Pepsi president likens U.S. to middle finger (Food giant now doing damage control in wake of speech)

WorldNetDaily ^ | May 20, 2005 | Joe Kovacs

[An American Patriot]

The remarks by Indra Nooyi, an India-born woman who also serves as PepsiCo's chief financial officer, came during a speech Sunday to graduates at Columbia Business School. Nooyi then went on to say the five major continents in the world can each be represented by a finger on the hand. She said Africa was the pinkie; She said our thumb is Asia; Europe was compared to the index finger; South America, including Latin America, was likened to the ring finger; She said her analogy "leaves the long, middle finger for North America, and in particular, the United States.

[Brian Allen]

And just in case any was willing to give this fat cow a "benefit-of-the-doubt" pass, she confirms her un-and-anti-American contempt [Which but conforms pretty much the standard of pathological contempt projected upon US by much of the world, including by most of the foreigners who post here at FR -- and by far too many modern migrants!] for US all and for our beloved FRaternal Republic by telling US that those of US who heard her the first time that we are a confused and concerned bunch who arranged that her remarks be depicted in a different context [FRom the black ink on the white page in which we all viewed them??!!] and thus stupidly misconstrued them and their pointedly un-and-anti-American nature.

As if to leave no chance that her contempt be missed, she rounded off her projection of it by putting her reference to our Promised Land in scare quotes.

To whit:

QUOTE:

PEPSICO

A message from PepsiCo’s President & CFO, Indra Nooyi

I recently had the privilege of speaking to the 2005 graduating class of Columbia University’s Business School in New York City.

Recognizing that these talented new leaders will influence both America and the world, I tried to provide some advice as they embark on their careers.

I chose to speak about the powerful role that America, and we as Americans, hold in the world today. I hoped to encourage these graduates to be sure they make a positive and personal difference as representatives of our great country.

In my comments, I used the analogy of a human hand to illustrate that people in countries around the globe need to join together to make the world work in harmony – just as all the fingers of a hand work together. It is an illustration that I learned when I was a student, and that I have shared with others on many different occasions.

As part of this illustration, I assigned five of the world’s continents to the different fingers and thumb. I refer to North America and particularly the U.S. as the middle finger because it is the longest and anchors every function the hand performs. The middle finger also is key to all the fingers working together effectively. That is how I view America’s place of importance in the world.

The point of my analogy was to emphasize America’s leadership position. Equally critical is the need for each of us as citizens to take a constructive role in whatever we choose to do in life to ensure the U.S. continues as the world’s “helping hand.”

Unfortunately, my remarks at Columbia University were misconstrued and depicted in a different context as unpatriotic. Although nothing could be further from the truth, I regret any confusion or concern that I may have inadvertently created. As I shared with the audience at Columbia, this country that I am proud and honored to call home is a “promised land” that I love dearly. I would never say or do anything to detract from our great nation and its people who have done so much for so many, including myself.

Thank you for your understanding and allowing me to set the record straight.

Indra K. Nooyi
President & CFO, PepsiCo

Click here [ http://www.pepsico.com/Speech-ColumbiaBusinessSchool.pdf ]for Ms. Nooyi’s remarks from Columbia University.

END QUOTE.

BUMPping

[The Red Zone]

Indra Nooyi's comments could end up causing Americans to shun PepsiCo products, which could seriously cut into their revenues and will cause their stock value to fall.

Assuming the MSM even bothers to let the great unwashed know about this gaffe at all.

However, the conservative press should push this powerfully. It will gain positive mindshare for the Georgia company known as Coca-Cola.

[The Red Zone]

If you don't care for the flavor of the competition (Coca-Cola), try Wal-Mart store brand colas. They come very close to the flavor of Pepsi.

[The Red Zone]

She said Africa was the pinkie

I'm curious why Jesse Jackson and ilk aren't coming down on her hard for THAT one.

[Proud_texan]

Your father is right, but sometimes you gotta add a Goody's Extra Strength Headache Powder to the RC-Cola (or take it straight).

[handy]

It would have been nice to credit my work.

