Not to be political but.THIS IS WRONG

[alanfgag]

...If you knew how many eyes were on this thing before it went to print or internet post it is sad that nobody caught this.

From the photos of current production hats that appear on the Lounge, it doesn't appear that Stetson looks too closely at the details.

The ad doesn't bother me in the least. There are many ways to wear our colors in solidarity. I've certainly worn my share.

 

[moontheloon]

curious how some of you feel about images like these

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Good job the model wasn't abusing her fedora, god knows what outrage that would have caused.

 

[Frunobulax]

Meh, it's probably a CGI flag anyway.

 

[Brother cavefish]

curious how some of you feel about images like these

i think it represents freedom, and a love for the American way, something very rare these days, with the exception of the flag touching the ground, i don't think many even know what the flag represents,

 

[guillaumeb]

Being French here i find this discussion interesting. Our nation clearly dont share the same values.
People here dont care about our flag, and if they do they are immediately considered ultra nationalists, even racist
I find it a bit odd though that your flag is "intouchable" but one can draw any caricatures of your President


Gee

 

[gtdean48]

Reply from Stetson

I sent a email to the sender of the discount notice with the image & got this reply....
Hello,

We greatly appreciate your feedback and are sorry that you feel disrespected. That was never our intention and we have already halted the use of this image any further.

Thank you for contacting Stetson customer service, have a good day!

Bailey
Stetson Customer Service Manager

 

[alanfgag]

Being French here i find this discussion interesting. Our nation clearly dont share the same values.
People here dont care about our flag, and if they do they are immediately considered ultra nationalists, even racist
I find it a bit odd though that your flag is "intouchable" but one can draw any caricatures of your President


Gee

Interesting observation Gee and I suspect you would find similar responses here if the topic were not so close to untouchable.

Thanks for writing and sharing your response from Stetson, Tom.

I find the choices made in this advertisement fascinating, much as I do the style choices Stetson is making as it works to build a campaign for their 150th year. The model's ethnicity (Native American?) and facial expression - this one chosen from what might have been a thousand exposures.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I sent a email to the sender of the discount notice with the image & got this reply....
Hello,

We greatly appreciate your feedback and are sorry that you feel disrespected. That was never our intention and we have already halted the use of this image any further.

Thank you for contacting Stetson customer service, have a good day!

Bailey
Stetson Customer Service Manager

The pen is mightier...

 

[gtdean48]

Where's Rusty when you need him!!

In before the lock out....

 

[tonyb]

There's a good reason why political comments are frowned upon around here.

Yup, sure is. But there are always people on any side of any issue who want to make sure everyone knows their position on the matter at hand. Some such characters just can't rest until they are certain they have sucked all the oxygen out of the room.

 

[Hal]

Please, writers, this is an international forum, and we are NOT all Americans. And because this is an international forum, its members are likely to have a very wide range of political opinions. This is NOT the place to express them, surely!

 

[RJR]

Good for you,Tom.It seems that many here don't remember how many soldiers have come home with the flag draped over their casket......all so others have the right to protest.That folks isn't political!

 

[Bob Roberts]

... ARE WE DONE YET??? gtdean48 found a Stetson add objectionable and did something abt it. Made a complaint and supposedly got results. Activism at its best. Its not a political issue.

 

[T Jones]

I have to agree with some of my American compadres. I didn't appreciate that ad either. Our flag is one of our most sacred of cultural symbols and many of us in this "great nation" have strong feelings about the way it's displayed.

 

[Brother cavefish]

I have to agree with some of my American compadres. I didn't appreciate that ad either. Our flag is one of our most sacred of cultural symbols and many of us in this "great nation" have strong feelings about the way it's displayed.

and i feel for those who do, the add itself did not upset me, i guess i see it from another point of view, i saw it as an american company using the american flag as a blanket, , a shield and subject of who we are, i think we as americans should show the flag more, but i i do respect peoples feelings about , the flag , at least there are still Americans who care about the flag, some schools don't even have one, it is Our symbol

 

[T Jones]

I have absolutely no problem with the image, and Stetson should keep it. The flag is bringing the woman comfort. The US Flag code (legislated in the 1920s period of nativism and communist paranoia, much like many laws from the 1950s - consider the historical context) cannot usurp the First Amendment.

