‘Buy American’ Ad Rejected in Seattle for Being Too Political
- Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:16pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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King County in Washington State rejected this ad on the grounds that it was too political.
An advertising campaign encouraging shoppers to “Buy American” has been banned in Seattle for being too political.
King County, which includes Seattle, rejected local nonprofit organization TAP America’s attempt to run the ads on the sides of buses, citing county policy against ads expressing a view on “matters of public debate about political, religious or social issues,” the Seattle Times reported.
The rejected ads read: “December is Buy American Month. Shop Locally. Join Seattle’s TAPamerica.org.”
TAP America — which stands for “Tolerance, Americanism, Patriotism” — had sought to place the ads starting this week, concentrating on bus routes that run through downtown Seattle shopping districts, according to the Times.
Richard Tso, TAP America’s executive director, told the newspaper the message was intended to remind holiday shoppers they could do something positive for the country when spending their money. He said the group was planning to spend about $8,000 to run the ads on 45 buses for the next month.
“I think the concept of buying American is not something that we should be afraid of,” Tso told KIRO-FM. “I think it’s something that we should start to embrace, I think, as a society. It was quite a shock.”
Mark Bloome, the Seattle philanthropist who founded the organization this year, said he was similarly baffled by the county’s rejection.
“We’re not political,” Bloome said. “We’re just trying to keep the light of liberty alive as the economy spins down, and the only answer I have seen is to buy American.”
He added that it was absurd that the county would accept ads for clothing made in China but denied a “Buy American” ad.
But a King County Metro spokeswoman defended the decision to reject the ads, calling the “Buy American” concept “an issue of both political and economic debate.”
The county’s policy was enacted after another controversy when a local group tried to buy bus ads last year showing a rubble-strewn street with the words “Israeli War Crimes: Your Tax Dollars at Work.”
King County enacted its policy against political ads following controversy when a local group tried to run this ad campaign last year.
King County rejected the Israel ads, saying they could lead to disruptions of bus service, which prompted the Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign to sue. A federal judge ultimately sided with the county, saying the decision to bar the ad was “a viewpoint-neutral and reasonable restriction in a limited public forum.”
The bus agency had refused to accept any noncommercial bus ads until it adopted a revised policy prohibiting political ads.
But Bloome told the Times he doesn‘t think TAP America’s message is anywhere near as disruptive, and said the group hopes the county will reconsider its decision.
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Comments (79)
bikerr
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:46pmFully agree with their position,however, just to not give the liberals any wiggle room they should spell out America as the United States and not south America.The liberals would love to send money to South America,after all they are shopping made in America!
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:10amBikerr…
You have got to be kidding!
Free speech/thought should be banned?
Where does censorship end, and freedom of speech/thought begin?
Aren’t those buses privately-owned?
Who decides?…
Man? …Some man? Which man?
Why does ‘he’ decide? Maybe he has the power to tell you what car to drive, or make you pay triple the cost to register the ‘wrong’ type car? If not, why not?
Maybe it doesn’t get good enough gas mileage?
Maybe the US just a huge HOA where we are limited in our freedoms to what we can plant in our yards depending on which gated-community you live in.
If we go with Seattles’ theory?……….
OWS signs come down.
Political posters on private property come down, etc,etc,etc,etc,etc…………
Any sexy ad that “offends” comes down.
Any liquor ad comes down if it offends.
Where will you stop it, Bike?
Report Post »What is “fair”, and who will decide?
kaydeebeau
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:52am@ decendent…most (if not all) public transit busses (note the word public) are owned and operated by city gov’t – not private individuals or groups
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 8:44amKay,yes those City Buses are publicly owned,However they do allow private companies and groups to advertise on their buses to create revenue. If an American citizens owned bus can’t have BUY AMERICAN ads on it then no advertising should be allowed on it. IF AMERICAN CITIZEN CAN’T PROMOTE AMERICA ON THE BUSES THEY OWN THEN NO ONE SHOULD GET TO PROMOTE ANYTHING ON THE BUSES.
Report Post »Roaran
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 11:31am‘Buy American’ is one of the most backwards economic things to support. It only helps one group, Producers. More specifically American Producers that cannot compete with other countries. Sound Familiar????
