Holiday Shopping? Air America Was Blacklisted By 90 Companies! BOYCOTT NOW!!!

[orleans]

there needs to be a boycott on these corporations that are TRYING TO KILL FREE SPEECH!

http://mediamatters.org/items/200610310008

http://www.fair.org/images/ABCmemo.pdf


DO NOT SHOP AT:
DENNY'S
HOME DEPOT
J.C. PENNEY
KOHL'S
MCDONALD'S
OFFICE DEPOT
PIER 1 IMPORTS
RED LOBSTER
TOYS R US
TRUE VALUE
WALGREENS
WALMART


DO NOT BUY:
AVON
BAYER
CINGULAR
CLOROX
COTY
DEAN'S MORNINGSTAR FOODS
DELL
EXXON MOBIL
FRIOT-LAY
GE
GOODYEAR
HERSHEY'S
HEWLETT PACKARD
JOHNSON & JOHNSON
KRAFT
LEVI'S
MGM
MICROSOFT
MORNINGSTAR
NISSAN
PARAMOUNT
PEPSI
REMAX
REI SPORTING GOODS
SONY
STATE FARM
TRAVELOCITY.COM
VISA
WELCH'S
WRIGLEY

see more at the links

be a voice for the left and let these assholes know you intend to boycott their services/products--and that squelching free speech in this country is UNAMERICAN!

the memo says: "Please contact Nicole Loperena at [phone] with any questions"


well I'VE GOT A QUESTION NICOLE: WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS MEMO?

[mirandapriestly]

1. I'm calling Msoft tomorrow

if they have a public relations person, I want to find out if it's true. Then , I will start a boycott movement on them.

[mcg]

46. Info from BuyBlue on these companies

some of these companies contribute 100% to Dems

http://www.buyblue.org/node/6761

BuyBlue also rates companies by other criteria.

[Nomad559]

78. Buy Blue Is

not a reliable source, It still has "Apple Corp" listed as $0 to Republicans, that Is not true, and Buy Blue refuses to up-date the Info, what else are they wrong about?

:)

[blondeatlast]

85. Your source, please? Thanks. nt

[Nomad559]

87. I gave the source on post # 78

http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1012686&view=contributions&session=2003

:)

[Nomad559]

91. I would also like to add that

Dell Is red only because Michael Dell "CEO of Dell" donated to RePUGlicans, and Apple Is blue only because Steve Jobs "CEO of Apple" donated to Dems.

That's bull, I think we should judge the Corporations on how they treat their employees and the environment, not by how some stupid CEO donates his money.

All of the hardware that Apple sells Is made In China, not true with Dell.

In the past, Apple has lobbied against state e-waste recycling legislation, not so with Dell.

Do I think that both Dell and Apple should be boycotted?

NO ... Who would that hurt? ... Michael Dell, No ... Steve Jobs, No

It would hurt the American employees, most of which are BLUE, If you like Mac's, buy a Mac, If you like Dell's, buy a Dell, but to not buy a Dell or Mac just because of some stupid CEO's political donation Is just ... well stupid.

And I should also mention that most of Microsoft's employees are blue.

Support American Employees.

:)

[JI7]

2. that's like almost everything

especially when you take into account all the companies some of the larger corps own like pepsi.

i think we need to come up with a list of where she should buy from to make the boycotts easier.

[nebenaube]

14. simple... do what we're doing...

We are doing something we call "Mallternative" it's a series of weekly parties where local artists and craftsman have banded together to sell locally produced toys, clothing, art and crafts. It keeps the money in our community and boycotts all big business unless you count the craft shops where we get the raw materials.

[mzteris]

29. Want to expound on that?

Sounds interesting. Sort of like a "farmers market" without the produce, eh? I think that's a wonderful idea. Please let us know some more details of this.

Welcome to DU, btw!!

:hi:

[nebenaube]

68. well, it's a local initiative here in Eau Claire WI....

We are tring to empower the "Creative Class" here in town and improve our own little economy. I don't know how much more detail I can provide without being viewed as a spammer...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

69. it's a great idea... do a WHOLE OP ON IT nebenaube... that's not spam at all

[mzteris]

92. well - how is it structured -

how did you get it started, who all's involved, who put up the initial investment - was it a cooperative effort? stuff like that.

