Hits keep coming- Bush campaign sells "banned" Burmese clothing - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Tomservo · 03-19-2004, 03:57 PM

At this point, Bush can't catch a break. It's a long time till the election, but it's a comedy of errors right now:

The official merchandise Web site for President George W. Bush's re-election campaign has sold clothing made in Burma, whose goods were banned by Bush from the U.S. last year to punish its military dictatorship.

The merchandise sold on www.georgewbushstore.com includes a $49.95 fleece pullover, embroidered with the Bush-Cheney '04 logo and bearing a label stating it was made in Burma, now Myanmar. The jacket was sent to Newsday as part of an order that included a shirt made in Mexico and a hat not bearing a country-of-origin label...

Bush last July signed into law the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, saying "The United States will not waver from its commitment to the cause of democracy and human rights in Burma."

Violators of the import ban are subject to fines and jail, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Burmese textile workers earn as little as 7 cents per hour, according to the National Labor Committee, a human rights group.

"If it is true, it is very contradictory because the sanctions were imposed by the Bush administration," said Bo Hla-Tint, a spokesman for the Burmese government-in-exile in Washington, D.C.

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-b...,4764348.story

There's more to the story therein, edited for the purpose of the post, not for finger-pointing and name-calling.

Reminds me of the time Michael Moore got busted by the Mexican factory worker with a bunch of clothes NOT made in the USA. Still, you'd think someone working FOR Bush would have discovered this. Apparently Spalding is to blame. Whatever!

losthellhound · 03-19-2004, 04:20 PM

Tee hee, thats just funny..

When you're small you can fall down and no one will notice.. when you're big, stub your toe and the world turns to look

Stare At The Sun · 03-19-2004, 05:27 PM

Now thats irony.

Halx · 03-19-2004, 05:30 PM

Not really irony, as it was self-imposed.. I'll roll with the comedy of errors though.

djtestudo · 03-19-2004, 05:56 PM

1) I don't see anything on there that claims to be made in Burma/Myanmar

2) How do you know there weren't some things produced there BEFORE the ban; I'm sure they've been in production since before last July.

HarmlessRabbit · 03-19-2004, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by djtestudo
2) How do you know there weren't some things produced there BEFORE the ban; I'm sure they've been in production since before last July.

actually, that's exactly the case. This reuters story has more detail:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=4610306

here's a good quote:

Quote:

He said the Bush campaign had asked that all of its products originate from American factories, and his company had listed those instructions when placing orders. Jackson said he had sent an apology letter to the campaign over the flap.

This isn't bush's fault, but it's definitely a bit of an embarassment for him. As I said yesterday, I'll be happy to see Bush get the same roasting in the press that Clinton did. Maybe we need an independent counsel to look into this!

seretogis · 03-19-2004, 08:03 PM

Quote:

LETTER TO CAMPAIGN FROM MERCHANDISE SUPPLIER
Fri Mar 19 2004 13:26:53 ET

Mr. Tom Josefiak
General Counsel
Bush Cheney '04 Inc.

Dear Mr. Josefiak:

I am writing to apologize and accept responsibility for the recent distribution of foreign goods in our Bush Cheney '04 merchandise program. We take great pride in providing this service to your campaign, and at your request have worked with our vendors to distribute goods that have been made in America.

Unfortunately, in one of our recent shipments, a vendor inadvertently supplied us with foreign goods, and our own company did not discover this mistake before distribution to the public. The purchase orders for these items included a statement specifying "Made in USA products." (See attached document). We received an acknowledgement from our supplier substantiating that it was their factory mistake. (See attached document).

We have already reviewed our entire stock of items and have pulled from inventory all foreign products. Of the 60 fleece jackets in stock, only two were from Burma. According to best estimates by our supplier, less than a total of ten items from Burma were shipped to the public. We have taken corrective action to assure this will never happen again. We are a small company employing 40 workers and take pride in the professional services provided by our hard-working American families.

Please accept my sincere apologies for this error and let me assure you that all necessary steps have been taken to guarantee that all future shipments will contain only American made products.

