"Illinois Family Institute" thanks General Mills for dropping "Daniel"

[Bluebear]

General Mills says "The Book of Daniel" fails to meet their standard for "family programming." I plan to contact them to tell them I will NOT eat their bigoted Cheerios. Webform:

http://consumercontacts.generalmills.com/ConsolidatedContact.aspx?page=http://www.generalmills.com/corporate
=====
NBC's program, "The Book of Daniel" is co-written by Jack Kenny,a dysfunctional, post-Catholic, homosexual man who bases the story loosely on his partner's Republican, socially liberal, "accepting," Episcopal family. While NBC network hype -- and the mainstream media -- call "The Book of Daniel" "edgy," "challenging," and "courageous," it is also very disrespectful to the Christian faith.

Thankfully, advertisers have fled in droves from airing commercials on "The Book of Daniel." After calls by the American Family Association and the Illinois Family Institute, several major companies have stopped sponsoring the show. The only major advertiser that continues is Burlington Coat Factory--still pushing its after-Christmas sale!

General Mills, makers of products that include Cheerios and Wheaties cereals, has agreed to drop sponsorship of "The Book of Daniel." Please contact General Mill's VP of Corporate Communications, Tom Forsythe and Chairman/CEO Stephen Sanger to THANK THEM for not supporting the new, thoroughly outrageous and anti-Christian program on NBC, "The Book of Daniel."

General Mills, Inc.
P.O. Box 9452
Minneapolis, MN 55440
763-764-7600
763-764-8330 (Fax)

http://www.illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=30812

=======

Here's what YOU--We the People--did in just the last few weeks:

* YOU were recently able to get most anti-Christmas companies to retract their polices.

* YOU just convinced four out of five advertisers to withdraw their support for The Book of Daniel.

Now let's get NBC to cancel the series!

Let NBC know that you will NOT be watching any of the shows on their network, and that you will NOT be shopping at the Burlington Coat Factory until:

1. NBC pulls The Book of Daniel show

2. Burlington Coat Factory withdraws the advertising support for The Book of Daniel show

Please take a few short minutes to contact NBC and these advertisers by using the information provided below:

BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY:

Monroe G. Milstein--Chairman, President, and CEO
1830 Route 130
Burlington, NJ 08016
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Vice-President, Andrew [email protected]

NBC's corporate headquarters:

NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] and 212-664-5705
E-mail: https://secure.afa.net/afa/afapetition/takeaction.asp?id=175

NBC affiliates and their e-mail addresses:

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/header/Local_Stations/ (We recommend you try to reach the NBC executives who are in charge of programming or marketing, the local president or general managers, and those who oversee community relations and finance.)


Follow up

In addition, take a minute and let the following companies know that you are pleased that they pulled their advertising support for The Book of Daniel, and that you will be shopping at their stores so long as they continue to favor the traditional Christian values of most Americans, as evidenced by their advertising policies.

JUST FOR MEN:

Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

H&R BLOCK:

Mark Ernst Chairman, President
4400 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: [phone] and 800-829-7733
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

MAZDA:

President Jim O'Sullivan
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
Phone: [phone] and [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Also: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/emailMazda.action?subject=Mazda%20R.E.V.

A final word

Finally, remember what Samuel Adams said:

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

This is another way of saying:

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease!"

So pick up your phone, pens, and keyboards, and let NBC and Burlington Coat Factory know how you feel. We are winning this one--keep it up!

http://www.renewamerica.us/news/060113nbc.htm

[cornermouse]

1. Perhaps its time liberals mounted their own campaigns and

started writing also?

[kevinbgoode]

7. It is PAST time for the rest of us to act

These people are only successful because they are relentless about harassing these companies. And whenever we let this pass, we give up one more chance to protect our rights in the public marketplace and the airwaves.

No company is going to back down from these people unless they hear others speak up. Your silence only helps the AFA and these wingnuts with their cause. Let every one of these companies KNOW that you consider that buckling under to pressure from religious extremists as an endorsement of their agenda. And YES, you WILL be quietly telling everyone you know that their products or services are now married to the American Family Association.

Don't let any one of these companies get off the hook for folding to these crazies. EVER.

[Glidescube]

2. The show sucked...

And probably would have been cancled anyways. So Let's move on.

[Bluebear]

3. Oh, OK!

They'll probably take credit for that too. Heaven forbid they do anything positive for the human race, like feeding the hungry or sheltering the homeless.

[Glidescube]

4. You now they wont

You know as well as I they are incabable of compassion. So it is up to us to help the homeless and less fortuante.

