Following up on an item from the weekend, I have good news — as far as a few unhinged conservative activists are concerned, you can now go back to enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts without inadvertently supporting a terrorist-sympathizing ad campaign.
For those of you who don’t read reactionary right-wing blogs, Dunkin’ Donuts recently unveiled an ad featuring television personality Rachael Ray, holding a latte, standing in front of blooming trees. Ray, however, is wearing a scarf, and for conservatives, a scarf is never just a scarf.
Michelle Malkin noted that the scarf is black and white, which she insisted meant that it looked too similar to an Arabic keffiyeh. From Malkin’s column: "It’s just a scarf, the clueless keffiyeh-wearers scoff. Would they say the same of fashion designers who marketed modified Klan-style hoods in Burberry plaid as the next big thing?"
Malkin’s cohorts quickly embraced her concerns, and there was talk of launching a boycott against Dunkin’ Donuts over the ad.
This week, unwilling to take any chances against the coordinated efforts of unhinged Fox News commentators, Dunkin’ Donuts backed down and gave in.
The company at first pooh-poohed the complaints, claiming the black-and-white wrap was not a keffiyeh. But the right-wing drumbeat on the blogosphere continued and by yesterday, Dunkin’ Donuts decided it’d be easier just to yank the ad.
Said the suits in a statement: ”In a recent online ad, Rachael Ray is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design. It was selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we are no longer using the commercial.”
I can certainly understand Dunkin’ Donuts’ reluctance to fight on this one, but by backing down, the company is only going to encourage this crowd to launch similar crusades in the future.
UPDATE: (Nicole) Uh oh. Malkin may need to start a boycott of herself. Sadly No! has found a picture of Michelle in possession of the dreaded "jihadi" chic. Can we get her readers to flood her inbox with messages accusing her of sympathizing with the terrorists?
