West Virginia governor angry over Abercrombie T-shirt that spoofs state

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 3.23.04

[mhking]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Bob Wise sent a letter to Abercrombie & Fitch on Monday demanding that the clothing retailer stop selling a T-shirt that spoofs the state with the slogan, "It's All Relative in West Virginia."

Wise said the T-shirt depicts "an unfounded, negative stereotype of West Virginia."

"I write to you today to demand that you immediately remove this item from your stores and your print and online catalogues," Wise wrote. "In addition, these shirts must be destroyed at once to avoid any possibility of resale and proof be given thereof."

Abercrombie & Fitch spokesman Tom Lennox declined to say whether the New Albany, Ohio-based company would comply with the governor's request. He said the T-shirt, which features the slogan on an outline of the state, has been selling well at $22.50.

"We love West Virginia. We love California, Florida, Connecticut, Hawaii and Nebraska too. Abercrombie & Fitch was born and raised in the USA, and we honor all 50 states in the union," Lennox said.

West Virginia is not the only state that is spoofed on an Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt. Another shirt's slogan is "New Hampshire. 40 million squirrels can't be wrong."

[Phantom Lord]

How do you know the tooth brush was invented in WV?

If it was invented anywhere else it would be called a teeth brush!

I told that joke to an old co-worker when I learned his wife was from WV. He did not like it. I then sat at my desk and opened the paper. First headline I saw read "WV Leads Nation in Toothlessness". I cut it out and put it on his desk.

[VadeRetro]

If it was invented anywhere else it would be called a teeth brush!

Another goodie! My late father used to call up the stairs to my sister: "Helen! Brush your teeth! And tell your brother to brush his tooth!"

[RichInOC]

Hmph. That's not mean.

This is mean...

"Senator Robert C. Byrd welcomes you to West Virginia...where it's all about the Klan."

[ShorelineMike]

WV ought to respond with a new advertising campaign. Something like "When you're here, you're family."

That will work … as long as there are no Olive Garden restaurants in West Virginia …

(ducking)

[zbigreddogz]

Well, I'd mock the state as well, but we need it in November.

Oh well. I'll mock it anyway.

Nelson says: HA! HA!

[TommyDale]

Is his first-cousin wife upset also?

[b4its2late]

They should've put a picture of a "tree with no fork in it" too....

[Made In The USA]

You have it right.

WVA should make the point that this is coming from a company that prides itself on a catalog scantily clad children.

WVA should also dump that Klansman Robert Byrd- and the DNC should lead the effort for that reason. Of course the DNC won't because they're more interested in power vs. principle.

[Delbert]

I'm from Huntington West Virginia and our family tree looks like a telephone pole. In fact I met my wife at our last family reunion. My Uncle Dad still lives in West Virginia.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Wise said the T-shirt depicts "an unfounded, negative stereotype of West Virginia."

Quit electing klansmen, then we'll talk about your image.

[general_re]

What about "What do a tornado and a West Virginia divorce have in common?"

Someone always loses a trailer ;)

While I'm thinking of it:

West Virginia State Residency Application


Name: ________________
(last)
(first) (_) Billy-Bob
(_) Billy-Joe
(_) Billy-Ray
(_) Billy-Sue
(_) Billy-Mae
(_) Billy-Jack
(Check appropriate box)
Age: ____
Sex: ____ M _____ F _____ N/A
Shoe Size: ____ Left ____ Right

CB Handle: _____________________

Occupation:
(_)Farmer
(_)Mechanic
(_)Hair Dresser
(_)Un-employed
(_)Coal Miner

Spouse's Name: __________________________

Relationship with spouse:
(_) Sister
(_) Brother
(_) Aunt
(_) Uncle
(_) Cousin
(_) Mother
(_) Father
(_) Son
(_) Daughter
(_) Pet

Number of children living in household: ___

Number that are yours: ___

Mother's Name: _______________________

Father's Name: _______________________
(If not sure, leave blank)

