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“…it was with some dismay that I learned last week that Dunkin' Donuts spokeswoman Rachael Ray, the ubiquitous TV hostess, posed for one of the company's ads in what appeared to be a black-and-white keffiyeh.”

For those that don’t know, a keffiyeh, is a black-and-white or red-and-white, scarf worn around the neck as a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, at times worn by terrorists – evil men, but who happen to consider themselves nationalists.  While Malkin is no “fashionista”, apparently for her, “terrorist chic” is out this summer.

Malkin would continue,

"’please understand that we do not buy items to provoke controversy or to intentionally offend,’" a company spokesman pleaded. Their actions, however, speak louder than their assuaging words.”

And – in lamenting her inability to find out where the offending scarf was purchased – quoted this additional statement from Dunkin Donuts,

“’Thank you for expressing your concern about the Dunkin' Donuts advertisement with Rachael Ray. 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’."

Wasn’t it not long ago when conservatives bemoaned political correctness?

Of course, this is not about political correctness – this is about stupidity.  Being of Irish heritage I was planning on wearing green when I attended next year’s South Side Irish Parade in Chicago around St. Patrick’s Day.  It worries me now, that wearing green might be interpreted as a sign of support for violence by Catholics in Northern Ireland against Protestants.  Then again, the Protestant guy that will be sharing a drink with me; as well as the Polish guy, Mexican guy, Black guy, etc.; will all be wearing green too.

Malkin’s outrage over the alleged keffiyeh is nothing short of xenophobic nonsense.  To think that Rachel Ray or Dunkin Donuts was promoting Islamic terrorism, or being insensitive to victims of terrorism, for wearing a scarf chosen by some staffer or stylist – probably because they thought it was “cute” – is among some of the dumber things I’ve heard in my life (right up there with “they attack us because we’re free”).

We face serious problems in this country.  We do face a threat from dangerous people willing to kill for a cause they believe to be just.  Playing the “terrorist card” over a piece of  cloth – that may or many not be a keffiyeh – wastes time and emotion on something that has no bearing on the security of the American people. 

 

I know many libertarians who worry about America falling victim to a sort of “Thought Police” – who would have thought, though, America would fall victim to Michelle Malkin’s version of the “Fashion Police.”

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written by Boston Bob, June 04, 2008
Well, well, now. While all of the useless bloviating about “protecting” Middle Eastern culture has been wasting bandwith, Dunkin’ Donuts has actually been DOING SOMETHING to invest in the lives of actual Middle Eastern people. Let us not forget that 100% of Dunkin’ Donuts shops are owned by independent franchisees, not a giant corporation. Many of these family franchises are owned by people of Middle Eastern descent. Gee—I wonder how they feel about your boycotting their business and taking food from their childrens mouths to “protect” them?
Dunkin’ has invested BIG TIME in Arab and other eastern countries to create wealth and jobs for people there. What have you done, aside from try to take away the livelihood of thousands of Middle Eastern families and that of North Americans of Middle Eastern descent with a mindless boycott?

Here is just ONE example:
Dunkin' Donuts opens biggest kitchen complex in Sharjah
Sharjah: Tue, 3 Jun 2008


Dunkin’ Donuts has opened the company's largest commercial kitchen and warehouse complex in the Middle East region in Sharjah. The complex, built on an area of 30,000 sq ft, is the company's biggest facility of its kind outside the US.
Sheikh Mohammed Saud Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the government of Sharjah Finance Department and proprietor of Continental Foods, owners of the Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise in the UAE, inaugurated the new facility.
Addressing a large gathering present at the opening ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed said Sharjah’s new Dh19 million ($5.17 million) Dunkin Donuts kitchen and warehouse complex will produce the full range of donuts in 50 different varieties and currently has the capacity to produce 50 million donuts per year.
He said that twice daily deliveries are made to the outlets around the country to ensure that customers receive their donuts absolutely fresh.
David Rodgers, Dunkin’ Donuts general manager noted that Dunkin’ Donuts had grown from one outlet in 1997 to 45 now covering the entire UAE. “This stupendous growth has necessitated the need for a much larger commercial kitchen facility,” he said.
“We have risen to be the most popular coffee & baked goods chain in the UAE serving high quality hot and cold beverages and fresh donuts,” remarked Rodgers.
Citing a recent customer survey, Rodgers stated that nearly half (47 per cent) of its clientele in the UAE comprised UAE nationals and Arab expatriates while Asians accounted for around 23 per cent of its customer base.
“Suitable for breakfast or as a snack at mid-morning or afternoon, our donuts are popular even among the Western expatriate population in the UAE as also the Filipino community,” he observed.
Today, Dunkin' Donuts is the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain, serving more than three million customers per day. Dunkin' Donuts sells 52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages as well as other baked goods.
“Dunkin’ Donuts outlets are conveniently situated in all the major Shopping Malls. Outlining the popularity of the food chain worldwide,” Rodgers added.
“We plan to expand extensively throughout the UAE to ensure that our stores are conveniently located and within reach of everyone in the country,” he stressed.-TradeArabia News Service


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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 June 2008 15:03 )
 


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