Sincerely,

Ted Jackson
President, Spalding Group

reconmike · 03-19-2004, 08:27 PM

Like I said I another post, the anti-Bushies will try and find anything, he is shaking his wanker way too much... I can see it now, the bible thumping Bush shaking his wanker way too much at the local bumfuck Denny's story at 11........

Now on a more serious note, does the Kerry camp get a woody everytime something like this breaks only to be let down like a GF who wont wank him off?

HarmlessRabbit · 03-19-2004, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reconmike
Now on a more serious note, does the Kerry camp get a woody everytime something like this breaks only to be let down like a GF who wont wank him off?

Actually, on the front page of the drudge report right now there is a story about Kerry calling a secret service agent who tripped him while snowboarding a "son of a bitch".

I guess the anti-Kerrys will try and find anything.

I predict that on both the democrat and the republican sides this is going to be the dirtiest presidential campaign ever.

Bill O'Rights · 03-19-2004, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reconmike
Like I said I another post, the anti-Bushies will try and find anything...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but for eight solid years didn't we have to listen to the Republicans scream every time Clinton farted? And if that fart happened to stink, they cried for investigative hearings.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm no huge supporter of Bill Clinton. And in all honesty, I'm no supporter of Bush, at all. My point here is that the Republicans are getting poked by the same sticks that they poked the Democrats with, for eight years. Then crying about poor Georgie not being able to catch a break. Sorry, I'm not buying it.

And for the record...Puhleez. Even I have to stand up for Bush, on this one. Somehow, I doubt very seriously that he personally negotiated contracts with manufacturers, and put his signature to the purchase order. Of course those responsible for this embarasment, and that's all it is, will be looking for work very soon, if not already.

jwoody · 03-23-2004, 08:23 AM

Please tell me this whole bushstore thing is a piss-take. Seriously, I couldn't really buy my own W '04 Farm Ranch Team denim shirt and baseball cap or a set of bush '04 leather coasters, could I?

It's a wind up isn't it? Presidential merchandise?

If that happened over here our presi... er.. prime minister would be laughed out of town faster than you can say " ".

*edit* I just had to check something after an outburst like that.

The Labour Party Shop is rubbish in comparison.

animosity · 03-23-2004, 08:50 AM

off topic, sorta...

i am not a democrat by anymeans and i dont hate bush... but
it seems like bush is like the retarded kid that all the bullies pick on in elementary school... so you feel sorry for him, but that no reason to let him come to your party... or in this case run your country.

djtestudo · 03-23-2004, 08:55 AM

Actually he's the guy people pick on because he says the wrong things sometimes, when he's really smarter then any of them

As for the store, are you making fun of my "Bush/Cheney in 2004" thong underwear

pan6467 · 03-23-2004, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill O'Rights
Correct me if I'm wrong, but for eight solid years didn't we have to listen to the Republicans scream every time Clinton farted? And if that fart happened to stink, they cried for investigative hearings.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm no huge supporter of Bill Clinton. And in all honesty, I'm no supporter of Bush, at all. My point here is that the Republicans are getting poked by the same sticks that they poked the Democrats with, for eight years. Then crying about poor Georgie not being able to catch a break. Sorry, I'm not buying it.

And for the record...Puhleez. Even I have to stand up for Bush, on this one. Somehow, I doubt very seriously that he personally negotiated contracts with manufacturers, and put his signature to the purchase order. Of course those responsible for this embarasment, and that's all it is, will be looking for work very soon, if not already.

Ah but see the Right is the patriotic Party and they can do no wrong so therefore their farts smell of roses and need no explanations.

I find this whole thing funny. Much like when Bush gave his speech and someone had to tape over all the boxes to make sure they read "Made in the USA".

Everyone, even the President makes mistakes, just not everyone can truly be a man and face up to them so they have to blame others for their shortcomings.

