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

[WorkingClassFilth]

This is terrific! Thank you very much.

Post #34 links to a related thread on boycotting Lipton. The analysis IncPen gives is very worthwhile reading...

[AlmightySR]

Ooh so thats how it is, they are in Europe touring when she said that. Get in good on their side send a letter home saying "sorry". Also dont tell Europe you apologized, it might see less tickets to your concert.

I hope that corporate whore burns

[winner3000]

If there is any doubt about the Chicks' liberal credentials, they made a commercial for PETA which their manager has decided to shelve for now until the storm passes. I don't think he has heard of the deluge.

[WorkingClassFilth]

This is good ammo, too. Do you have links or a source for that? It would help to make a very compelling case against these mindless tarts in the courtroom of American opinion.

[MainFrame65]

Almost certainly, Lipton/Unilever has a contract with the group for the entire tour, along with things like personal appearances, commercials, and other promotional activities, events, and activities. That contract probably includes a morals clause that would permit cancellation in case of a criminal act, but it probably does not cover this situation.

Actually, I think the company would cancel the contract now if they could do so without further liability. But the Chicks would probably still get paid, and the company would receive no benefit at all. But the fan response here, as well as the response to some of the Hollywood types who have shot off their mouths in inappropriate places, will probably lead to future contracts of this type including many more grounds for termination than they have had in the past.

So keep up the pressure, and maybe some of these dorks will discover that they need to respect their fans if they want to keep them.

[Mr_Magoo]

This container looks like Natalie's figure...

Naaaa, Natalie's figure is shaped like her Gieee-tar.

34-24-58

[Hildy]

Why take it out on Lipton. They had no idea what would happen. They have millions and millions invested in this. Why should Lipton and their employees suffer because of a stupid girl. It's not like it was in their contract to say anti-American things overseas. Let the people make their decision whether or not they want to go to the concert. If we don't let people make the decision, then it is a form of blacklisting, and I don't go for it. The good that will come from this is that in the future, Corporations will write a hush clause into performer's contracts. And that will be a good thing.

[reillyoburbank]

NO MORE LIPTON TEA IN MY HOUSE!!! I switched to Snapple as soon as I saw Lipton's reluctance to pull their sponsership of the Blixie Chicks when this whole situation first broke right here on FR.

I suggest you send this entire thread to Ms JOHNSON.
reilly

[faithincowboys]

"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. "

that was just to get publicity and sell records. if they didn't like what america was doing, they should have let some other performer sing the anthem. they benefited from the rising patriotism. it was a deceptive act, i personally watched it and assumed they were making their statement of support. by the way, what happened from the end of january to the beginning of march? that was a 180. she just wanted to endear herself to the anti-war crowd in britain--a country whose soldiers are presently fighting and dying along side us.

man, is she a selfish moron.

[Scothia]

Following is what I sent Unilever:

**
This is to inform you that I will not purchase any products from the Lipton or related trademarks, as long as you insist on sponsoring the Dixie Chicks concert tour. Natalie Maines by her speech, and the other Dixie Chicks by silent assent, have given the deepest insult to the President of the United States and Commander-in-chief of our armed forces, as well as the country itself. Having loved ones serving in the military during this time of war, I have no compunction against calling Ms. Maines' remarks exactly what they are: cowardly and treasonous. Her tepid backpedaling under pressure from outraged former fans (myself included), which was by no means a sincere apology, does not pacify us one whit.

As long as Unilever sponsors the Dixie Chicks, you will not get a penny of my money. And believe me, I read labels. Also, I will urge others to do the same.
**

Can't wait to see what response, if any, I get to this. Probably just the same form email. Ah well, as I always say when writing letters to editors: Somebody has to read it!

Go Freepers! Drink Luzianne and herbal teas! (Read the boxes first.)

[NormsRevenge]

My response to Lipton.

[Laurie S]

"that was just to get publicity and sell records. if they didn't like what america was doing, they should have let some other performer sing the anthem. they benefited from the rising patriotism. it was a deceptive act.."

I agree. There is too much of this going around. All these "singers" (and there are many) are trying to make a quick buck off of OUR patriotism. Have you seen how many of these guys have been putting red white and blue colors on their record albums? I think they're trying to make more and more money.. Look at what they drive, where they live. Where did they get all that? From us! We keep buying and buying and they get all the cash!