[nebenaube]

109. well, let's see

Several hungry artists tell all their friends to start making things to sell, then they volunteer their limited studio space for a showing, flyers go out, small ads in the local "Culture" paper (not the newspaper). Friends tell friends. Anyone who wants to sell a handmade item that they themselves have created is invited. There were four events planned, each event occurs in a different studio, two events occured in november, two in december.

Even a few of the local bands have gotten involved to play at the events (we allow them to sell CD's). No investments other than sacrificing the studio space/power for a day. All the artists get exposure and a chance to put food on the table the following week.

Call it cooperative capitalism... We'll pay our taxes but screw big business.

[mzteris]

110. I think it's great -

I really think you should think about how to "write this up" and disseminate it.

[nebenaube]

112. not much of a wordsmith...

This is the press release for the first event which was on the 8th of November...

Wednesday: Holiday Mall-ternative
Tonight, between 6pm and 10pm, head on down to xxxxxxxxxxx in Eau Claire for the very first (and very cool) “Holiday Mall-ternative” event. You’ll be able to buy holiday gifts from local artisans instead of overseas factories. Jewelry, paper arts, music, cards, handbags, prints, clothing, toys, food items, paintings, soap, sculpture, textiles, knitted hats, and cat hats are just some of the items that will be available It’s totally free to get in. Call xxx-xxx-xxxx for more awesome info.


Read more about it here...

http://volumeone.typepad.com

[mzteris]

113. That says it all . .

I think it was written quite nicely! :) (Cat hats??????? - got a pic of those?? )

However, I guess I wasn't clear in what I was saying.

I think you should write up the idea, the concept - and get it out other towns, artists, etc - so that other places can do this sort of thing. Maybe some do already, but it's such a good idea - for the artists, for the towns, for the PEOPLE - that I really believe the whole concept should be talked up as far and wide as possible.

[nebenaube]

116. didn't write it...

it's midway down the page at the link... I agree with you that it's a good idea and we've decided to support it. If you tell someone about it than I've done my part in spreading the idea.

[primative1]

47. Agree ... Where to Shop List More Helpful ...

I scanned that list and to boycott it would basicaly require me staying home and not buying anything.
If we could come up with a consumer friendly list of places to feel good about frequenting it would be far more helpful.
I can think of 100 reasons to avoid home depot but where else does one go for those types of products? Is Lowes realy any different of a corporation?

[blondeatlast]

49. BuyBlue.org.

http://www.buyblue.org/

[Nomad559]

79. See post 78

:)

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. I was already boycotting lots of them but a couple of the things on that list are hard to avoid...

VISA and Kraft... Kraft makes plenty of product that doesn't even bear their logo. I also say to hell with AT&T it's the head of the beast that is ravaging the internet as we speak thanks to a quietly passed late night communications law involving NET NEUTRALITY last year. AT&T is also reacquiring her Baby Bells in violation of a Federal Court Order, which divested the monopoly of it's tentacles several years back.

[Kiouni]

4. I need a little more

I looked at the links and all i saw was a list of companies that didn't want to be affiliated with a certain type of radio program. Do these companies fund the conservative radio programs?

I mean if they just don't want to be affiliated with air america thats their decision from what the memo says it sounds like they pay for air time period and not the "slot." so it really doesn't matter the funding for the station is still there or am I wrong?

[KharmaTrain]

5. ABC Does Not Own AAR Affiliates

I've run this memo past several people "in the know" and was told this is an internal traffic memo...sent to stations that carry ABC News. It's a standard communications to alert stations of its roster of advertisers that usually are only heard in the top of the hour newscats and that this is directed not at just Air America, but all political talk programs and networks. Many companies have policies not to advertise on controversial programs to avoid appearing partisan. If this memo affects anyone, it's a handful of AAR affiliates. ABC/Disney doesn't own any AAR affiliates.

There are plenty of other reasons to boycott and be pissed at ABC. Marc Halperin and Path to 9/11 are good starters....

[LTR]

55. It's not necessarily ABC News

ABC also has a network that syndicates national advertising spots, and I get the feeling that's where this list comes from (yes, it is legit - ABC has even admitted it). Radio stations with all kinds of formats subscribe to this service. I'm more familiar with Westwood One's similar service, and not as familiar with ABC's, but I assume there's really little difference.

