This is not about Verizon, but Toyota.
I received their typical form letter response that said:
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota is sensitive to the opinions of our customers and we respect your position on this issue. We have documented your comments accordingly.
Like most advertisers, Toyota’s television spots air across a broad range of programming, including network and cable news, talk shows, sporting events, prime-time shows, late-night television and morning shows. Toyota’s ads should not be interpreted as tacit endorsement of the views of any show or the views espoused by the hosts, guests or callers to any show.
Furthermore, please note that any public comments posted by an official of Toyota must include a full name, title and contact information. Anything authored without such identification should be considered not representative of Toyota, and the writer's credibility and motivation should be discounted.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to receive your feedback so that we may improve our advertising and marketing efforts.
If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
So, I just hit "reply" and responded as follows - I really don't know what else to do at this point.
By sending out this boilerplate message, you are, in spite of your "form letter" denials, endorsing the racism, lies and propaganda espoused by the MSNBC network - and, by not removing your implicit endorsement (advertising) of this disreputable company, you force all of us to continue our boycott of all Toyota products and to view you as equally racist, dishonest and disreputable. I will be buying a Honda this summer and will pass this message on to all of my associates.
Toyota, you are a pure disappointment.
Check out some of the old Chris Matthews columns at the right-wing JWR mag. It's a veritable treasure trove of Dem-Hating:
On the eve of the 2000 debates:
Wouldn't it be great if Al Gore really did morph into Dick Nixon the night of the first debate? Imagine the fun if the vice president showed up looking sick, unshaven and scared to death. Think of the headlines the next day if an authoritative George W. appeared before us armed with a devastating arsenal of facts and figures to undermine Gore's claim of deeper experience.
Matthews channels Gore, the prophet:
HERE'S MY PREVIEW of the battle between Al Gore and George W. Bush:
Gore will try to scare the voters, especially women and old people.
Women will be the easiest to scare. Gore will tell them that the next president could well appoint a majority of the nine-seat U.S. Supreme Court. If Bush gets to fill those seats with strict constructionists, that will mean an overturn of Roe vs. Wade — an end to abortion rights.
Next will come the old people. Gore will call Bush's plan to privatize Social Security a threat to the system itself. In the darkest possible tones, he will warn seniors that a program built by Franklin Roosevelt, and opposed from the very outset by Republicans, now stands in dire danger.
He will not stop there. More than threatening our rights and entitlements, Gore will say, the Republicans threaten our basic quality of life, both economic and cultural.
A prime target will be the big Bush tax cut. Slashing federal revenues, Gore will warn, threatens to explode the budgetary discipline of the Clinton-Gore years. It will jeopardize the country's economic growth, drive up interest rates, and demolish the working family's 401(k). Savings and wealth, the hallmark of late 20th century American life, will morph back to the paycheck-to-paycheck world of the first Bush presidency.
...
If the Gore message will counsel fear, the Bush voice will speak of hope. Change, in this Texas governor's vocabulary, will sound a positive note. Bush's first reform will deal with the White House itself. He will scrub the stain of Bill Clinton from the floors, walls and desks of the Oval Office, showing it the same reverence his father and Ronald Reagan once did.
There is much, much more there. Just follow the links to his other columns at the bottom of each page.
As a customer of Verizon local phone service and DSL, I have complained repeatedly about both Matthews and their news video content on my DSL homepage. The content is often full of such gems as "Why do Democrats hate America" and a parade of Tucker Carlson, Joe Scarborough and Tweety crap - of course, no Olbermann.
This commercial is ridiculous - if some rightwing religious group complained about that and Verizon buckled, they sure as hell can figure out how to make sure my paid subscription homepage is free of partisan garbage. I'm looking for another DSL service, and am wondering if I should complain to the state commerce commission about a utility making political endorsements.
everhopeful - You might ask Toyota for a nice list of the "talk shows" which they sponsor that offer other points of view. Let's see if they can come up with any programming that isn't a wingnut vehicle.
So, ah...what was that fag joke again?
Verizon pulled the ad? JeeeZuz! What the phuk is wrong with it? He's a little "PW"... so what!
BTW... I know this is off-topic but...
Keith Olbermann is the greatest. He just body-slammed O'Really.
Yes, I just used all the MSNBC contacts here to let them know that Keith is doing a fantastic job.
I don't get it. Why was the ad pulled? The only thing I can think of is because the daughter looked to be a Latino - adopted, I presume.
Who? What? Why?
You have to call for Democrats to boycott -- Verizon.
Instead of renewing --ask ALL Democrats to participate -- in a Nationwide boycott --by not renewing their contracts -- and deal with one of the other cell companies.
