Israel runs from Dunkin'
May 25 Update: DD dropped the ad in question. Details here.
Nobody can make the Intafada perky like Food Network spokesgremlin Rachael Ray.
You see Rachael donning the Palestinian kaffiyeh above, while shilling Homer Simpson's favorite toric delicacies. I must admit that the scarf pairs nicely with the Swastika earrings.
I'll take one glazed, a large coffee, and death to the Jews... to go!
UPDATE (11:15 a.m.): The more I think about it, the scarf was probably placed on her by some wardrobe assistant. Who knows if Rachael, or even the said lackey, knows that the kaffiyeh represents solidarity with Hamas, Fatah, et al.
But having been on several photo shoots, nothing in this level of advertising is accidental. They carefully control the look of every article of clothing to better frame the product. (i.e., the coffee stands out from the dark neutral gray shirt, etc.) In the best scenario, DD's ad agency is exceptionally clueless.
The last thing we need is for the kaffiyeh to become the next version of the ubiquitous Che T-shirts.
UPDATE #2 (5:43 pm): Dunkin' Donuts' Customer Service department has responded to our post as follows:
While I appreciate their comment, according to the New York Times, this is a kaffiyeh and similar designs have drawn controversy as well. As mentioned in my first update, I'm fairly confident neither Ray nor DD was aware of the loaded symbolism. However, ignorance is hardly a redeeming quality for ad agency executives. They might want to eliminate that scarf ASAP so their intent won't be so easily mistaken.
BTW, I'm a big fan of DD. Although the brand has utterly abandoned the Phoenix market, I consumed far too many of their products while recently visiting Boston. Nevertheless, this is ExLg's second run-in with the company this year. One more marketing gaffe and... who am I fooling? If I'm ever in Boston again, I know where I'm getting breakfast. Mmm... donuts. (Just lose the radical chic, okay?)
UPDATE #3 (8:41 pm, 5/24): Looks like DD dropped the ad in question. Details here.
Nobody can make the Intafada perky like Food Network spokesgremlin Rachael Ray.
You see Rachael donning the Palestinian kaffiyeh above, while shilling Homer Simpson's favorite toric delicacies. I must admit that the scarf pairs nicely with the Swastika earrings.
I'll take one glazed, a large coffee, and death to the Jews... to go!
UPDATE (11:15 a.m.): The more I think about it, the scarf was probably placed on her by some wardrobe assistant. Who knows if Rachael, or even the said lackey, knows that the kaffiyeh represents solidarity with Hamas, Fatah, et al.
But having been on several photo shoots, nothing in this level of advertising is accidental. They carefully control the look of every article of clothing to better frame the product. (i.e., the coffee stands out from the dark neutral gray shirt, etc.) In the best scenario, DD's ad agency is exceptionally clueless.
The last thing we need is for the kaffiyeh to become the next version of the ubiquitous Che T-shirts.
UPDATE #2 (5:43 pm): Dunkin' Donuts' Customer Service department has responded to our post as follows:
Thank you for taking the time voice your concerns about the Dunkin’
Donuts Rachael Ray advertisement. In the ad that you reference, Rachael
is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design purchased
at a U.S. retail store and selected by her stylist for the advertising
shoot. This is not a 'kaffiyeh', which is typically a checkered and
cotton/wool fabric.
While I appreciate their comment, according to the New York Times, this is a kaffiyeh and similar designs have drawn controversy as well. As mentioned in my first update, I'm fairly confident neither Ray nor DD was aware of the loaded symbolism. However, ignorance is hardly a redeeming quality for ad agency executives. They might want to eliminate that scarf ASAP so their intent won't be so easily mistaken.
BTW, I'm a big fan of DD. Although the brand has utterly abandoned the Phoenix market, I consumed far too many of their products while recently visiting Boston. Nevertheless, this is ExLg's second run-in with the company this year. One more marketing gaffe and... who am I fooling? If I'm ever in Boston again, I know where I'm getting breakfast. Mmm... donuts. (Just lose the radical chic, okay?)
