Restaurant I like is advertising in a local right wing newspaper.

[Jara sang]

I couldn't believe it when I was flipping through this extreme right wing propaganda rag when I saw one of my favorite restaurants advertising on the back page. I am going to call the owner and ask them "what gives?" then I am going to inform them that if they continue to advertise in this rag that I will no longer patronize their establishment and I will do everything in power to get the word out to people I know and to tourist that the owners support the conservative cause. Hopefully, they were just looking for ad space and didn't realize they were advertising in a Nazi propagandist newspaper. The "newspaper" consistently bashes liberals, so if the restauranteur is in support of that then I will let them know that I don't support them and I will get the word out about their political orientation.(Restaurant is frequented by a lot of liberal tourists from California) Any other suggestions on how I might combat this?

[mcscajun]

1. Do you have another newspaper in town? Or is this the only way

the restaurant owner has to get his message out? Does the restaurant owner even read the paper or know what their political bent is? Who is employed there besides the owner's family and what are their politics? Who else will be impacted by your publicity?

Just some things to think about before you lace up for combat.

[Jara sang]

3. There are a lot of outlets to advertise here.

Including "real" newspapers. This is not a newspaper. This one is devoted to bashing liberals. This is from a letter to the editor entitled "Liberal Death Toll":

Dear Editor,
Without even counting the untold millions of lives ruined spiritually, psychologically, and economically because of the atheistic,evolutionary, amoral and socialistic philosophies of liberalism, liberals are still responsible for physically killing more people every day than the Iraq war has killed since it began a few years ago.

Pure propaganda, reads like instructions from Goebbels playbook.

[mcscajun]

5. And the other issues?

Like the employees?

[babylonsister]

2. Yes. Share the name of the restaurant! nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Let them know you are displeased and why. I did it to a business

in town. And I stopped doing business with them.

Who needs them?

[mcscajun]

7. I'd certainly let them know I was displeased...and give them a chance

to discuss it.

If they support the bashing rag and even share their views, I'd certainly let them know how I feel and where my money goes.

I still have a concern for whatever employees they might have, though.

[Jara sang]

10. The employees are actually really nice.

The establishment is really nice. That is why I was shocked to see them advertise in this fascist newspaper.

[mcscajun]

11. Well, then...do you really want to damage their livelihood because

their owner gives money to the wrong people?

We can't make everything Black and White...you're with me or against me...that's a Republican meme.

[Jara sang]

17. Would you work for some one that treats liberals as second class citizens?

If the employees of this place work for a nazi then they should find employment elsewhere.

[mcscajun]

20. Shoulda, woulda, coulda...

Just maybe...these were the only jobs they could get.

No, I wouldn't go to work in the first place for someone that far to the right of me. But then, I have options many people don't. Food service workers are lucky, as many are, to even BE employed these days.

If you want to be subversive, talk to the workers about their employer's politics over your salad. :)

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. You won't put them out of business - only YOUR business.

Damned if they'd get one more dime of my money.

[chaz4jazz]

6. NAME THAT EATERY!

EOM

[tx_dem41]

8. Yes, kick the waitstaff and kitchen staff out of their jobs!

NAME THAT EATERY!
How dare they want to increase their customer base without taking political ideology into account. Those scoundrels! :eyes:

[Jara sang]

9. Are you saying that you find no problem with this? n/t

[tx_dem41]

12. Its a RESTAURANT....

if I liked them and wanted them to stay in business (and keep a small number of local people employed to boot), I would want them to increase their customer base as much as they can.

I couldn't care less who is sitting at the table next to me. Heck, if it was a conservative, maybe some actual communication might occur! Perish the thought.

[Jara sang]

15. The point is that they are advertising in this fascist propagandist news.

A newspaper that calls me a murderer and spews lies. I don't take kindly to that. And if the owners of the restaurant are aware of this or even endorse it(which they do through their ads) then I will no longer support that restaurant.

[tx_dem41]

18. The point is...its a restaurant...

not a political debate society. If politics ruled my life so much as to make me go bitch at a small restaurant owner, I would die of a stomach ulcer.

Thank goodness, I have some perspective.

[Jara sang]

22. Some people like to live with their heads in the sand

I'm not one of them. A lot of people I know who are liberals and who know this place are pissed and thinking of boycotting it as well.

[tx_dem41]

25. I hope you'll help the staff find other jobs...

at least you'll be doing something progressive then.

[Jara sang]

30. You are just being ridiculous.

Are you saying that I don't have the right to voice my opinion?

[tx_dem41]

33. You have the RIGHT to do whatever you want...

it doesnt make it right, though. Plus, who is being ridiculous. You want to boycott, and you haven't mentioned whether you have even talked to the owner. But, you did call him/her a nazi.

