Daimler-Chrysler Official Apologizes for Conservative Slur

CNSNews.com ^ | February 14, 2003 | Marc Morano

[Moosejaw]

(CNSNews.com) - A DaimlerChrysler official who called conservative critics of Jesse Jackson "myopic" in January has apologized for his comments.

In a handwritten letter dated Jan 13, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President Frank Fountain wrote that he wished "to express my deepest regret" for the slur against conservatives.

"My choice of words was unfortunate, but there was no intention to negatively characterize conservatives. Any such characterization was unfair and unintended," Fountain wrote.

The letter was sent to Amy Ridenour, president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, one of two conservative groups that protested the Fountain's comments.

Ridenour accepted DaimlerChrysler's apology without reservations, telling CNSNews.com she was "very impressed with the depth of [DaimlerChrysler's] sincerity. I am very impressed with the way they are handling it."

Ridenour said Fountain "seemed to show a tremendous respect not only for conservatives but for all Americans" in the letter.

In his letter, Fountain wrote "I apologize to anyone who may have been offended by my remarks," adding that he is "committed to sustaining an open dialogue with the conservative community."

Fountain had originally said most conservative critics of Jesse Jackson, had a "myopic view of the world." Fountain made the comments during an interview with CNSNews.com while appearing at Jackson's Wall Street Project fundraiser in New York City in January.

According to Ridenour, officials from DaimlerChrysler indicated that the auto giant received "quite a few" letters from consumers complaining about the "myopic" slur. Bill O'Reilly of Fox News Channel also featured the comment on his program following the CNSNews.com interview with Fountain.

Ridenour is hopeful the controversy is over.

"Conservatives and Chrysler corporations will get along better and we now know they respect us," said Ridenour. "Maybe we can be friends."

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[bigfootbob]

I've owned 3 Dodge Ram 4X4's. All three starting at 75,000 miles, the engines and transmissions went german, and began failing and falling down on the job. You couldn't pay me to own another Daimler/Chrysler/Mercedes!

[TroutStalker]

We finally have our own community. Isn't that special!

[bat1816]

I sent a similar email as well stating I would not purchase any of their products due to what Fountain had said. I told them that I would spend my conservative, myopic money elsewhere.

So he apologized...big deal. Now I will email them and tell them the same; that I still won't purchase their products until Fountain is no longer employed there and there is an affirmative outreach to place conservatives in high positions of power within the company.

[Madame Dufarge]

The conservative community? What the hell is that? I don't want to be called the conservative community.

LOL. That's the first thing I thought, too.

And even though I just agreed with you, that doesn't mean we're part of a "community," agreed?

And even if you agree with me, that doesn't mean we're part of a "community".....

[LibertyGirl77]

Uh . . . at the risk of bucking popular opinion, who gives a rat's ass what this guy thinks about conservatives? He's entitled to his opinion, however misguided. I'm much more interested in the quality of the cars he makes. Why does every little PR hiccup have to become a life-or-death political battle?

[doug from upland]

Yep, that was my first thought --- the gay community. Hey, Log Cabin conservatives can be a community within a community.

[Alberta's Child]

Why does every little PR hiccup have to become a life-or-death political battle?

Good point, but this isn't exactly a "PR hiccup."

Any company that supports the fundraising efforts of Jesse Jackson should not be trusted to deal with their customers in an honest manner.

[swheats]

Yes he's entitled to his opinion. It's good to know what he thinks about those myopic conservatives in the "conservative community". It's unfortunate that he chose to badmouth a group that keeps his bacon on the table.

Now, we're expressing our opinions and shopping elsewhere.

[Eagle Eye]

I guess conservatives have skin thinner than tissue paper nowadays. It's too bad that everyone is so intent on being offended that any opinon that they don't like is grounds for offense and requires an apology.

BTW, I am myopic as well as presbyopic.

[OldFriend]

Anyone doubt that this German company hates America's conservatives with a passion.

[Squantos]

ROTFLMAO !!!.......Stay Safe Slim !

[OldFriend]

And I want a Chrysler dealership all my own.

[gcruse]

He should also apologize for making cars that can't go five miles without a serious breakdown.

Can't speak for Benz, but my last two cars have been Chrysler LeBarons.  They both were superior in quality to anything I have ever owned from GM or Ford.  I plan on remaining a Chrysler customer.

[caisson71]

Too late. I already bought my Silverado instead of a Jeep.

[cherry]

hah hah...ours sold for $1700 and it had nearly 200,000 miles on it....

did I tell you even the radio finally quit, and the air conditioner?

ours was one of those "bad" years where Chrysler promised to make it right, blah, blah blah....

they did cover the first transmission, it was the 2nd and the 3rd that kinda got to us.....

and we did do regular maintenance....unfortuanately it was such a piece of junk that regular maintenance visits were bested by break-down visits.....lol

I bought a little Ford Contour afterwards..used...and I love it....sure, very small, but to go nearly 100,000 miles and have no problems is like heaven to me.....

[zip]

Plymouth voyager....3 transmissions

Yep, 92 Dodge Grand Caravan - 2 transmissions, 3 wheel bearings, two cv joints. I never learn. 7 Chrysler products - 6 lemons. The worse was a 76 plymouth, 16 repairs for stalling. Finally found out it was only a 3 dollar "ballast resistor". This was after 800 dollars worth of fuel pumps, parts rebuilds, tow ins, etc. I contacted DOT and Chrysler. DOTS claimed no info on the ballast res. and Chrysler said they did not have a problem in that area. However,the Chrysler dealer in Marshall MO had them stocked under the counter, not in the parts dept. I found out on one of my many tows when the tow truck driver just looked at the model year and reached into the cab and pulled out a ballast res, put it on and told me to drive off the interstate at the next exit and fill out the paper work. Guess what, it started and ran. After than, I carried two spares in my glove compartment and replaced it each time I stalled.

The real tragedy of this is that I love the ride and feel of the mini vans (I've had three of them) and several "power" cars including the first year Charger (three motors under warranty). Oh well..........

[militant2]

I currently own two Dodges. They will be gone before the month is out. As a member of the "conservative community", I will not even consider buying another Daimler/Chrysler product until that slime ba$tard resigns.

[KeyBored]

"In his letter, Fountain wrote "I apologize to anyone who may have been offended by my remarks," adding that he is "committed to sustaining an open dialogue with the conservative community."

The heck with the apology. As a card carrying, charter member of the "Conservative" community, I want - no, DEMAND - reparations. < /sarcasm >

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Sure are a lot of thin-skinned folks in the 'conservative community'.

Are we now going to play the group-identity, boycott-everyone-who-says-something-mean-about-us game that the left plays?

[pabianice]

Gee. I wonder who buys their cars? Monied conservatives or sandal-wearing, scraggly Leftists? What a puzzle...