[kevinbgoode]

8. Not everyone felt it sucked.

And it was the number one program in its time slot in Nashville, which canceled it because the religious Right's campaign.

Move on to what? To the next thing they'll boycott, which is an industry that embraces multiple boycotts in a given week? They have threatened Ford with a massive boycott, and have just called for one against Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and Nike. And now they are railing against diversity policies and respect for others policies at universities.

At what point do we take a stand. . .when it becomes so natural for companies and government to fall to their wishes that they ignore anything the rest of us have to say? The more successess they have - on any level - the more of a track record they develop which is noticed by other corporations.

They are engaged in cultural warfarre. And we are stuck in playing defense, instead of attacking them for their religious intolerance and their demands that others be punished to adhere to their religious beliefs. I'm sick of it.

[Glidescube]

13. But then again

Do we allow for hollywood to put out crap for the sole purpose of of proving that we have a right to voice an opinion. The show stunk and that is that.

Ellen was a great show, Will and Grace is a great show. Even married with children was funny and so very controversial that the fundies wanted it banned. But it wasn't because it was a great show.

Bottom line is that the show was not worth the fight. Fight the good fight and when it's worth fighting for. If they tried to destroy Brokeback then it woudl have been World War III, becasue it is a master piece. The book of Danile was just a dud.

[kevinbgoode]

27. I don't believe any sponsor was asked to pull their advertising

because the program was a "dud". . .and that is the point to this situation. The AFA launches boycotts a couple of times a week, and frankly, companies eventually start to fold when barrage after barrage of fundy demands are issued and they hear nothing from anyone else.

[annabanana]

5. It only takes a minute

to send these guys an "atta boy" and add a counterweight to the "phone-tree" Death Cult Pat Robertson Brigade....(Silence is assumed consent)

[sandnsea]

6. Ford turned around

They increased their advertising in GLBT media, if a unified campaign is launched, these companies do listen. I already emailed, anybody else?

[kevinbgoode]

9. I emailed General Mills and congratulated them for

letting the AFA announce that now the company has joined the organizations endorsing the Religious Right.

Then I told them it would be a good idea for them to dump their diversity policy, because the AFA is adamantly against such notions and will likely boycott them again.

I hit Mazda for their cowardice as well, and told them that pulling their advertising was an endorsement of anti-semitic, anti-Episcopal groups which were less offended by the programs portrayal of christianity than by the Episcopal depiction, which they hate. So I slapped them with accusations of religious bigotry.

This crap has GOT to stop. And it isn't going to stop until we get off our butts and not only counteract this crap, but INFORM these companies just where these complaints originate.

[Bluebear]

10. KBG...

you are an everyday hero. Thanks.

[KitchenWitch]

11. I have expressed my dismay to General Mills

and will not buy any of their products until they reinstate advertising during "The Book of Daniel" timeslot. This is difficult for me since General Mills is one of the larger employers in my region of the country. But I will do it.

[xchrom]

12. done

i ve e-mailed and told these folks not expect my dollars.

[Perky]

14. I don't think we should be in the positon of denying the RW the right

to make a stink about a show that they view as a direct assault on fundy values.

If the show was about the humorous adventures of a dysfunctional black woman with three kids on welfare on the south side of Atlanta and her humerous dealings with men walking around wearing darke suits and bowties, would not the sensibilities of the African-American community be offended. Would not the Nation of Islam call for a boycott?

What about the hilarious hi-jinxs of a group of Hasidic Jewish men who create an accountinf firm that is actually a front for the Mafia?

Two points:

Any group has thre right to protect waht they find offensive and stereotypifying of their particuar subgroup, WHether or not you agree with the premise of the show or not you should not deny them the right to protest.

Secondly. merely because the show pokes fun, lighthearted or not, (offensive or not) at Christian foilables, should not cause people to rise to make a spirited defense of a show that has that intent. The fact that some people would do so largely because the show does precisely that, is arguably not unlike the neo-Nazis or skinheads rising to defend the two examples I give.


Boycott General Mills if you must, that is your right, but bigotry in any form makes us less democratic, lesser Democrats and quite bluntly less American.

[kevinbgoode]

15. Every show is an assault on their values.

And no one denies them the right to complain. However, they demand the right to deny others the choice to view a program - and that is a big difference. Moreover, when their values include a history of religious bigotry against both Jewish and, now, Episcopals, I have no problem in the least calling out a company who folds to their pressure.