Now who is being ridiculous?

[Jara sang]

34. WRONG, I called this "publication" nazi

I have not spoken to the owner yet.

[mcscajun]

36. No, but you've speculated on him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4970190&mesg_id=4970576

[Jara sang]

38. Conservatives are nationalist and fascists.

I equate them with being nazis. If the owner of an establishment chooses to advertise in "conservative" outlets, we are talking extreme conservative outlets, then I equate those people with the beliefs that are fostered in that particular publication.

[mcscajun]

42. I'm not quibbling with your designation...just your denial that you said..

it in the first place.

You've got to stay focused on attacking the right targets, not other Dems.

[tx_dem41]

37. "If the employees of this place work for a nazi then they should find....

...employment elsewhere."

Oh, I believe you did call the owner a "nazi", jara sang.

And, now you admit you haven't even talked to them.

Looks like you have your ducks in a row, there. :eyes:

[Jara sang]

39. That is a piss poor argument, tx_"dem"41

I said "if" he were a nazi and I never CLAIMED that I talked to the owners. If you look in the original post you will see that I "hoped" that the advertisement was merely an oversight of the owners. However, if it is not then I plan to come down on them like a ton of bricks.

[yankeedem]

58. Ah, the bliss of the ignore function

You are right to be concerned. Ruth Chris advertises on Hannity and Limbaugh. I love steak, but not enough to put food on their table.

[dogfacedboy]

16. There are bigger fish to fry.

Wouldn't it be better for MORE customers to come in, enabling the WORKERS to earn MORE MONEY through tips? If this offends you that much, don't eat there.

My real question is, why let their ad in that rag rain on your parade? If you like the food, eat it.

[Jara sang]

19. Think globally, ACT locally

[dogfacedboy]

26. I don't see how hurting the WORKERS at this place

will stymie the Bush Cabal. These are the criminals. Use your imagination and think of a larger way to act locally; a way that would truly hurt the right. As we fight against the right-wing, we must not let there be too much collateral damage.

[Jara sang]

35. I suppose I should think about those poor workers at Foxnews too

after all, they just need work to feed their families.:eyes:

[dogfacedboy]

68. I believe that there's a bit of a difference between

a camera operator at FOXpropaganda and a waitperson in a restaurant.
More employment options for the former.

[Southpaw Bookworm]

14. A couple nights ago

I looked at a flyer we got in the mail from what must be a fairly new pizza place in our neighborhood in DC. On the menu: FREEDOM FRIES.

That one immediately went in the trash.

[mcscajun]

21. I'd have done the same. But what I wouldn't do is go on a tear

to make sure no one else ate there.

[Jara sang]

24. People have to know that their behavior will not be tolerated

when they do things like calling liberals "murderers". You seem fine with it though.

[tx_dem41]

28. You just called them "nazis"...

whats the difference? Its all childish name-calling.

[mcscajun]

29. No, I'm NOT fine with it. I just have a problem with making others

suffer for the actions of one.

I wouldn't spend another dime in that restaurant, I'd tell the owner why. If I was in a position to do so, I'd talk to his employees in case they don't Know what kind of person he is (extremely doubtful.)

If they turned out to be fine with what he's doing, then maybe I'd be as incensed as you are. But I'd have all the facts first, not just my anger over an ad.

I'd tell my family and friends (all who were liberal) why I was no longer patronizing that restaurant.

BUT...I'd Have the Facts First. All of them.

[dogfacedboy]

32. It's very possible that the restaurant owner

couldn't give a damn about that rag's politics. The owner is in business to make money. Is this a small area with few ad outlets?
Up until this point have you ever even thought about this owner's politics?

Bottom line: think about the WORKERS.

[B Calm]

23. 5 years ago a restaurant I like going to posted pictures of Bush

at his inaugural ball. I told the owner how displeased I was and never been back!

[triguy46]

27. Stop going in.

I haven't eaten in a Pizza Hut, nor let my kids, since back in the early 90s when they used Rush "Anal Cyst Poster Child" Limbaugh as an ad shill.

The upside? Its ALL up!! Their pizza is greasy and nasty. I'm buying from a local that is obviously quite liberal, plus the pizza is amazingly good.

[mcscajun]

31. Indeed! I stopped going to a Pizza Hut back in the 90s when I got

food poisoning from one their pies and the management couldn't have cared less. If someone brings up Pizza Hut and asks me why I won't eat there, I tell them.

Anyhow, I've never missed them since. AND they're on the wrong side, politically, so as you say, it's all good.