UPDATE #3 (8:41 pm, 5/24): Looks like DD dropped the ad in question. Details here.
Trackbacks
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5/28/2008 12:04 PM
Vox wrote:
Having just re-recommended Exurban League to you all, I am fairly certain you picked up on me being a fan. One of the things I like about the site, besides... -
6/4/2008 8:32 PM
Vox wrote:
Do I (or anyone I know) think that Dunkin' Donuts or Rachael Ray are anti-semitic and/or terrorist sympathizers? No. Obviously. ********************************** Humans are programmed to respond to symbolism. From the... -
8/11/2008 11:24 PM
Vox wrote:
Do I (or anyone I know) think that Dunkin' Donuts or Rachael Ray are anti-semitic and/or terrorist sympathizers? No. Obviously. ********************************** Humans are programmed to respond to symbolism. From the...
Thank you for taking the time voice your concerns about the Dunkin’ Donuts Rachael Ray advertisement. In the ad that you reference, Rachael is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design purchased at a U.S. retail store and selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. This is not a 'kaffiyeh', which is typically a checkered and cotton/wool fabric.
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Who are you kidding? It may not be a classic keffiyah, but it reads as one -- as you damn well know it was meant to do. This is support for Islamic terror -- worse than that, it's a weasel's support for it. We're forever dumping dunkin' -- and Rachael Ray too.
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YOU.......are an idiot. You canNOT possibly be serious.
It is frightening to me that people like you exist in this country, let alone are able to vote. Have you got nothing better to do than worry about what someone is wearing? Let me guess........you live in some redneck town and actually believe that the "terrorists" are coming to get you! This would be absolutely comical if it weren't true.
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Your naivety is astonishing. There is a clash of cultures going on and it is absolutely every American's responsibility to notice and resist. If you knew the history behind the kaffiyeh you would agree. So wake up and join the struggle
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You stupidity is astonishing.
So --- you actually believe Rachael woke up and thought to herself "Hmmmm...I would really like to wear this scarf as it is a symbol of terrorism"?? Absolutely absurd.
btw, the blending of cultures in this country is exactly what makes it so great.
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As an Israeli American who lives almost in range of PA/Hamas missiles, I am not in the least offended by cultural modes of dress. America faces an economic meltdown. The dollar is 3.33 shekels; a year ago it was worth 4.2 shekels! I like donuts. Businesses advertise, to generate business. This modern day equivalent of going kooky over anything Arab reminds me of the Red scares that caused people to elect really wonderful people like tricky dick Nixon. The neo***** have basically trashed the Bill of Rights, Bush has openly despised the Constitution, calling it a piece of paper. Issues such as these and whether a Central Bank/federal reserve has a Constitutional mandate etc. The point being that issues have importants ... making dress styles into political issues ... that really kooky.
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Bush said no such thing about the Constitution...that lie was already apologized for by the idiot who started it. Google your urban legends carefully, lest you cite them as evidence... of your irrational Bush hatred.
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Twanguru, please provide the citation for the alleged apology.
By the way, I bought a kaffiyeh on a recent vacation to Egypt and Jordan. It is very comfortable. I am 59 and proud to be an American. And you would say that my wearing a kaffiyeh makes me a terrorist sympathizer? Please!
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No, it makes you a tool.
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Damn Straight Brian, clothes don't make the man.
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It's a Food Network Cook on a Donut commercial. You guys are all idiots! What a bunch of crap.
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Dunkin can say all they want, but it sure
quacks like a duck.
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Darn! I got killed by a composite bullet not a lead one. Therefore I have not been murdered.
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C'mon Dunkin' Donuts! Show some respect for the people of America, who put the MONEY in yr till... Avoid EVERYTHING that could be perceived as a keffiyah, as a symbol of child-victimizing, Israeli-murdering thuggish brutality and dissembling...
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I've got to agree with Alan on this one. DD should have been more careful on this one. Whether it was an honest mistake or not, if it looks like a duck, ... you get the point.
Anyway, keep this in mind for future ads.