Quote:

Originally posted by djtestudo

As for the store, are you making fun of my "Bush/Cheney in 2004" thong underwear

Dj I like ya man but I beg ya please not to ever show me those thongs or any thongs for that matter.

mml · 03-23-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill O'Rights
Correct me if I'm wrong, but for eight solid years didn't we have to listen to the Republicans scream every time Clinton farted? And if that fart happened to stink, they cried for investigative hearings.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm no huge supporter of Bill Clinton. And in all honesty, I'm no supporter of Bush, at all. My point here is that the Republicans are getting poked by the same sticks that they poked the Democrats with, for eight years. Then crying about poor Georgie not being able to catch a break. Sorry, I'm not buying it.

And for the record...Puhleez. Even I have to stand up for Bush, on this one. Somehow, I doubt very seriously that he personally negotiated contracts with manufacturers, and put his signature to the purchase order. Of course those responsible for this embarasment, and that's all it is, will be looking for work very soon, if not already.

You got this exactly right. Bush will have to deal with all this petty crap just like Clinton did. And yes this is a really lame one, but still kind of funny - in a sad exploitive kind of way.

Also, I'm guessin' that the Bush/Cheney store doesn't carry thongs - maybe granny-panties, tighty-whities and plain white boxers, but no thongs. Leave that kind of stuff for the Democrats (let's face it were better at that kind of thing).

Can you imagine the ad in the catalog - a line up of Bush, Cheney, Rummy and Powell all sporting their thongs - Yikes!!

animosity · 03-23-2004, 10:06 AM

Actually he's the guy people pick on because he says the wrong things sometimes, when he's really smarter then any of them....

hmm... this could be true as well... but in either case i dont want him for my leader. but thats just me... :-D

Tomservo · 03-23-2004, 11:18 AM

Just HAVE to ask, why does every topic have to turn into "us vs them"? I specifically poked fun at Michael Moore's similar embarrasing situation in my initial post in an attempt to deflect the "my guy is honester than your guy!" BS, yet it still pops up, constantly. This issue is not one of any concern to any one, rather a pretty simple example of politics as usual- we'll ban this clothing... but we still want the best price!

By the end of this year, we will all hate each other. That's a nice thing to consider.

dy156 · 03-23-2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reconmike
Like I said I another post, the anti-Bushies will try and find anything, he is shaking his wanker way too much... I can see it now, the bible thumping Bush shaking his wanker way too much at the local bumfuck Denny's story at 11........

Now on a more serious note, does the Kerry camp get a woody everytime something like this breaks only to be let down like a GF who wont wank him off?

Now on a less serious, but somewhat similar note, Republicans are sounding off about Kerry posturing by buying a jockstrap.

Rush Limbaugh article

(no point in posting the entire article, it's stupid, just that it's existence proves my point.)

It was a fake turkey!
Kerry had Botox treatment!
Bush has an IQ of an idiot!
Kerry didn't really Earn those purple hearts and should have been court marshalled for leaving his post!
dental records and Duck Hunts
Kerry called Republicans liars!
Bush used actors, not real firemen in his commercial!
Kerry had to take out another mortgage because his wife wouldn't give him money!
Bush is a hypocrite because his campaign website sells stuff made in Myanmar!
This campaign is getting bad, really bad, already.

There are actually issues that matter here, and I hope that the people actually voting will base their decision on these issues, and not this silliness.

edit: come to think of it, what has been the most widely covered "issue" is pretty silly too, in that Gay marriage affect a tiny fraction of the country, and tax time is coming up, and I really can't figure out why homosexuals making a middle class income would want to "opt-in" to the marriage penalty! Way to go, media.