You can choose to pay more for the same product, but I hope people will not advocate for government protection.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:58pmPut it up anyway…………………………Theres no ad to political……….someone dose’nt like it…..
Report Post »funk them put it up !
WatchingThePuppetShow
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:37pmLooks like they reconsidered….
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016910367_busads02m.html
Report Post »FaithFamilyandFriends
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:48pmSeattle probably hates this company http://www.whitepinepatriot.com
Report Post »Wonder how long it will be before they shut it down.
AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:48pmEven if this were political – which it isn’t – is there a law against being political? If so, there are a lot of A holes in Washington and elsewhere that could use being put in jail.
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:32pmGoshdammit! Every day someone somewhere has to put the Kabosh on anything that isn’t politically correct. what’s the matter with these people, don’t they see how PC has interfered with their own life in some way? relentless B*STARDS ALL OF THEM. I won’t ask what PC news tomorrow will bring, but when we tune in tomorrow, there will be another one most likely. it’s making my violent side itchy. but I won’t give in.
Report Post »troopsupporter
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:44pmWhat a wonderful way to get the “Buy American” message out to all of America! They did us all a great favor by rejecting these ads and making it news for all of America to see! The American pie is now in your face King County. Buy home made products everyone!
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:47amEasy now, GIRARDPHILLIPW. No matter what you see/hear, things ain’t as bad as you think. Let a day or week pass and your thinking can change. don’t let an itchy trigger finger ruin your life along with others. Everything you do affects ALOT of others. Stay with U.S. and we’ll see this thing through, sir.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:20amP-GIRARD………
Report Post »See my reply to BIKERR above…..
It seems we Americans just LLLLLLLLLLLOV to give our freedoms away.
I laugh at people who think we could possibly have become the most powerful nation both militarily and economically if we had not had the freedom to build, invent, advertise our products, etc.
last frontier
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:31pmBig union port city protecting China.
Report Post »hucksqr
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:34pmBoy do you have it right. I happen to live here, and I can tell you, being a Constitutionalist here can be a rather lonely feeling sometimes. This city is where places like Detroit were at 40 years or so ago. You can see the start of the urban decay that plagues other Progressive cities, just not nearly as bad yet.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:30pmIf a bureaucrat from any other county in Washington but King County tried this stunt, there would be blowback. King County more and more operates as San Francisco North, with all of the liberal looniness emblematic of SF. Fortunately, most of the loons pretty much stay put there. Unfortunately, there are so many that our state remains colored blue like the other two states here on the left coast. But there are also many God-fearin’ conservatives living here in counties that more resemble those found in red states. We are proud of the products that we produce in Washington, and hope Americans will buy them – and most of us in Washington would love to buy yours.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:42pmThank you for that clarification.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:17pmOk. So they have ‘relented’, contrary to their inherent anti-capitalist, anti-American instincts. What a bunch of lefty weasels there are infesting the left coast. The truth is, they became afraid that the real 53% might throw their butts out of office once their true colors were revealed. Crafty progressives that they are, they cut and ran quickly, minimizing the damage. They will, of course, re-group in their rat holes.
Report Post »Rightsofman
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:16pmHello west coast – you should have your own country and flag jerks. “Buy American” only has meaning if there is something manufactured in America that an American can use in daily life. I was disgusted when I heard that the new “green” lightbulbs that are being forced upon us by the Federal Gov’t will be made in Communist China, then I looked at an incandescent bulb I was installing and saw “made in China” stamped on it. We’re so screwed.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:32pmNice. Impugn an entire region of your homeland. Who’s the jerk?
Report Post »pazzo242
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:14pmI am with all of you who say Seattle should change their name to “North San Francisco” but take a look at Washington State’s last voting map (red & blue). You will see that Seattle, Tacoma & Everett were solid democrat but the REST of the state was a gleaming red. Even if you go county by county you’ll see the big cities are democrat but when you go east in the counties the districts turn red. Seattle is a huge piece of liberal dog dung but the rest of us are fighting the battle. Come to Washington but just don’r shop in the big towns. Most all of our small towns are quite conservative. The problem here, just like California, the big cities run the state.
And if visit, stay at a small town motel (no they aren’t 5 star) than if nothing else you will fall in love with the scenery.
