you're not driving a Ford now, say that you're definitely ruling out buying a Ford Motor car (i.e., Ford, Rover, whatever) in the future. Then tell them why.

The fundagelical nasties got their way by working on Ford from the bottom up. We should do likewise.
K | 12.06.05 - 8:31 am | #

You know - being a lib isn't just about gays. You have what - 9 threads here about Ford bashing gays - I really believe one or two at the most would have been plenty.

Armadillious
a Not Gay liberal
armadillious | 12.06.05 - 9:11 am | #

Just e-mailed Jim Cain from below (Jcain@ford.com) and informed them my planned purchase of a new car in the next couple of weeks will exclude Ford.
nik | 12.06.05 - 9:16 am | #

Lying is sooo in vogue these days.
Ellie | 12.06.05 - 9:20 am | #

I love my Honda Civic even more!!
RobNYC | 12.06.05 - 9:30 am | #

EMAIL CONTACT FORM ON FORD WEBSITE:

I sent 'em my outrage, since they blocked the other email addresses John had.

https://secure.ford.com/en/suppor...ort/ emailUs.htm
judy brown | 12.06.05 - 9:34 am | #

Liberals = wal-mart BAD Saddam GOOD

Repukes = Communist China workers good - American workers bad.

Deal with it Wal-bot.

Joshua Norton | 12.06.05 - 9:59 am | #

Great work last night Kevin, tireiron chef, Professor from Oregon, and others! Had to turn in, and am just now catching up.
cadejo4 | 12.06.05 - 10:00 am | #

More contribution information:

Ziad Ojakli
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/byst...akli& first=Ziad

David Leitch
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/byst...tch& first=David
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/byst...tch& first=David
paleo | 12.06.05 - 10:03 am | #

In the e-mails to which Ford has replied, they indicate that gays or gay-affirming people who are protesting their pro-AFA decision are working with "inaccurate" or "misleading" information. Well, AFA's letter from May 2005 says, "You are probably unaware that Ford Motor Company is a major supporter of the homosexual movement, including homosexual marriage." Now, if THAT isn't misleading or inaccurate, I don't know what is. Yet, Ford sees fit to constructively address AFA's illegitimate concerns by changing a core part of their revenue stream: advertising. Ford, at best, is being disingenuous here.
Paul | 12.06.05 - 10:16 am | #

I have a question, if you currently lease a Ford product, how do you break the lease without any penalties? My
partner has a Ford pick-up truck and has a year left on the lease. Also a question about these weasal Ford people that are now taking their marching orders from the AFA, what kind of family values do they have, any adultereres, divorces, closet cases, ect? Any pasts these fascist collaborators have should be printed everywhere!! I mean fuck it, war is war, anything is fair game.
Greg S. | 12.06.05 - 10:26 am | #

You know, I was really considering buying a Ford Escape Hybrid, had really just about made up my mind, when all of this hit the fan. I'm not gay, but I have gay friends and colleagues, and they deserve every right I have, including the right to have a civil union and/or marriage, adopt, freedom from discrimination, you name it. I know gays and lesbians who have children, professional careers, houses, etc., and they are no better or no worse than anyone else.

The religious fundamentals who make a mockery out of their faith in order to goose voters and wallets do not run this country, and they do not have an exclusive franchise on patriotism.

Ford, get it right, treat everyone fair, and be up front with it, or I won't buy your products. That includes Volvos, too--I'm on my third one now.
a_retrogrouch | 12.06.05 - 10:47 am | #

Hmm...well, Greg...I'm wondering if you could possibly contact Ford and say that you now believe the company, which used dealers to set up these meetings and "dialogue" with the AFA, may no longer be capable or willing to fulfill their part of the contract. And that your confidence in their ability to appropriately service your vehicle is impaired.
Kevin | 12.06.05 - 10:54 am | #

I can't believe my post was removed. It was not offensive at all. Companies have no right to discriminate against anyone, but gays have no right to impose their "lifestyle" on the rest of us. The gay community is building tolerance and has an agenda to make homosexuality mainstream just like the right-wing wants to stop it. Why did you remove my post? These moderators SUCK!! (figuratively too).
Straight Guy | 12.06.05 - 11:58 am | #

cadejo4, just following your lead. . .
tireiron chef | 12.06.05 - 11:58 am | #

Straight Guy, no one should have the right to impose any lifestyle on anyone. I really don't see how battling discrimination (which spans everything from harassment to firings to beatings and killings) amounts to "imposing a lifestyle," but I can easily see how groups like the AFA are trying to impose a white Christian "family"--as they narrowly define it--lifestyle on the rest of us. I live that latter lifestyle, by the way, and I and my wife don't feel in the slightest way that gays are trying to impose anything on us, neither do we feel threatened by gays in any way, shape, or form. Frankly, the ones I know are some of the sweetest, most honest people I have the privilege to know.

