Far right group renews threat of Ford boycott

[davidinalameda]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid23467.asp

The antigay Christian group American Family Association issued fresh threats of a boycott against the Ford Motor Co. on Thursday, following the automaker's about-face on advertising in gay media. Ford issued a letter to several gay rights groups on Wednesday reaffirming its support for gay causes and promising to continue advertising in the gay press.

The Tupelo, Miss.–based AFA warned that Ford had "reneged on" the terms of a good-faith agreement made with the carmaker earlier this month. In an update on the AFA Web site, chairman Donald Wildmon said the group is considering a response to what it called "violation" of the agreement and expects to reach a decision very soon. He added that the option of a boycott is now very much alive. AFA called off a proposed boycott with Ford in early summer after Ford dealers and company representatives began addressing the antigay organization’s concerns.

Ford’s mistimed announcement earlier this month that it was discontinuing advertising of its Jaguar and Land Rover car brands in gay magazines, including The Advocate and Out, sparked a firestorm of criticism from gay rights leaders across the country. Many felt the company had caved in to the AFA's threatened boycott, since the threats coincided with a meeting at the group's Tupelo headquarters by Ford leadership.


poor Ford, they just can't win

[Warpy]

1. Aw, let 'em buy GM

They'll be sorry.

Idiots.

BTW, someone told me the head of Ford is a Buddhist. That would explain their slightly more enlightened stand on advertising to everyone, not just the ones in the snotty evangelical club.

[ugarte]

2. No wondering Ford's in deep shit financially

if this is the way they do business. They should fire whoever caved in to the AFA.

[BR_Parkway]

3. We all need to get in touch with the Advocate and similar pubs

and get them to stop giving these groups legitimacy by calling them Christian anything. If we've learned nothing else from KKKarl this year, it's that controlling the words and phrases is half the battle and that if you control & define them, the public will be led your way.

These groups masquerade as Christians - I don't recall the chapter and verse where Christ (or any of the diciples) said "Form thee a tax exempt, and raise millions of dollars - not to help the poor, but to make sure homos don't get treated like other human beings. Prey upon those who have the least, as they will be most likely to listen to your crys for more money". They are not Christian, they are the worst sort of money-grubbing hate mongers - hell, if there was more cash in supporting us, they'd be pushing for equal rights for gays. With this sort, it's always follow the money.

And until the day that Wildmon, Falwell, Dobson and the other radical clerics say that they have enough millions in the bank, don't need to be involved in politics to make the Bible replace the Constitution, and actually start devoting their lives and their own pocketbooks towards doing the things Christ taught, they don't deserve to be allowed to hijack the title of Christian.

[dusmcj]

4. Someone post Wildmoron's funders

PFAW says they have $11 mill in the bank, but don't say what major funders they have. This were also the nad strummers who drove the NEA boycott in the 80's, I remember that time with fondness. (Anyone remember the movie where someone painted a penis to look like Jesse Helms ? It was great.)

A simple start: patronize every business that AFA targets, and encourage your friends to. Spread the word. I'll start a separate thread with a list of targets to patronize.

[davidinalameda]

5. thanks so much and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[dusmcj]

6. hi there

onwards! :)

[Brian_Expat]

7. Did anyone notice the sentence in red in their press release?

The one which said it was "all they had to say about the Ford situation at this time."

Sounds like they're really pissy and don't know what to do. It also sounds like they don't have many articulate spokepeople or much of a logical case to articulate, if all their response to the media is just a press release and the standard response is "see our press release."

They haven't even committed to restarting their boycott.

They're toast.

[Maat]

8. That's what went through my head when I read that on their ..

affiliated site, agapepress.org, Brian.

I wondered what that comment in red meant. I believe we're both right.

I wondered if the Wildmon brothers, Don and Tim (or Tim and Don), didn't feel humiliated at that point.

Hmmm ...

[Brian_Expat]

9. The Wildmons, humiliated?

*grabs noserubber for vigorous use* ;)

[Maat]

12. HeeHee.

;-)

[Brian_Expat]

10. Agapepress

I know I'm always agape when I read the crap on that site! ;)

[Maat]

11. HeeHee (n/t).

[davidinalameda]

13. they'll restart it

and it will go the way of the Disney boycott and the rest of them--straight in the crapper

I'd say this is a victory for the community

[Brian_Expat]

14. "I voted for the boycott after I voted against it after I voted for it."

;)

[davidinalameda]

15. pretty much

:)

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. May their Ford boycott be as successful as their Disney one

The American "Family" Association and other Talibangelicals boycotted Disney: Disney makes record profits. A religious right boycott of Ford can only help the manufacturer's bottom line.

[kevinbgoode]

17. Ohhh..I think they best not try another stunt. . .

The AFA is getting people ticked off all over the country for a hundred reasons - and gays are smarter and more creative. And once you push us against the wall, we go for the throat. The AFA has lots and lots and lots of little garbage just begging to be taken out.