Ford watches Wells Fargo walk the walk
Ford's decision to pull its ads from the gay media after its
meeting with the American Family Association has provoked strong reaction from Autoblog readers and the public. Shortly
after Ford's decision, another group, Focus on the Family, employed a similar tactic with Wells Fargo.
"Focus on the Family has elected to end its banking relationship with Wells Fargo, motivated primarily by the
bank's ongoing efforts to advance the radical homosexual agenda. These efforts are in direct opposition to the
underlying principles and purpose of Focus, and thus a decision of conscience had to be made, and a stand taken,"
said a statement on the Focus Web site.
Wells Fargo's decidingly different reaction illustrates this
article's point found over at The Truth
About Cars. Basically, silence and/or saying that things are "just business" are killers in the cut-throat world of
corporate warfare. It will be interesting to see the long-term impact Ford's decision will have now it's out of the
frying pan.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
dumpsterdiver 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
I've heard that both the AFA and Focus on Family are both run by a fellow by the name of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, with a penchant for white cats....
Reply
Joe 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Wow, what the AFA is doing is getting out of hand, and is for a lack of better terms domestic corporate blackmail. Making threats to boycott a company for it's social policies and practices is absurd. I am glad that Wells Fargo had the balls to tell these folks to move along, just like Ford should have done. I also truly feel that the decisions made by Ford and Wells Fargo will have far reaching implications in the future when it comes to advertising and brand loyalty, both good and not so good.
Reply
Joshua 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
I didn't even know Ford did that. If I did I may not have bought my new Mustang. Ford should be ashamed. Good for Wells Fargo! I'm certainly no gay activist but this REALLY pisses me off. Essentially one priavte organization successfully blackmailed another into doing what they wanted. Am I the only one who finds this repugnant?? For people who claim to be motivated by moral values they act a lot like scum.
ps; GET A BACKBONE FORD!
Reply
Joe 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Joshua-
You said it better than I tried to!
Reply
VW-Guy 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Good for Wells Fargo! And boo to Ford! Those anti gay groups are nothing more than terrorist groups themselves.
Now $146 mil? That's laughable. I'm sure just one of Wells well healed gay clients has much much more than that deposited/invested with them. Now, add up the other millions of gay clients with deposits/investments and well, you get the picture, we're easily talking well into the multiple billions of dollars.
Way to go W/F.
Reply
blindToReality 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Christians, trying to live for what they think is right, and wanting to bank with those who do not actively try to contradict their beliefs, what a bunch wusses/bigots. They need to just forget about the unpopular un-PC beliefs that they have respected for centuries and only do the ones that are in line with the PC ideals of the last few decades. Can you believe this great country was founded by people with similiar beliefs as these idiots.
Reply
John Riley 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
I don't know who wells fargo is now, but back in the day, I think their headquarters were in San Francisco. They are still a presence there, stage coach in the lobby and all. Point is, I think maybe WF could afford to tell the AFA where to go much more easily than ford. Might be more than a few F150 buyers who would listen to the AFA.
Reply
Nathan Jones 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Yep, I actually went as far to change banks....the closest Wells Fargo is up in Kemah (TX)....about 16 miles North of where I live....but I went on ahead switched to Wells Fargo in support of their giving the finger to to FoF.
Last June, when the AFA threatened to boycott Ford, I (stupidly) went out and bought not one, but TWO new Ford products...I sent Ford notes thanking them for their support of the LGBT community, etc..etc....and letting them know I had put my money where my mouth was and "did something"....
Last weeks action by Ford...was the "thank you" I got.
I've committed to the following:
http://nathanjones.blogspot.com/2005/12/all-i-really-want.html
Also...I was thinking about this earlier today....that dumbass thats attempting to get money from people to destroy his Viper, should do something more relevant...like selling his Viper and buying a couple of used Fords...(pocketing the rest) and perhaps start a website where people can contribute money to "Whack a Ford" in support of the LGBT community.....
