Boycott Ford merchandise?

Question

go to boycottford.com for details
you won't regret it!! It is worth your time!!

Answer 1

The fact that you are posting a stupid link instead of asking a real question is reason enough to report you for abuse.
It is already a violation of community guidelines. Have you read them? Did you want to reach Level 3 anytime soon?

But now that you have posted it. Allow me to post an Official Q & A document straight from Ford that will answer all the questions that other idiots who believe the garbage strewn at your link.:

AFA Boycott Customer Talking Points
June 27, 2006
These talking points are designed to help field customer questions about issues raised by the
American Family Association’s boycott of Ford Motor Company.

Q. Why is the AFA boycotting Ford?
A. Because Ford, like many other leading American companies, including other automakers, has
marketed to the gay and lesbian community and made charitable contributions to gay and
lesbian community events.

Q. Does Ford support the gay and lesbian community’s political agenda?
A. Our only agenda is to develop, manufacture and sell the most innovative products to anyone
who wishes to buy them.

Q. Is it true that Ford sponsors gay pride events and charities, including gay marriage
commitment ceremonies?
A. Ford has sponsored gay and lesbian community events primarily in the Detroit metropolitan
area, as have DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. The rumor circulating on the Internet
that says Ford Motor Company Fund sponsored a gay marriage commitment ceremony in
Ferndale, Mich., is not true.

Q. Why would Ford contribute to gay and lesbian charities when the subject of
homosexuality is so controversial?
A. Ford Motor Company Fund is a not-for-profit corporation. It was established to provide a
means for Ford to give back to the communities in which we do business. It does not
support the political activities of the not-for-profits for which it provides funding.
Ford Fund supports causes and people from all walks of life. In all areas, Ford Fund, like the
company, puts a priority on the support and development of organizations that promote
diversity and inclusion. We do not support organizations that unlawfully discriminate on the
basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Q. What are some of the other charities Ford supports?
A. Some of the groups that have received significant contributions from Ford Motor Company
and/or Ford Motor Company Fund include:
· The American Red Cross
· Ford Partnership for Advanced
Education (FordPAS)
· Driving Skills for Life
· Habitat for Humanity
· The Salvation Army
· The United Way
· Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation
· United ***** College Fund
· Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation
In addition, we have supported disabled veterans since World War I. We are one of the
largest supporters of America’s parks, helping preserve the Gettysburg National Military
Park, George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon and Yosemite National Park. Ford is
also one of America's largest private supporters of education. We established the Henry
Ford Academy, our own charter school, and we support Greenfield Village, a hands-on
learning center.

Q. Given the company’s challenges, why doesn’t Ford simply cancel all of its sponsorships?
A. Ford is facing a challenging financial situation. But it is important that we continue to give
back to the community, as we have always done. For example, since the first United Way
campaign in 1949, Ford has been that organization’s single largest contributor, giving more
than $428 million through 2004.
The vast majority of our annual contributions, which total more than $100 million, go to
fund programs that improve education, housing, automotive safety, the environment and
many other important areas.
Ford has received many honors for its community involvement. This year, the company was
honored with the State of Michigan’s Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award, which
honors businesses that demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship by giving back to the
community through corporate volunteer programs, monetary contributions, in-kind gifts, and
employee-driven volunteer service.
Another area where Ford recently received special recognition was for the company’s disaster
relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Ford was one of only 12 major U.S.
companies – and the only automaker – highlighted in a special U.S. Chamber of Commerce
publication on corporate America's response to the hurricanes.
Ford donated more than $6.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions and more than 400
volunteers donated 25,000 hours to hurricane relief efforts. In addition, the UAW/Ford team
gave more blood than our two major competitors combined.

Q. Does Ford advertise in gay or lesbian media?
A. Yes. We buy advertising to put Ford's message in front of as many customers as possible –
customers who have a lot of other options. The car market is crowded and very competitive.
By the end of the decade, customers will have more than 300 nameplates to choose from. So
as you might imagine, we fight very hard for every sale.
The Websites that have been vocal critics of Ford fail to mention that others in our industry
advertise in gay and lesbian publications like The Advocate and Out. They include GM’s
Cadillac and Saturn brands, Toyota’s Lexus and Scion brands, Mercedes-Benz and
Volkswagen/Audi, just to name a few.
Other well known American brands that advertise in gay and lesbian publications include:
American Express, Diet Pepsi, Avis Rent-a-Car, Kohler, Budweiser, Time Warner, Wells
Fargo and GlaxoSmithKline.

Q. Are the Ford ads gay-themed in any way?
A. No. The ads that are currently running focus on our company, our brands and our products.
They're not crafted to endorse or promote anyone's point of view but our own. They’re
actually the same ads that we’re running in Time and Newsweek.

Q. How can Ford say that it does not run “gay-themed” ads when several explicit
examples are available on the Internet?
A. We have previously acknowledged to the AFA that some ads that ran in the past – primarily
in Europe – should not have been approved. But that was some time ago and the ads are no
longer running.

Q. Why does Ford advertise in gay and lesbian media?
A. We advertise to reach potential customers. Marketing to specific communities is not new to
Ford or the industry. For example, we market to African-American, Hispanic and Asian
consumers in publications specifically directed to these communities. We don't do this to
make a political or social statement; we do it because we respect them and hope they will
become customers.
For the same reason, we also advertise in media directed at social and religious conservatives,
like Christianity Today, Today’s Christian Woman, The National Liberty Journal and
Chrisma. Ford is also one of the largest advertisers on Christian radio stations.