I was going to get the Verizon plan --but yesterday, I signed with Nextel family plan --$103.00 bucks a month lost because of Matthews' smug - arrogant and insulting remarks. His show completely lacks any measure of integrity or any type of honest punditry. He violates the basics of Journalism 101 every night. The show should be retitled, NoBalls.
No. It is stupid and that's why you don't get it. Anybody with a brain wouldn't get it. The [AFA]are making the claim that it denigrates men. The ad makes men look "wimpy". I know, it's really a stupid claim. "Stop picking on the white guy!! WWaaaaaggh!"
JeeeeZ.
So fag jokes are no longer in vogue?
Wow, I am surprised that no one here gets what is wrong with the ad. It makes out the dad to be an idiot, as usual. When was the last time you saw a father depicted on television who was not a bozo? Think about how fathers are represented on all the animated shows on Fox. Look at Homer Simpson. I watch all that stuff, and think it's hilarious, but I also think that the whole picture of fatherhood on television is distorted and corosive. Before you write me off as another rightwing nutcase, hold on. I am not religious in the least and am totally opposed to Bush and his band of thugs.
Oh, and regarding Xour's "Stop picking on the white guy!! WWaaaaaggh!" ... I'll know that we have finally achieved true racial equality in America when I see an ad where a black guy is made to look like an idiot. We aren't there yet, are we?
I think T-Mobile sounds good about right now.
Has anyone noticed that MSNBC seems to be running way more promotions to watch Chris Matthews than ever before. This could be MSNBC's answer for a demand to have Matthews apologize. It's like "your not getting an apology and take this".
MSNBC's GE is trying to save its $2 Billion of F-35 contracts with the government. They're actively lobbying now. To George: (Ya know, That's my real name!)I claimed he was P-whooped, not an idiot. I don't think he looked like an idiot.
...and the white-hooded "American Family Association" has to find something to do when it isn't burning crosses and Jews.
Well, we were thinking of switching phone service to Verizon, but now... we'll stay with Sprint.
The thinking behind the campaign against this commercial doesn't merit the label of "right-wing":
http://www.glennsacks.com/
why_i_...hed_verizon.htm
What I don't understand is why this anti-Misandry group is being labelled "far right". I checked their web site, I don't see any links or sponsorship from far right organizations.
I think the whole family in the ad looks stupid. Little brat daughter who monopolizes the computer so dad doesn't even know what it can do; Dad lying about why he wants to see the computer he probably paid for, and everyone can tell he's lying; Mom condescending to Dad, but also asking him to help with the housework (not unreasonable).
Nope, I can see a lot of reasons to pull this ad. "Dad's, buy this service so your family will not appreciate you." It's not politics, it's just a badly targeted ad.
I didn't get that the guy is "PW'd" at all, but that he's into technology like a lot of other males are. He's all up into wanting to help his daughter "with homework" because it's on the fast high-speed Internet and not dealing with other house chores.
"I'll know that we have finally achieved true racial equality in America when I see an ad where a black guy is made to look like an idiot. We aren't there yet, are we?"
George.
There are several stupid ads out there that frame a less-than-bright African American male - here are 2, but there are others:
* Aflec insurance - the black guy ONLY sees the duck talk.
* Constipation ad where wife points out to her husband the product for instant relief.
I digress.... I looked at this ad in question over and over. What the hell was so offensive about it? I half expected to see a second same-sex parent enter the room to close the deal.
J.R.
if youre a stupid motherfucking watching tv you deserve to be annoyed..
- get rid of your cable, it will be the best thing youve ever done for yourself
- worry about the other much worse thing wing nut xtians are doing
jesus !
aquarius -- I'm pretty sure the current advertising push for Hardball is because election season is heating up, and, with the demise of Inside Politics and Crossfire, they feel they can make Matthews the home for politics on cable news. It's pretty funny, though, to see Matthews vowing not to let them "get anything by me" just one week after the infomercial he did for Tom Delay.
(Side note: I've said this a few times before, but I wish this campaign would stop putting "fag jokes" in quotes like that. It implies that Matthews actually used that slur, which is totally untrue. And I personally find the phrase "fag jokes" way more offensive than Matthews reference to "Bareback Mountain," which, let's be honest, was pretty innocuous. In short, the accusation of "fag jokes" seems like the kind of thing we're fighting against in Matthews' journalism: it's inaccurate and incendiary. I don't see how we can in any way justify using a slur to rally support for our cause. It makes us look awfully bad, if you ask me. Which, of course, you didn't.)
The AFA also, probably, did not like the suggestion that parents should not be watching what their young kids do while online (instead they should be monitoring for porn) and that the child was getting reality-based biology online from an encyclopedia source instead of creationism from a faith-based group. Plus, of course, the previously mentioned woman-dominant family. All are reasons why AFA would want this ad pulled.