Better yet...take them down to the nearest gay bar and offer $10.00 a whack to allow some us to take our anger out on some Ford products...
I'm sure he'd get great press + make some money off the deal at the same time....At least that way, his "purpose" would have some significant meaning besides "it'll be fun!".
NJ
Reply
Joe 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Joshua-
You said it better than I tried to!
Reply
Nathan Jones 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Since I realize the majority of you guys are straight (not that there is anything wrong with it!) LOL...you might not be aware of this....so:
Back in May of this year, the AFA ended a nine-year boycott of The Walt Disney Co. which targeted Disney's decision to extend benefits to same-sex couples and promote gay-related events at its theme parks.
The AFA boycott appeared to have little effect,
since Disney reported higher earnings and higher theme park attendance during that time.
In contrast, the Coors Brewing Company still struggles with the social and economic impacts of a 20-year old boycott by the gay and
lesbian community due to its allegiance to anti-gay groups.
Before her father became vice president, Mary Cheney was hired by Coors to work as a gay community liaison to help repair some of the damage Coors had done by its discriminatory practices and alliances with groups similar
to the AFA.
The boycott was so effective that it eventually caused the beer giant to make changes in company policies such as offering same-sex benefits to its employees.
Even after this policy change and attempts to contribute money and sponsor gay-related events, the Coors Brewing Company may NEVER make significant inroads in the gay and
lesbian market, as the boycott is still honored in most LBGT communities.
NJ
Reply
eric 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Interesting...
You're applauding Wells Fargo for standing up for what they believe. Yet, when FoF did the same - standing up for what they believe - you trash them for it. And you call FoF bigots?
And to those who think Wells Fargo and Ford made decisions motivated by anything other than the profit motive, you're sadly mistaken.
Do I agree with what FoF did? Not entirely. Do I think they deserve respect for standing up for what they believe? Yes, indeed. You better believe that move cost them money - whereas the moves on the part of the other organziations cost them no money.
When it comes down to it, FoF and AFA make decisions based on issues that go the core of who they are and what they believe - not what benefits their checkbook (at least not in this case).
I know what many are thinking - those mean guys used their influence to push their agenda! You don't say! Can you think of anyone else that might be guilty of the same thing? Oh yea... most of us reading this BLOG live in a country that does that, work for a company that does that, buy their gas from a company that does that, buys their cars from a company that does that, buys their groceries from a company that does that, is a fan of a sports team or athelete that does that,
Shall I go on? Look, the reality is that the concept of using your influence to push your agenda is as old and common as the planet Earth. This concept is only new to those new to the human race. Well, welcome to humanity -get used to it.
Reply
Rishi Khaitan 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Ford made a business decision when they decided to pull ads from gay media as did Wells Fargo when they decided not to be influenced by FoF. Ultimately it's up to the consumer to decide which companies they want to support with their hard-earned dollars.
Reply
Nathan Jones 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
I totally agree with what you guys are saying....I support free speech in all its venues....
However, some of you continue to either miss the point...or choose to not accept it.
ORIGINALLY Ford came out with the "its a business decision".....
They have sense ADMITTED that it wasn't simply a business decision...it was based on an agreement with the AFA....they entered into a CONTRACT with a HATE GROUP due to a threatened boycott.
If you wanna call that a "business decision"....go ahead....I call it "blackmail"....something I thought we Americans didn't take kindly to.
Focus on the Family and the American Family Association isn't simply groups that HATE us fags....I guess you'll only be interested when it effects you...or someone you love....but alas....it'll be my turn to tell you..."Welcome to the real world" and get over it.
NJ
Reply
AFC 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
"Interesting...
You're applauding Wells Fargo for standing up for what they believe. Yet, when FoF did the same - standing up for what they believe - you trash them for it. And you call FoF bigots?"
