Posted on 08/14/2009 12:09:56 PM PDT by Rufus2007
What constitutes "hateful speech?" It depends on the views of the individual, or in this case the advocacy group propagating the claim.
Earlier this week, Plymouth, Wisc.-based Sargento Food, Inc., along with several other companies, pulled their advertising from the Fox News Channel's "Glenn Beck" program at the behest of a campaign by Color of Change, an advocacy group.
...more...
(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...
He is violating Beck’s free speech no more than Palin or one of her staff violated Letterman’s free speech.
Here is the reply from Geico:
If the inflammatory nature of the comments on a program overshadows our message and causes GEICO to be drawn into a national debate, we are likely to reconsider where we place our marketing messages, which is what we did.
GEICO delivers very important messages through its major marketing campaigns: we’re saving customers’ dollars, we’re easy to do business with, we’re looking out for our policyholders. That’s what we hope the public hears and sees and focuses on.
As a company, we do not take positions on controversial issues.
As an advertiser, while a national debate on issues can be healthy and appropriate, we don’t see ourselves in the role of taking part in those debates.
Our business is auto insurance. We want to bring people value and we attempt to reach large audiences with that message.
It is of little benefit to us if a program gets so much attention that our message is drowned out.
GEICO Corporate Communications
Toll alert. LOL
Hope you didn’t really type “We cannot tolerate dong business........”
Although I have NO problem with a company’s steering clear of ALL controversial views, Sargento pretty clearly is targeting a CONSERVATIVE.
I’ll have to make a note to avoid Sargento products when reasonably possible.
Irony?: Glenn said he thinks Obama is racist, and so Sargento says that Glenn ... is racist for saying so.
Uh, Palin is not in this battle. But since you brought it up, Palin had plenty for personal offense. Letterman needs to realize women aren’t just a hunk of Sargento Cheese.
Me too....:)
I went to Sam’s club yesterday. I was looking at their cheeses. There was some cheese there that didn’t have the Sargento name on it,but it was made in Plymouth,WI..Made by Sargento, I don’t know,but I didn’t buy it? .....don’t just look for the Sargento Label
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