[Thtwudbeme]

40. Jara Sang....I need to put something "delicately" here

I had to log out to see who you were arguing with above.... ;)

OK, delicacy over...you are totally doing the right thing. Do you know about the Guy James Show? He found some advertisers in FL to sponser his show---and the Repukes down there called the businesses and told them they would be out of business if they continued with their advertising on a Liberal radio show.

Bullshit.

It's time to fight back...screw that petty whiney assed "Ohhhhhh we will hurt someone innocent..." crap. That has cost us elections, and damn near ruined this country.

Do it.

That's all!

Stephanie

[Jara sang]

41. Thanks Thtwudbeme!

Time to take back the country!:patriot:

[mcscajun]

43. Yes, stooping to the Republican level and playing tit-for-tat,

damaging the little guy the same way Bush does.

That's the way to take it back, sure! :sarcasm:

Nobody whining over here.

[Jara sang]

45. This place doesn't even NEED to advertise.

They are packed every day. All they are doing is supporting this Right-wing newspaper.

[mcscajun]

46. Well now, there's a fact you left out of your original post.

Perhaps reactions might have been a Little Different?

[Thtwudbeme]

47. Damn skippy. One Freedom Fry at a time.

News Flash--those "little guys" are ALREADY fucked.

[mcscajun]

48. That much is true, but we don't need to be complicit in the damage.

I'm all for action of a personal nature against the owner...even telling everyone I know...but unless and until I know more about these employees, no.

And comparing them to FoxNews employees or the ding-dongs who work for Rush Limbaugh doesn't cut it. Those are different types of companies with a different type of employee...the economics are different, too.

[DancingBear]

44. Jara - please voice your complaint to them

If their policies are not to your liking, do not patronize them.

Predicated on your responses, if the owners belief system is akin to the newspaper he/she is advertising in then it would seem as if he/she is more than happy to take your money while doing his/her best to "legislate" your beliefs out of existence.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go order several items from Rush Limbaugh so the sales staff won't lose their jobs. :sarcasm:

Such logic.... :eyes:

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DancingBear]

51. Why are you replying to me?

My position is 100% opposite of yours - or at least the part of yours that I can figure out. :shrug:

Have a nice stay.

[Mr Blonde]

53. Excuse me?

I got lazy and instead of replying to the original post, I replied to yours.

And what is so hard to understand? I don't like this "us against them" crap at all.

[DancingBear]

55. Try and cure the laziness habit

It makes for a bad debate.

Oh, and in case you haven't heard, the "other side" has been practicing us vs. them since, oh, 1964 or so. See, Goldwater lost and the neo-cons decided...

Watch yourself - we catch on fast around here.

[Mr Blonde]

62. "watch myself"

Is that a threat?

[Bridget Burke]

66. I believe that is a friendy admonition.

Do not attempt any overly-complex activities, such as walking & chewing gum simultaneously. Dire results seem likely.

[Bridget Burke]

50. Ask questions first.

Does the owner realize the orientation of that rag? Did he or she place the ad personally?

If the restaurant owner is in full agreement with the sentiments quoted, you will be supporting that scurrilous rag, indirectly.

Your excerpt is far beyond "mere Republicanism."

[mcscajun]

52. This is where I started. :)

Questions first...get more facts.

[derby378]

54. Name that newsletter, please

For our collective education and edification...

[Jara sang]

60. Hawai'i Free Press

On the big island

[Bridget Burke]

65. Is the paper really that bad?

It published a report about David Horowitz's speech at the University of Hawaii--part of his continuing battle against liberal "domination" of higher education:
www.studentsforacademicfreedom.org/archive/2005/April2005/HawaiiFreePressDHvisit042205.htm

Info on the Publisher, Andrew Walden: www.blogger.com/profile/8718263

Here's Walden's attempted hatchet job on Mayor Nagin: www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=19622

Walden's article about Cindy Sheeham from Moonbats Central: www.discoverthenetwork.org/Articles/Sheehan%20choreographed.htm

Let's hope the restaurant owner's ne'er do well brother-in-law placed the ad.

---------------------------------------------------
* This link from Moonbat Central doesn't feature Walden, but I just had to share "Five Ways to Spot Leftist Infiltrators on Your Blog":

http://moonbatcentral.com/wordpress/?p=1038

[madinmaryland]

56. Have you spoken to the owners?

They may not realize what they advertised in is repulsive to many of the clients. They may also not even know what is in the publication. Talk to them, tell them what your thoughts are.

They may change.

[T Town Jake]

57. Why don't you put up a link to the "Nazi propagandist newspaper"...

...and let us check for ourselves whether they're a 2005 version of the Volkischer Beobachter?

Perhaps we can then better judge the merits of your stated intentions. Thanks.