Report Post »mils
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:16pmstay away from seattle!!!…boycott…it’s unamerican to go there…
Report Post »we would n’t want to bring them shame by having real americans visit there…
Boycott Seattle…don’t buy their coffee either…
JohnHW
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:28pmI live in Everett. It is not ‘solid’ Democrat or liberal. I manage a couple of offices and need to interview our clients. I am only finding about 1 in 20 who agree with our governor’s policies. They also dislike Obama’s administration, but … about 3 in 10 think Patty Murphy (senator) is doing a good job for Washington state..
Report Post »CO2HOG
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:58pmMetro relents on ‘Buy American’ bus ads http://is.gd/DHe9gn // fyi: @theblaze
https://twitter.com/#!/CO2HOG/status/142434771778281472
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:03pmYEAH!!! thanks for the link
Report Post »drmarkr
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:46pmCounty admin is Dow Constantine.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:45pmIn my opinion, Seattle is on the same par as San Francisco and the Oregonians. Can’t help but think America would be better off were the Left coast to slip off into the sea.
Report Post »voodoolife
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:19pmNo, just leave the Union. Just give me a few more months, working on getting out of Los Angeles…
Report Post »drmarkr
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:44pmemail address… kcexec@kingcounty.gov
phone 206-296-4040
Let him hear your thoughts.
Report Post »Lee McAbee
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:43pmI spent 20 yrs in Seattle area and this surprises me not.
Report Post »your sensei
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:43pmGreat, more hypocrisy from the people who who scream,”DON’T BUY AMERICAN”whenever a union is involved.
Report Post »historyforgotten
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:04amCorporations have a Union, called the Chamber of Commerce. Where CEOs discuss how to Make Money without Paying More to Employees. Whats wrong with the Workers Union discussing how to Earn More Pay for their Physical labor, creating everything you Consume?
Report Post »zphoton
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:43pmSeattle, Ehhh? H-m-m-m..Maybe they should change the ad to read: “Look for the Union label”!
I can maybe even write a jingle…
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:42pmIf Buy American is too political -here in America- then perhaps the ad should say “Bye” American.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:02pmWhat you say is sad…but true. Time to stop progressives and PC!! Speak out people!! Piss off “those people” around you who don’t “really care about this stuff”….“those people” sitting back letting freedom slip away need a fire lit under their butts to make a choice about what kind of country they want to live in and have their kids grow up in. I for one do not censor my words any more. I speak my mind anywhere I happen to be. I try to be as respectful and polite as possible…..but I don’t walk away, or allow myself to be bullied by others who don’t like my opinion if they over hear it.
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:41pmHere we are on the side of the lake describing the water again. Seattle conservatives, TAKE THEM ON PUBLICLY. Like rats from the sinking ship if you relentlessly push back they’ll cave in fear for loss of power and influence. Once you have them backed into the corner, finish the job. What are we talking about here? Getting the anti-America trash thrown out of office!
Report Post »The Scarecrow
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:37pmWell i say King county is anti American and should be treated accordingly.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:35pmIf it meant ……TAP….Tolerate Aggravating Progressives…..then the signs would be everywhere.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:45pm“terminate arrogant progressives” works for me
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:32pmcheck…..that’s another city (state) off my “where can I move list”
Report Post »bjornskis
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:30pmyou can have ads for planned parenthood
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:29pmI thought I just read an update on a news site somewhere that said the ban was overturned. I support their ad 100%. Americans everywhere need to start spreading the word to take their country back. Boycott Foreign products, Foreign Businesses, Foreign restaurants, and don’t hire Foreign employees. We have to start looking out for our local people and supporting their local businesses, foreigners everywhere do the same thing for their people and their communities, why can’t we?
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:26pmUnbelievable. WTF
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:25pmTAP America — which stands for “Tolerance, Americanism, Patriotism
Tolerance? For what? For whom? Sounds like a Marxist in disquise waving a flag to me.
Report Post »Now TAP that blonde I could get into…
THE-FINAL-ACT
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:22pmI just had to leave Fry’s Electronics because everything there was made in China. Didn’t get what I wanted which is a keyboard made in America…
Report Post »THE-FINAL-ACT
Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:37pmI need a American made keyboard. Anyone know of any brands and sellers?
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