Clients with these advertising networks do have a choice of what formats or programming they can advertise on. I worked at a radio station cluster a while back, and there were certain sponsors that were off-limits to our given formats (one was a rock station, the other was country). Most were okay for both, some picked one over the other, and some were off-limits to both.

I assume Premiere (Clear Channel) has a similar service for their stations.

[KharmaTrain]

71. They All Do

In a previous life, I was a PD of a Mutual Radio affiliate (when it was owned by Westwood One) and then an ABC one and we got these lists every week.

When this list first came out, I emailed several people I know involved at various stations (including ABC) and it was almost unanimous that this was not a boycott list, but as we're both trying to explain, are instructions to Traffic Directors. If I had seen a memo from a VP of Programming, then we'd have something to discuss.

One person pointed out that in this age of monopoly, these lists are even more prevelent as one Traffic Director can be in charge of 4 or 8 radio stations with a variety of formats and, as you point out, can be format specific.

Another memo of this type we woulc get would be from airlines. If there was a crash, the instructions required the station to immediately cancel their advertising so you wouldn't, for example, have a Delta Airlines commercial run right after a report that Delta plane had gone down.

Thank you for verifying this as well. It appears this is being used to justify AAR's financial problems...or to create outrage (which it has).

Cheers...

[Nomad559]

6. As I recall

this was posted on DU a couple of months ago, and proven to be false, "Air America" Was not Blacklisted by these companies.

:)

[walldude]

7. Yup.. HP has ads on there all the time..

[Sherman A1]

8. Perhaps another example

of not checking facts before we jump the gun and call for a boycott. Good Post!! Thank You.

[NewJeffCT]

38. Was surprised, but I know I've heard Home Depot ads on AAR

I even made a comment how I was going to look there again because they had advertised on AAR

[Skidmore]

9. It would be interesting to know if these companies advertise on

RW programs. Does anyone know?

[KharmaTrain]

12. See Post #5

[merwin]

10. Uh... WalMart advertises a lot on am1090 seattle.

Might want to check your facts before posting something like this.

[marmar]

11. Even if Wal-Mart advertises on an AAR affiliate....

there are plenty of other reasons, as progressives, not to shop there.

[blondeatlast]

44. As do many of them, and some support our cause. The last thing

we should do is boycott the likes of REI.

[a la izquierda]

58. and Morningstar Farms. What the hell am I supposed to eat? n/t

[fasttense]

13. Never did believe the memo was what it was purported to be.

I've heard many of these companies' commercials on AAR. What are you going to believe the truth or your lying eyes? :shrug:

[blondeatlast]

15. I've heard ads for some of them on my AAR.

I'm betting many of those companies avoid controversial talk period regardless of which way the wind blows. Before I call any one, I need to know more.

I trust MM generally, but my ~dar just went up on this.

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Don't you mean EARS?

:)

[blondeatlast]

16. DU thread 11/1/06: REI DOES advertised on AAR

They are a coop and sell hiking and camping equipment, for pity's sakes. Doesn't it just make some sense they'd want progressives to hear about them?

From DUer Byronius dated 11/1/06:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2539555

As tridim says downthread, good question to ask: "Who REALLY leaked this thing?" there's a reason tridim's one of my favorite posters.

I smell a Rovian maneuver here. I'm calling BS on this thing. I'm going to keep kicking this for further debunking. I've heard Nissan and J&J advertisements often on my AAR affiliate.

[The Count]

18. I hear ABC ads on AAR

[slackmaster]

20. More important than who "leaked" it

What font is it in? ;-)

[blondeatlast]

22. LOL! BTW, you may want to put that paint job off until tomorrow...

Happy Thanksgiving! :hi:

[blondeatlast]

17. AAR takes on the corporate bullies, unlike the mushy corpwhore media:

The blacklist makes sense since AAR has the guts to take on the big, big corps--makes sense as Josh Silver puts it:

So what is the problem? While "liberal" Air America clearly favors big D Democrats, unlike virtually all other programming on commercial radio and television, it gives airtime to reports that are critical of corporations and the powerful politicians they keep in Washington.

