Controversial “anti-Semitic” vodka billboard taken down in NYC

[proud2BlibKansan]

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/qRoPqQefGga_HH4FSeMInA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTE5MA--/

A billboard for Wodka vodka in NYC has been taken down and destroyed after complaints that the advertisement's message is anti-Semitic. The New York Times reported that the billboard featured a long-haired dog wearing a yarmulke and another dog wearing a Santa hat with the words, "Christmas quality, Hanukkah pricing," alongside the photo.

The backlash against the billboard was nearly instantaneous. Ron Meier, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, called it "crude and offensive."

"To use the Jewish holiday in dealing with issues of money is clearly insensitive and inappropriate," Meier told the paper.

Brian Gordon, head of MMG, the advertising company behind the billboard, said the billboard's message was not intended to be offensive. "We thought people would perceive it as 'ha ha quirky.' But people perceived it as offensive, and because of that, we pulled it." Mr. Gordon, according to the Times, was "quick to point out" that he also is Jewish.

more . . . http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/controversial-anti-semitic-vodka-billboard-taken-down-nyc-154304409.html

[krispos42]

1. And they get 10x the advertising, thanks to the controversy n/t

[mucifer]

2. why do you put "anti-semitic" in quotes ?

It clearly is antisemitic. It is saying Jews are cheap and Christians believe in quality. Clear as day. To me anyway.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

5. I actually didn't see it that way ..

... but then I don't read in to every single thing of my life.

Not saying you do ... but this really was a non-issue.

[still_one]

14. Really, what do you think "Hanukkah pricing" alludes to? You don't have to be that sensitive

"Christmas quality, Hanukkah pricing,"

You believe it is a non-issue because perhaps you haven't had to experience that "jews are cheap", "jews control the media", "I have been jewd", "christ killer", and a dozen other words or phrases some of us have grown up with.

and it doesn't just apply to Jewish stereotyping. The other stereotyping for African Americans, Hispanics, Muslims, and even political beliefs, such as "liberals do not love this country"

I remember during the Viet Nam war, if you were against it you were anti-American, or a "communist" sympathizer

Some stereotypes are more subtle, and more insidious, because at first glance they appear benign, but once it starts to take hold it become so-called "fact"

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. It's Yahoo's headline, not mine.

[mucifer]

11. Sorry, I should have caught that.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I concur that it's anti-Semitic

even though 'I'm not Jewish,' unlike the head of the brain trust that concocted this billboard.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

4. Non controversy ...

I wouldn't have noticed.

If pointed out to me, I would have probably giggled for a sec or two.

People are too sensitive.

I'm Jewish as is the marketing guy. Okay, so, we're nudniks. Live and let live.

[mucifer]

7. I'm Jewish, too. But,I don't like it. I can respect your opinion.

It's a good discussion to be had.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

9. I agree.

We should talk about it.

Me, I think we have real battles ahead. Class, race, anti-semitic, what-have-you. But this is so trivial as to make anything else we do seem stupid.

Thinking about it again, it's kind of a stupid ploy. Okay, so the guy took it down. I don't think he was being anti-semitic against himself. I think, perhaps, he was trying to get too cute. It backfired. Done. Now, on to the missing blond in Bermuda.

[whathehell]

13. Sorry, but

I think any missing person be they "blonde" or not is more important

than this or most signs.:eyes:

[Fantastic Anarchist]

15. I don't think you got my point ...

... either that, or I didn't get your sarcasm.

One or the other.

[whathehell]

18. I understand that people here

often roll their eyes at the "missing blonde" story...maybe

because it's not a "missing brunette" or missing African-American woman

story, and in that case I see some justification, but

stories about the abduction and murder of ANY woman, or man, for that matter,

are not a "fluff" pieces, it's getting to where many are framing it that way

..e.g. "Now on to the latest 'missing blonde' story"

[Fantastic Anarchist]

19. Yes, and I agree actually ...

... but the general point, the sarcastic twist, is that not EVERY BLONDE, or EVERY BRUNETTE, or EVERY AFRICAN-AMERICAN is covered.

The ones that are covered are only there to serve as a distraction, sadly.

But I agree, whatthehell, that every and any human abducted and/or killed is important, and I didn't mean to trivialize that, or at least, that wasn't my point.

[whathehell]

21. Well, if you agree

I don't know how you can say that they are just there

as a "distraction"...That would be saying no one really

cares and it's not worth reporting.:shrug:

[Fantastic Anarchist]

22. Please, I'm trying to engage in dialogue ...

... if you choose to be obtuse, I can't help you.

Re-read my post, carefully, if you have to.

The distraction point is there when not every person is reported over MSM. Okay?

Please, try to get my point. I got yours.

[whathehell]

23. I am as well.

and I'm not "obtuse", nor am I "choosing" to be.

I understand the complaint in not having "everyone" reported

although I imagine the news media does better on a local level

with this than on the national one, but I'm not sure.

I guess my question would center on whether it's possible to report "everyone".

Even if it is, I'm not sure that makes the others "distractions".

I have a feelling we basically agree here, actually, so we

probably needn't get our feathers ruffled.:hippie:

[Fantastic Anarchist]

24. Fair enough because ...

I believe you to be a good person. I, too, think we agree and just misunderstood each other.

Be well, friend. :hi:

[whathehell]

25. Thank you!

and I think the same of you!

Back at you:hi:

[aquart]

10. See, they DIDN'T let us live. And money was the excuse.

Which is why those of us who know our history find the sign offensive in a deadly kind of way.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

12. See #9

I see your point. And I'm not ignoring my history.

The guy was stupid. Nothing more. I think it's more of a story than really should have been.

[alphafemale]

8. Offensive twice...half the price.

It's not the dogs that are the main offensive point....though that's not classy either.

Implying that Jewish people are stingy....that's the main problem.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

16. Yep, thats blatantly anti-semitic, and not in a harmless way.

Promoting the stereotype of Jews as mean is unambiguously anti-semitic, and should not be tolerated.

Also, why doesn't my spell-checker like "anti-semitic"?

[mucifer]

17. you have a Jewish spell checker?

:rofl:

[Fantastic Anarchist]

20. Now, that's funny.

;)

:toast:

[Donald Ian Rankin]

Surely a Jewish spell-checker would know all about antisemitism, and support discussion of it? N.T.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

26. Surely a Jewish spell-checker would know all about antisemitism, and support discussion of it? N.T.