Lands End staff hoodwinked by Guiliani visit in Wisconsin

[zulchzulu]

I was at the Kerry Debate Prep in Spring Green, WI this week before Kerry's kickass debate performance. The Lands End event with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was literally 5 miles from the debate prep event. Bush probably wanted to send a "message" that he had a willing shill ready to spew the GOP talking points within virtual earshot of the Kerry camp.

It looks like the Rudy visit is backfiring.

Lands' End Employees Say Tricked Into Seeing Giuliani

Some Lands' End employees said Tuesday they were hoodwinked into attending a speech by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Viewers said the company told them Giuliani's speech would be motivational in nature. Instead it was a political speach supporting President George W. Bush for reelection.

Prior to the speech, CEO Mindy Meads e-mailed workers, saying, "Excitement is building this morning. In a few short hours we will hear from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Please note, Lands' End does not endorse any political candidate."

Many viewers expressed outrage at what ensued. (Read Full Story ) One employee said he "decided to attend the meeting after being told it was a motivational speech focused on bettering ourselves. The whole speech focused on bashing Kerry, using the fear of terrorism to sway your vote, and using nonsense like not remembering baseball players' names as an excuse for not voting for Kerry."

Another said, "I want the public to know that not all Lands' End employees support the Bush campaign, including me. There has been much passionate discussion among my coworkers regarding this."

A Lands' End spokeswoman told News 3 Tuesday there was no intent to offend employees, and that the company would welcome an appearance by Bush's opponent, Sen. John Kerry.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=300&u=/wisc/20040929/lo_wisc/2391312&printer=1

[Lex]

1. Hey, I order a lot of stuff from Lands End online

and I'm glad the staff isn't taking being hood-winked by Guilani.

[Dudley_DUright]

2. That is because half of them are probably my relatives

and thus smarter than the average bear. :-) (My mom grew up in Dodgeville, WI and has zillions of cousins)

[Lex]

6. Well, there are good folks there.

I always get my stuff ASAP here in NC and my order is always right.

So "Hey" from NC to you--and your relatives at LandsEnd! :)

[Dudley_DUright]

7. I wear my vast collection of Land's End polo shirts almost every

day at work. Accept no substitutes. :-)

[RevCheesehead]

3. Contact Lands' End and complain, complain, complain!!!!

Contact Lands'End:
http://www.landsend.com/cgi-bin/email

Here's my response to Customer Service:

I just read a news story (on WISC website) about Lands'End employees being duped into hearing Rudy Guilliani, believing they were going to hear a "motivational speaker" and instead getting a political campaign.

I love Lands'End, and have been a faithful shopper and supporter. I tell everyone you have the best clothing available anywhere. I love that you are in Wisconsin.

Please do not fall into the trap of political endorsement. I love your products, but I also am an avid John Kerry supporter. I think you owe it to your customers, as well as your employees, to remain neutral in this election.

[zulchzulu]

4. Good letter

Hopefully Lands End doesn't offer Hood Winks for the winter.

[Jaybird]

5. wow, my brother works there.....

i'll have to give him a call tommorrow

[zulchzulu]

8. I'll make an effort to try to interview the Lands End staff tomorrow

I already contacted some people in the local press that may want to follow this story (paging John Nichols).

Let's give Rudy a nice big black eye.

[Lex]

9. Did you see him lying his backside off tonight on Jon Stewart's show?

Just lying about what Kerry said. Unvarnished LIES.

Jon was just blowing him off because Guiliani was so pathetic.

This was Jon: :eyes:

[zulchzulu]

11. I missed it but will check it out online

It's very difficult to watch Rudy for me. His hair wrap and his phoney horseshit are enough to become a new dietary program.

[oasis]

10. Workers of America, stand up and be counted.

[theHandpuppet]

12. I'm surprised more people here don't know...

... that the Land's End CEO is a born-again drinker of the Bush Kool-Aid Brigade as well as a major GOP contributor. Wouldn't buy their stuff now if they were giving it away!

[Peanut Gallery]

13. Just so I have this straight

People either have to register for Bush campaign speeches with their social security numbers, or they have to be tricked into attending.

[JohnnyCougar]

14. WTF????

In MY homestate???!?!?!?!?!

No fuckin' way!!!!!!1

They're getting a nice e-mail from an "enraged independent."
- From Wisconsin, nonetheless.

[Czolgosz]

15. Guiliani is a one-man model of the Bush administration. Before

9-11, he was a has-been best known for his adultery. He really rose to the occasion on 9-11. He build up a tremendous well of good will. Now he's spent all his good will supporting a failed candidate (who doesn't even share his professed beliefs). I know many New Yorkers, Democrats, Republicans, and Greens, and almost every one of them would have voted for Guiliani for anything, and now even the New York Republicans I know are tired of his ceaseless refrain: "remember me: I'm the 9-11 Mayor!" Why do these Republicans promote the worst day in American history like it was the best day for their careers?

I sent Lands End an email. Let them know that you don't appreciate the exploitation of an American tragedy for political goals and you don't appreciate the disrespect they have shown their employees.