This is the heart of the problem: Air America commits a crime called journalism. Almost none of the so-called conservative radio shows or networks do any semblance of actual reporting. They merely pontificate -- repeating talking points that seem to be emailed straight from Karl Rove's laptop.

So what should we learn from this episode?

1) Commercial media are highly concentrated and corporate advertisers have massive budgets, giving their programming decisions profound implications. According to its own Web site, ABC Radio has more than 4,400 affiliate radio stations reaching nearly 105 million people nationwide. Monopoly media power translates into significant political power and that is dangerous. This is a big deal.

2) Media are concentrated in the hands of massive corporations who are only concerned with profits. Anything that reduces or threatens those profits is eliminated: Investigative journalism because it's too expensive; government accountability because it pisses off politicians and regulators who dole out billion-dollar policy favors like media "deregulation"; corporate accountability because it angers corporations like the long list that pulled Air America funding. Good journalism can be bad for business.

3) Note the presence of the U.S. Post Office and U.S. Navy on the list of advertisers who have blackballed Air America. It is an outrage that public monies are being deployed to push the ideological agenda of the Bush Administration, or any other administration for that matter. This is one more example of the corruption of governance in Washington, where big money and political power are picking over the bones of democracy.

All emphasis is mine.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/air-americas-abc-blackli_b_33123.html

[slackmaster]

19. You think these companies should be compelled to advertise during AAR programming?

I thought the freedom to be silent was part of freedom of speech.

Most of those companies sell products or services that I never use, but I own stock in several of the others.

I drive a Nissan, watch a Sony TV, wear shoes from REI, am using software from Microsoft right now (not to mention that I get paid to support Microsoft systems); most of the servers I run at work were made by HP as is the printer on my desk here. I just deployed some Clorox bleach for cleanup a few minutes ago.

I was planning to drop by Home Depot to get some paint today.

[blondeatlast]

21. From BuyBlue: * REI, 6K, 100% to Dems; * Levi's, 47K, 100% to Dems

Again, from right here at DU: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2539555#2539961

This type of overreaction by our side is what makes vermin like KKKarl RRRove and Frank Luntz think they can pull stuff over on us.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

23. Good, because I like my Levis!

They have these great new ones called 504s. LOL.

[blondeatlast]

24. That's twice I've laughed in this thread! nt

[mcg]

36. Fyi, the first Levi's blue jeans were made out of hemp.

"The fibre (bast) of the Hemp plant can be woven into almost any kind of cloth. It is very durable. In fact, the first Levi’s blue jeans were made out of Hemp for just that reason."

http://www.globalhemp.com/Archives/FAQ/hemp_agro_faq.html

[niallmac]

26. What a relief. I thought REI was blue!

[mcg]

41. BuyBlue link, rating for home improvement stores

http://www.buyblue.org

http://www.buyblue.org/directory/96

Home Depot - bad

[EdwardM]

25. Well that's pretty much impossible.

If I'm gonna boycott all those companies, I should go live in the jungle!

[americanwomanone]

37. I Agree

If it worked, which I doubt, it will hurt the employees. What is the point of that?

[Tarc]

27. fuck em

I have little use for AA since they fired Mike Malloy.

[aggiesal]

57. Do you have a link on the story of MM firing?

I've been trying to find out what happened, and I haven't been
able to locate any story on what happened.
Even www.mikemalloy.com does not mention what happened.
Thanks.

[Deja Q]

28. But Paramount makes "Star Trek".

:wow:

No shock about Morningstar, the prices for their bean phony meats are higher than other brands'...

[stevietheman]

30. I don't agree with a boycott

I think it would be far more effective if we started a letter writing campaign to these companies to let them know that they have many progressive customers.

Further, this list is so broad, I would almost have to stop conducting the business of my life entirely. Therefore, I'm not going to join in. Sorry.

I think we should try to *communicate* with these companies first, and then only perhaps boycott the companies that don't positively respond to those communications.

[americanwomanone]

42. Nor Do I

Especially since some of these companies are in my IRA portfolio. Really stupid of me to boycott them on top of the fact it would hurt the employees, and I won't do that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. I listen to AAR on satelite radio

I don't think they play the same commercials on XM.

