Posted on 09/29/2007 7:05:14 AM PDT by toddlintown
In a 1988 Wall Street Journal article, a Miller spokeman begged off on the idea that the brewery’s marketing efforts were concentrating heavily on the gay market. It’s obvious that that is no longer the case. Miller has become notorious in its open marketing to gays. In a sense, the old Frederick Miller brewery has come out of the closet, but in a number of past instances, the brewery has repeatedly tripped over its threshold.
Back in 1999, the brewery ran into problems with its more liberated approach in courting the gay community. There was little question what group of San Francisco beer drinkers Miller was targeting with a TV ad featuring a shirtless muscle man. The spot was supposed to air on a cable program in San Francisco and feature a “Barechest Men” calendar for sale, the proceeds going to a local AIDS-funding group.
The combination of Miller sponsoring a photo calendar of beefy hunks and indirectly raising funds for AIDS victims was too much for some straights in the San Francisco community. After loads of protests by conservative groups, the thirty-second ad was pulled. A Miller spokesman tried to lay the idea for the commercial at the feet of a local advertising agency and not at the door of the brewery’s Milwaukee headquarters. (It’s interesting to note that this is the same excuse they’re now using; this Folsum fiasco was the doing of the local distributor, not the suits in Milwaukee. Sure.)
(Excerpt) Read more at beerinfood.wordpress.com ...
I am never going to drink another Miller beer as long as I live!
No more ponies for me!
I have now given up Miller and my favorite, Lienies.
Go to hell Miller management!
My Hub has been a Miller Lite drinker for eons.........NO MORE! A local talk radio personality also has a fantastic restaurant and he had his staff pull every Miller product in his establishment. Now that’s walking the walk and talking the talk.
I used to drink Miller Lite, until I got into the microbrewed stuff - and there are imports I like. Still, if I’m at a party where Miller is offered, I’ll drink it. BUT I WON’T ANYMORE! And I’d like to inform the stupid folks at Miller that a lot of my friends are blue collar type people & Miller is what a lot of them drink - I will go out of my way to let these people know what type of crap that Miller is sponsoring. They won’t like it either.
I hope this really puts a hurt on their business.
Miller is not an American beer. It is owned by South African principles.
This is the letter I sent to two Miller VP’s two days ago. Feel free to copy or criticize anything in it.
September 27, 2007
Mr. Randy Ransom
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Miller Brewing Company
Mr. Kevin Self
Senior Vice President
Strategy & Planning
Miller Brewing Company
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to register my dismay at your overt support of the recent Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco and its accompanying sacrilegious paraphernalia. While I used to enjoy a Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss on occasion, NO MORE. Your company has chosen to identify itself with a group that considers me and my religious beliefs to be comical and irrelevant.
In doing so (i.e. by having YOUR logo on a poster mocking and perverting the Last Supper), you have violated one basic principle and one stated guideline of the Beer Institute’s Advertising and Marketing Code. The second principle of your industry’s code states,
“Brewers should adhere to contemporary standards of good taste applicable to all commercial advertising and consistent with the medium or context in which the
advertising appears.”
Stated guideline number 7 in that same code reads:
“Beer advertising and marketing materials should not employ religion or religious themes.”
I do not pretend that the small amount of business I have given Miller over the years should mean that much to you. But I do promise you that until Miller repudiates not only the specific advertisement to which I have previously referred but also its support of the Folsom Street Fair I will make it a point to keep everyone I know from purchasing and consuming Miller products.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Hey, I think you're on to something here.
Copyright it, quick!
I love it!
Leni
Great logic happening here:
Some gays like Beer.
Miller is a Beer.
Miller likes all people to drink Miller Beer.
All gays are people, but not all people are gay.
And some gays will drink Miller Beer.
Miller doesn’t mind. Miller likes it if some gays will drink Miller Beer. Miller will ask them nicely to drink their Miller Beer: that is how Miller stays in business.
Miller actually doesn’t mind who drinks Miller Beer: Miller likes People to drink Miller Beer.
But holdonaminit! Let’s draw some conclusions here:
THEREFORE, if *I* drink Miller Beer, I will be drinking the same kind of beer that some GAYS drink! (Definitely True!)
THEREFORE, Miller likes that! (Also Definitely True!)
THEREFORE, I might be accidentally be mistaken for being Gay if anyone else sees me drinking Miller Beer! (Ummm, posters like Ken522 and Drango and a few others seem to think so. I’d say the jury is probably still out on that!)
If you got nothing better to drink, then by all means drink Miller Beer, whether you be gay or straight. But if you have say a Steinlager or a Speight’s Gold or a Tui’s India Ale or a Canterbury Draft available you’d be a fool not to drink that instead. Or even in a pinch, Lion Red.
