Sinclair's top 10 supporters

[NJmaverick]

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/TopTenAdvertisers.aspx

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Too bad about IAMS.

Guess my cats will have to learn to like something else.

[henslee]

3. No sweat. Go for INOVA brand .... check out naturalpet.com Super stuff.

Wet and dry.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

15. According to PETA, IAMS are guilty of cruelty to animals

http://www.iamscruelty.com is a website from PETA.

"For nearly 10 months in 2002 and early 2003, a PETA investigator went undercover at an Iams contract testing laboratory and discovered a dark and sordid secret beneath the wholesome image of the dog- and cat-food manufacturer: dogs gone crazy from intense confinement to barren steel cages and cement cells, dogs left piled on a filthy paint-chipped floor after having chunks of muscle hacked from their thighs; dogs surgically debarked; horribly sick dogs and cats languishing in their cages, neglected and left to suffer with no veterinary care."

[Blue Gardener]

21. When I switched from IAMS to Science Diet

My kitties wouldn't even eat the IAMS that was left over. I kept one bowl of each out for a few days so they could get used to the new stuff. It was no contest, the Science Diet was the preferred choice. IMO, IAMS really went downhill when they were bought out by Proctor and Gamble. That's when I switched.

[meow2u3]

52. Cats are smarter than Rethuglicans

When my cats were alive (they've gone to Rainbow Bridge), even as starving rescued feral kittens, they absolutely refused even to go within 10 feet of Iams! Now I know why!

[MADem]

31. NUTRO--the veal pate is a hit!!!

They make great dog food too--expensive but well worth it.

[TexasSissy]

35. Iams isn't on the list when I clicked on the link. ????

[Longhorn]

44. It's the sixth one down when I click on the list

right after Homemakers Furniture and right before Once Upon a Child.

[TexasSissy]

50. It's there now. Thanks! (I SWEAR it wasn't there before...I looked

at the list several times & saw both Homemakers and the Child thing.).

Anyway, I feed my dog Iams, but I guess I'll look for something else.

[wildeyed]

40. I am done with Iams, too.

I emailed them about Sinclair, was nice and polite, and they didn't even bother to respond.

[drdigi420]

54. I highly recommend Science Diet

I have 3 of the healthiest cats you'll ever see, always had Science Diet (cept in emergencies when whatever the store had was all we could get). They seem to enjoy the taste too.

[Rockholm]

58. Solid GOld is the BEST..Abady is second.

[classof56]

2. No more IAMS for my doggie!

And I've been meaning to get rid of my US Cell phone for weeks, now. Will do it tomorrow. Thanks for the list!

DEFEAT BUSH!!

[Digit]

4. I had a coupon for IAMS, and meant to buy some last night for kitty....

I completely forgot about the coupon and did not purchase their product. Now, I am glad I did not after reading that they advertise on Sinclair stations. The coupon will be ripped up and it is one product I will not purchase anymore.

[Mizmoon]

5. My kitties will be eating something else from now on

*on edit - it looks like eukanuba and iams are related. Okay, we'll find something else then.

[HarrietBrown]

6. I don't even want to feed my four the Iams we bought last week.

Oh well, they'll do anything for the cause.

[Mizmoon]

7. we're almost out

gonna go to the pet store this afternoon and see what other choices are out there.

[popstalin]

8. Just a bit about Iams

Really, if you love animals you shouldn't buy Iams anyway, they conduct horrible tests on dogs and cats that are not at all needed or required.

Here's a link of pet foods that don't test on animals if you're interested.
http://www.iamscruelty.com/res.asp

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. I wonder if other pet food makers do this too

and we just don't know about it. I'd looked at that PETA site before and it's just horrible. Surely there are cruelty free ways to measure muscle growth, etc. A tape measure maybe?

[MaggieSwanson]

9. Thanks for posting this -

I'll pass the word around here in IA.

