Speak Up For Those Who Can't Speak For Themselves!

So here's the thing. Freedom of Speech is power.  But so is money.  


I could philosophically debate which is more powerful and how our history has shown this or that or blah blah yada yada cue Charlie Brown's teacher in the background, but I won't.  Why?


Because speaking up for someone who cannot speak for themselves is more important than either.


I'd send you directly to the article online that spews hate towards a mentally disabled child, but they do not deserve the views that pay for their pitiful existence. Instead, please click HERE for screen prints by the brilliant Dana Loesch of the disgusting blog and editor/reader comments. You can also read more banter between Mediaite and the W*nkette Editor HERE. 


Let's not google their name and give them any justice of direct website hits.  Nor will we accept the pansy "apology" that came out late Wednesday evening from the author.  Or again Thursday afternoon in a half-slap yeah sure shut up whatever way.


And there it is.  Freedom of Speech in all it's vitriol hurtful despicable glory.  Yes, our country was founded on the principles of having the right to voice our opinions, but this is just detestable.  Period.  No child - regardless of their parent's political affiliation - should be discussed in any way. They are off limits.  Always.  So, get a grip, Mister Let Me Make Fun Of A Disabled Child Because It Makes Me Feel Better.  Dude.  You're doing it wrong.


Here's the money is power part.  I took it upon myself to call a few of the advertisers just to let them know where their ad was prominently shown and how I perceived this as a consumer.  As a mother.  As a human being.  They were very quick to begin investigations and the ball is now rolling.    


Was it my intention to have advertisers consider pulling ads?  No.  


Papa John's did it almost immediately from a single tweet by another concerned American.  Then Huggies.  Now Avis, Lennar Coastal of CA, FedEx, Hyundai Mall of GA (Auto Nation), Pottery Barn (Williams-Sonoma), Kodak Gallery, Celebrity Cruises/Royal Caribbean, HP,  Amway, JosA Bank, Fetchback, Dominos, Kaiser Permanente, Sheraton Hotels, Dish Network, AT&T, Lifelock, Gymboree, Yoplait, Ann Taylor, Coca Cola, eBags, Adobe, Toyota, Ford, Jimmy Johns, Whataburger, Betty Crocker, Finish Line, Vanguard, Coldwater Creek, Bob Evans Farms, Holland American Cruise Line, Reliant Energy, REI, Verizon, TMobile, Starwood, Dodge/Ram, Hyatt, QVC, Choice Hotels, Express, JJill, Nordstroms, Starkist Charlie, Deal Swarm, Coldwell Banker, State Farm and the Texas Education Agency all have too!  Colonial Williamsburg has blacklisted the website which shall not be named for their vile commentary.  Will more follow?  


The power is inevitably with the people, my friends.  Because WE hold the purse strings that keeps them in business and I'm certain there are competitors out there who do NOT support the hateful rhetoric placed towards a mentally disabled child ... or ANY child for that matter.


Do you do business or use these companies? 

 Join me in sharing your thoughts and feelings ... with your inside voice and best Sunday behavior ... to the following companies (in no particular order) that have/had advertisements on this offensive website:


*  Jack in the Box:
#1-858-571-2121
EMAIL or guest.relations@jackinthebox.com

*  Constant Contact:
# 1-866-876-8464
EMAIL or advertising@constantcontact.com


*  Dunkin Donuts:
#1-800-859-5339
EMAIL or customerservice@dunkinbrands.com


*  Progressive Insurance:
#1-440-395-9928
EMAIL or Linda_J._Harris@progressive.com


*  HGTV:
No direct number, but you can EMAIL HERE!
***UPDATE 4/23:  Owner of HGTV is Scrippt's Network. CONTACT THEM HERE!

*  Ellen Horan:
Note 4/26/11:  Although we previously listed Harper Collins Perenial, they have repeatedly told us that they do NOT advertise on the website that shall not be named.  Instead, the author of the novel or her ad agency had the ad placed on the website that shall not be named.  You may contact the company representing her here:  office_3@rusoffagency.com. 

*  Sprint:

#1-866-866-7509
EMAIL

*  Zip Car:

#1-866-494-7227
Direct email here: info@zipcar.com

*BlogAds
EMAIL

(ht @17seventy6 aka Thomas Jefferson for getting all the numbers!)

I cannot stress enough that when you contact these companies, please be respectful.   Mocking disabled children is hateful and we do not want to fall into that category by stooping to the level of the website that shall not be named.  Simply present the facts and let said company make their decision from there.

After all, this is America and they are free to advertise where they wish.  Please note that some of the companies may not even know their ad was on the website that shall not be named.  Many use outside ad agencies for their marketing.  Once the company completes their investigation and should they decide to continue to support the website that shall not be named, we as consumers also have a choice:  to take our business elsewhere. 

And I will.

Movie geek that I am:  NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!  :)


If you're on Twitter, here is an fantastic quick reference TWITTER LIST OF W*NKETTE ADVERTISERS so you can tweet to them directly too.   (ht @_starstar aka Ellen for putting this together! :))


Pulse 360 is "a data-driven ad technology company, servicing the needs of premium publishers and advertisers with a flexible pricing model" ... many of these companies info is being pulled by them to post on the website whose name we shall not mention.  CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY HERE!  And more data driven company info HERE TOO!


And thank YOU for your support in speaking up for those who can't!  


If you receive an email, tweet, or some other sort of confirmation from a company listed above that they will be removing their ad, please POST A COMMENT on this blog or to me via twitter @skigarmisch and we'll get the word out to the rest of the crew!


We The People CAN and WILL make a difference!


Oh ... and for Avis, Lennar Coastal of CA, FedEx, Hyundai Mall of GA (Auto Nation), Pottery Barn/Williams-Sonoma, Celebrity Cruises/Royal Caribbean, Kodak Gallery, HP, Amway, JosA Bank, Fetchback, Dominos, Kaiser Permanente, Sheraton Hotels, Dish Network, AT&T, Lifelock, Gymboree, Yoplait, Ann Taylor, Coca Cola, Colonial Williamsburg, eBags, Adobe, Toyota, Ford, Jimmy Johns, Whataburger, Betty Crocker, Finish Line, REI, Verizon, TMobile, Dodge/Ram, Starwood, Hyatt, QVC, Choice Hotels, Express, JJill, Vanguard, Huggies, Coldwater Creek, Nordstroms, Starkist Charlie, Deal Swarm, Bob Evans Farms, Grand Canyon Railroad, Texas Education Agency, State Farm, Holland America Cruise Lines, Reliant Energy, Coldwell Banker and Papa John's ... THANK THEM for stepping up. They not only deserve our financial support, but our respect as true American values companies.  


Go here for the full twitter COMPANIES WITH INTEGRITY list so you show some love and tweet your support of them too!


Don't leave it to someone else, YOU ARE someone else!


God Bless,
Michelle

And perhaps you'd like to politely tell the author, Jack Stuef, of  the vile article on Wonkette what they think of his Trig Palin piece: jack@wonkette.com. 


JOIN ME AND FIGHT LIKE A GIRL! =)


P.S.  As I'm sure you've heard by now, the cowards of the W*nket*e have pulled the post and provided a pansy apology. POWER TO THE PEOPLE my friends! Click here to read the Rude Post Removed From Website That Shall Remain Nameless and continue to contact the companies above so we can clear this list down to zero.  Don't. Poke. The. Bear.