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Hmm, would anyone care for an all-American Krispy Kreme donut?
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No, thanks, I'll stick with an all-American Dunkin' Donuts doughnut; I prefer the texture.
Thanks for asking, though!
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I'd like a "Dunkin' Donut" Tallit instead please.
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I hate to break it to DD, but a black & white Middle-Eastern-appearing scarf (oh yeah, like this one) will forever be associated with Yasser Arafat and Palestinian terrorism. Remember, before the Nazis made it all their own, the swastika was once just a very old and innocuous good-luck symbol.
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Actually, the use of such things as scarves goes back pretty far, especially among hip urbanites. I remember seeing plenty of them, black-and-white and red-and-white in Chicago in 1993. No one associated them with terrorism at the time and playing the Nazi card here, for this is being more than a little over-the-top.
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You're making his point without even realizing you're doing so. Your powers of reason and observation are nil.
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Actually, I was being deliberately fatuous, as this subject deserves nothing more than that.
Or perhaps I should say "non-subject" -- considering what there is to worry about in the world today, spending even a minute in contemplation of seriously griping to DD (who have pulled the ad anyway) is a waste of time and air.
To not realise this implies someone else's powers of reason and observation are, perhaps, less than nil.
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MMMMM, Krispy Kremes............
/Homer
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I've eaten my last glazed.....sigh.....
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" selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot"
So, who's the stylist, any clue?
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I have purchased 2 doz DD every morning for the last seven years. NO MORE !! I do have access to Krispy Kreme, even if it is several miles out of my way on the way to the office. No more DD .. We have a few employees with sons in the service who will understand.
How DD could be so out of touch to do something like this is unbelievable.
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So, you're going to drive several extra miles out of your way every day, thus burning more gas, thus putting more money in the hands of the very Arabs you fear so much, just to protest a cooking show bimbo wearing a poorly chosen scarf in a 30 sec. commercial?
With numbskulls like you around, it's no wonder that bush managed to sucker enough voters with fear of the "terrirists" to get a second disastrous term.
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Creeping support for Islamofascism. Sick.
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Creeping support for Islamofascism would be sick, indeed. That's why it's a good thing that this ad has nothing to do with Islamofascism or any subtle creeping it might do.
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i am card carrying zionsit jew with israeli passport and uzi in my gun cabinet, and i am telling you people that you are idiots, this is not a kaffiyeh, it's pashmina. i have one and proudly wear it.
seriously now, save your zionist fervor for better use. for example, send a pizza to israeli soldier:
http://pizzaidf.org/
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Don't believe you
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Poul,
Pashmina is a type of wool, or more specifically a type of goat that the wool comes from.
Even DD said this scarf was made from silk - not a pashmina.
Splitting hairs (heh) I know, but aiming for clarity.
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Wow, you people who jump at any scarf with a black pattern on it are incredibly stupid.
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I have to follow the others who are dumping Dunkin'. I haven't seen an apology, just some stupid excuse. Explain that to the "Towers 3000" from 9/11.
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Every DD I've been seems to be run by
folx from the Midlle East, any connection there or what?.
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Very lame 'reason' for doing something so very offensive. I am really sad that you guys would do this. I feel betrayed. Like the man said, "Hello, Krispy Kremes!"
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Both of those foods are very very bad for your body. Will your future heart disease help support "America" (presumably this alleged country does not include South America or Canada)?
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One knows what this means according to who has set the trend of wearing it. In the U.S. and in Europe, it has been leftist college students who support Palestinian terrorism. Now terrorism has come to the U.S. and Europe because the world let it be OK for 60 years against Israel. When will we ever learn..."first, they came for the Jews."
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I'm not real big on the whole demanding-an-apology thing, but I think it would be only fair for somebody to email Ms. Ray and ask her thoughts on the matter. (Which is why I've just done just that.) I think that, in fairness and decency, she deserves an opportunity to, if such is the case, make it clear that she wasn't aware of the implications of the terrorist scarf, or didn't notice.
