On Monday, we wrote about Kieffe & Sons, the California Ford Dealership that ran a pointlessly offensive radio ad attacking non-Christians and supporters of secular government. Today, the owner of Kieffe and sons apologized for the ad.
According to the Bakersfield Californian, Rick Kieffe, the dealership owner, said he doesn’t remember approving the ad (emphasis added):
“It’s just something that went by us,” said Kieffe, who does not attend church but considers himself “a Christian spirit.” “We’re obviously sorry that it offends a given segment who identifies themselves as atheist.
Kieffe said he received a flood of angry phone calls from people around the world who saw blog posts about the story. Kieffe’s advertiser, or someone claiming to be him, apparently didn’t get the memo, as he has posted an unapologetic screed conflating gay marriage with the purchase of a Japanese car (seriously).
PREVIOUSLY: California Ford Dealership Radio Ad Tells Christians to “Sit Down and Shut Up”
Car Dealer Regrets Ads Telling Non-Christians to “Sit Down and Shut Up” [Bakersfield Californian]
(Photo: Amy Watts)
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@ilikemoney:
I don’t know that the term “best” would really apply.
Yep, still not buying a Ford. And if I ever have to advertise anything, I’m not dealing with that ad agency either.
I disdain creationists with a passion, but let the local dealership guy have his stupid commercial.
The smart adult move is to accept the apology at face value and move on.
Who is responsible for the line “Kieffe’s advertiser, or someone claiming to be him, apparently didn’t get the memo, as he has posted an unapologetic screed conflating gay marriage with the purchase of a Japanese car (seriously).”? Forget about the fact that “conflating” is the wrong word, the author did not “conflate” the purchase of a Japanese car with gay marriage. Read it again, and insert a comma between “…females can marry females” and “you can all buy one….” and it makes sense. He’s merely listing actions that people might find offensive. The author seems far more tolerant than some of the posters.
@BlackFlag55: I agree (I think) that the smart, adult thing would be to let the whole mess go (I mean, what does a tacky car dealership crave more than attention?), but to call the dealership’s statement an “apology” would be awfully generous, if not downright delusional.
A sincere apology shows regrets for one’s actions, not its consequences, or worse, reaction to one’s actions.
Wow, I am more pissed off by the “apology” by the ad writer than I was the commercial.
I do agree with Daniel Alderman though, people shouldn’t just call them, cuss at them and hang up.
I would have been more touched by a, “I’m sorry that some of you cursed heathens will burn in Hell for all eternity. So long as you’re facing eternal, excruciating torment, why not start early and buy a Ford?”
So what’s more American, a Toyota made in Tennessee or a Ford made in China, Mexico, Canada and Saipan?
Although, on second thought, I love the fact that Canadian workers being employed by Ford: that way at least some of their employees have a crack at decent health care.
@Daniel Alderman: Those atheists are even more scumbags than the guy who wrote the ad in the first place, because they are cowards.
How are they cowards? I was one of those atheists. Well, I didn’t call him, but I sent him an email saying that he’s nationally known as “Religious Intolerance Car Salesman Guy” and that he should pay more attention in church, especially the parts where they talk about loving thy neighbor, not judging, and Jesus throwing the moneylenders out of the temple.
Just HOW does that make me a coward? He used his freedom of speech to make an offensive, factually incorrect, hateful, idiotic radio ad, and I used my freedom of speech to call him out on his decidedly non-Christian behavior.
I will give Mr. Kieffe the benefit of the doubt in this case, though it severely stretches my credulity to do so. The article mentioned that he’s used the same agency for the past fifteen years, so I can easily see him rubber-stamping the latest ads if he’s never had a problem with the spots before. If nothing else comes of this, I hope this agency’s abuse of its client’s trust eventually means they’ll lose the contract.
He should probably fire them for their awful soft sell approach, anyway. If no one in Bakersfield proper responded to the ad, then maybe he should consider whether a bunch of blather with a quick tagline at the end is worth the cost of the airtime to play it.
Pretty worthless apology.
“I’m sorry for what I did.” = Apology.
This is “I’m sorry you were offended.” He isn’t sorry that the aid was produced and aired, he’s sorry that he was called out.