Sorry about that, just was not thinking. I'll make it a policy to name the source and/or make the picture click-able to the source from now on when I post a pic.

[Gengis Khan]

Which but conforms pretty much the standard of pathological contempt projected upon US by much of the world, including by most of the foreigners who post here at FR -- and by far too many modern migrants!

 

People like you raise the "anti-American" bogey just like the slammies in our country who yell "Islam in danger! .....Koran insulted!!" at the drop of a hat.

...............My advise: Get over it.

[JoeV1]

"I hate all this PC censorship and insistence that honest people grovel and apologize."

You seem to be against any movement to sanction this woman's words. I believe she has the right to say anything she wants to say as long as the law is not broken, which in this case it was not. But the freedom of speech does not carry with it the immunity from criticism. Words spoken are actions and actions have consequences. Yes, she can exercise her right to free speech but I can also exercise my right to dissent in the form of words of my own or by more substantive actions such as refusing to buy the products made by the company she represents.

It's all about accountability. in this case her's.

[11Bush]

BC powder on the tongue, best cure for a migraine.

[Puppage]

Unfortunately, my remarks at Columbia University were misconstrued and depicted in a different context as unpatriotic. Although nothing could be further from the truth, I regret any confusion or concern that I may have inadvertently created

That's an apology? She's sorry for MY misconstuing her comment, not for SAYING the comment?

Go back to Punjab, Curry Girl.

[The Red Zone]

It sounds like there is political purposefulness in her remarks. Many of the graduates of the business school to which she spoke will go on to become movers and shakers with their own fortunes. She may fear that an "overly aggressive" America will cut down on the prospects of American business abroad, but she's putting herself in the same league as the antiwar screaming liberals when she does that, and she's just wrong, as well as sounding crassly juvenile about it. I'd challenge her to estimate what will happen to Pepsi's business in Eurasia and Africa if the radical Mooses get their way there. Can she say plummet?

[The Red Zone]

Many of the graduates of the business school to which she spoke will go on to become movers and shakers

==> political movers and shakers, that is

with their own fortunes.

[DCPatriot]

That was no mistake on her part.

And if it was, then the Peter Principle pertains her.

No way should a CFO utter such nonsense.

Off with her "head".

[umbagi]

...unintentionally depicted our country negatively...

...am deeply sorry for offending anyone.

Ghost-written by Hanoi Jane?

[Montfort]

I guess this would be a good time to stay away from Pepsi Products for a while. Are KFC and Pizza Hut and Taco Bell still part of PepsiCo?

I had decided to drink a lot of iced tea (from mix or brewed) with sweet and lo this summer, anyway, so it is not much of a hardship. KFC tastes good, but is not real healthy, so I wasn't going to buy much of that, anyway.

So this boycott just involves showing more restraint in matters where I intended to show restraint, anyway. This just makes it easier to be good.

Now could the CFO or CEO or Hershey say something really obnoxious? Please? Please?

[Brian Allen]

<< People like you .... >>

I stopped reading at "you" because it is sophomoric to so start a sentence, I do not debate the immature -- and, especially, because I am not the subject of this thread.

If you bother to read the thread and have a point to make relative to it, get back to me and I shall see if I might spare a minute to read what you have to say.

Meanwhile you might also read FReeRepublic's purpose and decide if you will ever contribute to it rather than continue to be a disrupter and bent, it is apparent, upon attempting to create dissent.

Further, I am unique. There are no "people like [Me]."

And finally, I will continue to pray that you find your way to spiritual enlightenment and salvation in Our Lord.

Blessings -- Brian

[HiTech RedNeck]

She's not just a CFO she's the president. It behooves Pepsi no more than Clintbilly's cigarhood behooved America.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well that's not really quite fair. HJ didn't even grovel THAT much. The 'Annoying' Indian lady sounds like she doesn't (or won't) grok how cheapening that allusion to "the bird" is, in America. Not just to the the bird-ee, but to the bird-or.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

Not sure about Pizza Hut, maybe someone knows for sure on that one.

[rantblogger]

Can't ask for more than that. Thanks.