You really need to get out a bit more often and talk to people outside of your sphere, instead of falling for false charges of imposition of "radical agendas" from gays. It's the hard right wing that has an agenda, and the attack on Ford is part of that.
a_retrogrouch | 12.06.05 - 12:09 pm | #

Obvoiusly, you have let naive sentiments blind you in to what is going on around you. Sure, the right-wing has agenda, and anti-gay is just part of it. OK, so i know gay people to and i have nothing personal gainst them and, I agree, they are nice people. But, just like in every "sphere" there are good and bad people. There are people in really strategic positions (financial, political)that belong to the gay community that are really pushing to build tolerance and increase the proliferation of homosexuality. There are things going on that you obvoiously aren't aware of, otherwise, you may have understood my perspective, being a straight man and all. No offense, but I do get out and perhaps you should look past your nice friends on this one.
Straight Guy | 12.06.05 - 12:19 pm | #

"proliferation of homosexuality"? What the fuck are you talking about? Oh, yes, now I get it -- you think The Protocols of Zion are actually about gay people who are trying to "proliferate" by (my god! how could they) promoting TOLERANCE. How outrageous! Someone call the General!
And don't worry, Straight Man -- there isn't a gay person anywhere who will ever find you attractive, so you'll never have to deal with anyone hitting on you (or, maybe, is THAT what you're actually afraid of?)
Cathie from Canada | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 12:40 pm | #

How do you proliferate homosexually? WTF?
colleen military mom | 12.06.05 - 12:48 pm | #

Is that why you gals are so succesful, because you're so damn smart? Proliferation doesn't mean to reproduce in every context.

Am I scared someone would hit on me? Why is it that when you are confronted you always cry homo-phobic or Nazi? Just becasue my mind is not tuned into deviance doesn't mean i'm afraid of you. I'm not afraid of anything, i'm just voicing my opinion like the rest of you gals.
Straight guy | 12.06.05 - 12:56 pm | #

I wonder what Straight Guy is "tuned into", there are many variations besides gender preferences...who knows what kinky stuff he is into...drama or costumes or who does what to whom and with what. Hmmmmmmm?
How does he know that his favorite turn on is what everyone else thinks is "normal". I wonder if his partners agree with his definitions of the right way to do it?
vistaguy | 12.06.05 - 1:07 pm | #

Whatever i'm into, it's not because i think it's what everyone else thinks is normal (and it's defiantely with a FEMALE not a "partner"). It's what feels natural, and I have no unnatural urges. I guess that is the difference between you and I.

Costumes? OK, maybe a nurse uniform but thats about it.
Straight guy | 12.06.05 - 1:10 pm | #

Straight Guy won't have to worry too much about straight women hitting on him either. Most straight women, at least younger women, get bored by guys who get their knickers in a knot over "gay proliferation".
NancyP | 12.06.05 - 1:14 pm | #

Straight Guy, the day a couple of homosexuals in some cow town beats up a single straight guy and leaves him for dead hanging on a fence post is the day the "homosexual agenda" will be worth worrying about. Until then, I and many other straights completely support efforts to create tolerance of all people, including gays and lesbians.

And don't you dare call me naive. You don't know me at all.
a_retrogrouch | 12.06.05 - 1:28 pm | #

WTF is straight guy trolling around here for? He doesn't know squat about this blog or any of us but tries to preach a lot of sanctamonius shit to us.
The fact is - most of us got enough hot air during the Thanksgiving holiday to last us all a long long while, We don't need anymore.
Mary | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 6:59 pm | #

GREG S:

Drop by a franchise of your choice. I'll bet that they will be happy to work out something to minimize your penalty. After all, you'll be taking something out of their inventory.
TomaHawk | 12.07.05 - 12:12 am | #

I have expressed my thanks to your bloggers on the other thread for this information. Thanks again

Would you be interested in a rather long piece about how the FMC has tried to discredit me, and my research relating to Washington, especially the neocons?
Trowbridge H. Ford | Homepage | 12.07.05 - 5:38 am | #

Does anyone have Ziad Ojakli's phone number? It was posted yesterday but I lost the damn thing!..GRRRRRR
Seth in Vermont | 12.07.05 - 1:17 pm | #