[MEGoody]

"perceived rush to war"

12 years is rushing? I'll remember that next time my boss gives me a rush project.

[big gray tabby]

I guess I found their words to not be such weasel words. Beyond that I'm in total agreement.

[pnz1]

http://www.top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=3488
Natalie Maines (Dixie Chick member) Bashes Toby Keith's Patriotic Anthem

[pnz1]

http://www.countryweekly.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=51381
And another article about their "feud"

[WorkingClassFilth]

"So keep up the pressure, and maybe some of these dorks will discover that they need to respect their fans if they want to keep them."

I agree entirely. The Left pioneered the use of the boycott and they still rely on it as a common tool in their warfare. In addition to coercive force applied to discourage corporations from sponsoring this kind of rabble, I feel that these actions help restore some of the consequence and social pressure that we have lost in our society.

The charge is often labeled 'political correctness' in reverse, but I would disagree because PCism is a Leftist construct aimed at overthrowing established morality and social conventions and establishing the mores of the radical left. Simply using this kind of pressure, economic boycott, simply seeks to restore the kind of patriotic respect that has always been a mainstay of American business.

While Lipton and it's parent, Unilever, are not American, they have deliberately chosen American personalities to promote their product, therefore, they are entering our culture through American vehicels with the intent of gaining American market share. In my estimation, you want our slice of the pie - you play by our rules. Corporate allegiances ought to respect the nations that they do business in enough to reign in or, better yet, can their spokespeople.

There was a time when burning our flag was unthinkable - even by those for whom the idea of a Constitutional America was politically distasteful. Today, after decades of social disintegration and corrupted legal precidence that encourages poor citizenship and stifles the patriot, there is literally no end to the mayhem and disrespect that socialists, communists and assorted other idiots are emboldened to do.

Mass action like boycotts and rally and FReeping are very good ways to bring consequences back into the fray.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"Why take it out on Lipton. They had no idea what would happen."

I agree that Lipton never signed a pact with the devil to affront Americans when they took on the DC's. The issue is that with the DC's as their paid advertising image, their corporation is now connected, for better or worse, to the remarks and actions of a fairly anti-American group of Lefty nitwits.

The result is that they have, indeed, made a choice by continuing to use these people for their business benefit. That is called a bad business decision. If they decided to invest millions in marketing a brand of tea that was flavored with pond-scum and people rejected it, they would pull back, stop their losses and redirect their efforts.

The same can be said for this arrangement.

The market choices we make are legitimate tools and, in fact, they could increase their market share by appealing to the same segement they are courting right now with the DC's. That is, expanding the sale of tea with Country-Western singers from America they seem to be after a segment that might be considered more traditional than, oh say, a segment that listens to grunge and heavy metal. If they were to dump the DC's and take the hit, I believe that segment would respond by showing allegiance to a corporation that:

A) Showed cajones to take a hit for principle.
B) Showed respect for the armies of freedom (let's not forget Thomas Lipton's early start under the protection of the British Colonial Army in Asia and South Asia).
C) Showed the backbone to take spoiled brats in hand and deal with them in a fashion that reinforced respect.

In my world, these principle put into practice are reason alone to support a business with my dollars. Likewise, trashing these principles will forever lose my market share.

Market boycott is a far cry from blacklisting and, BTW, those who did the blacklisting were Hollywood people themselves. In adition, much of what HUAAC did and stood for was right on the money then as we know from the archives of the Soviet Union.

Let people make their choices - I just believe it is valid to persuade consumers and producers alike of the negatives of choices like the Dixie Chicks.

[WorkingClassFilth]

I believe you are 100% correct.

Does anyone recall the little video Cher did during the 80's when patriotism was high and the military was 'in'? If I recall correctly, she shot the video on the 'Big MO' and rubbed herself along the 16" guns like a cat in heat. Since we all know what kind of deep-thoughts occupy Cher's political thinking, one must ask if there was some unknown reason that she performed these acts then and, seemingly, would be unwilling to do the same under Bush II?

Like Lipton, celebrities choose the venue for the sales.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Thanks for the links! This only adds to the validity of the charge of anti-Americanism of this group. We shall see what kind of response these facts will bring...