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No more DD forever.
Lets get this more attention
bankrupt dd
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I will continue to patronize Dunkin' Donuts for two reasons.
1) It's one picture... get over it.
2) D.D. has a STRONG immigration and menu "enforcement" policies. They have actually insisted that immigration laws be followed...and have been sued by a franchisee for insisting that all stores sell all products - including pork.
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Pork donuts...YUM!
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The pork reference was in regard to a franchisee who wouldn't server sausage breakfast sandwiches...
(http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288845,00.html)
But a Pork donut... with bacon... and fat back... fried in pork fat with a side of sausage....
Yummy Times 2...
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They should know better because all black and white scarves are used by haters. My family was attacked by black and white scarf wearing thugs 8 years ago. They looked like terrorists.
See the haters who dare to wear
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=black+and+white+scarves&spell=1
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"b" wrote: You (sic) stupidity is astonishing.
So --- you actually believe Rachael woke up and thought to herself "Hmmmm...I would really like to wear this scarf as it is a symbol of terrorism"?? Absolutely absurd.
b, "your" stupidity is far from astonishing. In fact, it's expected. Have you forgotten about Cameron Diaz carrying the Mao handbag on vacation in Peru? In front of the very people terrorized by Shining Path Marxists? Get a clue.
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This is truly retarded. Sure, Dunkin' Donuts is improving their bottom line by signaling allegiance with Palestinian terrorists. Right. Nothing hard to believe about that. All you're doing here is signaling to the rest of the world that neocons are out of their frigging minds. 9/11 Truthers got nothing on you guys.
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I think I'm inclined to give Dunkin Donuts a pass on this one.
But just this once.
I will believe that the person who picked out the scarf (whatever you want to call it) did not realize the political implications of it. But they certainly know now.
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Nobody expects a Leftist to be offended by symbols of solidarity with movements that embrace terrorism and murder (Leftists only have a fit when someone expresses solidarity with the U.S.A.).
Nevertheless, to me that scarf appears paisley, not like a checkered Yasser Arafat-style kafiyeh.
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Must be hard typing a letter while wearing that starched white sheet.
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Stick to your cookin' show Rachael.
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You guys are off your rockers.
Why would Dunkin Donuts want to alienate a bunch of customers, even if they are extremely unhinged?
I'd be willing to bet that 95% of you hadn't even heard of the term "kafiyeh" until this article, nor known of the significance.
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I'm sorry it's a kafiyeh and that is that. If she knew she needs to apologize. If she didn't (and she does seem to be a bit of an airhead) then she needs to say so and apologize. There is no help for it. It was a tremendous gaffe and insulting to be told we are all mistaken. DD you shall not see me again until this silly bint says sorry and promises not to wander into terrorist territory again.
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It is a paisley scarf. It happens to be in black and white. It is not a kafiyeh. A kafiyeh does not have and has never had a paisley design.
You silly bint.
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So, according to Joel Rosenberg, "she wasn't aware of the implications of the terrorist scarf"
Gotta say - anyone terrorized by a silk paisley scarf is more than a little paranoid!
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The government must be so proud that its propaganda techniques have enabled its general populace to stand up and enforce such a strict moral wardrobe code. She can't wear a scarf? You hyper-paranoid infrahumans are the world super power; heaven help us all. Better get your knickers in another knot and boycott Urban Outfitters as well, that’s where the damn "kaffiyeh" is from. Freedom fries anyone? Remember that?? Don't you have better things to carp about than some bobble headed hack’s accessories? Is there any kind of lucid thought that she’s actually expressing her hidden agenda by wearing said accessory; she must be letting Palestinians know that she stands in solidarity with their terrorist cause. There is something so deranged about this that it’s almost beyond vocabulary. People still run around in white robes with little pointed caps and you’re bitching about a simple scarf. The prioritization of your thinking astounds if not stupefies. If yours is the vision of a civilized, rational country, please stop the ride I'd like to get off.
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There seem to be two separate arguments taking place here:
1) Did Rachel or DD know the significance of the scarf?