These organizations hate the Episcopals because, among other things, they let gays be part of their congregations without harassing them, because they elected a gay bishop. . .and they hate this program because they dislike that denomination. Otherwise, they would have no reason to contend that the writer, who they describe as a "practicing homosexual" designed this as an "anti-christian" program. By allowing these groups to dictate that a "homosexual" cannot POSSIBLY be religious, let alone a christian, they contend this is "offensive" to the "deeply-held,CHOSEN" beliefs.

Bullsh*t.

And I take issue with your notion that it makes us mirror-images of their hateful bigotry simply because we exercise OUR right to protest an endorsement of one religious belief over another. That isn't even an arguable point. No one has demanded the religious Right's programming be taken off the air, though frankly why should any station using the public airwaves cater to just their viewpoints, especially when they INTENTIONALLY use the public airwaves to attack other members of the community for nothing more than their existence?

You can raise this point when we start demanding that no American company sell anything to the American "Family" Association. Until you show me where these people have been practically and/or materially harmed, your point is meaningless. I don't reward companies for endorsing religious and social bigotry of any kind. No one here has suggested that we boycott General Mills because they sell or advertise on "christian" radio programming that I find offensive, is there?

You also cannot compare the fictional portrayal of the African-Americans to this faux religious offense nonsense. Those depictions DID occur - just watch the few representations of blacks on television programming of the 1950's. And, in the history of the media, that was the ONLY kind of depiction generally allowed in programming, which was (not surprisingly) heavily influenced by remnants of the old Hays Code - policies curiously demanded by the Religious Right at THAT time.
There have been plenty of positive portrayals of "christians" on television over the years. Frankly, had this been a reality show centered on the Baptists or the Catholic church, their likely sexual and social dysfunctional portrayals would have likely been more realistically depicted, and even more offensive.

Remember - religious belief is a CHOICE.

[Perky]

17. Of course religious belief is a choice.

Thanks for a response that did not accuse me og pulling a persecution card.

"These organizations hate the Episcopals because, among other things, they let gays be part of their congregations without harassing them, because they elected a gay bishop. . .and they hate this program because they dislike that denomination. Otherwise, they would have no reason to contend that the writer, who they describe as a "practicing homosexual" designed this as an "anti-christian" program. By allowing these groups to dictate that a "homosexual" cannot POSSIBLY be religious, let alone a christian, they contend this is "offensive" to the "deeply-held,CHOSEN" beliefs."

I think, though I may be wrong, that you make a jump in logic when you say that this emanates in part from a bias against the Episcopal Church. Perhaps they believe the show is anti-Christian and they are using the Homosexual card to rally the base. Understand that I am defending their tactics: I am merely suggesting that the motivation may be less spurrilous then you suggest. They may simply be offended by the show's premise and content.

Were you correct that their motivation for the call for a boycott is based on the fact that it was endorsive of the American Episcopal movement away from Anglican orthodoxy I would agree with your position more readidly. So offer me evidence.

The point I was clumsily trying to make (still on my first cup of coffee) is that a show that would seem to have an intent of potraying Christians as largely dysfunctional and hypocritical, while perhaps accurate at some levels, is going to have a big target on its back for those who do not like the potrayal.

The fact that some have chosen to call for a boycott of the show should not surprise or even disgust anyone. (I have not watched the show...but I generally boycott bad TV anyway)

[kevinbgoode]

18. Perhaps you need to read the American "Family" Association

letters and announcements on this topic.

I highly doubt they are that "offended" by the show's premise and content. The program is hardly an indictment on christianity - the characters portrayed do not represent the hundreds of "christian" denominations. Moreover, this was not a grassroots effort - it was a directed effort by an organization with a longstanding reputation of boycotting scores of programs and advertisers - it is essentially their primary means of raising money and gaining public recognition.

The American "Family" Association is not a church. Nor is it an elected or appointed representative of any religious denomination.

I shouldn't have to offer your evidence on their attitudes toward the Episcopal Church. Every pundit from Pat Robertson to Falwell has issued public statements condemning the decisions of that church and supporting efforts among dissidents to break away from the church. On more than one occasion, Pat Robertson has referred to that denomination as not being "christian" - along with the United Church of Christ.

It is notable that on most every occasion in which religious ministers have been interviewed condemning this program as being "anti-christian" none of them represent the Episcopal Church. Had this been a tale about Southern Baptists and Baptists protested, it would make more sense. Unfortunately, that isn't the case here at all.