Q. The American Family Association has said that Ford is at the forefront in promoting
the gay and lesbian lifestyle and political agenda. Is this true?
A. No. In fact, according to Rivendell Media, Toyota, GM, and BMW all ranked ahead of
Ford Motor Company in gay and lesbian ad spending during the first quarter.
But just like other companies, we buy advertising to put Ford’s message in front of as many
potential customers as possible. For the same reason, we also advertise in media directed at
social and religious conservatives, like Christianity Today, Today’s Christian Woman, The
National Liberty Journal and Chrisma. Ford is also one of the largest advertisers on
Christian radio stations.
Other national brands that advertise in gay and lesbian publications include: American
Express, Diet Pepsi, Avis Rent-a-Car, Kohler, Budweiser, Time Warner, Wells Fargo and
GlaxoSmithKline.

Q. Information posted on the Internet suggests that Ford has donated millions of dollars
to support gay and lesbian causes. Is this true?
A. We believe some people may be mistaking Ford Foundation contributions with Ford Motor
Company and/or Ford Motor Company Fund contributions. The company has no affiliation
with the Ford Foundation. That is a separate organization and they make their own decisions.

Q. How are dealers handling customer complaints?
A. We have told dealers that we believe the best response is to listen to every customer, correct
any misinformation, and ask them to support Ford.

Q. Why should customers support Ford if they disagree with some of the company’s
advertising and charitable activities?
A. They should stand by our company because of our innovative products, because for
generations we've been a positive force in American society, and because our successful Ford
and Lincoln Mercury dealers have made their communities stronger.

Q. Does Ford require salaried employees to undergo mandatory diversity training?
A. No.

Q. Does Ford promote the homosexual lifestyle in any of its training?
A. No.

Q. What types of training does Ford offer and are employees in these classes allowed to
speak out against homosexuality?
A. We do not support or advocate for any particular lifestyle. Our training classes are designed
to create awareness of and respect in the workplace for people from all walks of life. They
are designed to foster a work environment that is free from racial, sexual, ethnic or other
forms of discrimination or harassment.

Q. Does Ford offer special discounts to gay or lesbian groups, or direct proceeds from
vehicle sales to gay or lesbian groups?
A. No.

Q. How much does Ford spend on gay and lesbian advertising and charitable causes?
A. We do not break out our advertising spending by category for competitive reasons. A report
detailing the most significant Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund and Ford Volunteer Corps
contributions can be viewed at www.ford.com.

Q. Will Ford continue to support gay and lesbian media and charities in 2007?
A. We will advertise wherever it makes sense for the business, and we approach our charitable
activities in much the same way.
# # #


on a more personal note, Ford builds vehicles for EVERYBODY. What does that have to do with somebodys sex life?
(If people are having sex IN those vehicles......well that's really nobodys business........especially not the auto manufacturers!)
Any more questions?

Answer 2

Boycotts don't work pal. There is no way to get enough people on board to have an effect on a billion dollar worldwide company. Ford Motor Company and the American auto industry employ one out of every 5 Americans. You want a big truck, they have them. You want a hybrid, they have those too. Is the consumers choice. Even with all of Ford's problems, they are still the #2 automaker in the U.S.
Honda and Toyota's earnings go to JAPAN. If you don't like
Ford advertising to gays then write a note, or a lot of notes
to their marketing chief Cisco Codina. Tell him to go pound sand. Don't hurt the whole company and their employees, those are Americans. I agree with your website's stance, family values. Just not the way your going about it.

Answer 3

Ford started supporting gays, I don't like it in the least, but so does Kraft and I hate to give up my Mayo. You want to boycott Ford go ahead, let the rest "whats left" of American jobs go overseas. So when your grandchildren are speaking Spanish and China you can tell then why they don't speak English anymore.

Answer 4

The world is full of problems!!! You will never be able to have 100% of the people to agree with your views and lifestyle. What you choose to do behind closed doors is your business, but I don't think it's right for you to ask people to boycott FORD, because someone that works for the company does not agree with what you think is right. Instead of complaining about it, why don't you think about all the disasters, hunger and war that is happening around us right now? GET A LIFE!!!

Answer 5

Ford Rocks!

Answer 6

I browsed through the link, and I must say that there is nothing wrong with lesbians kissing. Anyone who likes women as much as I do can't be all bad...

On a serious note, we are told in the Bible to judge not, lest we be judged...and also to not cast the first stone.
AND we are told to love one another as brothers and sisters.
(without prejuduce or limits)
I served in our Army for EVERYONE, and for EVERYONE to have EQUAL rights. That does not mean only the ones the "moral majority" deems acceptable.
Ask the super-preacher Ted Haggard about that one... I'm sure that he can tell you a few "man-meat" stories...

All in all, I give Ford a hats off for supporting equal rights.
AND I drive a 1986 F350 Diesel!!!

Answer 7

No matter what position any company in America takes, someone will be against it.. the sponsor of the site AFA has been promoting bans against many things including most mass media for non christian views.

Unfortunately in these PC times.... You get threats and lawsuits for what ever way you promote yourself.

Now has it hurt Ford sales? Nah... The Japanese with the fuel economy claims have...

But like Dennis Miller, "That's just my opinion, I could be wrong"

Answer 8

no, i am not going to boycott ford... there are so many other issues in this world, in your state, in your city that are more important than someone's sexuality. Why not put some effort and care into your community, rather than trying to point out some one else's private life.

Answer 9

I support America by buying American made cars. Support American buy a Ford.

Answer 10

I have had plenty of good luck with ford vehicles so why dont you have a look at www.gmsucks.com. theres some good stuff on there

Answer 11

Please keep politics out of this question and answer section this is not the place. The car and parts have done nothing to any body. People are the cause not Ford Parts