[Vinca]

33. I think I heard Thom Hartmann on AAR say that some companies

won't advertize on any politically-oriented station, left or right. I'd like to know if these companies advertize on right wing radio before I go out of my way to boycott them.

[MattSh]

52. You're correct...

Some companies won't advertise on any political-oriented station. I have no problem with that. But if they advertise on right wing radio and not left, then a boycott is in order.

[SoCalDem]

74. Frankly, MOST of the ads I have heard on right wing shows

are for some pretty sketchy stuff.. kind of like the infomercial stuff late at night.

Unfortunately, ads are often targeted at the STATION, which carries a lot of programming, and if it happens to run during a particular show, the ad may NOT have been designated by the advertiser to run at that particular time.

If you are a car dealer and you buy 5 ads from station XYZ, and tell them to spread them around, you may not exactly like where they are run or support that show.. And of course if you want your ad to be heard by the most people, you might pay extra, and not because you like Hannity..but if that show gets the most listeners, you want your ad there// It's business

[kirbyenthusiasm]

34. Denny's????

I don't know if Denny's has any business banning anyone from their restaurants. I mean, don't they need all the business they can get? :P

[Giant Robot]

35. And as I said on the other thread on this

How often do companies generally decline to be advertised on certain programming? This could be standard procedure for some of them to avoid political programming.

And...is it really free speech if one is forced to advertise on something they don't want to, merely because we support that type of programming?

[blondeatlast]

39. CAN YOU PLEASE ALL READ THROUGH THE THREAD? Apologies indeed for the shout, but...

There's been a great deal of debunking already in this thread, earlier DU threads, and that great article on HuffPO.

Let's not hurt any neutral or even truly progressive companies for what may not be all it appears on the surface.

Thank you, and again, my apologies for the shout.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving. :hi:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

40. I've heard advertisements for several of the above

on my AAR station serving Miami and southeast Florida. In fact, my biggest gripe about AAR is that there are too many commercials. That's why I can't figure out the endless bankruptcy rumors. :shrug: But then again, I know nothing about radio other than how to turn it on. :)

[maseman]

43. If you really want to make a difference

Screw boycotting the people who do not advertise...trust me it won't matter except it might make you feel better.

What you can do to really help is be very loud and clear to the folks who DO advertise on AAR. They need to hear you. They need to see you in their stores, at their auto dealers, etc. Pick up the phone and call the managers and thank them for advertising on AAR. Let them know you will shop and buy their products and services before anyone elses. Make sure you tell them that you will recommend them to all your friends, family.

That my friends is more powerful then a few of us not buying Microsoft products (yeah right.)

[blondeatlast]

48. Exactly! On my AAR station, many of the local firms say they are

"proud to support Air America Radio." That's the way to get my business, and it works!

It's good for them, because as an upstart station, ad revenues are less expensive. The businesses who do get customers fromn the AAR ads get further incentive to push AAR, AAR gets more revenue, and the cycle continues.

That's entirely a win-win.

[samsingh]

117. great idea.

[Eric J in MN]

65. Good point. NT

NT

[KharmaTrain]

73. Local Advertisers Really Need To Hear From Listeners

The large corporates buy bulk...they use big advertising agencies and many don't even know where their ads are airing. That's another reason these kind of lists are sent out. An REI ad would sound out of place on an Urban station or a Depends ad on a Contemporary hit station.

The real bread & butter...especially regarding AAR...are the local advertisers. Many AAR stations rely on local advertising to keep the format and station afloat and these local advertisers not only are some of the most vocal advertisers but the most important and loyal. As you well state, showing them that you heard their ad on the local AAR station could be the difference between the company "re-upping" or continue their advertising or taking it to another station. Definitely let merchants know that you heard their ad on the station (make sure you know the call-letters)...my bets are it will get passed along where a complaint to a Microsoft or large corporation gets circular filed or into the rabbit hole.

Inversely, I've posted about this in the past...as to how one can make headaches for a local hate station by listening to see who their local advertisers are and let the owner or sales manager know that you won't do business with them because of their advertising on the Michael Weiner or Rushbo show. Several years ago, I cancelled buying a car from a local dealer after I found out they were heavy advertisers on a local Salem station...and made sure to mention it as a major reason for cancelling (I also found a better car at a better price at a competitor)...and soon heard that they were no longer advertising on that station. While my ego says I'm the cause, I suspect they saw no improvement of sales or any positive response from their ads.

