[Andy from Beaverton]

Here's my letter and New Seasons' reply letter a few days ago:

I always liked shopping at your store and so do my extended family,
parents and friends.  But because your store has decided to get
involved
in politics, I will do my best to convince my family members and
friends
to no longer shop at New Seasons.  If you disbleieve me, I will show
you
receipts or old checks.  I can't believe my favorite store is doing
something I can't support.  Please rethink your actions against the
RockStar drink company.

Andy

 

Hello Andy,
Thanks for sending your note and for your support in the past. I
certainly respect your right to choose to shop where you please but did
want to share my perspective about why I made the decision I did.

Michael Savage is the host of an extreme radio program "Savage Nation".
The decision to discontinue Rockstar was not political. New Seasons
Market does not take stands on political issues. We welcome customers
from the whole political spectrum in our stores and we work to be
respectful of all the various perspectives of everyone who works at New
Seasons Market. We chose to discontinue Rockstar because we do not want
any part of the prejudice and hate that Michael Savage promotes.

In 2003, Savage was fired from his job at MSNBC when he told a gay
caller to "get AIDS and die". His Savage Nation radio show, which runs
for three hours a day, five days a week on AM radio stations across the
country,  targets and degrades immigrants, homosexuals, women, people
of
the world's poor nations, Muslims, scholars, artists, our country's
political leaders and the media. On the air Savage has said, "When I
hear someone's in the civil rights business, I oil up my AR-15!".  He
has referred to Arabs as "non-humans" and "racist, fascist bigots" and
he said "I commend" prisoner abuse; "we need more". He railed against
the relief efforts after Katrina and called the Red Cross "communistic
and anti-American" and dismissed democracy (the Savage Nation website
reads: "What's a Democracy Suited for? It's Suited for the Suits!").

New Seasons Market is proud to be an active member of our community.
Michael Savage's hateful speech takes dead aim at the diversity, civic
accord and true American values that make Portland a great city. We
think our customers see the difference between politics and hate and
will support our choice to exclude Rockstar from our shelves.

One other factor I'd like to bring to your attention. We quietly
removed
the product without any intention of making a big deal about it.
Somehow
the Oregonian heard about it and they called and asked about it. I
simply told the truth when asked. I did not try and get publicity about
my decision because of, among other reasons, my reluctance to give Mr.
Savage any more exposure.

Regardless of what you and your family decide about shopping at our
stores I hope you will seriously consider the damage that Mr. Savage is
doing to our society.

Regards,


Brian Rohter
CEO
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon 97202
brianr@newseasonsmarket.com
phone 503 473 8715
fax        503 292 6280
www. newseasonsmarket.com

[Andy from Beaverton]

Should make a separate post for this letter?

[nickcarraway]

So if his father did something terrible, he wouldn't want his customers to shop there?

[nickcarraway]

Isn't this what people of the left usually call "McCarthyism."

[fallujah-nuker]

I'm confused here, it is the son's company or does he just run it for his father?

[freekitty]

Well, I have to agree with you; New Seasons is political.

[claudiustg]

-- We think our customers see the difference between politics and hate and
will support our choice to exclude Rockstar from our shelves.---

I'm just sure of it, Brian. As long as it's someone the right taking it in the pants, they'll just say good riddance.

I think of Michael Savage as the pro-wrestler of talk radio.

[AwesomePossum]

We chose to discontinue Rockstar because we do not want any part of the prejudice and hate that Michael Savage promotes.

I would think that New Seasons Market carries more products on it's shelves that are represented by individuals/groups that have displayed and voiced prejudice and hate against Christians, conservatives, republicans, the military, oil companies, etc., etc., than products represented by individuals/groups that rail against the left. Seems that the letter from CEO Brian of New Seasons is directed more towards convincing himself that his actions were correct. He can carry whatever products he wants to carry on his shelves, but he is living in a dream world............headed towards "utopia" with blinders on.