Having the courage of your convictions is not a moral defense. Would you suggest that condemnation of the KKK was hypocritical as well, because it is 'standing up for its beliefs?' You are missing the point spectacularly.
Reply
goat 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
So, let me see if I have this right:
Boycotts are bad. Well, at least they're bad when they are carried out by conservative or Christian groups.
But if they're carried out by "progressive" groups, they're fine and dandy.
Is that right?
Reply
eric 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Hmm... the comparison you draw between an organization that doesn't support a lifestyle (and goes so far as to choose not to do business with those who do - the nerve of them!) and an orgranization that supports the murder of those of a certain skin color is well, spectacularly ridculous.
If courage of conviction is not a moral defense, what is?
Here's what I suggest - you choose to do business with only the companies that support your lifestyle, and choose not to do business with companies who don't. Wait - you can't do that! You slam others for that, so I guess you're not allowed to, either.
Reply
TomSF 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
OK..let me get this straight.
Let's say a certain hate group (doesnt matter which one.. they can hate blacks, Asians, Jews, etc) demands that a large company stop marketing to the group (No black folks in ads in black publications, no menorahs or support for Jewish community organizations, for example), and they agree.. that's supposed to be OK? Are we just going to stand silent and say, "It was just a business decision"? If you agree, then why is Ok when the people they hate happen to be gay?
My guess is that if Jesus were to buy a car today, it would NOT be a Ford.
Reply
emulous 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Actually, I'm applauding both Wells Fargo and Focus on the Family. They both did exactly what I think they should of done. There is a big difference between what FoF and AFA did. FoF was providing a profit to Wells Fargo, they didn't believe that they should support some of the things that Wells Fargo was doing. Their only proper choice is to withdraw its business with Wells Fargo, they gave Wells Fargo the opportunity to change their practices if they wanted to keep FoF business. Wells Fargo did exactly what they should of, and to tell them we will run our business exactly as we please and will not change in order to keep your business. I see nothing wrong with what either of them did, the both stood by what they believe in. Congrats to both. This did give me a better view of who and what Wells Fargo is and I'm now disappointed that I didn't get my mortgage through them, but maybe next time. I don't think any higher of FoF, but it's not like I had a good view of them anyway.
Ford did something very long and let potential customers change the way they do business and had the nerve to lie about it. If AFA was made up of more than 50% of Ford owners, then Ford should of at least listened to what they had to say. Instead Ford alientated their own employees, some of the current clients and got a lot of bad press for some that could of been future clients.
There is no doubt in my mind that folks that are members of AFA also own Ford vehicles, it would of made a better statement to sell their Ford and tell the company why they did it. Threating to boycott is ridiculous when you can't prove that you are going out to by their cars. The majority of their boycotts are unsuccessful anyway. Ford should of stood their ground just on the fact that no stockholders were trying to tell them how to run their business. The AFA is just a group of Social Terrorists that want control of everyones life and looks like they will stop at nothing to get it. If the AFA succeeds then we will no longer be the land of the free. Ford should be ashamed of itself.
Reply
eric 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
NJ
Just so you know - you aren't hated by the people you despise.
And if you think that standing up for what I believe in is easy and doesn't effect me, you're flat out wrong. Certain moral convictions have cost me relationships with loved ones. These moral convictions are demonized daily by people like you who decide that I'm a hater because I don't support a certain lifestyle. You think it's easy living in a PC world, but not living a PC lifestyle?
I'm sure you have certain challenges that come along with certain decisions - we're no different in that regard, my friend.
Can't we all just get along?
(sorry, I couldn't help throwing that one in there...)
Reply
Ed 12:28AM (12/19/2005)
Put the shoe on the other foot here and it's plain to see how ridiculous it is: Ford stops advertising in Christian right publications due to pressure and threats from gay groups.
James Dobson would have a f***ing coronary screaming about how Ford is anti-Christian and discriminatory. And his followers would crash the entire phone system as they simultaneously dialed the Sean Hannity radio show.
Reply