This is like running someone over with your car, and then telling the family that you’re “sorry they got in the way.”
Any publicity is good publicity. People living around his car dealership are going to forget the controversy and remember the dealership’s name.
Unless he loses enough business in the mean time which puts him OUT of business.
When did “atheist” become an adjective instead of a noun?
I’ve never heard someone say something like “Are you atheist?” like one would ask “Are you Christian?” or “Are you Jewish?” until fairly recently. It used to be something like “Are you an atheist?”
@sleze69: No not really. There are two businesses where we live that we will not do business with again. Both came out publicly with similar to the radio commercial type religious proclamations in the capacity of their business. I don’t do business with someone who is a) that stupid and b) that big of a jerk. I didn’t forget after a few years either.
I still know people that refuse to buy or consume anything made by Nestle due to a boycott from the 70′s.
Kieffe and Sons’ new slogan should somehow include:
“unapologetically low prices”
I am one who believes that, especially in this day and age and considering the crybaby state of our social system, that if you get offended by something, it’s most likely *your own* problem – I’m sick of people crying ‘foul’ at every turn because they’re whining sacks of victimization.
But in this situation, the guy is squarely in “asshole” territory. The purposeful antagonism is what shifts it to genuinely offensive. And FWIW, I am a “pro-God” guy, but I also tend to think that, say, creationism and evolutionism don’t have to be mutually exclusive, for instance.
Facepalm.
Since no one else has said it, I will:
What Would Jesus Drive?
Something tells me it would not be a Ford from this guy
The German car would have lots of leather and chrome studs and would tell you where to drive.
The French car would join you in driving multiple cars.
(note to the humor impaired: that’s a joke)
Since a large percentage of “American” cars are now built in Mexico or Canada, and a large percentage of Japanese and Korean cars are now built in AMERICA, I don’t see his point.
Then again, this guy is obviously a raving lunatic. I’m a follower of Christ (and not the owner’s “Christian spirit” type that judges people while not even making the time to attend church himself), and this guy just makes me sad.
As a gay Mazda driver, I’m thrilled that I annoy this guy so much.
@Lucky225:
Care to cite a perticular statute that indicates this constitutes “false advertisement”?
I know we’re groping for every stone possible to cast at this guy, but I think you’re reaching on this one.
@friendlynerd:
Mazda is 33.4% owned by Ford – but I doubt the owner knows.
People have to stop being so sensitive and getting offended at every little thing. And I include Christians who get “offended” by every little un-Christian thing that is said by others as well as non-Christians “offended” by this ad.
Everyone needs to just grow up.
(Sorry if my post offended anyone.)
@weave: People have a right to say what they want, and I have a right to get pissed off about it.
People have to stop being so sensitive and getting offended at every little thing.
@weave: Why? It’s not like any of us are obligated to buy anything from this guy anyway.
@InfiniTrent:
I thought about that actually. But you’re right, I’m doubtful he knows that Festiva he sold in the 80s was a Mazda design built by Kia, or that Probe was an MX-3 under the skin. Or that Fusion is a Mazda 6. Or that Edge is a CX-7.
Dear reptilian Ford dealer –
An American once said that “freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.”
That American was Rush Limbaugh. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Love,
A Happy Atheist
@weave: “People have to stop being so sensitive and getting offended at every little thing . . . Everyone needs to just grow up.”
How noble of you to decide what others should and should not be offended by.
The next time you’re offended, perhaps you can lead by example.
Derka der, buy a ferd, derka der.
Derka, Amurrikka, der.
Derka, Jesus, Derka Der.
Brawndo. Derka.
Dey terk urr Jesus!!!!!! DERKA DER.
well, for once, i’d like to see a news story that read, “People offended by Christian Fundamentalism group” instead of “Christians offended by Starbucks logo.”
We do give these cavemen a soapbox they don’t deserve, for the sake of a catchy headline.
Somehow I don’t think that the christian god would approve of this guys righteous indignation.
Just a guess though….
i’m just loving the picture. somehow the georgetown window sticker doesn’t fit, though.
I feel sorry for the guy. He gets all this hate mail and he owns a Ford dealership.