It's real, real important to support the local advertisers. Now so more than ever. While AAR may not make it, Progressive Radio does have a future and it is important to encourage advertisers to support this format and stations.

Thank you for bringing up this point!

Cheers...

[Annces]

45. Forget the War on Christmas, this is War on Free Speech

Brought to you by McDonalds.

[aggiesal]

50. Not only should we not spend our dollars at these companies, but ...

we should write letters to them, letting them know that we are doing this.
If they receive enough letters, maybe they'll start to understand that they've
alienated 50% of their customer base.

Also, I can't help but wonder that AAR's financial problems stems from the fact
that so many companies will not advertise on AAR affiliates. I think it does
make difference.

[Donkeykick]

51. I Was Thinking About Buying...

a new computer. Now I know that I am going to do some shopping for sure! :wtf:

[LTR]

53. EVERYONE READ THIS: This blacklist is flawed!

Many in the radio industry know that 'blacklists' exist for many talk radio formats. Rush has one, and so did Howard Stern. Many advertisers tend to avoid polarizing or controversial programming. Others shun talk radio altogether (like the US Navy, which doesn't see talk radio as a popular format among the teenage listeners they're targeting).

Other companies prefer to concentrate on formats (including non-talk) in order to target whatever demographics they desire.

Some companies, such as REI and Office Depot, do indeed advertise on AAR affiliates.

The more I thought about it, and after seeing the exact memo, the more I realized that the memo was really no big deal. Though there are a few companies on it that seem to boycott liberal radio and advertise on conservative shows.

I wrote about it at my blog:

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/11/update-more-advertisers-respond-to-aar.html
http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/11/abc-rei-respond-to-air-america.html
http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2006/10/internal-document-reveals-air-america.html

And if you want to see who's advertising on your favorite stations, Yes.com is a website that is designed to show what stations are playing what songs, but for quite a few talk stations, it shows some of the national ads airing on them.

http://www.yes.com

Just enter the call letters of the station you'd like to see.

Again, no need to jump to conclusions over this list. This is not unusual in the radio business.

[blondeatlast]

54. You should post this as a separate thread. Clearly most are jumping to

conclusions over this. As I mention upthread, this has been deconstructed by Josh Silver and some of the companies are proud AAR supporters.

If you post it, I'll kick and recommend. Your insight into the biz is better and I'll add what I've researched about it in a reply.

What do you think?

Edit: Left a comment at your blog. Nice work.

[LTR]

59. Here's a separate thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2790150

[donco6]

60. Thanks.

Many of these didn't make sense. Some I could see . . .

[Jon8503]

61. Yes, make a new post on this so we are not attacking companies

that do not deserve to be attacked and we need to have better insight on these things. The MSM is a problem in the way they deliver the news but advertising is a different situation.

Thanks for your post.

[bigriver]

118. Finally

a comment not retarded.

[msedano]

56. boycott the US Navy?

I can think of a lot better reasons than the Navy's failure to spend money advertising on that channel. (btw, the PDF lists the navy as one of the radio boycotters).

I don't see a lot of value from merely boycotting some brand or company. That's only half a productive strategy. complement your boycott by actively supporting the competitors to those brands. Be as vocal in your support as in your dissent.

A few lingering questions. Are these marketers looking to curtail anyone's free speech? do they have an obligation to support free speech? have the companies made a decision based on audience size? did some rightwing asshole have a more effective tactic to visit more dire consequences if the brands had run on the radio, lesser of two evils choice?

[Vidar]

62. No real surprises on that list.

[blondeatlast]

63. Read the thread--there indeed are.

REI? Levi's? Both are 100% blue, and REI is a co-op.

[LoZoccolo]

64. How does this get on the front page with 9 recs and a flurry of debunking? n/t

[mondo joe]

66. I think a successful boycott needs to be a LOT more targeted than that. nt

[AnnieBW]

67. Oh, crap

We just went out and signed up with Cingular. :argh: Sorry. I didn't know that they were on the blacklist.

[w4rma]

75. You likely have a very short period of time where you can cancel.

And, you can tell them why which they will likely be forced to tell their HQ about in a "reason for cancellation" statement.

