Groups threaten to boycott American Girl

[mac56]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_American_Girl_Protest.html

(Apologies if this is a dupe.)

American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.

The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."

American Girl, whose often patriotic products have long had a loyal following among conservatives, issued a statement Friday defending its support of Girls Inc. and assailing the protest campaign.

"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement said.

(more)

[NewInNewJ.]

1. These right wing nuts

would boycott anyone that has an independent voice. They are a bunch of closed minded idiots.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Popular doll-maker American Girl becomes target of conservative protest

Popular doll-maker American Girl becomes target of conservative protest

Associated Press
Oct. 14, 2005 01:15 PM

NEW YORK - American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.

The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."

American Girl, whose often patriotic products have long had a loyal following among conservatives, issued a statement Friday defending its support of Girls Inc. and assailing the protest campaign.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement said.
(snip/...)

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1014american-girl14-ON.html

[HockeyMom]

3. Are they boycotting the Girl Scouts too?

Because, unlike the BOY Scouts, they have publicly stated they will NOT DISCRIMINATE.

[joemurphy]

4. Oh no! First Sponge Bob is a homosexual and now American

Girl is pro-choice! I hope Barbie keeps her views on abortion private until after the results on Miers are in!

[NewInNewJ.]

8. I think the Smurfs were first, by Jerry Falwell.

[llmart]

12. What about the Teletubbies?

Didn't that purple outfit on the one have some hidden meaning also?

[joemurphy]

15. Nothing hidden about it. Lavender is a well-known gay color. n/t

[mac56]

20. Wow. I didn't know that dyes, pigments, or paints

were capable of any particular sexual preference.

;-)

[joemurphy]

32. Now you know. Read your Bible, heathen!

[PurityOfEssence]

23. It was worth it all just to see Jerry Falwell say "tinkie-winkie"

Nothing like an asshole idiot puffed up with righteousness.

"tinkuh-winkuh"

[katty]

31. America...whole world is laughing at our stupid dramas&obsessions

[madeline_con]

5. Get an "I Can" band....

http://store.americangirl.com/shop/ican.php


THE AMERICAN GIRL
“I CAN” PROMISE:
“I can be myself, follow my dreams, and always do my best. I can reach for the stars, lend a hand to others, and be a good friend. I can make a difference! I promise to try.”

[Iris]

16. Yes! I was planning to post this same thing! You can also get them

at Bath & Body Works and in the American Girl stores (which I believe are mostly located in larger cities.)

[Pachamama]

24. Just bought one and sent them an email saying "I support you"

Wouldn't that be a hoot if their sales jump up because of the right-wing nuts "boycott"?

:rofl:

[Der Blaue Engel]

6. Conservatives hate strong women and strong girls

Take a look at the Girls Inc. Girls' Bill of Rights:
http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=1.7

Girls have the right to be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes.

Girls have the right to express themselves with originality and enthusiasm.

Girls have the right to take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success.

Girls have the right to accept and appreciate their bodies.

Girls have the right to have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world.

Girls have the right to prepare for interesting work and economic independence.

[Career Prole]

9. An admirable selection if ever I did see one! n/t

[cpamomfromtexas]

37. Can't wait to start buying my daughter their dolls!

[joemurphy]

7. "Inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold!"

Code words! It's all part of "The Homosexual Agenda!" Soon those girls wearing "I Can" wristbands will be smoking unfiltered Camels, shooting pool, and trying to pick up the wives of unsuspecting Republican men!!!

This MUST be stopped and NOW!

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

22. We Got Trouble...

Townspeople: Oh, we got trouble

Harold: Right here in River City

Townspeople: Right here in River City

Harold: With a capital 'T' and that rhymes with 'P'
and that stands for 'pool'

Townspeople: That stands for pool

Harold: We surely got trouble

Townspeople: We surely got trouble

Harold: Right here in River City

Townspeople: Right here

Harold: Gotta figure out a way to keep the young ones
moral after school

Townspeople: Trouble, trouble, trouble...

[koopie57]

10. I think that American Girls

should boycott the conservatives.

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. You can't buy publicity like this.

Ask any adman.

[NYC Liberal]

13. Look what happened with F9.11.

I'm sure American Girl is really worried. :sarcasm:

[onenote]

14. used to be Girls Clubs of AMerica

And here's a link to it "bill of rights" for girls. Only Wildmon and the rest of the American Taliban could oppose this group.

http://www.girls-inc.org/ic/page.php?id=1.7

onenote

[Iris]

17. here's a bit from the Girls Inc President & CEO:

"Recently, our mission to help girls develop their self-esteem and self-reliance has become the target of false, inflammatory statements from people who are pursuing a narrow political agenda."


"narrow political agenda" - almost an understatement.

[Robb]

18. For some reason I'm on their mailing list

I got the catalog there for a few months, and I remember thinking they were the most boring bunch of dolls I'd ever come across. In other words, if my niece dressed up like these dolls, she'd get beat up at school. ;)

[adigal]

19. I wrote to American Girl the other day

and told them I would be doing all of my Christmas shopping with them. Please write to them and support them and buy from them this Christmas/Hannukah if your budget allows it.

[truthisfreedom]

21. man,if a noisy public fight with ultra-right wing religious fanatics isn't

the best kind of publicity, i don't know what is. this group of freaks is becoming more and more marginalized by their insistence on trying to control everything and stifle free speech. i will be buying one of these dolls immediately and donating it to charity!

