Red, White and Boo

If you've ever read any of my other posts you've probably noticed that I love to promote any merchandise that is made in America. For quite some time now I have been a huge promoter of Yuengling beer because it is one of the few large breweries that is still American owned.     (They are the oldest American brewing company). That is the beer that I try to always buy. 

But on occasion I will also buy Samuel Adams beer made by the Boston Brewing Co., also American owned.

But not patriotic enough???

But I must pass along to you something that I discovered over this Fourth of July holiday. Sam Adams recently ran a commercial for their beer by quoting a passage from the Declaration of Independence. I have copied an article by By Christopher Freeburn, a InvestorPlace.com writer.

Boston Beer Company released a Fourth of July-themed commercial touting Sam Adams beer by quoting the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by none other than the brand’s namesake Sam Adams. But because of an omission, the ad has misfired with many viewers, MediaBistro notes.

During the ad, an actor quotes from the Declaration noting of men that “they are endowed with certain unalienable rights.” Alert viewers quickly noticed that the commercial had altered the passage, which actually reads “they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.”
 
Irate viewers filled the comment section of the ad’s posting on Google‘s YouTube with complaints about the omitted reference to God, accusing Sam Adams of “historical revisionism” and deliberately misquoting the Declaration. Some threatened to boycott the beer.
Not all commenters were offended, with one calling the whole debate “childish.”

  
You can add me to the offended list. If you are going to use something that is such a huge part of our country's history to sell your product then don't edit out parts that you may personally not agree with or parts that you think will offend some of your consumers. Would any atheist that drinks Sam Adams beer really quit buying it if the company had used the entire quote? I bet they still use our currency that mentions God in its printing.

(I imagine that Jim Koch, owner of Sam Adams, doesn't mind getting his hands on the same currency). 

Jim Koch

James Thompson, writes on Mediabistro.com:  

As created beings we have a Creator. This is included in our nation’s Declaration of Independence. Why is Sam Adams deliberately omitting this?”
It is fine (though somewhat inherently risky) to name a beer after an important American historical figure and build a brand around an image that espouses the all-American values of our founding fathers. But, honestly, beer should not be treated any more seriously than that. Sam Adams should remember it is a beer company, not a political entity.
So Sam Adams may want to revisit its decision to play loosely with the Declaration of Independence; Americans naturally have strong feelings regarding the document and take offense when they believe it is being exploited or molested.

Here is the link to see the actual commercial on Youtube.  Sam Adams Ad

So it looks like I will now add all of Boston Beer's brands to my No-Buy list. I'll stick with my all American beer Yuengling. Yes, some will say this is petty or people are taking it too serious and are blowing it way out of proportion. But I make most of my decisions in life based on one simple thing......principal.  And that's good enough for me. Cheers.