[muntrv]

70. Here's a link to companies that give to Democratic Party, according to

buyblue.org.

http://www.buyblue.org/company/ranking/donations

[jgundrey]

72. Nowhere left to shop.

The problem with boycotting the companies at the top of this thread is that the list represents just about all the places I can shop at. There just are no other stores in the area.

Also, I think there needs to be some investigation of each company on the list and why the won't advertise on Air America. Places like REI, for example, are fairly progressive in their corporate stances and probably wouldn't pull advertising from Air America on ideological grounds.

Could it be that early whispers of Air America's pending bankruptcy made advertisers think that it wasn't a good buy to advertize during Air America programming?

Why do some blue companies still advertise on Fox, or during the Hannity show? Probably because those shows have viewers. Companies follow the money. Although bankruptcy doesn't point to a lack of listenership on Air America, maybe some of these companies were skittish paying for ad time on a financially ailing (and still somewhat new) network?

Just askin'. -Jim

[Dastard Stepchild]

76. Buy Blue has been my shopping friend for quite a while now...

It encouraged me to make the switch to Powells and Barnes and Noble... unless I can find what I am looking for in one of my little local bookshops.

[Imagevision]

77. Big business founded this great country - Big business will continue to run it

without the Iraq war, the Dems never would have won back the house & senate!!

[blondeatlast]

80. PLEASE REFER TO THIS THREAD before you write that letter,

make that call. You may hurt truly progressive companies.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2790150&mesg_id=2790150

All I'm asking is that you consider both sides. Thank you.

[DiehardLiberal]

81. Pier 1 doesn't belong on the list...

When I first heard about this list, I emailed Pier 1 as I am an interior designer and shop there a lot. I expressed my horror about their lack of advertising on Air America. They responded that they were unaware of this and furthermore they don't do ANY radio advertising. So, I think the list bears further investigation.

[blondeatlast]

82. Welcome to DU! A questioning mind is very helpful here.

Check this thread for some good debunking:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2790150&mesg_id=2790150

:toast:

[DiehardLiberal]

108. I guess we blondes have learned...

not to take everything at face value... :-} Thanks for the welcome!

[upi402]

83. Thanks! HomeDepot and Microsoft will be hard

The next puter is a Mac and I can burn some gas going to Lowes

I will forward this and have saved this very useful list. I know it's industry standard, but why don't firms support the LONE counterbalance to right wing propaganda?
The list needs vetting but this might do it. Can you imagine if the religious right was so measured in their calls to action? I think it's good to get ahead of this stuff. It's obvious that liberals are getting repressed by corporate news, and we definitely don't get supported and promoted by corporate America -to the detriment of America.

[blondeatlast]

84. Please read through this entire thread first.

I'm really getting tired of saying that, but let's not hurt blue companies when it's uncalled for.

[upi402]

88. Microsoft gave HUGE to Republicans

as did Home Depot

But yes, vetting the list is important.

[VPStoltz]

86. What does the American Heart Association have to do with

partisan politics. They should step in and help to avoid having The Shrub do something that will give us all a heart attack.

[Freddie Stubbs]

90. That's probably why they won't advertise on AAR

They are probably trying to avoid politics completely.

[upi402]

89. Here's the list, listing contributions to Party

DO NOT SHOP AT:

DENNY'S $0
HOME DEPOT $R
J.C. PENNEY $R
KOHL'S $r
MCDONALD'S $R
OFFICE DEPOT $r
PIER 1 IMPORTS $R
RED LOBSTER $unknown
TOYS R US $0
TRUE VALUE $0
WALGREENS $R
WALMART $'nuf said


DO NOT BUY:
AVON $unknown
BAYER $unknown
CINGULAR $unknown but signed union agreement with workers
CLOROX $unknown
COTY $unknown
DEAN'S MORNINGSTAR FOODS $unknown
DELL $R
EXXON MOBIL $R
FRIOT-LAY $unknown
GE $is a majority owner of the R party
GOODYEAR $R
HERSHEY'S $R
HEWLETT PACKARD $R
JOHNSON & JOHNSON $unknown
KRAFT $R
LEVI'S $D but had to offshore to compete, using opressed workers too
MGM $unknown
MICROSOFT $R
MORNINGSTAR $unknown
NISSAN $0
PARAMOUNT $unknown
PEPSI $R
REMAX $R
REI SPORTING GOODS $d
SONY $both=
STATE FARM $R
TRAVELOCITY.COM $unknown
VISA $0
WELCH'S $unknown
WRIGLEY $unknown

I compiled this from
BuyBlue.org

[mattclearing]

96. HP was majority Dem last I checked. n/t

[upi402]

98. $120,800 Republican

http://www.buyblue.org/directory/h

I am no expert, but I sure hope this site is not garbage.