[Jara sang]

61. no link they don't have a website

[Bridget Burke]

67. Andrew Walden is the publisher...

Googling his name will produce some interesting results.

[pinto]

59. Seems like the point of this is the paper printed a letter to the editor

that was from an extremist conservative reader. Lots of papers print "over the top" letters to create a buzz...and it works.

[Bridget Burke]

69. The Hawaii Free Press was founded to show the "other" side of the news

Founder and Editor of Hawaii Free Press Andrew Walden, a resident of the Big Island, is printing the bi-monthly publication, which includes articles from Hawaii Reporter, and has a focus on neighbor island as well as national news. In his opening letter to his readers as to why he undertook the ambitious venture, Walden says he is trying to combat the one-sided media in Hawaii and further investigative reporting.

www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?565c7df9-97ac-49b2-b2de-c9381352f0cd

It sounds like a tourist rag with a wingnut editor. Who bothers to read the fine print when looking for the best happy hour?

The Hawaiian Reporter seems to be the parent publication. Their editorial statement said they will print anybody's editorials, but the Hawaii Free Press is Andrew Walden's playpen: www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?f64c8d69-5804-47e4-a184-a246bb7f6055

[ebal]

63. Target audience

You said: "I couldn't believe it when I was flipping through this extreme right wing propaganda rag when I saw one of my favorite restaurants advertising on the back page"

So you admit that you look through this "rag", they seem to have found their target audience right?

Maybe they know a lot of liberals read this paper and put the ad in...it did get your attention right? You seem to know this publication well, so you must read it regularly.

[Bridget Burke]

70. Well, I've heard that some people check out DU....

Even though their political beliefs are far to the right. Some even start posting!

[Oeditpus Rex]

64. The OP seems to equate advertising with 'support'

which may or may not be the case. This cannot be known without knowing the restaurant owner's reasons for advertising in this publication.

Business owners look for the biggest 'bang for their buck' from advertising. I'm guessing — just guessing, now — that this is a fringe publication. These typically have low ad rates and are often free, and as such have large "sidewalk circulation." Therefore, they're often seen as high-return ad vehicles, particularly by small-business owners.

I'd wager that this was strictly a business deal and not a political statement. But I'd get more evidence before I made a real bet.

[TroglodyteScholar]

71. You're forgetting something...

As much as we don't like it, money talks. Regardless of how beneficial the relationship is for the ad purchaser, their money is helping to prop up a sleazy rag. The rethugs "vote with their dollars" and it can have an impact. We'd be well-advised to do the same. Key, though, is ALWAYS VOICING WHY. If we just quit going to a restaurant, the establishment's owner is none the wiser.

[Oeditpus Rex]

75. Nope, I didn't forget

"Money talks" is the very basis of advertising. You imply that money doesn't just talk, it has an agenda, and that's not always the case.

I'm going on the presumption that the only thing the restaurant owner wants his money to say is "Eat here" — based partly on my own experience, which tells me advertisers are often aloof to or even ignorant of a newspaper's editorial tone, and on the fact that all we in this thread know about the tone of this publication is based on one person's opinion and a paraphrased excerpt from a single letter to the editor. Almost everyone here is playing judge, jury and prosecutor while having seen only hearsay evidence.

Your last sentence, though, is spot on — which is only part of why the OP should ask the restaurant owner why he advertised in that newspaper.

[npincus]

72. unpopular view here i guess BUT I would just cut them a break

they are probably advertising in all sorts of publications, and they are IN BUSINESS, after all. It is a hard biz to be in, and they are probably looking at ads in local papers for maximum exposure- not only Right Wingers read that rag- you saw it, didn't you?

Were i you, and as troubled about it as you are, I would ask to speak with the manager and ask him/her if that ad means they endorse the viewpoints of the magazine. If it does, you can tell them that you are disappointed because this magazine offends your belief system and therefore you will not patronize their business any longer.

However, I wouldn't try to harm their business, my opinion, and discourage others from eating there. This is America and you have a right not to eat where you don't feel welcome, and they have a right to be conservative zealots.

Those who disagree, that's cool. I won't get ina pissing match about it.

[fujiyama]

73. Contact the owner

and tell them your displeasure.

If this is a low circulation magazine/paper the ad spot might hhavee been ccheap. Maybe he'd just as likely advertise in a liberal paper.

I wouldn't make too much of it unless theh owner's politics are really RW and actually agrrees with thhe paper's editorials. In thhata case, I'd possible stop eating there.

[Dilligent]

74. Not everyone is like us

As shown by the election participation not everyone thinks of politics all the time. The owner is possibly "advertising" in a paper, nothing else. I won't eat at a restaurant that bans smoking because if they can't accommodate me I don't need to give them my money but I don't try to harm their business.