Swedes boycott Absolut!

I'm Absolut Swedish but NEVER EVER again will I buy Absolut Vodka and I will, at least, TRY to avoid other products of V&S Group (their repertoire is a pretty broad one though and I kinda party from time to time..), a former Swedish company which recently was sold to French Pernod Ricard (for the sum of €5,626 billion).

I've also managed to convince my father and some of my friends to join my initiative and I'll continue to campaign!

The background is, of course, the already infamous Absolut Vodka ad with the words "In an Absolut World" slapped over a pre-1848 map showing California, Arizona and other states as Mexican territory.

What kind of severely disturbed individual came up with the idea for this ad and how come his/hers superiors approved of it?

Furthermore, is there any specific reason why such an ad appears shortly after V&S Group was acquired by a FRENCH company? I was rather under the impression France and the US presently were trying to restore their deep rooted although slightly damaged friendship. But perhaps all French aren't as insightful and intelligent as Sarkozy? (In any case, I've understood people like Chirac aren't).

Whether one wishes to view the ad in question as a Swedish or French insult against USA, I sincerely hope Americans in general are aware there are not only millions of Europeans, but HUNDRED OF MILLIONS of Europeans who do NOT hate America and do NOT wish to insult our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic - our own blood.

Europe might be more PC, more Liberal and more Socialist than the US, but this doesn't mean the average European feel sympathy with our young, spoiled, middle class "activists" who burn the flag of the United States of America and fail to understand the actual effects of their own actions.

In one way, I'm not embarrassed as a European by such inhabitants of our glorious continent, because these people, in fact, have very little to do with what Europe and Western Civilization is all about.

My country has no reason to promote stupidity. If Sweden would have done so throughout history, Sweden would not only be like any other country here on earth where basic features of civilization like showers, radiators and nuclear plants don't function, houses seem to be built by apes and people drive around in ridiculous cars instead of vehicles like Volvos, SAABs, BMWs, Audis and MBs, we would probably have been some backward part of Russia by today.

The ad in questions is an insult to USA, a country which, forever, will be one of Sweden's closest allies in the struggle for a free world.

The Absolut ad is an insult to Sweden and everything that is good about Viking culture as well as Europe at large.

A toast to Skyy Vodka, the beverage of anti-reconquistas By Michelle Malkin.

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/11/a-toast-to-skyy-vodka-the-beverage-of-anti-reconquistas/

April 11, 2008 07:59 PM Check this out.

SKYY Vodka responds to Absolut’s reconquista ad campaign:

SKYY® Vodka, Made in the USA, Proudly Supports Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

America’s Most-Popular Domestic Vodka Decries Absolut® Vodka’s Suggestion to Redraw North American Map

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.

“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”

In the ad, an “Absolut World” is depicted where the map of North America is re-drawn with Mexico claiming much of the Western United States, negating the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as well as the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and the independence of Texas (1836).

“Don’t get me started on the Gadsden Purchase,” continues Karraker. “I think the folks in Tucson and Yuma would be rubbed the wrong way if they hear this landmark deal was somehow nullified as suggested by Absolut, a Swedish-owned brand.”

SKYY Vodka was founded in San Francisco in 1992 and continues to be produced in the United States. Premium SKYY Vodka is made from American grain carefully selected from the Midwest and 100% pure filtered water. SKYY’s proprietary four-column distillation and three-step filtration process consistently ensures exceptional quality. SKYY Vodka products include luxury SKYY90® and new SKYY Infusions™, a unique, all-natural infused experience made with premium SKYY Vodka and succulent real fruit.

Personally, I'm not a big vodka drinker, although I love my Sunday bloody mary's. However, I find they taste as good with inexpensive vodka as they do with premium brands.

NEVERTHELESS, I do (DID) keep a bottle on hand for guests and friends.

It is now gone. Yes, poured a half-bottle down the drain in symbolic protest of these foreign morons and will encourage all I know to boycott them henceforth.

Any company who has the courage to publicly challenge Absolut, (and is American to boot) deserves my respect AND my business. Its off to the liquor store to purchase a big bottle of Sky, for me.

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