And that it was in fact pulled is a good reason for Verizon DSL customers to switch to their local cable company for their internet connections.
Well look the ad clearly uses that tired old stereotype that men are all dumb and culturally illiterate. I have to say that I was offended a little myself. I mean guys understand computers. Hell I am using a computer right now!
And that kid does not look latino, she looks asian. And we all know that asians are our biological superior when it comes to electronics. And that is not a stereotype that is just good old fashioned facts!
So the message here is that asians are smart and dads are idiots. That sure makes me want to buy their product!
ArthurKC:
I'm confused. Are yous saying online porn is "reality-based biology?" Without guidance and discussion away from the net, athiestic biology and science isn't the first thing that is going to come up when you start following links. One is much more likely to come up with some religious mumbo jumbo.
I expect you dont have a daughter in the 9 to 17 age range or you wouldn't be talking about the joys of unmonitored internet access.
And the women-dominated lefty families I know are the most careful in their internet monitoring.
While I agree with George that depiction of fathers on tv leans stupid, I am not troubled by that as a father because my kids count on me to be not-stupid at least some of the time and I try to come through. Then again we dont watch much tv, but I do kind of think women, who let their kids watch lots of tv, in households without fathers should be troubled that their kids may be getting a scewed idea of how to view men in society, maybe.
I agree with the anonymous poster. BAD TARGET AUDIENCE! Who the hell are they selling their services to? Tiny obnoxious hispanic/asian girls? It was crap. I am glad they pulled it only on the grounds that it was a stupid F'ing commercial. Now I wish they would pull 99% of the other BULLSHlT I see everytime I dare to turn on the devilbox (which is NOT OFTEN these days!)
Screw T.V.
PS. Isn't Verizon one of the only cell phone providers who wasn't selling all our private phone call information? This reminds me of deciding which gas station is ethical to purchase gas at, as I jump from station to station based on what the latest evil news is. It's so confusing no one even talks about boycotting Shell any more for theirs support of evil repression in Negeria.
Bah. Sorry. I wrote 'anonymous poster' and I should have written: Eric Goldman. I agree with Eric. My bad.
ChetBob:
No. I was listing three separate reasons why AFA would not like the ad, all invalid IMO.
Yes, I do have a teenage daughter; and, No, we watch very little TV.
No, we do not watch or censor or even track what she does online. She is a strong-minded, independent-thinking person in her own right. We hope we raised her to know right from wrong. Now as a teenager we cannot control what she does or thinks and even if we tried we would fail.
this is a cute ad that pokes fun at dad for liking DSL and loving his daughter. huh???
RE: the "Society for the Prevention of Misandry (hatred of men) in the Media"
"The "Society for the Prevention of Misandry (hatred of men) in the Media" complained that a Verizon ad unfairly attacked fathers. You really need to see the ad. It's hysterical. Yet some out-of-nowhere group of "men's rights" advocates complain, and Verizon pulls what is clearly a fine ad."
------
I agree wholeheartedly!!!
Men are, by and large, undisciplined, lazy and clueless - more than willing to shirk their duties. I should know, I'm a man. Without my dear wife to (constantly) remind/encourage/chivvy as needed, I would rarely acheive my goals.
It's almost ALWAYS the wife in a family that does the 'heavy lifting' of parenting the children, doing the cleaning, shopping, taking kids to doctor, caring for the pets, etc.
What no doubt bothers this 'mens' group (I use the term VERY loosely) is that sometimes men NEED a swift kick in the ass to get down to task and do what needs done. You Marketing types listen up - you know precisely what I'm talking about.
This is NOT misandry, it's telling men to stop screwing off, interfering, watching/playing sports, playing videogames, etc, etc, ad nauseum.
God forbid we poor, put-upon men get our poor, soft lil egos bruised. Cowboy up already.
A man's job is to be a MAN - work, do your share, give a damn and support your spouse - not just with a paycheck either.
The fact that they'll let this group of clowns influence them this way, yet support Chris Matthews ignorant, intolerant remarks is indicative of how strong the 'Ole Boys Club' in America is. How Ms. Hagar can support this is flat-out baffling to me.
Frankly, it repells me and says 'men get a pass when they're being goof-offs' - not in my house when -I- was growing up. My father gave ALL of the children things to do to help mother - and shirking was NOT ALLOWED. PERIOD.
It's time America's men grew the hell up, shouldered their responsibilities and realized that 'being tough' goes FAR beyond the physical.
It's about character. It's about DUTY.
The ad is FINE - the guy's screwing off, getting in the way and not doing what he said he'd do. He's shirking and he deserved to get slapped upside the head.
What ever happened to the phrase 'Behind Every Great Man is a Great Woman' ?
