Lipton responds to Dixie Chicks furor...

Corporate e-mail in response to my complaint. | March 27, 2003 | WorkingClassFilth

[WorkingClassFilth]

Dear Consumer,

Thank you for your recent note regarding remarks made by Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks. It is important for us to hear from our consumers and listen to their concerns.

As you can imagine, we did not expect a political controversy to arise when Lipton became a sponsor of the Dixie Chicks upcoming "Top of the World" concert tour. In this time of national crisis, we believe it is important for Americans to come together behind the values of freedom, democracy and tolerance that have made the United States of America into the country it is today.

We have every reason to believe the Dixie Chicks sincerely regret the distress Ms. Maine's comment has caused. In a subsequent statement, she said, "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."

The Dixie Chicks have in the past shown their love of America in very public ways, such as by singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in January, for an audience of 930 million people worldwide. The strong bond they have forged with the public - country and popular music fans alike - is reflected in part by the People's Choice award they won for "Favorite Musical Group," and the fact that their upcoming tour sold out in record time. The band's popularity and success were further recognized when the Recording Academy awarded the Dixie Chicks four Grammy Awards.

While we respect the right to free speech for all Americans, we believe it is important for artists such as the Dixie Chicks to recognize the impact their points of view can have on their fans, especially in these uncertain times.

We value your comments, and equally, the constructive spirit in which they were offered. Thanks again for your time and for allowing us to clarify the situation. We'll be certain to share your thoughts with the Dixie Chicks.

Sincerely,

Linnea Johnson Director, Consumer Services

[strela]

I wonder how much they got paid for singing the anthem!

When somebody says "It ain't about the money," you can be sure its about the money.

Not to mention the goodies they demand for performing.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

I wonder if Unilever's remarks are due to their being a non-American company

If I am not mistaken, Unilever is a Dutch-owned company. They sell their products worldwide, but I believe they are HQed out of the Netherlands

Thanks for the heads-up on the Unilever canned response. I will check products now for whether they are made by Lever Bros, Unilever, or their subsidiaries. I use a lot of store-brands so hopefully I wont have to much to do

[conservativehokie]

Here is a partial list of their products. I wrote Unilever listing all that I regularly purchase and informing them that I would be shopping for alternative brands.

Bertolli Olive Oil
Hellmans
Knorr
Ragu
Lawry's
Birds Eye Frozen Foods
Breyers Ice Cream
Lipton Tea
I Can't Believe Its Not Butter
Becel Spreads
Snuggle Fabric Softener
Suave Beauty Products
Thermasilk Hair Products
Dove Soaps
Lux Soaps
Vaseline Brand
Ponds Skin Care
Slim-Fast
Mentadent, Aim, Close-up Toothpastes
Calvin Klein Fragrances

[WorkingClassFilth]

I agree that Lipton didn't ask for this, but when they contract with some agency for the express purpose of binding their sales to the wagon of some rising star, then logically they share the consequence of those star's stupidity as well as the rubbed-off prosperity of partnering with stardom.

This 'relationship' is a contract for image enhancement. Period.

When the DC's prove to be turds in the punchbowl, well, that is part of the deal. If Lipton truly had the brass to make them worthy of loyalty, they would admit the foolishness of their bargain and cut their losses by dumping these clueless morons.

Frankly, if Lipton were to act with spine and principle, I'd return to the fold with the fiercest loyalty. If not, they can dangle with the rest of the Leftist swine with whom they have allied themselves.

Weasel words and corporate prevarication do nothing for me.

[Rocky]

The strong bond they have forged with the public - country and popular music fans alike - is reflected in part by the People's Choice award they won for "Favorite Musical Group," and the fact that their upcoming tour sold out in record time. The band's popularity and success were further recognized when the Recording Academy awarded the Dixie Chicks four Grammy Awards.

That was then. This is now.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Beautiful letter = unhappy recipients at Lipton.

Good work!

[bmwcyle]

Breyers Ice Cream and Ben and Jerry's is not ever going to reside in my freezer.

[fightu4it]

I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect.

Dear MS. Maine: Respect is something that must be earned. It does not come with the office.

#1.Witness the difference between the current President who seeks to defend his country against terrorists, knowing that there will be sacrifices, both private and public, to be made.

#2. Clinton: Who turned his head when our Embassies were being bombed. Who refused to serve his country as a member of the armed services and as President. Who brought discrase upon himself and the office of President of the United States with his immoral behavior.

[SarahW]

They can drop the chicks or I drop their tea.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect."

"Bullfeathers! Think X42."

That would all depend on who the President is, and, of course, the meaning of 'is.'

[ewing]

I will be buying Luzianne from now on!

[Blue Collar Christian]

"That undercut things for me. It made me think that Lipton and the Chicks were focused more on the exposure than on the patriotism."

BINGO!

I wish this weren't true, cause I liked their music. Never been much of a tea drinker, but had the wife switch.

We gotta vote with our dollars. No hanging chads there.

[eyespysomething]

aaaaahhhhhh! I buy about half that list. I can't go without my Ponds Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer.
NOT SNUGGLE! *sniff sniff*

[WorkingClassFilth]

"Don't forget that Natalie dissed Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue: The Angry American"

I wasn't aware of this. Do you have a link or source for this information? It would be very useful in further correspondence with Lipton.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Let's make this the "Austin Tea Party".

[Laurie S]

I'm with you on that! In fact, I'm not supporting any companies who are promoting these "singers" who are trying to make money off of the great american flag. I say, keep your politics at home. I don't want to hear it, I just want to hear good music.

9/11 didn't happen so you could sell more records!

[tucsonslim]

Please, NO!

Nestea is a French Company, n'est pas?

[Cuttnhorse]

Great letter Hodar.

[jimbo123]

Here's why Lipton is standing by the traitors:

"The Chicks will star in a Lipton Iced Tea television commercial spot starting in mid-May and be featured in store displays promoting Lipton Tea's national contest where consumers check inside their package of Lipton Tea for chance to win a VIP event with the Chicks as well as Chicks CDs, tour jackets and t-shirts. Lipton Iced Tea and Lipton Tea products will be sampled at all the U.S. Dixie Chicks dates."

[spaceman spiff]

OK, I am going to say it and take the heat:

Whatever the Dixie Chicks said or thought, their rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner' is absolutely the best I have ever heard. They may not know how to think but they know how to sing. I am just sorry I can never hear them again without remembering that the lead singer is anti-american filth.