2) Does it matter what people wear?
As I #1, DD can claim ignorance on this once but they definitely can't claim ignorance a second time.
As to #2, if Rachael had worn a Swastika t-shirt you can bet your ass there would be widespread condemnation. Why is this any different? Anyone who follows the history of the Kafiyeh knows that it's got similar overtones.
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my god
americans
so stupid and easily offended
in australia EVERYBODY wears these scarves and nobody bats an eyelid
you know why?
because they're a FASHION
how you relate it to terrorism is beyond me
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astounded,
That is idiotic. If everyone started wearing swasticas because they were in fashion would that make them okay?
Seriously people, wake up. Words and symbols have an impact on the world. What happens if KKK white hoods become fashionable tomorrow? Should black people and Jews walk around in fear because of your taste of fashion?
These symbols have a very violent history to them. You can't go around flaunting them in public and expect people to be okay with that.
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To hell with fact-checking, huh guys? Point #1: The New York Times ran an article about the kaffiyeh being a fashion accessory back in January. Nowhere does it say that Ms. Ray's scarf is a kaffiyeh.
Point #2: Since when does a kaffiyeh have a paisley pattern?
Point #3: Dunkin' Donuts was purchased by The Carlyle Group--yes, THAT Carlyle Group--back in 2006. So by boycotting Dunkin' Donuts you are, in effect, boycotting a company associated with your beloved Bush family. Are your heads exploding yet?
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#1 Your late for dinner.
#2 Your fashion sense is still TMT.
#3 Who's the lemming?LLL
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Dunkin’ Donuts Consumer Response to Rachael Ray Advertisement:Thank you for expressing your concern regarding the Rachael Ray advertisement. In the ad that you reference, Rachael is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design that was purchased at a U.S. retail store. It was selected by the stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we will no longer use the commercial.
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The Carlyle Group is not going to be too pleased to find out you cut into their bloody profits. Don't expect a Christmas Card from George Bush, John Major or James Baker this year...
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My God, does stupidity have any limit here? You people are the intellectual descendants of the idiots who were calling sauerkraut "Liberty Cabbage" back during WWI and denouncing people for owning Dachshunds. Twenty years from now, people are going to look back on this and a lot of you are going to be VERY glad you were hiding behind your pseudonyms.
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Pamela, (and every else), we have one rule and one rule only for comments here on ExurbanLeague: Play nice and obey the Thumper Rule (If you can't say anything nice, don't say nothin' at all).
Ok, that's two rules...
Thank you for your cooperation in this. All of you.
- The Management
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And it's "playing nice" to imply that someone has terrorist sympathies because she wore a black and white scarf?
Riight.
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I don't believe that Dunkin Donuts intended to show their support for Palestinians, or any terrorist group. I also have no reason to believe that Rachel Ray is an anti-semite. However, the fact is that this ad spot seems to feature a piece of clothing closely associated with terrorists.
If you were to see a swastika that was backwards, or made with squiggly lines instead of straight, it would still be offensive and hurtful. If Krispy Kreme decided to do a commercial featuring people in pink pointy-hooded robes, they would hardly get a pass because, not being white, they are obviously not KKK attire. To suggest that the paisley print (which is hardly discernable) makes up for the overwhelming kaffiyeh-ness of the scarf is disingenuous.
I would be inclined to give both Dunkin and Ray a pass, since they seem to have acted quickly and (sort of) apologized.
But I remain curious how all of the people involved in the production of a promo spot could have overlooked such a glaring PR mishap when it was staring them in the face.
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Hey I just realized where I had seen that kaffiyeh recently. It is in the PONTIAC VIBE commercial featuring Shwayze, the recording artist. He is wearing around his neck! He MUST support the TERRORISTS! I bet, if you play his 'music' backwards, it outlines the latest INTIFADA! It was only shown on the screen for a short time, but it looks black and white patterned. This MUST MEAN we all have to boycott PONTIAC and GEFFEN RECORDS, because they back TERROR!