The AFA calls for new boycotts a couple of times a week. This program is just the latest example of how most programming "offends" their sense of religious correctness. They chose their religious beliefs and interpretation. And they can choose to turn the television station. Instead, their choice is to demand that ALL members of the public be denied access to programming that hasn't been approved by their organization.

Sorry - this protest was not a spontaneous event. It was orchestrated.

[Perky]

19. But you made the assertion of a direct link

between Fundies view on the Episcopal Communion and the ranting about "Life of Brian"

If the SHow poke fun at the Episcopalians and the AFA is opposed to what has happened in the communion why would they complain so bitterly about the show?

I would suggest that these two issues run in parallel in the Fundies mind bit I do not see where they intersect. I am asking for evidence of intersection.

I can assure you that if the show had been about the SBC the FUndies would have been more upset, because it would have been an attack directed at them.

I think you are right about boycott being a means to raise awareness and money, but I don't think you have shown causation of this being episcopal-bashing.

[kevinbgoode]

20. Because I believe that is the case

They are not defending the religious beliefs of a denomination they abhor. It is a staged campaign. They have repeatedly stated that Episcopals don't really represent christianity because of their actions - so it is an excuse. Look at the interviews - look at the people making the statements. The religious statements that have been positive have come from Episcopals themselves.In Nashville, the local station manager didn't even bring the Episcopal minister down to the pre-screening, only the fundies. No quotes from an Episcopal at all.

The first graph of the initial press release from the AFA immediately lashed out at the "practicing homosexual"and then condemned him for not being a "christian" now. The intersection to me is obvious - these are groups who repeatedly make it clear that they alone define "christianity" and attack denominations that are too "liberal." Do they make a direct attack on the denomination in their releases about this show? NO - but that doesn't mean there is no intersection - they want the airplay and they need to use the Episcopal character as the reason the program is bashing christians.

And why do you characterize it as an attack if it had been about the SBC? Given the fact that a Baptist minister and official was just arrested in Oklahoma City for soliciting oral sex from a police officer in the parking lot (and this is just the latest incident), what characterization from this fictional program could possibly be offensive or so removed from the reality of their faith?
In fact, what exactly is being characterized in this program that hasn't been exposed in real life by practitioners of these religious groups?

[SuperWonk]

21. Boycott!

Yeah, AFA calling for boycotts like twice a week is just nuts. Why do they have such an Axe to grind? General Motors for advertising during a TV SHOW! Ford for put ads in a MAGAZINE? These guys need to chill out. Calling for boycotts over and over is just stupid.

[kevinbgoode]

24. Exactly. . .and by reacting in silence

we are enabling them to slowly take control of every aspect of our media and our lives. These people do not believe in individual rights. I'm not interested in their faux "deeply-held" religious beliefs. Those don't materialize out of nowhere and suddenly expect others to become human sacrifices for their faux moral altar.

They get the same choices in this country as I do....they turn the damned channel, just as I have to do with the FOUR wingnut "christian" stations broadcasting on my television. No one has appointed these people as the guardians of someone else's religious beliefs.

[kevinbgoode]

16. Kick

People need to pay attention to this constant wingnut crap.

22. maybe the controversy will help them

there aren't many cereal ads on at night.

[SoCalDem]

23. Little does Gen'l Mills know that these folks probably feed their kids

homemade gruel for breakfast, and they only watch the 700 Club ..Gotta get those marching orders:)

[Sydnie]

25. I have some time tomorrow

I will email everyone of them to thank them for sponsoring this show.

We have phones and email too. No retreat, No Surrender!

[FreedomAngel82]

26. So much for the first amendment

Welcome to the police state!

[laylah]

28. My e-mail

to them was short and to the point:

Your caving to religious zealotry and assisting in censorship has resulted in my last purchase of any GM product. Shame on you!

[NMMNG]

29. I sent an e-mail to BCF and implored them not to bow to the pressure

from IFI and other hate groups. I also sent scathing e-mails to those that pulled their ads, berating them for taking part in censorship. I'm sick of this crap. :mad: :grr:

[Left Turn]

30. Let your voice be heard

We need to let these companies and these organizations know how we feel. Doesn't almost every single company sell their products to the GLBT community? Aren't there tons of controversial shows on TV? AFA seems to have a pie-in-the-sky approach where they just pick people to boycott out of a hat. Very ridiculous.

[NMMNG]

31. Maybe we should start boycotting any companies who advertise

during fundie shows (The 700 Club in particular). What's good for the wingnuts is good for us, eh? We could also threaten to boycott the networks they are on (for those that are broadcast on regular networks). Maybe when these businesses/networks start getting a ruckus from the other side they will wake up.