But if Miller is what is on tap, and if it is cold and you are thirsty, why punish yourself? Go on! Nobody will seriously think you are GAY for drinking Miller! I promise...
I wonder how the latte colored man in the center would react to a hangman’s noose being waved in his face.
If you seriously think that the reason people are going to boycott Miller is so people won't think they are gay, you have a serious brain problem, I.E.: you don't have one that functions! People are boycotting miller because of the last supper ad and the ridicule heaped on Christianity. I am not a Christian and this ad deeply offends me. Let them put Mohammed, the queer killer, on a poster dressed in leather surrounded by gay followers also dressed in peek-a-boo leather and see how fast miller would run then.
I would say, after reading your post and observing how you try to play the ridicule card on the people who are boycotting miller, that you are queer.
I didn’t know we were allowed to use the word “queer”.
I sent them a scathing letter as well. I also notified Miller that I am passing this information on to everyone on my email list. They will be as disgusted by it as I am.
I am sick and tired of it always being “open hunting season” on Christians. Anyone that feels the way I do needs to start being very vocal about it. It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
> I would say, after reading your post and observing how you try to play the ridicule card on the people who are boycotting miller, that you are queer.
Interesting logic happening here, too...
You can read — clearly: you have said you can, and I take you at your word.
You have read what I have written — obviously.
You have taken exception to what I have (correctly) surmised, based upon anti-Miller posts to date — your objection is also obvious, and noted.
Having pieced together those three gems of irrefutable knowledge, you have therefore arrived at the stunning conclusion that I am therefore a HOMOSEXUAL?
Crikey. That’s stunning leap in logic. Moreover, I’d find it difficult to take that accusation as a serious insult — if that’s the worst you can do, then blaze away!
The plain fact is I’m not, and I am emotionally secure enough to not be bothered by playground insults.
I would say, after reading your post, that if you had half a brain it would rattle.
I don’t normally join boycotts but they have gone too far. I wrote mbco a nasty email and signed a petition @ http://www.millerboycott.com/. The boycott is over their support of illegal immigration but it may serve the purpose. I have been drinking Miller Lite since it’s intro in the 70s but I promise I have bought my last one.
As a business, they have a right - even an obligation - to pursue every available market. However, they shouldn’t be bending over (forwards or backwards) to get the business.
Uhhhhh it's a boycott over their anti-Christian blasphemy. And rather than burn down the Danish embassy, I won't buy their swill. I think you're projecting.
my choices are easy...
I was going to writ this idiot a reply but I believe you did a better job than I.
That would also be true of breathing oxygen. I refuse to boycott oxygen just because (gays, liberals, communists, Muslims, axe-murders, etc.) also breathe it.
OTOH if they (the above mentioned) choose to boycott oxygen just because Christians, conservatives, Republicans and heterosexuals also breathe it, that is fine with me - after all it's their choice.
I don’t normally like to take a second bite out of the apple, but you’ve made it really difficult to resist:
> People are boycotting miller because of the last supper ad and the ridicule heaped on Christianity.
I doubt Jesus even paid any attention. For are we not told in 1 Peter 2:23 “...when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously..”
He showed us by example how we should behave. It is inexcusable for Christians not to follow suit.
> I am not a Christian and this ad deeply offends me.
If you are not a Christian, and yet you are claiming Offense on the behalf of Christians, then you are a living contradiction: the human embodiment of a non-sequitir, a run-on sentence without a verb.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say you have unmitigated gaul even having an opinion on this matter.
I suggest you leave feeling offended on Christ’s behalf to Christ, or at least to us Christians. It’s better that way. In turn, we promise not to be offended on your behalf.
> Let them put Mohammed, the queer killer, on a poster dressed in leather surrounded by gay followers also dressed in peek-a-boo leather and see how fast miller would run then.
Problem is, Mohammed doesn’t like his followers to drink Miller (or any alcohol) and so, whether the followers of the “True” (false) Prophet be straight or gay, they tend not to consume much beer. Miller would be wasting their marketing dollars on the Islamics. And why would they knowingly irritate a market segment that they will never attract but who would happily harm them if given provocation?
Crikey, mate. Think things thru!
> Uhhhhh it’s a boycott over their anti-Christian blasphemy.
And precisely where in the Gospel does Christ issue His followers with orders or even *permission* to undertake such activities on His behalf? Was He kidding when he exhorted His disciples to “turn the other cheek?”
(What a jolly nuisance that Christ might have an inconvenient opinion on what “Christians” ought to do, ay...)
> And rather than burn down the Danish embassy, I won’t buy their swill.