[progressivebydesign]

26. Perhaps they'd be dumb enough to stage a burning of the dolls.

Wouldn't that expose them for the hateful prigs they are? The girls would be tramatized for ever if that happens.

[progressivebydesign]

25. Go ahead Righties! TAKE those dolls away from your girls..

You want to see all hell break loose in your house? Want your daughters to cry their eyes out for weeks? Want them to hate you forever, and refer to your unbearably cruelty for the rest of your life? Then.. yeah.. go ahead and take the dolls. Your little daughters and grandaughters won't understand why your incredibly cheap and ugly panties are in a bunch over this.. all they know is that you've torn their lives out from under them. Trust me, little girls have their lives built around those dolls.

[Megahurtz]

27. Reich-Wing Freaks!

I hope American Girl tells them to stick it.

[Canuckistanian]

28. Another RW boycott. I'm sure AG is trembling with fear

After all, look how they brought down Disney....

[Whoa_Nelly]

29. From the American Family Association, who is stating a boycott against

American Girl, has this article:

<snip>
The AFA media spokesperson says the problem is that Girls Inc. promotes a social agenda that is distinctly contradictory to that of American Girl. "Girls Inc. has clearly stated support for Roe v. Wade and 'every young woman's right to choose.' They are pro-abortion, pro-choice without a doubt," the media spokesperson says. "That is made clear on their website."

<snip>
The Pro-Life Action League has joined AFA in its call for American Girl to severe ties with Girls Inc. The pro-life group recognizes the same paradoxical partnership between the two groups.

"Parents associate American Girl dolls with wholesome American family values, yet Girls Inc. contradicts parents' most basic moral beliefs," says League executive director Ann Scheidler. "Parents need to know that this effort to promote self-esteem among girls is not as innocent as it seems."

And like AFA, the Pro-Life Action League is encouraging parents, grandparents, and other family members to write to Ellen Brothers to object to the company's support for Girls Inc. "While Girls Inc. has some good programs," Scheidler says, "they also support abortion, oppose abstinence-only education for girls, and condone lesbianism."

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/afa/132005a.asp


And from Girls, Inc.:

Reproductive Freedom

Girls Incorporated affirms that girls and young women should make responsible decisions about sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood.

We recognize the right of all women to choose whether, when, and under what circumstances to bear children. Reproductive freedom and responsibility are essential to other rights and opportunities, including pursuit of education, employment, financial security and a stable and fulfilling family life. Restrictions of reproductive choice are especially burdensome for young women and poor women. Girls Incorporated supports a woman’s freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade.

http://www.girlsinc.org/ic/page.php?id=4.3.4


Why does the American Family Association hate girls/women???
:sarcasm:

[iamjoy]

34. No, They Hate Americans

yes, the AFA hates American. These are AMERICAN Girls they want to boycott.

You know, seems to me support of Girls Inc is such a small part of what American Girls does and favoring reproductive rights is a small part of what Girls Inc does, so they are really going overboard here.

[katty]

30. Crazytown after American Girl?-Nothing better to do?!

[rebecca_herman]

33. How sad and pathetic...

And it will be the kids who lose out in the end... I am 20 years old, I love history, and it's those American Girl dolls/books that got me interested in it years ago in a fun way... I still have my collection boxed up and hope to pass it on to a daughter someday... I feel sorry for any little girl who gets hers taken away because of this. :(

[tandot]

35. Right-Wingers hate women with self-esteem and goals

Right-Wing men want their women to be submissive and with low self-esteem so they don't speak up when they emotionally, verbally, and physically abuse them.

We should all encourage family and friends to buy from American Girl, Inc. This way we can help them to inspire "...girls to be strong, smart and bold."

These conservative assholes are so desperate to get the good old times back where women submitted to their husbands and powerless to determine their own fate.

[TygrBright]

36. Woohoo! Move over...

...Tinky-winky and Sponge Bob.

Gettin' kinda crowded in the Toy Concentration Camp, ain't it?

Heheheh...

snarkily,
Bright

[classics]

38. Groups Threaten to Boycott American Girl (Abortion Rights)

NEW YORK - American Girl, manufacturer of a highly popular line of dolls and children's books, has become the target of conservative activists threatening a boycott unless the toy maker cuts off contributions to a youth organization that supports abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
ADVERTISEMENT

The protest is directed at an ongoing American Girl campaign in which proceeds from sales of a special "I Can" wristband help support educational and empowerment programs of Girls Inc., a national nonprofit organization which describes its mission as "inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold."

..more..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051015/ap_on_re_us/american_girl_protest

[The Doctor.]

39. American Girl rocks!

I've been very impressed with the material. I cannot be too disappointed to hear this.

[moc]

40. God forbid women grow up to be strong, smart, and bold

How stupid. I'm familiar with Girls Incs. It's not about encouraging abortion. It's about pregnancy prevention and STD prevention, and it's very effective.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

41. I always assumed American Girl backed rethugs...

Apparently they're owned by Mattel, which is surprisingly blue.

[xxqqqzme]

42. let them 'boycott'

I sincerely doubt many rabid, religious rong wingers even buy the products. - f*ck 'em

[Psephos]

43. Exactly n/t