Rockstar Energy Drink Doesn't Want Consumers To Know About Connection To Shock Jock Michael Savage

[MinM]

http://consumerist.com/5283320/rockstar-energy-drink-doesnt-want-consumers-to-know-about-connection-to-shock-jock-michael-savage

Michael Savage connected to Rockstar Energy DrinkDid you know ultra-conservative talk radio guy Michael Savage has intimate family connections to Rockstar Energy Drink? If lawyers for the company have their way, you wouldn't, because over the past week they've started going after people who have publicized the connection. They managed to get one guy's "Boycott Rockstar" facebook account closed without warning, and threatened him with a business libel lawsuit if he didn't publicly apologize. A gay news website, gaywired.com, has had to publish a partial retraction. None of this changes the fact that Michael Savage's son is listed as the founder and CEO of Rockstar, or that Michael Savage's wife is listed as the director, treasurer, and secretary of both Rockstar and Savage Productions. Or that both companies share the same address.

For those who don't know who he is, Michael Savage—whose real last name is Weiner—is a shock jock who likes to make outrageous statements about, among other things, gays and immigrants. Specifically, he doesn't like either of those groups, and occasionally pops up in the media for (real examples) telling a gay caller to get AIDS and die and calling for the banning of all Muslim immigration to the U.S. He's also a bestselling writer who's written several books on herbalism and homeopathy, which is certainly in the same sphere of expertise as formulating an herb-laden energy drink. Who knows, maybe his son read his dad's books in private.

We're not calling for a boycott of Rockstar Energy Drink—personally, I think Savage is a giant colostomy bag of a man, but I don't buy energy drinks in the first place—but we think companies owe their consumers a fair amount of transparency when it comes to who's behind a product, or where the profits are going. Imagine buying your favorite ketchup and assuming it's politically meaningless, and then finding out Michael Moore rakes in cash from it. Yes, Michael Moore. How's that ketchup taste now?

Anyway, so now you know. Michael Savage officially has nothing to do with Rockstar Energy Drink. His son, his wife, and his address are all participants, however...

[get the red out]

1. I don't know why people buy that junk to begine with

If someone wants a load of sugar and caffeine they can just brew some coffee and sweeten it until it's syrup. I don't know if this stuff claims to have nutrients, but if so, just wash down a vitamin B complex pill with your coffee syrup and that'll cover it.

[nxylas]

3. I don't like coffee

If I need a caffeine hit, I turn to Red Bull or some other energy drink (though I won't buy Rockstar any more now that I know about the Weiner connection).

[roody]

8. No kidding!! I love coffee.

[imdjh]

2. Do you really think a tweak cares who makes the crap? nt

[90-percent]

4. Rockstar

Spent only one year on the NHRA Fuel Circuit backing Jerry Toliver's Fuel Funny Car - in 2008.

Toliver is now backed by Candidae dog food.

The dog food people support nitro racing a lot better than Rockstar. This is their SECOND year backing a Fuel Funny Car.

Hard to keep up with all these energy drinks. Seems like patent medicine for the new millennium to me?

-90% Jimmy

[lxlxlxl]

5. had no idea...

they used to sell this stuff at my work cafeteria, and i had a little daily habit going. i had no idea this jerk was involved, and would have never bought it if i knew...

[progressoid]

6. So, by their actions they are admitting that a connection to Savage is a liability.

Can't argue with that.

[burning rain]

7. So many of those drinks taste the same, or nearly the same.

Might as well buy a dirt-cheap off brand if you go in for the stuff.

[imdjh]

9. I drank Cuban coffee on a hangover once. Nearly jumped out of my skin for about an hour. nt

[pepperbear]

10. horsepiss w/ sugar and caffeine. n/t