If you choose to do so, you do it as a consumer, but probably not as a Christian. Keep your motivations pure.
Seems to me more people are upset about the company’s endorsement on a poster mocking Jesus. Some of us are funny like that.
> Seems to me more people are upset about the company’s endorsement on a poster mocking Jesus. Some of us are funny like that.
Suggest you ask yourself “WWJD?” (What would Jesus Do?) and then go read 1 Peter 2:23. And then remind yourself that we are commanded to follow His examples, and not necessarily what we think is “right”.
The answer becomes very plain, then. And it is not the answer being advocated on this thread.
In case everyone forgot, a couple years back, there was a Miller boycott going on over Miller’s support for illegal invaders.
http://www.millerboycott.com/
Other miller products:
http://www.millerboycott.com/products/index.asp
> OTOH if they (the above mentioned) choose to boycott oxygen just because Christians, conservatives, Republicans and heterosexuals also breathe it, that is fine with me - after all it’s their choice.
Can’t find a darn thing wrong with that argument! And I wish it would happen, too.
I threw down a couple of bottles of Shiner Bock last night. It’s finally in the Chicagoland area. I’m now on a mission to drink my local distributor dry of it.
I find most of those who use that cute little phrase (WWJD) are rather wishy-washy Christians. Most of them are weak in their Christianity and have long forgotten how to be men.
If an evil man wishes to molest your daughter would you defend her or had her over to his abuse and also give him your wife? What if he wanted to sodomize your son? Would you fight or sit passively?
I am a Christian and a man. I sometimes ask “Where would Jesus have me stand and defend?”
I recommend you get a copy of “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge and “No More Christian Nice Guy” by Paul Coughlin.
As for Miller Beer insulting my Saviour, they are about to learn that the number of Christians who enjoy a cold beer is much larger than the homosexual community.
Don’t worry. I’m not going to declare a “Fatwa” or go “Jihad.” The people in charge at the company do not have to fear losing their heads to me. However, they will not get my money.
If you like scripture, try these -
John 2:
13 - When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 - In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15 - So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16 - To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
Luke 22:
35 - Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 - He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
37 - It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[Isaiah 53:12]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 - The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That is enough,” he replied.
I wonder how much support this market deserves. Go to the sponsors’ page, http://www.folsomstreetfair.com/fair-sponsors.php, and notice Miller Light and MGD are the only two sponsors whose product does not specifically target the gay community. Seems plenty of other major corporations don’t see this sponsorship as desirable. Then, if you are up to it, open the official program and scroll down to the miller add. That advertisement eliminates any debate on Miller’s goals are with this sponsorship.
“If only Henry Weinhardt had a local distributor in the Chicago area.”
They do, Berhard. It’s a Miller product.
Sorry Bernard for the misspelling of your name. The Shiner Bock and this morning’s Vicodin are kicking in.
I won't even begin to comment on this except to say this company and their top brass are mentally-warped and morally-sick in so many ways.
Leni
Actually I can now afford StPaulieGirl. I’ll go with that.
I love Sam Adams beers, but even Jim Koch can’t seem to shy away from the homo market;
One of the edgiest beer commercials of a few years ago featured Sam Adams Boston Lager, a brew that I frequently enjoy.
The spot opened with a man and woman seen breathing heavily in a bed. The guy looks like he’s about to lift off the launching pad when the woman pushes him away, hands him a Sam and explains, “I’m a transsexual,” making a snip-snip movement with her fingers while a cat yelps in the background. “My name used to be Phil,” she continues while the guy laughs nervously. Once she points to her/his Adam’s apple, the guy takes a long swig from his beer and says, “Wow! That tastes great.”
A moment later, he seems to have forgotten what had just transpired, so good-tasting is Sam Adams Boston Lager. “What was I saying?” he says as he turns back to her. “You were about to nibble on my ear,” she moans and he climbs back into the sack with her.
I understand the idea of market segmentation in advertising, especially in beer advertising, but really, is it necessary to work the transsexual market right under our noses?
What’s next, the S & M crowd? (I guess Miller answered this question).
> I find most of those who use that cute little phrase (WWJD) are rather wishy-washy Christians. Most of them are weak in their Christianity and have long forgotten how to be men.
And I find most of those who *don’t* use that cute little phrase (WWJD) are “Christians in Name Only”. Most of them are strong in their opinions and weak in their practise, and have long since lost their way.
> If an evil man wishes to molest your daughter would you defend her or had her over to his abuse and also give him your wife? What if he wanted to sodomize your son? Would you fight or sit passively?
Well, What Would Jesus Do?