[Cerridwen]

10. Here's my letter to Iams. Long winded, as usual.

Good Morning,

First there was Bandit. He was a Lhasa Apso/Poodle mix. Back before that became a designer breed. When he was about 8 he had to have surgery for hip displasia. That was in the early 80's. That's when I discovered Iams. Since I spoiled him rotten, he of course was given the best that I could find for him. His favorite game was chasing tennis balls around my grandparent's back yard. He used to drop the ball in front of the lawn mower while my grandfather was mowing just so grandpa would have to throw the ball. He and grandpa used to nap together on the couch. I lost him to cancer in 1995. We found tennis balls stashed around the back yard for weeks afterward. We even found a few Iams dog biscuits stashed around the inside of the car. He loved to go for rides in the car.

It was over a year before I could face having another pet in my home. But then came Sceolaun. I found her (she found me?) running along side the road after a snow storm. I took her in, tried to find her home, then made her part of my family. She was about 6 mo. old. She's a Cocker Spaniel mix of some sort. She can jump from a sitting position to the top of the fireplace mantel without any perceived effort. She's intelligent and very proper. She, like Bandit, loves to ride in the car. She has her very own seat. We went on a road trip a few years ago and I have wonderful memories of her hanging her head out the window, ears streaming in the wind with the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the background. She just loves to travel. And of course, she's always had Iams. First puppy and treats, then adult small bites and treats. Well, you know the routine.

A little over a year ago, along came Reilly. He showed up in the front yard. After trying to find his owner and having no luck, he became the newest four-legged member of my family. He likes Iams, too. Especially the treats. Which is why I've been buying the weight-control treats and food. Can't have this little Jack Russell Terrier mix getting portly. He can scale a 4 foot chain-link fence without even thinking about it. He loves to jump and chase his tail, sometimes at the same time. It's time for me to get him his own seat for the car. He likes riding in the car so he can bark at the people in the other cars. He loves everyone. Not afraid of anything. Quite the little party animal is my Reilly.

Today I need to pick up a roll of film with pictures of my two four-legged babies. There are also some pictures of the 3 kittens I took in after they were abandoned. The kittens are healthy and happy in new homes now. As you can probably tell, it's important to me to help those who have been abandoned, to help them to be healthy and happy and safe. That's why it's always been important to me to buy the Iams line of pet food.

I also need to buy dog food and treats today. For the first time in over 20 years, it won't be Iams.

I've recently learned that Sinclair Broadcasting is forcing its affiliates to air a piece which is nothing more than a character assassination of the Democratic Candidate for the Presidency, Senator John Kerry. I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to protest, I believe in the right to do business as one sees fit, and I expect business and corporations to support those candidates for any office, who support their business interests. I understand that businesses need to look out for their own best interests. What I don't understand is how, even if you believe Senator Kerry may not support your best business interests, you can condone and in fact, support through your advertising dollars, Sinclair Broadcasting's efforts to force its affiliates to participate in an extremely contentious and controversial political process. Surely as a business, you enjoy the freedom of running your business as you see fit, advertising to those markets which are most likely to benefit your bottom line and the freedom to grow your business, select your business practices, and generally participate in free trade. Yet for some reason which escapes me, you would participate in forcing other businesses to market something over which they have no control, with which they may not agree, and which in fact, may go against their own best business interests, practices and policies. I don't understand it; not one bit.

So, today as every other day, I do what is best for my little four-legged charges to keep them healthy and safe and happy. I'll make sure their shots are up to date, that they have a nice yard to run and play in, that they have toys to chew and throw, that their water is clean, that they receive hugs and pets, and that they have healthy treats and food. But today, for the first time in over 20 years, the food I buy, well, it won't be Iams.

[NJmaverick]

12. That's a great letter

This is the sort of hard hitting personal letter that upsets companies.

[Cerridwen]

13. Thank you. I sure hope you're right. I really have trusted

Iams and Eukanuba all these years.

What a stupid thing for them to become embroiled in politics.