This guy lacks the 2 main qualities of a person of faith, humility and grace.
@ZootedKid: This guy lacks the 2 main qualities of a person of faith, humility and grace.
You misspoke. You should have said: This guy lacks the 2 main qualities of a person who keeps his faith to himself, humility and grace.
The imbecile’s behaviour is perfectly typical of people who feel the need to display their religion overtly.
It’s sad that this country has become so politically correct that we must never say or do anything that offends anyone else. That’s just impossible to do. I find the Christian bashing here offensive, but it’s your opinion, whatever.
We all believe what we believe. The fact you’re all offended by what was in this ad is hilarious. Get over yourselves.
These people are weak and I have zero respect for them.
I do not agree with their initial actions, but if it is what they believe, they should stick to their beliefs.
Are we sure this ad agency isnt owned by Monique Davis??
It’s a damn good thing that the whacko custom paintjob car owner believes in abstinence before marriage. Because there’s NO way in Hell (heh) that he’s getting any action with that ride.
So does this mean that Creationists can’t engage in wild-monkey-sex?
Whoa – God is one mean SOB…
@Gargoyle_A2:
I agree with you on that, except for the fact that they went out of their way to do a “look at me! look at my beliefs!”. You can’t give someone the finger and then complain they were offended. As someone who has fundies in the family it is a standard go-to- thrust their beliefs in your face then claim pursecution when someone says “no thanks”.
@BigElectricCat: I can’t remember the last time I was offended by something or someone. Letting what someone says affect you in a negative manner is a weakness. Why give someone that kind of power over you?
@weave: “I can’t remember the last time I was offended by something or someone.”
You may speak the truth, but I do not believe you.
@weave: “Letting what someone says affect you in a negative manner is a weakness.”
So if I suggest that you keep your patronizing and arrogant directives to yourself, that won’t affect you in a negative manner, right?
@weave: “Why give someone that kind of power over you?”
Given that you’ve demanded that other posters “grow up” and simply refrain from being offended, that’s hilarious. Why would I give *you* that kind of power over *me?*
I have an idea for you. Let’s all try being polite and considerate towards each other and see if we can’t just get along. That way, no one needs to tell anyone else how to behave. Sound good?
For all of you that seem to think Ford completely supports the actions of one single dealer, here is the response I received from their customer relationship center:
Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center regarding Kieffe & Sons Ford’s radio advertisement.
Ford Motor Company is concerned with the satisfaction of all Ford and Lincoln-Mercury owners and potential customers. We regret the circumstances that have prompted you to contact us.
This specific issue has been addressed by Ford Motor Company personnel with appropriate representatives at Kieffe and Sons Ford in Mojave, California. Our investigation has determined that the advertising was placed in error. Corrective actions have been taken to prevent this from happening again.
Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention.
If you have any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to address them for you.
Sincerely,
Jill
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company
@friendlynerd: So how do you know your Mazda is gay?
I guess that the 86% believing in God = 86% are Christians was wishful thinking that Henry Ford should have succeeded in helping completely exterminate the Jews.
I wonder how the conversations between the dealer and Ford’s franchise management director went. I think it must have been a little like this:
Ford: WTF were you thinking, you moron?
Dealer: Um, it was an accident.
Ford: An accident?
Dealer: Yeah, an accident. I placed the advertisement in error.
Ford: And you’re asking us to believe that bulls**t?
Dealer: Um. That’s what we’ve been telling people.
Ford: Well it’s not f**king working. You sure you don’t have something believeable? Aliens abducted you? You were forced at gunpoint to place it? Aliens forced you at gunpoint?
Dealer. No. Sorry.
Ford: Well f**k me. We’ll have to go with your f**king bulls**t story and hope for the best. Start looking for a new name for your dealership, ’cause Ford ain’t gonna be in it after your franchise agreement comes up for renewal.
@Lucky225: Yeah, last i checked, bloggers have freedom of speech too. That wasn’t a fucking ad, either, and even if it was, why would lying about the number of people who believe in a g-d cause it to be false advertising?
@RandomHookup:
I have car-dar. You can just sense these things.
@Alex Chasick: There are some who would consider at all to be too much, so, I reckon YES is the answer to your question.