Education: 1 2 3 4 (Circle highest grade completed)

Do you (_)own or (_)rent your mobile home?
(Check appropriate box)

___ Total number of vehicles you own
___ Number of vehicles that still crank
___ Number of vehicles in front yard
___ Number of vehicles in back yard
___ Number of vehicles on cement blocks

___ Number of refrigerators on front porch

Firearms you own and where you keep them:
____ truck
____ bedroom
____ bathroom
____ kitchen
____ shed

Model and year of your pickup: _____________ 194__
Number of empty beer cans on floorboard or in bed of
pickup: _________

Newspapers/magazines you subscribe to:
(_)The National Enquirer
(_)The Globe
(_)TV Guide
(_)Soap Opera Digest
(_)Gun World

___ Number of times you've seen a UFO
___ Number of times you've seen Elvis
___ Number of times you've seen Elvis in a UFO

How often do you bathe:
(_)Weekly
(_)Monthly
(_)Holidays
(_)Not Applicable

Color of teeth:
(_)Yellow
(_)Brownish-Yellow
(_)Brown
(_)Black
(_)No teeth
(_)N/A

Brand of chewing tobacco you prefer:
(_)Red-Man

How far is your home from a paved road?
(_)1 mile
(_)2 miles
(_)don't know
(_)can't get there from here

BUMPER STICKERS:
___ Eat more Possum
___ My other car is a piece of junk too
___ Honk if you love Jesus
___ If you ain't a cowboy, you ain't nothin'
___ Red-man Chewing Tobacco

Favorite Recreation: Check all that apply:
___ Square Dancin' 
___ Possum Huntin'
___ Skinny Dippin'
___ Craw Daddin'
___ Gospel Singin' 
___ 4-Wheelin'
___ Drankin' 
___ Spittin' Backy ___ Bill Chip Trowin' 
___ Honky Tonkin'
___ Noodlin' 

# of Dogs: ___ Type: ___ Blue Tick ___ Beagle
___ Black & Tan ___ Bird Dawg

Cap Emblem: ___ John Deere ___ McCulloch Chain Saws
___ Budweiser ___ Vo-Tech
___ Skoal ___ Coors
___ NAPA ___ Smile if you're Not Wearing Underwear

[lilylangtree]

With people like Wise, Rahall, Byrd and now to surface rises cockroaches like Lloyd Jackson who's running for gov, WV is in a sad state affairs having this representation for the world to see and poke fun at.

[MineralMan]

Well, here's what I think Jesus would have done if he saw the "Cheeses of Nazareth" T-shirt. You don't think he had a sense of humor?

[MineralMan]

"Maybe he would have. I was just objecting to the premise on which you based your conclusions. It is no secret you are antagonistic to those who believe in God. No big deal. This is America and you have the right to do that.
"

Actually, I'm not at all antagonistic to those who believe in deities. I, personally, do not believe that any such exist, but what others believe is of no concern to me.

I'm a bit antagonistic toward those who feel that all who are non-Christian are somehow less patriotic or less faithful to the premises of the Constitution. That is simply not the case.

But, as for folks' beliefs, that's entirely up to them. As long as they don't insist that I believe as they do, I have no axe to grind with them at all.

[Fenris6]

Ya know, this is no different than that golfer's cut about Tiger Woods - the "Fried Chicken & Watermelon".

Media raised a big fuss then. Where are they now? I guess its still PC to refer to the poor as "inbred hicks". LOL. Looks to me as if the only incest here is the PCBS Media.

[general_re]

Pretty much, although you should avoid my other post if you tend to get the vapors over such things ;)

But you're right, in any case - what is this, if not an illustration that some groups are okay to bash, and some aren't? I can think of equally retarded stereotypes for any group of people you care to name, but society will only get upset about the discussion of some of them.

[DollyCali]

Love it.. thank you !!! first laugh today..