Brad

The flag is bringing the woman comfort.

Actually, no. Stetson is exploiting the flag for an advertisement gimmick. The woman is being comforted by the money she's making to do the ad.

 

[navarre]

I would say that I don't find the photo itself, nor the use of the flag in the image to be offensive. As shown in this thread, the image not only evokes strong emotions, but has opened a discussion about who we are as a nation and how we as individuals feel about that. Listening to others opinions is what makes a democracy work and so discussions on these matters are important.

If the image only said "Remember", or nothing at all, perhaps the feelings would be a little different. I could easily draw a story line that would be fitting in my mind. Something to the affect of a woman who has lost a love one to battle, who sits along the East River looking toward the place where Twin Towers once stood. While saddened by loss, she is comforted by wrapping herself in a flag that perhaps has more personal meaning than we the viewer understand. This would be a powerful image to me and would personally remind me the history and struggles of our nation.

I found the additional three images of the baby, Bon Jovi and the woman in the field to be thought provoking in that same way.

I do agree as an advertisement the Stetson image misses the point, but they are not alone in that distinction. I find all of the advertisements that arrive near Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July to be equally as tasteless. I am not sure why saving 20% on a big screen TV, no money down on a new SUV or even a sale on chicken breasts at the supermarket have anything to do with remembering the nation I choose to live in and its history. It is not the soiling of a flag that is offensive to me. It is the idea that things like "Free shipping on all orders" is an acceptable way to memorializes men and women who have lost their lives.

I respect all of your opinions on this matter and don't mean to heat the kettle any more. So I hope you will view my addition to the discussion as a positive one.

 

[Brother cavefish]

I would say that I don't find the photo itself, nor the use of the flag in the image to be offensive. As shown in this thread, the image not only evokes strong emotions, but has opened a discussion about who we are as a nation and how we as individuals feel about that. Listening to others opinions is what makes a democracy work and so discussions on these matters are important.

If the image only said "Remember", or nothing at all, perhaps the feelings would be a little different. I could easily draw a story line that would be fitting in my mind. Something to the affect of a woman who has lost a love one to battle, who sits along the East River looking toward the place where Twin Towers once stood. While saddened by loss, she is comforted by wrapping herself in a flag that perhaps has more personal meaning than we the viewer understand. This would be a powerful image to me and would personally remind me the history and struggles of our nation.

I found the additional three images of the baby, Bon Jovi and the woman in the field to be thought provoking in that same way.

I do agree as an advertisement the Stetson image misses the point, but they are not alone in that distinction. I find all of the advertisements that arrive near Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July to be equally as tasteless. I am not sure why saving 20% on a big screen TV, no money down on a new SUV or even a sale on chicken breasts at the supermarket have anything to do with remembering the nation I choose to live in and its history. It is not the soiling of a flag that is offensive to me. It is the idea that things like "Free shipping on all orders" is an acceptable way to memorializes men and women who have who have lost their lives.

I respect all of your opinions on this matter and don't mean to heat the kettle any more. So I hope you will view my addition to the discussion as a positive.

like stated its all from ones own perspective , you have actually brought some light to this, , yes for a sales tactic, it could be an abused position, "Remember" would have a stand alone effect, you have also solidified T Jones feelings and the OP, and opened some thoughts on mine, Yes definitely knowing the USA being in a state of turmoil and or dismay, and many have deep rooted "feelings, i can definitely see how some sales and promotions would affect out attitudes ,

 

[LizzieMaine]

Can't say that I'm up on the Flag Code. But that sentence you cite brought a smile.

Rare is the car dealership that doesn't star-spangle the hell out of their print and online advertising for their "special" sales during every "patriotic" holiday. Quite the trick, that using the imagery of the American flag to sell cars made in Korea.

Bingo. There's few things I find more offensive than driving by a car lot with a ridiculously gigantic flag flopping around in front of it. Of course, you could also say that sleazy marketing of dubious products thru oversaturated so-called "patriotism" is as American as apple pie. Especially in election years.