03-19-2004, 03:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tomservo Crazy Location: Los Angeles, CA	Hits keep coming- Bush campaign sells "banned" Burmese clothing At this point, Bush can't catch a break. It's a long time till the election, but it's a comedy of errors right now: The official merchandise Web site for President George W. Bush's re-election campaign has sold clothing made in Burma, whose goods were banned by Bush from the U.S. last year to punish its military dictatorship. The merchandise sold on www.georgewbushstore.com includes a $49.95 fleece pullover, embroidered with the Bush-Cheney '04 logo and bearing a label stating it was made in Burma, now Myanmar. The jacket was sent to Newsday as part of an order that included a shirt made in Mexico and a hat not bearing a country-of-origin label... Bush last July signed into law the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, saying "The United States will not waver from its commitment to the cause of democracy and human rights in Burma." Violators of the import ban are subject to fines and jail, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. Burmese textile workers earn as little as 7 cents per hour, according to the National Labor Committee, a human rights group. "If it is true, it is very contradictory because the sanctions were imposed by the Bush administration," said Bo Hla-Tint, a spokesman for the Burmese government-in-exile in Washington, D.C. http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-b...,4764348.story There's more to the story therein, edited for the purpose of the post, not for finger-pointing and name-calling. Reminds me of the time Michael Moore got busted by the Mexican factory worker with a bunch of clothes NOT made in the USA. Still, you'd think someone working FOR Bush would have discovered this. Apparently Spalding is to blame. Whatever!

03-19-2004, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
losthellhound Thats MR. Muffin Face now Location: Everywhere work sends me	Tee hee, thats just funny.. When you're small you can fall down and no one will notice.. when you're big, stub your toe and the world turns to look __________________ "Life is possible only with illusions. And so, the question for the science of mental health must become an absolutely new and revolutionary one, yet one that reflects the essence of the human condition: On what level of illusion does one live?" -- Ernest Becker, The Denial of Death

03-19-2004, 05:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Not really irony, as it was self-imposed.. I'll roll with the comedy of errors though. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

03-19-2004, 05:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	1) I don't see anything on there that claims to be made in Burma/Myanmar 2) How do you know there weren't some things produced there BEFORE the ban; I'm sure they've been in production since before last July. __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

03-19-2004, 08:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
reconmike Thank You Jesus Location: Twilight Zone	Like I said I another post, the anti-Bushies will try and find anything, he is shaking his wanker way too much... I can see it now, the bible thumping Bush shaking his wanker way too much at the local bumfuck Denny's story at 11........ Now on a more serious note, does the Kerry camp get a woody everytime something like this breaks only to be let down like a GF who wont wank him off? __________________ Where is Darwin when ya need him?

03-19-2004, 05:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	Now thats irony.

03-23-2004, 08:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	Please tell me this whole bushstore thing is a piss-take. Seriously, I couldn't really buy my own W '04 Farm Ranch Team denim shirt and baseball cap or a set of bush '04 leather coasters, could I? It's a wind up isn't it? Presidential merchandise? If that happened over here our presi... er.. prime minister would be laughed out of town faster than you can say " ". edit I just had to check something after an outburst like that. The Labour Party Shop is rubbish in comparison. __________________ . Last edited by jwoody; 03-23-2004 at 08:30 AM..

03-23-2004, 08:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
animosity on fire Location: Atlanta, GA	off topic, sorta... i am not a democrat by anymeans and i dont hate bush... but it seems like bush is like the retarded kid that all the bullies pick on in elementary school... so you feel sorry for him, but that no reason to let him come to your party... or in this case run your country.

03-23-2004, 08:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
djtestudo Baltimoron Location: Beeeeeautiful Bel Air, MD	Actually he's the guy people pick on because he says the wrong things sometimes, when he's really smarter then any of them As for the store, are you making fun of my "Bush/Cheney in 2004" thong underwear __________________ "Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen." --Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

03-23-2004, 10:06 AM	#16 (permalink)
animosity on fire Location: Atlanta, GA	Actually he's the guy people pick on because he says the wrong things sometimes, when he's really smarter then any of them.... hmm... this could be true as well... but in either case i dont want him for my leader. but thats just me... :-D

03-23-2004, 11:18 AM	#17 (permalink)
Tomservo Crazy Location: Los Angeles, CA	Just HAVE to ask, why does every topic have to turn into "us vs them"? I specifically poked fun at Michael Moore's similar embarrasing situation in my initial post in an attempt to deflect the "my guy is honester than your guy!" BS, yet it still pops up, constantly. This issue is not one of any concern to any one, rather a pretty simple example of politics as usual- we'll ban this clothing... but we still want the best price! By the end of this year, we will all hate each other. That's a nice thing to consider.