[txindy]

18. Great letter! For what it's worth, here's an excellent alternative to Iams

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/ We discovered it when our then-recently-adopted little dog turned out to have severe allergies to the additives in most dog foods. You can find it at Petco stores or in local pet stores. It's worth looking for and I stock up when I do go out to purchase more food. My dogs especially love the dog food rolls.
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/products/DFRolls.html

[Cerridwen]

19. Thank you! I've been wondering what new brand to go with.

I'll definately go check it out. And not a moment too soon. Running low on biscuits; which are demanded every morning, afternoon, and evening by Sceolaun and especially Reilly.

Thank you.

:hi:

[txindy]

20. It's not cheap, but it really is good for them.

The canned food has chunks of veggies in it and the dog food rolls remind me of sausages hanging in NYC delis. My little ones will even consent to eating the dry food if I put a little VitaGravy (which you usually can find in a supermarket) on top to moisten it. Great stuff packed with vitamins, both the food and the gravy! My vet gives all of the above two very big thumbs-up. :toast:

(The VitaGravy isn't cheap, either, but IIRC, Petsmart has 24 oz. bottles for the price of 12 oz. http://www.vitagravy.com/vg.html It took a long time for us to find food our picky eaters here will touch and they love all of the NB food and the gravy.)

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. Hannaford Supermarkets has stores in my area

If you go to their website they have a feedback form that directs feedback to specific supermarkets that they operate. If you shop at one by all means use the form to let the manager know how strong your feelings are on this matter. I just did. I apologized that a local outlet might suffer but said this issue is too important to ignore and Hannaford will likely only pull their advertising from Sinclair if enough outlets report that their local customers are serious about boycotting.

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. I just emailed Arby's, Circuit City and IAMS.

My dog eats IAMS dog food so now we will have to change. Oh well. Circuit City and Arby's will no longer get my business either. :grr:

[NJmaverick]

25. Circuit city is new to the list

I used to shop there all the time. Not anymore, and I wrote them to tell them why.

I am someone that purchases quite a bit of electronics. I am currently in the market for a high end DVD player and a new Audio Home Theater comment. I was considering purchasing the products from your chain of stores. Then I heard that you support Sinclair Broadcasting with your advertising. Sinclair broadcasting is engaged in illegal and unethical political activities. They are using their FCC license to run illegal campaign commercials for George Bush. I can not purchase products from any company that would support this sort of activity.

[AntiFascist]

42. Circuit City is already being boycotted because their hq is located

in Virginia. This could really hurt them right before the holiday season.

[Wind Dancer]

33. I've called the advertisers too

and Circuit City was one that had been receiving lots of calls about the show. They immediately knew what I was calling about so our boycotting will make a difference in sales with these businesses.

[SmileyBoy]

17. The only think I couldn't bring myself to boycott is Arby's.

I can't give up my Beef n' Cheddars.

All else is fine.

[mitchtv]

38. So you patronize Arby's, but won't boycott

you say you will boycott the others- do you patronize any of them? After all, Boycott implies sacrifice.

[aquart]

47. That stuff is pure poison.

Do a couple of months cleansing for your veins and arteries.

[zuzu98]

22. reply from local advertiser

Thank you for contacting Phillip’s Furniture to voice your opinion.

We applaud our customers’ efforts in supporting the political candidate of their choice and want everyone to exercise their right to vote in November.

Our five-second commercial advertising schedule promoting our “Going Into Business Sale” on KDNL-TV ends Saturday, October 16th at 5am. We currently have no plans to renew and will review all of our marketing efforts for the future within the coming weeks.


At Phillips Furniture our first priority is serving our customers. Thanks again for voicing your opinion.

[MADem]

32. Send them a thank you!!!

And tell them you'll be in soon to buy a new coffee table!

[Zorra]

23. Contact all Sinclair advertisers with just one email:

http://grassrootsnation.com/sinclair/

Don't let Sinclair Broadcasting push propaganda as a news item!

