Posted on 04/13/2008 5:53:29 AM PDT by WesternCulture
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.
I chose to boycott Absolut Vodka out of two major reasons:
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.
Absolut boycott - on both sides of the Atlantic!
No Shite! I’ll X them off my list as well.
thanks for the correction
I heard Absolut is doing major mea culpas over this.
Yes, the computers used to run the machinery to cut the propellers.
The machines came from a German Co. IIRC
Toshiba has been on my s#$% list ever since.
“You make be proud of my Swedish grand mother. Thank you.”
- This week, my own grand mother turned 90 (I’m 38 myself).
Her generation will forever be heroes in my eyes and youngsters like me ought to remember where we’re coming from.
If Westerners of today are willing to understand what perspectives persons like Churchill had and furthermore are willing to defend these visions, we will be able of accomplishing nothing less than a new Renaissance.
Western Civilization is in its prime.
Really not a correction, just more detail
Try Tito’s Handmade Vodka - made in Texas.
Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition.
Beat every big name vodka you can think of.
“I heard Absolut is doing major mea culpas over this.”
- Your hearing is okay, but the bad taste in my mouth lingers on.
Anyhow, it’s a good thing you point this out, fellow freeper.
As a Swede I, naturally, wish brands of Swedish origin to be successful on markets worldwide.
But things like decency and honour mean more to us Scandinavians than people outside of cold Thule might be aware of.
Stupidity is unscandinavian.
Stout fellow!
Let Absolutcrap sell their products to the Tequila drinking Mexicans! They ought to lose their license to sell within the US.
Stupid!
“Since it’s a product of Absolut I won’t be buying it in the foreseeable future.”
- Support from Volvo-land!
“Stupid!”
- Indeed.
However, stupidity is human.
Just like you and I.
What to do about it?
sw
Well, as an American of mixed Swedish and Norwegian ancestry, I must nevertheless acknowledge that the "dumb Swede" and "scandinavian blockhead" was a staple of 19th century American west literature. While some elements of the stereotype may have arisen out of the Swede's limited facility at communication in English, the prevalence of this literary character would lead me to contest your assertion.
I will not resort to anecdotal evidence of some of the stupid things I have seen done by scandinavians and their progeny.
You might want to research that. I believe I saw in another thread a list of brands owned by Pernod, and that they own Stoli as well.
uh-oh. the vikings are pissed.
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