AFA ends Blue Oval boycott
The American Family Association began a boycott of all Ford products back in March 2006 because it disagreed with Ford's marketing practices in gay-centric media outlets, as well as its policy of offering insurance benefits to same-sex couples. The Detroit News is reporting that the AFA has called off its righteous hounds, ending the boycott because it claims that after months of monitoring, Ford has finally met its conditions. (The thought of a homophobic group reading gay periodicals looking for Ford ads strikes us as extremely humorous.) On its website, the AFA alerts its members that, "Individuals are free to purchase Ford vehicles again."In reality, Ford has done nothing to appease the AFA. It continues to offer benefits to same-sex couples and the only reason it has reduced or stopped advertising in gay pubs is because mounting losses in the U.S. have shrunk its marketing budget. The same goes for charitable donations to gay-related causes, there's just no money to spare during these hard times at Ford. The AFA even acknowledges that Ford has not really met its conditions, saying, "A few minor issues remain, and we will continue to bring these to the attention of Ford."
The AFA is taking credit for something it had nothing to do with and putting words in the Dearborn company's mouth, kind of like when the organization claimed that its boycott was the reason for Ford's sales slump in recent years. Yeah, it wouldn't have anything to do with a lineup that was overflowing with trucks and SUVs, increased competition from Japan, the high cost of health care, or any one of a hundred actually valid reasons.
NOTE: Thank you for the great comments on our last gay-related post. We'll reiterate that regardless of your views on homosexuality, please be civil in the comments (no swearing, no name calling, etc.) or else your comment will be deleted and you will immediately be banned from commenting on Autoblog in the future. Thanks!
[Source: AFA via The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
LMBVette 1:40PM (3/11/2008)
Just a quick read of the AFA's homepage:
-Torn by Porn, Defeat It
-Need a Christian Resource? Books, CD,s DVDs and more
-Affirm and Preserve our Nation’s Rich Religious History
-Pastors-Click Here for Information on Repairing the Foundations
Some of their menu dropdowns:
-In God We Trust
-Offensive Radio Stations
-Offensive Billboards
-Television Indecency
-Church in America
-Homosexual Agenda
-Gambling
-Pornography
Under Services
-Prayer Requests
Their founder: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Wildmon
So, to answer your question, this organization is heavily biased by organized Religion. Basically they want you to live by what they consider 'decent'. LOL
Robert 1:06PM (3/11/2008)
The AFA would never lie for political gain. It's such a family-oriented organization... right...
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psarhjinian 1:07PM (3/11/2008)
It's not at all suprising to see homophobic groups reading gay media for two reasons:
* Latent doubts about their own sexuality probably contribute in no small way to their insecurity and, in turn, aggression.
* Since they're probably bi-curious (see above) at least, this gives them a moral platform from which they can indulge themselves, yet still feel virtuous.
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henrykrinkle 1:40PM (3/11/2008)
Bullseye.
Carlos 1:50PM (3/11/2008)
I LOL'd at that comment. Just because they're boycotting in what they do not believe in makes them latently homosexual? Okay Froid.
3seriesisking 3:27PM (3/11/2008)
Right on the nose.
Chris 1:17PM (3/11/2008)
I'm glad to see that the search for equal rights is still referred to as the "homo agenda." Matt, I'd like to see how you'd like paying taxes in this country without having the same rights as everyone else.
The government needs to wake up and realize that gay people have a LOT of expendable cash (from not having kids by accident). We can boost this economy ten-fold, but our president would rather see it falter and blame it on the terrorists.
Now THAT'S an agenda.
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jon igielnik 1:19PM (3/11/2008)
good for ford for not changing their ways for outrageous homophobic groups. I usually dont root for ford much, but if they gain more sales from this event, and they didnt actually do anything to appease the AFA, then i will be happy for ford. screw the AFA
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matt 1:23PM (3/11/2008)
but they're just looking out for they're own political/religious/financial interests ... i mean your family
mike 1:25PM (3/11/2008)
Hold on here a second. You say you hate AFA...but you also say you want to see Ford gain sales. Wouldn't the gain come from people who followed the AFA?
So you hate the AFA but you want the money their members have?
Good one. One one hand you support gay rights....on the other you fully support ford getting paid from the anti gay people.
Reuben 1:35PM (3/11/2008)
Hey mike why can't gay people buy Fords too?
Why can't they too increase sales as a result of Ford not technically backing down?
I hope not too many people were swayed by this bs organization
jon igielnik 1:52PM (3/11/2008)
i want ford to get the money from the Anti-gay groups, because in reality ford is pro-gay, so they are essentially duping the AFA.
mike 1:19PM (3/11/2008)
John Neff--another amazing article.
Did it ever occur to you that AFA simply wanted Ford to stop advertising in gay magazines and to stop giving to gay charities? Also, did ford stop advertising in other places? Or just gay magazines alone?
Look we all know that all you trying to do by writing that BIASED opinion thing is to make Ford look good, you will do anything not to admit that Ford was defeated by AFA.
Look, ford sells cars that are family friendly (large)…….but the promoted the anti-family lifestyle, it’s as simple as that.
By the way, next time you write please post this…………..* This article is biased, it in no way represents Autoblog or its views on any topic or issue. My personal rabid fanboyism is however present and thriving big time.
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Bruxell 1:36PM (3/11/2008)
Sorry, how does gay-friendly equate to anti-family? There are in fact many gay people in the world with families, and thse families need things like health plans. Should Ford deny the benifits offered to hetro couples to families simply because a couple members aren't living up to other people's ideas of gender role? Please, go find something real to say.
John Neff 1:42PM (3/11/2008)
Mike, I am biased. I don't like the AFA at all and completely disagree with their agenda. Thankfully, this is a blog and not a newspaper, which means I can write my biased opinion all day long.
Not only do I disagree with the AFA's agenda, I think it's laughable for them to claim that they have defeated Ford, when they've done nothing of the sort. Ford didn't do anything on account of the AFA boycott. This organization is taking credit for things happening that have absolutely nothing to do with them.
Carlos 1:44PM (3/11/2008)
Jesus helped the sinners so I don't see why Ford or any other company cannot help gays. If other groups decide to boycott companies because of that, than so beat. Jesus said to hate the sins and not the sinner, and to treat everyone equal. He also said not to hate your enemy but to love them, because you should do unto others as you would have done to yourself. Even though I may not agree with the homosexual lifestyle I won't hate them, but I will pray for them.
Willem B 10:32AM (3/12/2008)
carlos is right.
JLevy 11:59AM (3/12/2008)
What a load of crap to insinuate that gays and lesbians live an "anti-family lifestyle". My lifestyle consists of running my business (which employs 5 people all of whom have families), paying my bills, trying to do my part to spend enough money to help the economy, spending time with my family, etc.
It's opinions like YOURS that are anti-family.
jgp 1:20PM (3/11/2008)
I'd rather boycott any company that has the AFA's support.
Anyone got a list of companies the AFA likes, so I can never buy anything from them again?
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Carlos 1:21PM (3/11/2008)
Why homophobic? Just because they don't believe in same sex practices qualifies them as homophobic? I'm believe that it's their belief than fine no bother to me, but because I'm against doesn't mean that I'm homophobic. It is funny though that they would read through same sex magazines for Ford adds. That's along the lines of west borro(sp) baptist.
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