Take Action - 2005


Menstuff® has long advocated various actions to get advertisers to desist from advertising that maligns or shames men, writing congress or local state legislatures on bills that are good or bad for men, and challenging the news media to present more positive stories about men, fathers (at least on Father's Day), etc. Take Action features a major action that we feel is important for men to take towards making this a country that also cares about men. We will give you the situation, the call to action, and the people to contact to hopefully make something happen.

After reviewing some of these topics, we encourage you to write the corporations and the government and give them your viewpoint. Change doesn't usually take place when only one complaint is received. If you want to be part of the solution, let them hear from you! Here's how. See Take Action from 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001. See Action of the Week Responses.

Action of the Week
Take Action
How and Where to Write the Officials

ACTION OF THE WEEK

PBS'S ASSAULT ON FATHERS

Join us in our new campaign protesting PBS' national broadcast of the anti-father film Breaking the Silence: Children's Stories. The film, which airs on PBS affiliates throughout the country on Thursday, October 20, 2005 portrays fathers as batterers and child molesters who steal children from their mothers. The latest is at this

DIOR MARKETS "ADDICT 2" FRAGRANCE TO TEEN GIRLS

Why would a Director of the prestigious National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University allow his magazine to market addiction to young girls-especially when he is the father of daughters himself? That's what Hearst Communications President Victor F. Ganzi is doing.

MAKES FUN OF DV

Editorial artist for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Steve Kelley, seems to think violence against men, for something innocently said, is funny.

HOME DEPOT MAKES TOXIC CHOICES

Many of the chemical lawn pesticides Home Depot offers are not only toxic to birds, bees, fish and other wildlife, but also harmful to children, pets and water quality. Let Home Depot know that toxic pesticides aren't the only choice for lawn and garden care.

DISHNETWORK PROMOTES VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN

In a DishNetwork television commercial for DVR, a man is hit in the crotch with a bat, and it is rapidly re-played while three men laugh & laugh. Is a kick in the "jewels" REALLY funny?

PEOPLE MAGAZINE MAKES A PEDOPHILE A STAR

Menstuff® has compiled the following information on a case of turning a pedophile's wedding into a star event as if everything's all better now that the molested child is an adult.

AMERICAN GREETING STICKS IT TO MEN

This "greeting card" appears to be -- and clearly is intended to be -- a male voodoo doll with more than 20 pins stuck in the crotch. The printed message inside reads "Me?! Sick of Men? Why do you ask?"

PARIS HILTON WASHES CARS FOR CARL

Carl's Jr. and Hardees has a TV spot showing a bored-looking and barely-dressed Hilton pretending to act erotically while pretending to wash an automobile. Seeing that the chain likes sloppy eaters, what's next?

BRAVO FOR THIS CAPED CRUSADER

CThis ad from the 7/05 issue of FHM for Durex condoms covers it. "A Durex penis is a superpower in your pants. At last, your very own wiener cape. Cut it out, tie it on and watch your damsel's distress melt away. But before flying into sex, remove thy cape and be astounded by the mighty powers of a Durex. Perhaps your penis isn't in the mood to wear a cape? Then visit www.durexdickorations.com for all the latest fashions. There's sex. And then there's Durex." Makes the point. See more. See How to Put on a Condom.

WAL MART CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE NO BOUNDARIES

Wal-mart has expanded their use of seductive names for young girl's clothing. The last two years they've promoted Junior Intimates (underwear) using the theme 'No Boundaries' for their Bra and Panty Sets plus "Juniors' No Boundaries Panties" in new designs, "Juniors' No Boundaries Woven Boxers" and "Ladies' Secret Treasures Boyleg Panty". This year they've added screen-printed shorts to the "Girls' No Boundaries' line of products. "

FEDEX FINDS A KICK IN THE GROIN FUNNY

FedEx (for producing it) and the FOX Television Network (for airing it) both deserve strong criticism for the FedEx commercial, aired during the Superbowl, that attempted to make humor of a man being kicked in the groin. (Although Lynndie England may be amused by such male-bashing, I find it utterly perverse and far more offensive than the fleeting, unscripted "clothing malfunction" of the 2004 Superbowl.) FOX seems to adhere to a standard of "depravity" rather than "decency" when it comes to depictions of gratuitous violence (including sexual violence) directed against men. I seriously doubt that FedEX would ever produce, or FOX would ever air, a commercial that attempted to similarly make humor of a woman being kicked in the breasts or vulva? FedEx may be contacted, via e-mail, at: inquiry@fedex.com or the corporate office at 901.434.5219 and contact Fox at askfox@foxinc.com The FCC may be contacted at FCCInfo@fcc.gov Thanks to Larry at LKLEX@aol.com

FRED MEYER AND THE STUPID FACTORY

At the start of the national No-Name Calling campaign, Fred Meyer expands their line of put-down products.

