Posted on 09/30/2004 10:49:18 AM PDT by Colofornian
T-shirts proclaiming the message "I cant ... I'm Mormon" are apparently too hot for Brigham Young University, as the college newspaper has yanked all advertisements.
According to the Deseret Morning News, the paper halted the ad campaign after complaints from students, professors and administrators who felt the slogan implied a desire to engage in "objectionable" behavior.
Many thought wearers of the clothing wished they could drink, smoke or have casual sex – but were prevented solely because of their membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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One letter to the editor stated: "I can't, I'm Mormon, but if I wasn't, you know I'd be there 'cause it sounds sweet!"
Some reportedly believed the woman modeling the T-shirt in the ad posed in an overly provocative manner.
The objections are surprising to the designer of the shirt, Utah Valley State College student Chad Ramos.
Having grown up in Las Vegas, Ramos says the slogan came in handy whenever he was asked to drink or smoke.
"I found if I told people I didn't drink, they didn't know how to react," he told the News, "but if I said, I can't, I'm Mormon, they said, 'Oh,' and boom, it was over."
Thus, he was shocked by the BYU backlash.
"I didn't identify with it. I couldn't even relate," he said. "Anybody who's lived outside Utah has said this a hundred times."
Cartoon in BYU's college newspaper pokes fun at "offended" students (artist David Lesue/The Daily Universe )
Jim Kelly, general manager of the Newsnet Advisory Board which runs the student newspaper, says he, not the administration of the university, made the decision to remove the commercial.
"We don't frequently pull ads, but in terms of declining to run ads, probably two weeks don't go by that we don't decline ads for the Daily Universe," he told the News. "It is universal among newspapers to exercise the right to refuse ads considered objectionable. We're pleased we have high standards, and we're never apologetic about it."
"I can't....I'm an aethist"
"I can't...I'm too liberal"
"I can't...I voted for Gore"
"I can't...the AFL-CIO hasn't told me how yet"
"I can't...My guru says it ruins my karma"
"I can't...my chakras aren't balanced"
"I can't...It makes me look like a liberal."
"I can't...under the protect of the Fifth Amendment"
"I can't...its not a legally controlling authority."
"I can't....Hillary won't let me"
It implies no such thing. One may infer as much, but that's their gig.
As it goes, I have had enough. I've seen enough lives wrecked by alcoholism and addiction...but I don't go preachy on that count unless someone makes a deal about my not drinking.
Or the famous John Kerry answer:
"I can't...but I could!"
I attended BYU for four years and worked at the school paper. Students there are just too sensitive for their own good. When I was at BYU, an ad in the school paper for a one piece swimming suit caused some to write to the paper to complain about the immodesty of the ad. I live in Nevada too, and agree with the shirt's designer...I use that phrase all the time, not because I want to drink, etc., but because it is a simple way to explain why I won't drink, etc. Everyone understands. Perhaps the offended students at BYU should spend their energies on some real problems. Some BYU students need a little Prozac.
Well if one MIGHT infer from that comment then it is one that could imply it.
If I could understand what you just wrote here, I might agree with it.
Silly politics. The shirts are fine.
I know, I'm female.
It doesn't make sense. They mean "I won't". Of course they can.
Speaking of not understanding, can someone explain that "bunny with a pancake on it's head" thing?
Ping
How about?
"I can't take a second wife...or third...or fourth... I'm Mormon."
Or, for the Charlotte Prebyterian-USA youth group volunteer just found guilty & sentenced to 5 years for disseminating child porn: "I can't...I'm just a (Pres) bit detained."
Or, for somebody dressed up as John D. Lee as a Halloween spoof: "I can't (massacre settlers)...I'm a Mormon bishop."
"I'm Catholic, but oh, what the hell..."
If you want a really over-the-top example of being oversensivite, I have a story for you.
When I was at the University of Waterloo (early 90s) there was a HUGE blow up over a poster used to promote some sports related awards show/dinner/whatever. The poster showed two basketball players, a guy and a girl. The guy was standing up with a ball under his arm at his side, the girl was in front of him and to the side a bit, she was crouched down (like at the bottom of a deep knee bend) and a ball was on the floor in front of her. Both of them faced the camera, but the SHADOW of the girl's head fell on the crotch of the guy spaking a feminatzi crusade over it's supposed oral-sex/female servitude message. The University retreated and withdrew the poster if I recall correctly.
A picture of Jesus? Is it a photo?
May we see?
Please????
Amen
Is this a double negative? Who does their PR?
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