> As for Miller Beer insulting my Saviour, they are about to learn that the number of Christians who enjoy a cold beer is much larger than the homosexual community.
That will teach ‘em to become good Christians, ay. Turn the other cheek, then belt ‘em a good one! Right where it hurts ‘em most — in the wallet!
> The people in charge at the company do not have to fear losing their heads to me.
I’m sure Jesus will be relieved to know that.
> However, they will not get my money.
Maybe Jesus would prefer you not to drink beer in the first place? Not because there is any specific sin like “Thou Shalt Not Drink Beer”, but rather because it seems to absorb a large amount of your energies and focus: perhaps its absence in your life would make a great sacrifice.
That way, you could kill two birds with one stone: deprive Miller (and indeed all of the other brewers) of any future revenues from you, AND made a meaningful sacrifice...
...just a thought.
> If you like scripture, try these -
In the first case, when the WWJD test is applied, we know what Jesus did, so that’s easy. You should therefore feel free to evict any bankers and merchants who try to set up shop in your church, or indeed in the temple of your heart.
In the second case, when the WWJD test is applied, we also know what Jesus did.
You will recall in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter tried to use that sword to defend Jesus by cutting off Malchus the high priest’s servant’s ear.
Jesus stopped Peter and healed Malchus. So clearly he did not mean for his disciples to go armed to the Garden of Gethsemane and fight to defend their master there, in a literal sense...
We know that the disciples eventually “got” the meaning of the message, but not until after the resurrection.
The “WWJD” question is much more useful than you have given it credit for being, my FRiend.
That will teach ‘em to become good Christians, ay. Turn the other cheek, then belt ‘em a good one! Right where it hurts ‘em most — in the wallet!
Do you make donations to Planned Parenthood? Why or why not? Do you patronize businesses that support PP? Is it right or wrong to indirectly support a practice that is an abomination to the Lord? God has made it clear, through His Word, what is and is not an abomination to Him.
We must hate sin but love the sinner. When a loved one has a drug or alchol problem do you subsidize their habit? Would it be right or wrong to give cash to a family member who is drinking them self to death. Would you warn a homosexual friend or family member that they are in peril of eternal damnation? How about a friend or family member who is committing adultery? Please read 1 Corinthians 6:9.
Do you watch movies? Did you go to see “The Last Temptation of Christ?” If you watch movies why should you not see that one? Does a wise choice require discernment (whether beverage or cinema)?
Do you have Chinese Christmas decorations? Do you know there are Christians imprisoned in China for having home churches? They rejected the government approved/politically correct official Christian church. Many of the policies mirror those of Nazi Germany. They insist on Loyalty to the State first. The prisoners work 18 hour days assembling the decorations that we put on our trees. For a long, long time my policy has been if all that’s available is Chinese made I try to do without (this of course refers to more than Christmas decorations). Is it wrong for me to “belt them a good one in the wallet?” Would it be better to financially support the persecution of Christians?
Have you suffered for your faith? I mean have you been mocked or ridiculed...or even threatened because you express your faith? I know Christians who insist that if the government forbids us to do this we must “Submit to the Authorities (Romans 13:5).” My wife and I risked the esteem of our friends and my military career because we would not be silent when Jesus was mocked. What will you do if the Bible becomes “Hate Speech? Have you read Acts? Would you stand boldly before the authorities and declare Jesus Christ is God and is your Lord and Savior? ”
About alcohol - Jesus actually warned against gluttony and drunkenness. He drank wine throughout his life. He was called a drunkard by the Temple Authorities. See Matthew 11:19. Paul was chosen by Jesus to be an apostle (on the road to Damascus). He explained (in Romans 14) that if one abstains from a food because of his belief another who does not abstain should not look down on him. However we should separate ourselves from that which causes us to sin.
Jesus is God. The perfect man came physically into this imperfect world to do what no man could do. He resisted every sin anyone ever faced. Though he was sinless He became sin for us, died in our place and rose to give us new life. What He did paid for our sins. If I tried to do what He did I would just make a mess.
I focus on what Jesus did and what he will do. He paid a price that I could never afford. He is coming in His Glory. But what will happen to those lost in sin?
It took me many years to know Jesus. My Jesus is Lord, Master, Savior and King. He is loving, forgiving, long suffering in lovingkindess and patience. He is also Holy and Just.
Here’s some more scripture below, submitted for your reflection. Thanks for the conversation my Christian FRiend and God bless you.
GB
Psalm 110 (This is an interesting play on words, if you can discern it’s meaning)
Of David. A psalm.
1 - The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
Luke 19
26 - “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
27- But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.”
Revelation 19
11 - I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.
12 - His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.
13 - He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14 - The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 - Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16 - On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
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