MGA PROMOTING BLIND-DATE PLAY FOR 6-YEAR-OLDS

How old is old enough to be interested in blind dates? MGA Entertainment Inc., maker of Bratz®, thinks it's six! The Bratz & Bratz Boyz Secret Date Collection is in toy stores nationwide. These "action figures" feature on of the Bratz girls looking way too grown up to be a child's toy. Each Bratz girl is paired with a mystery Bratz Boy--included in the package but hidden from view. And each Secret Date Collection comes with two champagne glasses, a bottle and "tons of date night accessories."

TV NETWORKS REFUSE RELIGIOUS COMMERCIAL

Does NBC really stand for the Northern Baptist Conference and CBS stand for Community Bible Study. Both have become narrow examples of what freedom of speech has come to mean.

VERIZON DSL DISHES FATHERS

Verizon's condescending, anti-father "Leave her Alone!" TV commercial depicts a bumbling father attempting to help his young daughter with her homework. The daughter clearly believes her father is a fool, and looks to her mother to get him out of her way. The mother is happy to comply, barking at the father to go wash the dog and commanding the father to "leave her alone!" when he is slow to comply with her condescending order. To view the commercial and join our campaign, click here.

A & F IS FOR LOSERS

Abercrombie & Fitch, that is. It's true. As the company continues to lose sales, they are taking this opportunity to identify with losers by selling t-shirts with the slogan. Unfortunately, they aren't using a picture of Michael Jeffries, their CEO but rather a picture of a gymnast on the still rings. Bob Colarossi, USA Gymnastics president has asked them to stop selling the T-shirt with the slogan "L is for Loser" and asking the rest of us to boycott the store until the T-shirt is pulled. "No individual regardless of race, gender, age, intelligence or athletic ability, can or should be deemed a loser." This isn't the first action involving Abercrombie & Fitch.

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THE PILL - A WOMEN'S ONLY ISSUE?

PBS aired a fairly good "American Experience" program on the introduction of The (birth control) Pill in the 1950s. However, with statements like "With the pill, women were finally free to have sex without fear of pregnancy, just like men always had.", their skewed perspective became obviously one-sided. Just like men always had? Women have always been able to "walk away" via adoption and abortion. Men have never been able to unless willing to live as a criminal.

WATCH OUT - THE NEW "SHELL" GAME CAN COST YOU

If you're planning to drive on vacation, or just to the store, beware of the "Shell" Game that we came across on August 4, 2004 on a trip up I-5 in Oregon. The only sign showed regular gas at $1.999 per gallon. There were two aisles to choose from. Choose carefully. The wrong one will cost you $2.599 a gallon, and you won't even realize it.

KIDNAPPING CHILDREN MAY BECOME LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA

California Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco) is trying to sneak a "stealth" bill through the legislature which would harm children and the fathers they love and need by destroying the California Supreme Court's recent decision in In re Marriage of LaMusga (2004) . The Burton bill would give custodial parents the right to move children wherever they want, whenever they want--without even needing to obtain a court order.

NEW POTTER MOVIE CONDONES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

There's a scene (which is repeated in a flash back later) in the 3rd Harry Potter movie that is expected to find the viewers cheering. It's where one of the Slytherin girls makes a sneeringly vicious insult towards Ron, and he hauls off and slugs her.

FRED MEYER SELLS "BOYS ARE SMELLY" PRODUCTS

Fred Meyer carries Ex-Boy Friend Sour Apple Lip Jelly. "Now that you're single, Get out and mingle. He was a jerk anyway." Boy Girl Lip Jelly "Keep your lips greasy like a boy!" Plus, "Boys are Smelley" Bath Pillow and "Boys are Smelley" Shower Gel and Body Lotion in a packet with 4 other products. (See other Retailers) Ask them to stop. (Our letter, their response, what we think they are really saying.)

