Urban Outfitters Not-So-Secret Conservative Ways

It's really disappointing when you find out that a company you frequently give money to, for lack of a better word, sucks. When I learned more about Whole Foods' asshole president, I boycotted as long as I could. I eventually gave in but almost always choose Trader Joe's instead. We do the best we can as consumers. It seems like every other day something more icky comes out about Urban Outfitters. I'm not ignorant; I don't actually think UO is a super respectable company, but come on. Have you seen the new "Eat Less" tee-shirt? Urban has taken it off the website but according to Huffingtonpost.com they can be found at many NYC stores. I know they are trying to be ironic and "cool" but it's a little gross, right? I personally don't think it's funny and I tend to think a lot of inappropriate things are funny.

Picture via Huffingtonpost.com

This is just one of a list of sketchy things UO is pulling. The Frisky was one of the first media outlets reporting on the company using "Obama/Black" to describe a color of a shirt. Eew.

Through The Frisky I also learned about Urban's lack of support for marriage equality and their misogynistic men's tee.

What are your thoughts? Will any of these things make you shop at UO any less? Do you at all now? Vote in my poll!

GRRRRRR

I'm sure you've heard about the things said about this commercial by the evil Bill O'Reilly. If you haven't, I refuse to post his video but in a nutshell, via examiner.com:

"Does that make you hungry when you watch that?" he asked repeatedly. "Does it make you run out and want some fries?" When she pointed out to him that the ad is part of a broader campaign with the slogan "Venez comme vous etes"--which translates as "Come as you are"--he asked if McDonald's will also be airing an Al Qaeda ad.

First of all, as much as I hate O' Reilly, I still think he should be legally allowed to say these awful things. That being said, this scumbag is comparing gays to Al Qaeda. For real. I get what he's saying; the commercial doesn't make a lot of sense selling fast food. It doesn't matter though, because McDonald's ads are not really about selling food. Everyone knows what they're getting into when they eat there. They are trying to sell a better image in the free-range-organic-eco-friendly 2010 world. Is this commercial amazing and ground breaking? No, but it's a start. I mean, France doesn't have marriage or adoption equality but at least one company is attempting some change.

So what now? What does our generation do about Bill O'Reilly's comments (other than tweet about it?) Stop watching his show, listening to his podcasts...what else? Don't you think if a news person said these things about a race of people there would be a major uproar?

"I Give a Damn"

I don't talk a lot about politics here, this being a mostly fashion blog, but there are some things that are important to me and I wanted to share this video.

Please join us.

OK, I know we have a while until the election, but I'm ready to start. This is the most important part of our lives right now and everyone needs to get involved. I don't have any money and I am only one person but we can't give up. After the Bush "win" I was insanely depressed thinking that I, including most people I knew, didn't matter. I am doing everything I can to not feel that way.

I can't give a lot of money but anything helps. I also really believe that word of mouth is the most important thing. People actually told me that they thought of me as they voted last election. There is nothing more flattering than that.

Please read what you can about Hillary. Trust me, she is great. I can go into Planned Parenthood tonight, say that I don't have any money, and get free birth control. When I got into the city, that is exactly what I did. She wants to get us out of Iraq ASAP (thank god), get gay people the rights they deserve, and let women keep their reproductive rights. Is she perfect? No, but she's the best we've got. She isn't totally liberal enough for me, but she will get better when she gets into office; she just needs some conservative vote.

What about Obama, you ask? Sure he's a GREAT looking guy. So is John Edwards. The both have great values and ideas. They would both make great presidents but all of these great candidates are going to cancel each other out and a Republican will win again. Its so frustrating! I have a really soft spot in my heart for Gore but its the same deal.

Please do what you can. Read today. Talk tomorrow. Vote Hillary 2008.

Am I giving up?

If you were in the city this weekend, you know there was a war protest up 2nd Avenue. Walking by with my mom and my grand mom I got really choked up. I had goosebumps seeing priests standing next to gay rights activists proudly holding rainbow flags. It was a great New York moment for me. Then today, walking down Chambers St. in Tribeca, there was a similar protest but this time all high school students. It was so amazing to see these smart, educated and passionate teens rally for something they cared about so much. It made me feel like I should be doing more. I don't know a person who is more against this administration than me, but I'm not protesting. It made me think, does it really make a difference? Will the 2nd Ave/Chambers protests really change anything? Or is it my fault; Am I giving up? I guess voting is my protest against what is going on but should we be doing more? Does it matter? What do you guys think?