They should put the ad back on the air and tell the SPMM (hm... 'spam'?) to please God, PLEASE - GET A LIFE.
So what's wrong with dad wanting to help with homework? What's wrong with mom wanting help with housework? Why would anyone assume that dad doesn't understand the computer instead of that dad didn't know the computer/web site could do that thing the daughter is showing him? My kids show me cool stuff they find on the net all the time. I'm on a computer all day and they STILL come up with stuff I don't see because...wait for it...they look at different thing than I do!
Oh, and if you want your kids net experience to be reasonably free of porn, USE YOUR FUCKING FILTERS! My kids have access to certain sites with trusted content and that's it. When they get to be teens, that will change. Duh.
Apparently, some nuts don't get that technology is cool, people like to stare at new stuff on the computer, science is cool, and the modern family often shares chores. Oh, and that sometimes it's a really good idea to take the big friggin dog for a walk so he doesn't pee on the floor.
All ads are manipulative in some way...
These ads would be offensive to men because they show an idiot who doesn't even "get it," nor understand how it works. He is getting the derisive looks from his daughter (big shock LOL)..but what gets most of the "Anti Misandy (??)" crowd is the wife BARKING at the man like he's some 8 year old and him jumping.
There IS a bias against men in all aspects of our culture...but what it really takes to fix is not blasting the companies, it takes US (MEN) spending time with our children and being their role model.
This guy strikes me as the kind who avoids all the housework, wants to watch TV or surf the web all day, and zones out when somehting. That's something you foreswear when you become a parent, no?
I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess.
Let's see: this father has obviously put in the time, effort and caring to help raise a daughter and procure an apparently nice domicile in some form of partnership with his spouse.
And, like so many parents in this society, he knows the "old math", but his inability to effectively help his daughter with her "new math" is no longer a situation of marked by quite frustration - instead, it's now obviated by technology: broadband and computers enable self-learning for the "new math" homework.
That's the message, clear as day. Broadband providers consistently market the advantages of content reach and speed of accessing that content.
Nothing against men. Nor white men. The daughter is simply his daughter - not some unique, genetic heritage placement for nefarious, "world-integrated" social marketing purposes.
It's the parental thing, old as civilization in concept.
The reason they get ads pulled has to be the volume of people they get to respond in letter-bomb campaigns. How else can you explain pulling this innocent looking ad?
"* Constipation ad where wife points out to her husband the product for instant relief."
That's Clarence Thomas, isn't it? He isn't stupid, just constipated. Explains a lot about his performance on the bench.
Maybe putting pressure on Congress might help. The Senate will be considering new regulations that will impact Verizon's network bandwidth.
http://www.businessweek.com/
tech...0202_061809.htm
I did contact Verizon and received an answer. They will take it under advisment. In other words, "kiss off" Chris can call you Osama or any other damn thing he pleases.
I did watch the ad and frankly, I did find it rather offensive; I've just gotten tired of seeing men portrayed as clueless dipwads.
No, friends, he's not "helping his daughter with her homework," he is, by agreement of both mother and daughter, annoying her, leaning over her shoulder to look with childlike - or childish - fascination at the "encyclopedia-ish" website. Of the three people in the commercial, he is clearly presented as the least mature and most easily bossed; indeed, he can't even be relied on to "watch the dog."
So why all the straining defenses here? Because, I suspect, folks want to attack Verizon for pulling the ad.
But that's not the issue, people! The issue is the difference in the response Verizon had to complaints about this ad vs. complaints about its sponsorship of Chris Matthews and what that reveals about its corporate attitude.
Would you be satisfied if Verizon resumed running this ad but continued to ignore complaints about Matthews? If Verizon stopped advertising on Matthews' show, would those of you who now defend the ad switch tracks and say that in that event it's okay to pull it?
Don't get distracted! The ad is offensive. The question is, if Verizon can indicate it recognizes that offensiveness (by pulling the ad), what does it say when the company seems unable to recognize the offensiveness of "fag" jokes?
Yeah, I found the ad offensive, to all parties: another snotty girl, another bitchy wife, another PW man.
That a group can look at it as an attack on maleness, and not also an attack on femaleness, is myopic.
And, yes, Verizon shouldn't cave to certain pressures, while ignoring significant complaints.
first, you should ask the AFA if they would have protested a non-white family in the same commercial.
Then, ask a responsible men's-issues-promoting group if they took offense to the ad.
If the answer is 'yes' on both parts, then boycott verizon.
I personally take offense to the ad because a concerned father should not be the brunt of a joke. These corporations seek to undermine parents, especially fathers, just to falsely empower their real targets, the future consumers.
Many parents today ARE limiting their childrens' exposure to commercialism because they actually understand this. Watch an hour of Nickelodeon or Disney or Cartoon Network. I rest my case.
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