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Daimler-Chrysler Official Apologizes for Conservative Slur
CNSNews.com ^
| February 14, 2003
| Marc Morano
Posted on 02/14/2003 9:53:51 AM PST by 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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TOPICS: Breaking News; Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: chrysler; myopicconservatives
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To: Moosejaw
Maybe someone should ask 'em why their Mercedes division is the largest funder of the ultra liberal salon.com?
41
posted on
02/14/2003 12:14:51 PM PST
by
Drango
(don't need no stinkin' tag line)
To: zip
Blame the maechanic on that one, not the car. On a Chrysler, the first thing you check is the ballast resistor.
To: Moosejaw
Is this from the Onion? ;-)
He is apologizing to conservatives like they are a monolithic group, sort of the way the establishment liberals treat Blacks, Hispanics, and Trisexuals. ;-)
The leaders of large institutions in this country are so politically correct that they simply cannot be trusted to tell the truth about anything. :-(
43
posted on
02/14/2003 12:26:45 PM PST
by
cgbg
(If you are unwilling to offend someone, anyone, you cannot be trusted.)
To: Moosejaw
Chrysler is a german corporation, and as such, I have no inention of ever buying it's products.
To: militant2
I currently own two Dodges. Al Bundy Dodge owning ping
45
posted on
02/14/2003 12:44:20 PM PST
by
Drango
(don't need no stinkin' tag line)
To: Moosejaw
Lott apoligised but it wasn't enough. He must resign.
46
posted on
02/14/2003 12:52:54 PM PST
by
VRWC_minion
( Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and most are right)
To: Post Toasties
Afraid? Hes the guy who hands the "well into six digits" checks to Rent-A-Riot Jackson and enforces the governments racism quotas. If Chrysler hands a seven digit to a meaningful cause then Ill accept their apology. Firing Fountain and dismantling his Department of Racism, and telling the feds to take them to court to try to enforce the racism laws would be better but that isnt going to happen.
To: Moosejaw
DCX replied to my e-mail and said this Fountain chap's commentary "had been taken out of context".
48
posted on
02/14/2003 1:10:40 PM PST
by
12B
To: Drango
Nobody needs to ask. They know their customers. Based on my, admittedly unscientific, observations liberals outnumber conservatives at least 10 - 1 among Mercedes owners.
49
posted on
02/14/2003 1:33:58 PM PST
by
caltrop
To: Moosejaw
Oh pooh, he only wrote the letter cause he did not want to be blamed when conservatives STOP (as our family has done) driving and buying his brand of vehicle. NOPE, he did not mean it.
50
posted on
02/14/2003 1:37:09 PM PST
by
zeaal
To: Moosejaw
Too late. I'm never buying another Jeep.
I love my Jeep - Grand Cherokee Ltd. Heated seats. Incredible sound system. Had it for 6 years. Had planned on having many more Jeeps until Germany stiffed us on Iraq.
I'll never buy another german product - or french - or canadian. They can all rot in hell (and take South Korea with them).
51
posted on
02/14/2003 1:55:09 PM PST
by
Endeavor
To: swheats
Well put. Where've you been lately?
52
posted on
02/14/2003 1:56:36 PM PST
by
Endeavor
To: Endeavor
Well, I finally quit my day job, pulled my kids out of public school and we're doing the homeschool thing. I've finally gotten on a routine that works for us and I can freep a bit more.
I can't believe the results we've seen in 5 months. In their attitudes and accomplishing their work.
53
posted on
02/14/2003 2:08:47 PM PST
by
swheats
To: Moosejaw
But he didn't apologize for donating to Jesse Jackson's racket, did he?
To: Drango
Now that "Al Bundy" is doing Dragnet, he's driving a Ford. :)
I have two Fords, both are bullet proof!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!
Let's Roll!
55
posted on
02/14/2003 2:13:22 PM PST
by
blackie
To: Post Toasties
There was a news report a week or two ago that DaimlerChrysler was facing a civil rights suit in, get this, Chicago. The protection money paid to Jesse Jackson seems not to have done its job.
To: Tony in Hawaii
.
On a Chrysler, the first thing you check is the ballast resistor. But in 1976/77 we didn't know that. All of the repairs were made at dealerships.
57
posted on
02/14/2003 2:30:46 PM PST
by
zip
To: Endeavor
Anybody wanna buy a Peep Grand Cherokee? Poorest excuse for
an SUV I ever owned. Gonna get me another Suburban.
58
posted on
02/14/2003 2:53:53 PM PST
by
latrans
(Live Free or Die)
To: cherry
Chrysler automatic transmissions use a special tranny fluid different than Fords and Chevys and the like.If the jify lube or anybody puts any(top it off say) of the other auto tranny fluids in bye bye its all over soon .
To: Thane_Banquo
He should also apologize for making cars that can't go five miles without a serious breakdown.I've got one of their mini vans. NEVER again will I buy a Chrysler product. NEVER!
60
posted on
02/14/2003 4:22:28 PM PST
by
barker
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