Posted on 02/01/2002 8:16:25 AM PST by smokinleroy
I heard on the Darrel Ankarlo show on KLIF radio (Dallas/Fort Worth) this morning that some students in Iowa are launching a letter-writing campaign to protest the actions of Dallas based Dr. Pepper. It seems on a recently issued can with a patriotic theme including a picture of the statue of liberty that they printed the Pledge of Allegience to the Flag in which they omitted the phrase "under God". When inquired as to the reason, the company representative said that there was not enough room. Anyone else hear this story?
SL
Thank you for contacting Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. about the current Dr Pepper packaging in your market. Your comments are appreciated as they provide valuable feedback.
Given recent national events, this patriotic packaging was designed by our Graphics department to reflect our pride in this country's determination to stand together as one, strong and indivisible, under any circumstances. The Statue of Liberty and the Pledge of Allegiance were chosen as two of the greatest symbols to represent that feeling. We think we have a message that is resoundingly patriotic, a message that we are a united nation. We felt "One Nation...Indivisible" best represented the message we were trying to get across.
Again, we appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion with us about this packaging. We have forwarded your comments for usage when evaluating future packaging designs.
I am addicted to Dr. Pepper. I guess I'll start Lent early this year. Good bye Dr. Pepper.
I wouldn't mind if they took out the "indivisable" part.
Thank you for contacting Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. about the current Dr Pepper packaging in your market. Your comments are appreciated as they provide valuable feedback.
Given recent national events, this patriotic packaging was designed by our Graphics department to reflect our pride in this country's determination to stand together as one, strong and indivisible, under any circumstances. The Statue of Liberty and the Pledge of Allegiance were chosen as two of the greatest symbols to represent that feeling. We think we have a message that is resoundingly patriotic, a message that we are a united nation. We felt "One Nation...Indivisible" best represented the message we were trying to get across.
Again, we appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion with us about this packaging. We have forwarded your comments for usage when evaluating future packaging designs.
Second E-mail response:
Dear Mark,
Thank you for contacting Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. This reply indicates receipt of your email message. Your request is very important to us and will be responded to as soon as possible. For immediate assistance, please call Consumer Relations at 1-800-696-5891.
----- Original Message ----- Received: Friday, February 01, 2002, 5:17:00 pm Subject: Dr. Pepper Eliminates "Under God" in pledge of allegiance on beverage can!
Subject: Dr. Pepper Eliminates "Under God" in pledge of allegiance on beverage can!
I will no longer purchase any Dr Pepper drinks and will pass this on to all of my Christian and religious friends and organizations to boycott your products. This is a Christian nation that has a Christian foundation in its past, present, and future. To be as political as to remove the acknowledgement of God from the blessing of our country is revolting, by editing this from our nations pledge printed on cans.
You just made a bad choice and will lose millions of customers. If you like atheist customers than enjoy their company in hell.
The information in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential and may be subject to legal professional privilege. It is intended solely for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, or person responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately. Unless you are the intended recipient or his/her representative you are not authorized to, and must not, read, copy, distribute, use or retain this message or any part of it.
Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Looking Backward (1888) and Equality(1897).Francis Bellamy in his sermons and lectures and Edward Bellamy in his novels and articles described in detail how the middle class could create a planned economy with political, social and economic equality for all. The government would run a peace time economy similar to our present military industrial complex.
I've gone through cases of Dr. Pepper with this particular graphic rendition. First of all, the entire pledge is not on the can and was never intended to be. The wording is exactly "One Nation...Indivisible". Yep, those words do occur in the pledge, yet that doesn't mean Dr. Pepper is going out of their way to omit "under God". If you want to look at it that way, you might also be upset that they didn't mention anything in particular about a flag, they didn't specifically mention the United States of America, nothing to the Republic for which it stands, no liberty, and definitely no justice for all.
I agree with your other points, piasa. Dr. Pepper didn't have to add the patriotic theme, though I'm sure they'll make sure to run their plans by all the whiners when they change the graphics the next time.
Thank you Sir.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.