And now, from the "I'm rolling my eyes as we speak" files and Yahoo! News...

(Photos from http://shots.oxo.li and www.oregonmag.com...FYI)












Sudiegirl sez: Well, now...apparently there is some trouble in Detroit as far as advertising is concerned. I guess I don't understand this problem... apparently they think that gay people don't drive?

I normally don't get involved in stuff like this, but come on! Get over your bad selves...make a buck the old fashioned way, and just deal with it. Isn't that what you pay the big-shot lawyers for anyway? I'll intersperse as usual.

Ford Says Ends Ads in Gay Publications
By DAVID N. GOODMAN, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 5 minutes ago

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. said on Tuesday that its luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands will no longer advertise in gay publications, but denied that the nation's second largest automaker made the decision under pressure from conservative Christian groups. (Well, of course they'll deny it! Why does their denial come as such a shock to everyone? They're probably denying the layoffs - excuse me - DOWNSIZINGS too!)

"The decisions with regard to advertising was a business decision," Ford spokesman Mike Moran said. He said Ford's Volvo brand would continue advertising in gay publications. Ford hasn't advertised its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands in those publications, Moran added. (Is it me, or does it seem like Ford has its fingers in - if you'll pardon the expression - way too many pies?)

Moran said Jaguar and Land Rover, which are part of Ford's money-losing Premier Automotive Group, have decided to cut back on their advertising everywhere because of difficult market conditions. The Premier Automotive Group reported a pretax loss of $108 million in the third quarter. (Gee, I don't understand why...could it be because most people with straight jobs can't afford to sell their body organs on the black market in order to provide the down-payment?)

"They feel pressure on their marketing budgets, so they decided to streamline marketing across the board," Moran said. "They're not supporting as many publications and events as before in 2006." (OK...English major/aspiring proof-reader in me...was that sentence structure correct? Please advise...)

Moran refused to say how much Ford has spent advertising in gay publications such as The Advocate, a biweekly magazine. Mercedes-Benz was advertising on the Advocate's Web site on Tuesday. (Well, why would they stop advertising in The Advocate, for crying out loud? That's probably one of the better-known publications for the gay community. Well, that, and Martha Stewart Living...I apologize for the stereotype, but come on! You know there's a margin of truth in there!)

Ford's move came nearly a week after the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association canceled a boycott of Ford vehicles that began in May, when the group criticized Ford for being too gay-friendly. (Wow...a logical move from the American Family Association? Is that even possible without the karma of the universe shifting a bit?)

"We are ending the boycott of Ford," association Chairman Donald Wildmon said in a statement Wednesday on the group's Web site. "While we still have a few differences with Ford, we feel that our concerns are being addressed in good faith and will continue to be addressed in the future." (Uh-huh. In the meantime, the book-burning will continue out back...)

The American Family Association first announced the boycott against Ford and related brands on May 31. The group said Ford gave thousands of dollars to gay rights groups, offered benefits to same-sex couples and actively recruited gay employees. (And the problem with that is what, exactly? I guess I missed that part.)

After a spring meeting with a group of Ford dealers, the association said in June that it was suspending its boycott until at least the beginning of December. (Well, gee, aren't they just so benevolent and kind.)

The Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and other gay rights groups expressed concern about reports there was a secret deal between Ford and the American Family Association to end Ford's advertising in gay media. (Gee, ya think? And maybe a few white robes and hoods?)

"If there is an agreement with AFA, we expect Ford to disavow it. We expect Ford to publicly reaffirm its historic support for our community. And, we expect Ford to meet with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) representatives this week to resolve these concerns," the groups said in the statement, which was posted Monday on the Human Rights Campaign Web site.

Moran said the decision was not linked to the boycott. (Uh-huh...keep talking.)

"We have no confidential agreement with the AFA," he said. (Well, of course they're going to say it! My God, folks...you just expect to believe a major corporation?)

Moran said Ford made it clear at meetings with the American Family Association that the company would continue its policies recognizing the rights of its gay employees.

Ford is proud of its nondiscrimination policies, Moran said. "Those policies will not change," he said.

In May, the American Family Association ended a nine-year boycott of The Walt Disney Co. over Disney's decision to extend benefits to same-sex couples and promote gay-related events at its theme parks. The boycott appeared to have little effect, since Disney reported higher earnings and increased theme park attendance during that time. (Yep...boycotts seldom work the way they are supposed to. If anything, they have the opposite effect. So what's a little Wildmon to do?)

Sudiegirl's final opinion?
Can't we all just get along, whether or not we agree on who we prefer to kiss?
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On the Net:
Ford Motor Co.: http://www.ford.com
American Family Association: http://www.afa.net