Dan J.S. wrote:
> "YourAdHere" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > Ford will again advertise in gay publications
> > Ads resume after criticism from gay rights groups
> >
> > Wednesday, December 14, 2005
> >
> > http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/14/for....ap/index.html
> >
> >
> > WASHINGTON (AP) -- Advertisements featuring Ford Motor Co.'s eight
> > vehicle brands will run in gay publications, the automaker said
> > Wednesday, acting after gay rights groups complained when Jaguar and
> > Land Rover pulled their spots.
> >
> > Ford is not ordering those luxury brands to resume their specific ads.
> > Rather, the company's ads in the publications will promote all of its
> > lines, which also include Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Volvo and
> > Aston Martin.
> >
> > Last week, Ford cited a need to reduce its marketing costs in
> > explaining why it no longer would advertise Jaguar and Land Rover in
> > several gay publications.
> >
> > On Wednesday, Ford wrote the gay rights groups that the luxury brands
> > "made a business decision about their media plans and it would be
> > inconsistent with the way we manage our business to direct them to do
> > otherwise."
> >
> > Ford pledged to run corporate ads in the publications that will include
> > the entire Ford lineup.
> >
> > "It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire
> > to advertise to all important audiences and put this particular issue
> > to rest," wrote Joe Laymon, Ford's group vice president for corporate
> > human resources.
> >
> > The gay groups had suggested a connection between the withdrawn Jaguar
> > and Land Rover ads and pressure from conservative groups. Ford denied a
> > connection.
> >
> > In May the American Family Association announced a boycott of Ford
> > vehicles and criticized Ford for making contributions to gay rights
> > groups, offering benefits to same-sex partners and recruiting gay
> > employees. The organization called off the boycott late last month.
> >
> > Several gay rights groups said the move created the perception that
> > Ford had struck a deal with the AFA to reduce its advertising in gay
> > publications. Gay leaders met with Ford on Monday and asked that the
> > automaker reinstitute the advertising and distance itself from the
> > Mississippi-based AFA.
> >
> > Ford's Laymon said the ads' "content will be appropriate and effective
> > in connecting with the intended audience."
> >
> > The move was hailed by gay organizations. Neil Giuliano of the Gay &
> > Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation credited the company with listening
> > to its concerns and making "a clear statement of nondiscrimination and
> > inclusion."
> >
> > "Fairness and equality wins out in corporate America," said Joe
> > Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
> >
> > A message left Wednesday with the family association was not
> > immediately returned.
> >
> > Ford's chairman and chief executive, Bill Ford, said Monday that the
> > automaker values "all people -- regardless of their race, religion,
> > gender, sexual orientation and cultural or physical differences."
> >
> > Ford has been lauded for offering an inclusive work environment for
> > gays and lesbians. Annual studies by the Human Rights Campaign in 2004
> > and 2005 gave Ford a perfect score on corporate policies and practices
> > toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
> >
> > "The statement released today is representative of the Ford Motor Co.
> > that we've known and respected for years, not the company that was
> > alleged to exist over the last two weeks," said Matt Foreman, executive
> > director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
> >
> > Ford, General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG introduced same-sex
> > domestic partner benefits in 2000.
> >
>
> I saw a marketing survey that most younger gays drive VWs, and then move
> onto Lexuses as they get older.

Then there's those who drive rust bucket beaters without functioning
instrument lights or emergency brakes, on bald tars covered in sand
paper and filled with "tar in a can."

Which makes me wonder if our resident troll Julliete's rust bucket has
big enough holes in the floor board so that it works like Fred
Flintstone's car did. May explain why Judy is so down on speeders;
Judy's car is the slowest on the road, and his feet are worn out.