That is why I always buy foreign made goods. Anything can be passed off as Good 'Ol American-made and still support TERROR! I fight the WAR on TERROR by making sure I NEVER let them get a foothold on MY wallet. Thank goodness I read this blog, or else I would not have known about RR and Dunkies! And I know all the people who have commented here appreciate my letting them know that Shwayze is wearing a black and white scarf in the PONTIAC VIBE commercial and that must mean that they support TERROR!
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I AGREE! I just saw this commercial. It is totally the same scarf. Oh and by the way, in New York City everyone is wearing these scarves. If you walk down the street you are guaranteed to see 5-10 people wearing these scarves. There in fashion, and I don't think the girls on the upper east side would appreciate being called terrorists.
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So, I should wear a tinfoil hat while eating my donuts?
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While we welcome all our new left-of-center guests, you might want to actually read the post before commenting. I see many complaints and snark, but nothing addressing what I actually wrote. It's more fun to attack strawmen, but it doesn't change hearts or minds.
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I did read it. My favorite part"
"I'll take one glazed, a large coffee, and death to the Jews... to go!"
A real knee slapper that! Yep, there's nothing more hilarious than implying that wearing a patterned scarf is an indication of gross and murderous anti-semitism.
But as I observed, we can all sleep soundly now. No longer need we fear the wearing of a black and white fringed scarf on TV commercials by dark haired, olive skinned public figures.
America is safe.
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If you actually were offended by sarcasm about "anti-semitism", you wouldn't be so willing to imply that I'm anti-Semitic in your next sentence.
DD made a dumb marketing move and quickly corrected it. Good for them, I say. Have a good Memorial Day.
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I had nothing so specific as "anti-semitism" in mind. Prejudice against olive-skinned, black-haired people can be rooted in prejudice against people of Arab descent, people of hispanic descent, etc. -- and these days most frequently is.
Do you believe for one moment that you and others in this idiotic campaign could have gotten as much traction and intimidated a company to pull a completely innocent add if the person wearing that scarf had had blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes?
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I don't think anyone reading this even noticed that she was an "olive-skinned, black-haired" person until you mentioned it. I know it never entered my mind until you brought it up, though I still don't see what bearing it has on the issue at hand.
As to a blonde-haired, blue-eyed celebrity not getting the same criticism, I believe someone already mention Cameron Diaz and her Mao bag. There was no ad to pull, but there was certainly enough of an outcry to get her to issue an apology quite quickly.
The color of RR skin and hair are in no way related to the offensiveness of her accessory choice - unless, apparently, you came here from the DU, where those types of things matter more than any actual issues.
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V: don't think anyone reading this even noticed that she was an "olive-skinned, black-haired" person until you mentioned it. I know it never entered my mind until you brought it up, though I still don't see what bearing it has on the issue at hand.
Riiiight. Nobody noticed that big picture of Rachel Ray in the ad that's accompanied postings about this nonsense.
Tell me another one.
As for "Cameron Diaz and her Mao bag," that's an entirely different set of stereotypes.
There was nothing "offensive" about Rachel Ray's "accessory choice." There is a great deal that's offensive about the hysteria being promoted here.
Trust me. If you're around thirty years from now, and this subject comes up, you'll be VERY glad you weren't posting under your own name.
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I honestly never noticed her complexion, and I am fairly certain no one else who was offended by the scarf noticed (or at least paid any attention to) her appearance, either. We just don't think that way.
You have immediately jumped to stereotypes, something no one else here did (at least not about the ad, there are certainly stereotypes about those of us who were offended) You will have to explain the "entirely different set of stereotypes" surrounding Diaz and her bag - since I don't even see the stereotype re: Ray, I certainly need you to enlighten me re: what stereotypes apply to Diaz.
I repeat what I said earlier; I think that the scarf was a stupid, though mostly innocent, mistake. They have corrected it. All is well.
Why is it that those who disagree with that point seem incapable of presenting a reasonable argument that equates to more than name calling and vitriol?
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So everyone took a good hard look at that scarf, but nobody noticed the appearance of the woman wearing it?