Sinclair Broadcast Group, a company owning television stations which reach 25% of the American public, has recently announced plans to air sections of a controversial documentary critical of John Kerry titled "Stolen Honor." The documentary features many of the Swift Boat Vets that have a clear anti-Kerry agenda. While they're hiding behind labels, claiming that this film and its subsequent programming is considered news, everybody - both conservative and progressive - can see what it really is; an in-kind donation to the Bush/Cheney campaign in the final stretch of the election cycle. This is the same company that refused to broadcast the Nightline episode of some months ago where Ted Kopel read the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq. At the time, they claimed it was too politically motivated. I guess they've come around, conveniently in time for the general election and conveniently in support of Bush/Cheney who happen to be their biggest hope for further media deregulation.

[flpoljunkie]

24. Tallahassee station say they will NOT be showing STOLEN HONOR.

This was from their website. Someone at DU posted it last week.

[intheflow]

57. Excellent news from the south

and heartening with other current thread reporting Edwards drew 10,000 people at a rally in Tallahassee.

[high density]

26. I watched my local Sinclair evening news freepfest last night

and the biggest supporter was the Democratic National Committee. They had at least three ads during the news, which was more than any other single advertiser.

[NJmaverick]

27. The Dems????

That makes no sense.

[RummyTheDummy]

28. You people are snobs about dog food

When I was growing up, back in the 80s, we had two collies. They were fed Purina, Ol'Roy (Wal Mart) and just about every other mainstream brand that would probably HORRIFY some people here. They both lived to be 14 and 15 and were active until the very end of their lives, which were quite long for that breed.

I feed our dog Iams and I will continue to feed him Iams regardless what PETA has to say about it, or some other snob who has the money to spend $50 a bag or case on dog food. Not everyone has the money to throw around on over priced designer dog food. I resent what some are implying here. We as Democrats should be the LAST people to make value judgements on how much people love their pets based on what they spend on dog food.

Get a grip.

On edit: We got our beloved dog from a public shelter. I know that would disgust some of the tea sippers on this thread who probably only deal with pure breds. But he's happy to not be road kill and to be able to live indoors and be pampered, except for the Iams gruel we feed him because we're such lousy pet owners.

[Bluebear]

29. "Tea sippers"? Is that supposed to be some GOP slam like "latte drinkers"

[MADem]

41. I found my dog in a dumpster

...and I feed him good food. He is a little bit of everything, a total mutt, not a 'tea sipper's' dog. The stuff I feed him doesn't cost fifty bucks a case, but it is NUTRO and it is good stuff. I have a cat that gets it too, and they are thriving. The cat is almost 20, the dog is as frisky as a puppy and he is almost 14. My other cat finally conked out at 23. My other dog, a belgian shepherd mix lasted till just over 20 on the stuff. She wandered up to me with her ribs showing, a gash across her face, and half her hair missing when she was about six months old. She fattened up, her hair grew back, and the scar was covered by her coat, and she stayed with me till she died of old age.

That Old Roy is better than nothing, certainly, and if the dog can tolerate it, fine. But meat and meat by-products means downed cows, horsemeat, assholes, lips, entrails, noses and chicken feet, and god knows what else. I like to know what the little bastards are eating, hell, it doesn't cost all that much to get a slightly better product--and if you buy in bulk, and carefully time purchases to sales and take advantage of coupons, like I do, it does not cost that much more.

But sure, everyone has their own priorities, and I don't think anyone is implying anything. I certainly don't look down on people who prioritize their animals, because I do. And I don't berate people who do what they need to do to make sure the pet has a full belly every day.

To each his or her own. We all do the best we can.

[chaska]

46. I don't know what your deal is, BUT

you're being an asshole.

[ElectroPrincess]

51. Hey I'm a south paw too :P

I can't find a decent guitar teacher who'll help me left handed so I practice on my own.