CHILD SUPERMODEL SITE IS QUESTIONABLE

Prepare yourself before going to this link. What you will see is NOT illegal; but maybe it should be. www.childsupermodels.com Webe Web is a Florida based company that portrays itself as a child modeling website. They sell photos and videos of scantily clad 7 to 17 year-old girls in provocative poses to anyone with access to the Internet and a credit card. There is legislation before congress introduced by Representative Mark Foley (R-FL 16th) and Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY). If you want to send a message, please click here: dads.e-actionmax.com/r.asp?aacwc=363314838259071269585 You can also email a complaint to the web site directly at webmaster@tammy-model.com This does make us wonder, however, about the proliferation of these sexy looks on the covers of most girl's and women's lifestyle magazines (see 55 examples here) and the cover stories, often sexual and suggestive, which they use to entice purchase of their magazines. Shouldn't they also be included in this legislation? And then there's the "be SEXY" campaign which supports girls to "dress sexy and that it doesn't men you have to have sex." Who's telling the boys? And, on a final note, click here to see how many babies have been born to mothers under 15 so far this year.)


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WAL MART CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE NO BOUNDARIES

Wal-mart has expanded their use of seductive names to, once again, promote Junior Intimates (underwear). It includes "Juniors' No Boundaries Bra and Panty Set", "Juniors' No Boundaries Panties" in new designs, "Juniors' No Boundaries Woven Boxers" and "Ladies' Secret Treasures Boyleg Panty".

COMMERCIAL LIST BROKERS TARGET CHILDREN

Commercial list brokers sell lists of the names and personal information of children as young as two. Student Marketing Group's web site www.studentlist.com/products/list_preschool.shtml boasts that it sells a list of preschool children between the ages of 2 and 5. Each record includes the child's full name, address, age, and sometimes includes other information, such as gender and telephone number. U.S. Senate Bill S.2160 would prohibit the sale of children’s personally identifiable information for marketing purposes. Urge your congressional leaders to support this bill. Our childrens' privacy is not for sale! To send a message, please click this link: dads.e-actionmax.com/r.asp?aacwc=363314838259063157178


Hot off the Press

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE RESORTS TO CHEAP SHOTS

Staff write Jane Ganahl seems to feel that merchandise that is directed to teen age girls that jokes about boys being stupid so throw rocks at them is angry chest-beating by women and men who think otherwise. She supports the manufactures view that these are harless cartoon T-shirts. We wonder if Ms Ganahl would hold the same view if the word "girl" replaced that of "boy?"

BORDERS SELLS "BOYS ARE SMELLY" JOURNALS

While Claire's was reported as having removed the offensive David & Golaith products from their stores (see response) they haven't and, according to a couple of managers, they haven't informed their stores either. In addition, Claire's also carries some "It's Happy Bunny" key chains and stickers that read "I love boys, they're stupid." while Borders carries the David and Golaith journals that read "Boys are Smelly" and "Chics Rule! Boys Drool."

POISONING VALENTINE'S DAY

Glenn Sacks was on the air Sunday, February 1 discussing what is happening on many college campus's to Poison Valentine's Day by making it about hate and violence rather than about romance.

CBS REFUSES COMMERCIAL

You won't see the winning ad in MoveOn.org Voter Fund's Bush in 30 Seconds ad contest on the Super Bowl. CBS refuses to air it. Meanwhile, the White House is on the verge of signing into law a deal which Senator John McCain (R-AZ) says is custom-tailored for CBS and Fox allowing the two networks to grow much bigger. CBS lobbied hard for this rule change; MoveOn.org members across the country lobbied against it; and now their ad has been rejected while the White House ad will be played. It looks an awful lot like CBS is playing politics with the right to free speech. If you want to do something, go to www.moveon.org/cbs/?id=2285-299027-23J2xVa_3SGoIoxSA.215g NOW!

BOYS ARE STUPID CAMPAIGN

Author and LA radio show host Glenn Sacks exposes an international retail chain of 3,000 outlets called Claire's which sells hats, wallets, wristbands, socks and other products which say "Boy are Stupid - Throw Rocks at Them" and "Stupid Factory - Where Boys are Made". Help encourage the management at Claire's to remove the availability of these products from their stores.

AOL IGNORES MEN

AOL's mirroring of society and the lack of interest in men and their issues.

 

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Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen. - John F. Kennedy



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