TruBlu
12-04-2008, 10:45 PM
OK, so I was watching the O'Reilly Factor earlier and saw an add for the next best thing since sliced bread commercial. Just another Billy Mays, "let me yell at you to by my product commercial," but this was was different. This one defaced a flag. Excuse me, THE FLAG. That's right, Mr. Mays is endorsing a new product, "Mighty Mendit," and they decided to market it best, they would rip a flag and glue it back together, then stick it in a wind tunnel to 'prove' it works. I find this disgraceful, and because I don't have the time to reiterate my self constantly, here is the email I sent the Mr. O'Reilly.
Mr. Bill O'Reilly,
I was watching your television show, The O'Reilly Factor, on Fox News just minutes ago today, 4 December 2008, and witnessed a fantastic display of disregard to our great country and its great flag. While it was not on your show, and I'm quite sure that would never be the case, I did witness it during the air time of 8 PM to 9 PM EST, the same that your show occupies. While you may or may not have control over the commercials that air during the show's recesses, I know that your producers and the "suits," as you may like to refer to them as (in reference to your NBC comments), do.
Towards the end of your show, a time approximation of around 8:45 may be fair, a "Mighty Mendit" commercial, hosted by the 'popular' Billy Mays aired. It started out as your standard 'buy this new great product' commercial, then they showed it, a torn American Flag that they promptly glued back together! If that wasn't bad enough, they then prompted to raise the flag on a small pole in a wind tunnel and subjected it to 'storm force winds.' At the time that they showed this, a small disclaimer of sorts appeared at the bottom reading: Actual repaired flag allowed to dry overnight. I find this repulsive, to purposely mangle a flag, repair it with glue, and then use it to sell a product.
Why is the repulsive? OK, first lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they flag was already ripped and they were simply doing us a service by mending it with their latest and greatest product. Sure no laws or flag codes are broken, if that is the case. But, no matter which way anyone spins it, if I may, they have still broken the Flag Code. This is done by using the flag as an advertisement for profit. Section 8i of the Flag Code reads, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." Is this illegal? No, the Flag Code is purely voluntary to be followed, but is in place so that it is not disrespected in any way. Any real American or patriot would obey this code if they do not wish to offend those who have spent their lives dedicated to that flag and the country it symbolizes, whether that be civilian or military, political or apolitical, decided or undecided, it does not matter, it is a disgrace to the face of this country.
For a little extra information on the actual commercial, here is the link to a copy of it (http://www.asseenontvvideo.com/511647/Mighty-Mendit.html). If you so choose to watch, the flag is first shown at 29 seconds, disgracefully torn, but clean like a new flag. The section with the flag ends in only 10 seconds, but those 10 seconds speak louder than 10 hours of this commercial.
I am sure that you and the good people at Fox News will take this into consideration the next time 'the next big thing' comes along and actually review it, because I'm sure if you had, it would not have aired.
With Concern,
*Name
Am I getting too worked up about this, or am I in the right to be offended?
Mr. Bill O'Reilly,
I was watching your television show, The O'Reilly Factor, on Fox News just minutes ago today, 4 December 2008, and witnessed a fantastic display of disregard to our great country and its great flag. While it was not on your show, and I'm quite sure that would never be the case, I did witness it during the air time of 8 PM to 9 PM EST, the same that your show occupies. While you may or may not have control over the commercials that air during the show's recesses, I know that your producers and the "suits," as you may like to refer to them as (in reference to your NBC comments), do.
Towards the end of your show, a time approximation of around 8:45 may be fair, a "Mighty Mendit" commercial, hosted by the 'popular' Billy Mays aired. It started out as your standard 'buy this new great product' commercial, then they showed it, a torn American Flag that they promptly glued back together! If that wasn't bad enough, they then prompted to raise the flag on a small pole in a wind tunnel and subjected it to 'storm force winds.' At the time that they showed this, a small disclaimer of sorts appeared at the bottom reading: Actual repaired flag allowed to dry overnight. I find this repulsive, to purposely mangle a flag, repair it with glue, and then use it to sell a product.
Why is the repulsive? OK, first lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they flag was already ripped and they were simply doing us a service by mending it with their latest and greatest product. Sure no laws or flag codes are broken, if that is the case. But, no matter which way anyone spins it, if I may, they have still broken the Flag Code. This is done by using the flag as an advertisement for profit. Section 8i of the Flag Code reads, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." Is this illegal? No, the Flag Code is purely voluntary to be followed, but is in place so that it is not disrespected in any way. Any real American or patriot would obey this code if they do not wish to offend those who have spent their lives dedicated to that flag and the country it symbolizes, whether that be civilian or military, political or apolitical, decided or undecided, it does not matter, it is a disgrace to the face of this country.
For a little extra information on the actual commercial, here is the link to a copy of it (http://www.asseenontvvideo.com/511647/Mighty-Mendit.html). If you so choose to watch, the flag is first shown at 29 seconds, disgracefully torn, but clean like a new flag. The section with the flag ends in only 10 seconds, but those 10 seconds speak louder than 10 hours of this commercial.
I am sure that you and the good people at Fox News will take this into consideration the next time 'the next big thing' comes along and actually review it, because I'm sure if you had, it would not have aired.
With Concern,
*Name
Am I getting too worked up about this, or am I in the right to be offended?