Oh, my point! <blush> ON TOPIC: I don't know this person from Adam or Eve but I can understand getting a little pissy about snobbery.

My vegetarian roomate didn't appreciate the Omaha Steaks Catalog I left on the kitchen table. Go figure. ROTF.

It's fun to be a little off ... with no disrespect intended.

My 11 year old dog enjoys Science Diet K/D. Oooh la la!

Me too = a dog food snob ;)

[auburngrad82]

56. four of our dogs are rescues/mixed breeds

We fed them Purina products for years but switched to Nutro because it's not just corn and corn-based products. The dogs are healthier and happier. I don't think we're snobs because we take care of our animals. Keep feeding him Iams if that's what he likes. But just because others don't doesn't make them snobs or "tea drinkers".

[Longhorn]

30. This is the email I received from Iams in response to my email

about Sinclair:

Thank you for contacting us about Sinclair Broadcast Group's plans to air "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal," a show involving Senator John Kerry.

We haven't reviewed the program content for this show and as a result, haven't provided any advertising support for it. Since the network has said this is a news program, the preparation is handled entirely by their staff and the selection of content is based solely on their judgment. Advertisers aren't given the opportunity to review news shows in advance. If we had been able to review it, one of our guiding advertising principles is that we don't advertise in programs where there is expression for or against a given political candidate.

The way we spend our advertising dollar is important to us. For most TV programming, we're able to review the content and we do this on a show by show basis before making any advertising sponsorship decisions. You may see some of our commercials air on the Sinclair Broadcast Group's network during TV series that we've agreed to appear in.

The networks also have control over TV programming and can choose to preempt regularly scheduled programming with different shows, such as this one.

We appreciate your comments and I'm sharing them with those responsible for television sponsorship.

Please contact us anytime through our E-mail Us Now page located on our web sites at www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com. We would also welcome your call Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 800-525-4267.

Sincerely,

Sue

Sounds like they're hiding behind the "it's-a-news-story" excuse. I'm an Iams customer no longer.

[bush equals idiot]

36. They can pull their advertising on one days notice.

And they know about it now. So choose or lose.

[Tom Rinaldo]

39. I believe Sinclair is broadcasting it commercial free, is that right?

If so the question isn't whether anyone agrees to sponsor Stolen Honor, it's whether they will continue to advertise through Sinclair. If so they are subject to a growing consumer boycott. Pretty simple. This is our Democracy at stake. If Sinclair thinks they can do anything they want with the TV stations they "Own", we can do anything we want with the money we own, and Iams can spend their advertising dollars where they think it will help their company. If they think that is Sinclair, good riddance.

[aquart]

48. This is crap. The show is being aired WITHOUT advertising.

This is such a copout. Advertising on ANY Sinclair show supports Sinclair.

[Longhorn]

49. I wrote them back and told them that.

I haven't heard back from them yet.

[TexasSissy]

34. I've never heard of any of these businesses except Arby's & Circuit

City. There's no Iams listed there, like other posters refer to. ????

Someone posted earlier that Best Buy was an advertiser, so I sent an e-mail to Best Buy that I was boycotting them. NOW there's Circuit City on the list, but no Best Buy?

This is so confusing.

[mitchtv]

45. there's two lists a complete, and top ten

they are both on the complete list.

[Longhorn]

37. Just wrote Circuit City

where we got our big screen TV.

[wildeyed]

43. Once Upon a Child has Minneapolis notation next to it.

Does that mean that only Minneapolis DU'ers should boycott, or all Du'ers?

I just purchased a load of baby clothes at my local store yesterday.

[Andromeda]

53. Where's the link?

???????

[Longhorn]

55. Is it not showing up for you? That happened to me on this board

once. I kept asking for the link and on certain posts, I couldn't see it, yet I could on others. Never did figure it out. Anyway, in case that's the problem, I'll try posting it for you here:

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/TopTenAdvertisers.aspx

Hope you can see it!