That's your story and you're sticking to it, eh?
As for "stereotypes," claiming that the scarf is an article of clothing "closely associated with terrorists" is about as blatant an example of stereotyping as there is. The presumed Keffiya Ray is supposed to be wearing is widely used in the middle east, not just by Arabs but by western military forces stationed there. It's only associated with "terrorism" if you assume every middle-easterner is an incipient terrorist and every middle-eastern accessory the equivalent of a Swastika lapel pin.
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I get all my donuts at Tim Horton's, but after this I am switching to Dunkin Donuts. I find the insanity of the wingnuts to be absolutely hilarious. I've been emailing this thread to all of my friends and family. We're all having a good laugh. I mean, we knew the Republican Party base was essentially a bunch of crazy people, but this is just priceless.
Thanks for the laughs, losers!
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> Do you believe for one moment that you
> and others in this idiotic campaign
> could have gotten as much traction
> and intimidated a company to pull a
> completely innocent add if the person
> wearing that scarf had had blonde
> hair, fair skin, and blue eyes?
Are you kidding me?! As an olive-skinned, black haired individual of middle-eastern descent I find your remarks downright offensive.
Guys, clearly these left-wing nutcases are starved for attention so simply don't give it to them by replying. They've already made up their mind and are not interested in a true debate. Have a good Memorial Day.
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Gill didn't post those remarks. I did.
Do explain why my objecting to this hysteria about a black and white scarf is "offensive" to you.
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It's offensive that you believe that the color of one's skin or their descent gives them the right to parade around with symbols of violence any more than white Caucasians with blond hair and blue eyes do.
It's no coincidence that extremists are on the rise across the world. Every time we try to fight for moderation some cultural relativist such as yourself silences the discussion. It's one thing to accommodate views that offend us. It's another thing entirely to accommodate the views of people who actively try to kill us.
This isn't a fight about race, religion or nationality. It's a fight between ethnocentrism and cultural-relativism. Clearly, you hold one view and we hold the other, so what's the point of arguing?
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Gill:It's offensive that you believe that the color of one's skin or their descent gives them the right to parade around with symbols of violence any more than white Caucasians with blond hair and blue eyes do.
Now you're just making stuff up. That's not what I said and you know it. What I said was that this stupid campaign of yours would not have gotten much traction if the person wearing the scarf was not dark haired and olive skinned.
I have so far seen nothing to indicate that Rachel Ray was wearing a "symbol of hate" on a par with a German swastika.
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If Pamela Troy thinks it's okay it must be good. Nothing to see here, move along.
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That's the best argument you can come up with?
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Pamela, you have provided no evidence that Rachel's skin color is relevant in this discussion. I find your line of reasoning offensive because you're attempting to imply that Caucasians wearing a Kaffiyeh would somehow be okay and that we're all racists for being offended. Nothing could be closer from the truth.
The Kaffiyeh is a symbol in the same way a Burqa is. It's no coincidence both are popular amongst extremists and that moderate Muslims sport neither. Symbols have a real impact in our world. Ignore them at your peril.
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Gill: The Kaffiyeh is a symbol in the same way a Burqa is. It's no coincidence both are popular amongst extremists and that moderate Muslims sport neither. Symbols have a real impact in our world. Ignore them at your peril.
It most certainly is not equivalent to a Burqa! Countless Arab women who wouldn't be caught dead in a Burqa wear kaffiyehs. And where in the world did you get the idea that moderate Muslims don't wear kaffiyehs? Heck, even Israelis have been known to wear them.
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Paranoid-delusional neocons FTW. How much did it cost to wire internet access in your bunkers?
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Long live Palestine!
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We've banned, edited and/or deleted several comments and three commenters for profanity and hate speech. You're free to share your viewpoints here -- pro and con -- but keep it clean.
(BTW, you don't help your case by blaming everything on "the Jooooos!")
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You have got to be kidding...like there is nothing better to do in this world that pick on Rachael and her scarf. DD has just caved in to the paranioa that is rampant in this country. I, for one, will not patronize DD because of their actions.