[mattclearing]

103. If you click further, you see it's 41-59% split for R's.

I want to say a year or so ago it was 60-something for Dems. What a weird time to switch.

[upi402]

104. Yep, $49,278 to Democrats, $71,522 to Republicans

$49,278 to Democrats
$71,522 to Republicans

Not exactly picking a winner, huh? Remember what Bill Clinton and Janet Reno's justice department did with Microsoft? Bill Gates said later that THAT experience effected his politics. Hmmmm, wonder how?

[and-justice-for-all]

93. Some of these Companies

I can not believe have blacklisted Air America, Were they conned into signing something that put them on the list?? Or could the list be nothing more then Right-Wing squaking??

[JPZenger]

94. Oreck Vacuums is one of AAR's best advertisers

I listen to Air America on XM. Oreck Vacuum cleaners has consistently been their best advertiser. If you buy from them, you also are helping with people hurt by Katrina, because their main factory was right in the middle of the Katrina damage in Mississippi. I just tried out an Oreck that my sister bought and they work very well.

Oreck also likes to show off what happened when the neighborhood was destroyed by Katrina where their factory's manager lived. The houses were completely leveled, but the manager's vacuum cleaner was found and it still worked.

[upi402]

99. Yep, and I heard they advertise on Rush, etc too

:shrug:

[mattclearing]

95. I don't see how that's squelching free speech.

Those corporations have every right to specify the programming during which their advertisements are run. If they don't want to be associated with AAR programming, that is their prerogative.

I do think that Americans should know about this so they have a similar opportunity to withhold their own purchasing power from those corporations.

Damn...Morningstar Farms...what's a vegetarian to do?

It kinda makes one wonder how this was coordinated. Does anyone honestly believe that every single one of these corporations decided on their own that their advertising should be isolated from AAR programming?

Or is it more likely that either A) ABC offered to keep their advertising off of AAR because they felt it might be controversial for certain major advertisers, or B) that those corporations' boards are somehow in league to preserve the media oligopoly that makes things like AAR nearly impossible to sustain?

While that's really sad, I don't see how it's illegal or unconstitutional...as fucked up as it is, that's capitalism. People can advertise where they want, even coordinate where they advertise.

It should make us all think about the free market and what happens when media is directly linked to a profit motive.

[upi402]

100. Boycotting is legal too.

I don't think we'd survive in the Christian Coalition very long. We give up before we start.
Tacit consent is still consent.

[Initech]

97. Only place on that list I go to is Kohl's

Otherwise... pretty much the rest of those places I tend to avoid anyways.

[Phoonzang]

101. If this is because of Buy Blue....no.

If went by that site you wouldn't be able to buy almost anything.

[eagler]

102. two words -- FAIRNESS DOCTRINE !!!

nt

[upi402]

105. It would help a lot

as would a real funding and protections for PBS and NPR.
And evaporate the Telecommunications Act that our own DINO's gave us along with NAFTA.

[illinoisprogressive]

106. I Do not shop at these stores

Nor do I buy the stuff listed. I'm safe.
Actually, for xmas, I go to Amazon and get it done there and a few days later I have my stuff and done.

[NaturalHigh]

107. I don't get it.

Do you really want it to be mandatory for companies to advertise on AAR? That's hardly what I would call freedom of speech.

[tlsmith1963]

111. Yikes!

My computer is an HP!:wow:

[rhett o rick]

114. How do we know that the companies wanted their names on this list?

This mite be a hoax. I have contacted a number of these companies and they all deny that they asked to be on the list. If the list is for real, I am all for a boycott.

[rhett o rick]

115. Shouldn't this be in Activist HQ section? nm