You're a Mean One, Grinch Alert

[paft.livejournal.com]

Robert Jeffress:

Well, you know every year people bemoan the War on Christmas and I thought, “Let’s do something positive about it,” so we created this website, Grinchalert.com, it allows people to go on our website and, uh, if they’ve encountered a business that shuns Christmas they can talk about it and put that business on the naughty list but if they find a business that celebrates Christmas, they can put that business on the nice list. It’s just a fun way to say to businesses and organizations, “You don’t have to bow to political correctness. It’s okay to say, “Merry Christmas…”

John Roberts: What if businesses who are on the naughty list lose customers?... Would it be a good idea to affect people’s business at this season, which can be make or break for some people, and in this economic climate?

Jeffress: John, let me make it clear, we have never even hinted at a boycott…

"Never even hinted at a boycott?" Really? Here’s what Jeffress said on Fox:

Jeffress: One great example in the Dallas area, there was a bank that took down a Christmas tree because they said it would offend customers. Well, there was another bank that got put on our nice list, the Providence Bank, because they put up a nativity scene. The CEO told me yesterday that there were customers changing from the bank that removed the Christmas tree, and they’re flocking to his bank.

Gretchen Carlson: You are not calling for a boycott of any of these businesses….

Jeffress: Oh, not at all, not in any way! You know, there’s a Mexican restaurant you mentioned that was saying Happy Holidays, but our family still goes there every week…

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

So it’s all about reassuring businesses. Honest! It’s all about making them feel nice and safe. He’s not advocating a boycott.

But he’s delighted to share as an example that little story of a bank losing customers because they took down a Christmas tree.

See, here's what mystifies me about this... Jeffress likes the idea of forcing other people and businesses to utter "Merry Christmas" and post signs saying "Merry Christmas" who are uncomfortable doing it. Do the people at "Grinch Alert" really imagine that businesses and retailers intimidated into towing Grinch Alert's line are acting in the spirit of the season?

And here's one more video, especially for the Reverend Mr. Jeffress:

Thanx to Juliebogen

Crossposted at Thoughtcrimes

Comments

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

The only possible use for the list is to steer people towards the nice and away from the naughty. From the comments, that is clearly what people are doing with the information.

Oh no! You mean it gives people a CHOICE as to where they can spend their money?!? Oh horrors! People might start thinking for themselves!!! This is TERRIBLE!

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

I mean the information is being used to boycott certain businesses, just as it is intended and organized to be.

The choice issue is your strawman again. Of course no one can force a boycott, but you can make a good/bad list and encourage people to choose from it.

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

Keep crying 'strawman'. It's funny!

Of course no one can force a boycott, but you can make a good/bad list and encourage people to choose from it.

And the problem with making a list of recommended businesses is...what?

Ever been to bad_service? How about good_service? Do you see a problem with those?

I'm truly curious as to what your grand point is. As I said, paft made a point to attack the website and the leader for allegedly calling for boycotts when they in fact aren't. You seem to be making the point that no one should be allowed to complain about a business if they don't like something that's being done.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

And the problem with making a list of recommended businesses is...what?

The list isn't just recommended businesses. Its naughty (boycott) and nice (spend!). The problem is they deny it is a boycott, which is bullshit. I've typed this over and over. I think you are trolling.


Ever been to bad_service? How about good_service? Do you see a problem with those?

None at all.

I'm truly curious as to what your grand point is.

The point is its a functional boycott list, and they wont admit to it.

You seem to be making the point that no one should be allowed to complain about a business if they don't like something that's being done

They have every right to complain. However, if you make a list of naughty and people use that list to avoid those businesses, you cannot then claim you are not trying to affect those businesses.

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

The point is its a functional boycott list, and they wont admit to it.

And if you don't have a problem with boycotts in general, what would the problem be with "a functional boycott list"? Seriously, you're not making any sense anymore. If you would have just said "I think this is a stupid idea" and left it at that for your reason, I couldn't care less. But now you're just being a hypocrite and talking yourself in circles.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

For the seventh time, the problem is that they will not admit to a "boycott" yet they are hosting a list used for boycotting. Its a coy lie to avoid looking mean by hurting businesses that may be struggling. I've said this several times now and it is all in the OP.

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

Its a coy lie to avoid looking mean by hurting businesses that may be struggling.

This is the biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever heard. Businesses open and close every day. That's what a free market is all about.

I think your problem with the issue is a lot deeper than you're letting on. But whatever. I just think you and paft are being completely ridiculous. People have a right to complain about a business for whatever reason they want. No one's forcing anyone NOT to shop somewhere. It's all about CHOICE. If you have a problem with choice and free will, then a) don't look at that website and b) maybe you shouldn't be living in the U.S.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever heard

You're not over the top superlative or anything....

your problem with the issue is a lot deeper than you're letting on

Oh, do tell. You sure want to troll this issue.

eople have a right to complain about a business for whatever reason they want

Agreed.

No one's forcing anyone NOT to shop somewhere.

Agreed. Has there ever been a forced boycott in a free market economy?

maybe you shouldn't be living in the U.S

You can shut the hell up about where I should be living. Got it?

For the eighth time, the issue is that they claim its not a boycott, but they are producing a tool used to boycott.

The reason they deny its a boycott is that they don't want to look bad on the news, but their actions are not aligned with their words.

Please address that issue.

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

You agree that a) people have the right to complain about a business for any reason they choose and b) no one is forcing anyone's hand as to where their money goes.

You seem to have a problem with free will in general. Are you one of those people that thinks the government should have a hand in anything and everything?

You can shut the hell up about where I should be living. Got it?

Or what? I'm not telling you to leave. It wouldn't be my place since I have no authority anyway. Nor do you have any authority to tell me what I can and can't say.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

I read it all, and i think you guys got a bit heated up, dontcha think? I suggest you both give it a rest for a while before one of you has said something they'd probably later regret. And then, if you like, come back to this subject. It often works.

As far as i can see, you two are going nowhere with this.

I'm not saying it as an authority, just making an observation and perhaps giving a suggestion.

[dreadfulpenny81.livejournal.com]

I already considered the argument done since they hadn't answered in over 12 hours. But thanks for the advisement.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

I know i'm a bit late, but better late than never.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

What do you think about this proposition (http://community.livejournal.com/talk_politics/815027.html?thread=61263795#t61263795)?