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So I guess black and white scarves of any style are offensive these days, especially those silk paisley ones worn by an American TV show host who cooks selling a iced mocha and donut. Very offensive....The only terrorism involved in this is the attack on our stomachs
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The Neo-Con freaks are all in a tizzy now. First they stop buying from Starbucks because they are a "Blue Company" , now DD is off limits. What's a Neo-Con to do?
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I am a retired army Sergeant First Class, who's been a conservative republican for 50 years, and am ASHAMED to discover that those of us on the right have come to this!
I am furious with you and with Duncan Donuts, and will not patronize them again, and plan to tell them so.
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Such hysteria (1.A psychonerosis marked by emotional excitability & disturbances of the psychic,sensory,vasomotor and visceral functions.2:behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmangageable fear or emotional excess.-Merrium Collegiate Dictionairy. I believe that fits so many of these ravings over a scarf. One that is fringed (Yassar Araffat's never had a shaggy fringe,not the pattern on it too. Check photos of Hamas as well.) This is the kind of mindless fear that leads to lynching parties and unfounded rumors that never die. Though the truth us usually lost in the din of mythical certainty. Cooler heads must prevail. Individuals may be 'smart.'Mobs tend to be stupid near brainless beasts that lash out and destroy. Some partially informed rube saw a scarf with black and white markings and automatically assumed that it was some kind of signal. Limbaugh/Hannity listener? Maybe even that psychotic Savage, I could see him promoting such lies to create such hysterics among men and women. A sad commentary on our culture,truely sad.
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You just don't get it, do you? It's about what the scarf, ANY scarf worn like that implies. Also, notice her hair is dark, like an Arab's.
And it gets worse: I read that you're against lynching, too!? I guess you don't care about protecting the honor of your womenfolk.
Anyway, who's hysterical here? You derided Limbaugh, Hannity, and Savage as demagogues, yet they're reasonable enough people to be on TV and radio -- TV's a big business and they don't let just anybody on, I'll have you know.
So, go enjoy your Bavarian Cremes with the other America haters at your local Dunkin's. The rest of us will load our pickups up with a patriotic little confection called "any other brand of donut." Even the worst of those must taste ten times better now!
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This post now holds the second spot for referrals to my blog this month. Another 850 clicks and you could hold the lead
I really should buy you some donuts or coffee, shouldn't I?
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How about actually responding to the points that are brought up -- like the fact that you now have two different people pointing out to you (one with illustrations) that the kaffiyeh's you've denounced as symbols of terrorism are frequently worn by western military personnel.
I mean, weren't you complaining earlier on your blog about how you just don't get any substantive arguments from liberals? Looks like you've got some here.
Maybe you weren't as keen on it as you thought, eh?
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A few years ago I was at camp Arafjan in Kuwait, the main US military base in the country. Guess what? You could buy these scarves on base and lots of the soldiers wore them. I was there when the First Infantry got back from Falluja, and lots of them had these scarves... any of you patriots want to tell them that they support terrorism?
In case you've never been to the middle east, just about everyone wears these scarves, they're as common as baseball caps in the US.
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This is all much ado about nothing.
Kuffiyeh means any sort of head covering. The one that people have a problem with is called a shemagh in the west whereas what Rachel Ray was wearing was not one of these but a paisley shawl.
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The purpose of that garb is to shield the head from elements such as sand and the sun. This is why most people in the Middle East wear them. But it would be a leap of logic in the worst sense to misconstrue this to mean that all Arabs are terrorists, and that what is akin to a hat is a symbol of terrorism.
What is next? Raincoats are a symbol of terrorism because most people in Europe wear them to keep from getting wet?
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actually you are ignorant ben linus. the kuffiya refers to the red and white scarf. the hatta refers to the black and white scarf. i do agree that rachael was wearing neither.
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I've seen a lot of people wearing kaffiyeh nowadays. It's been part of fashion right now. Well, that's life everything seems to be in fashion right now.
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