Essay 168

Starting off on the wrong foot with MultiCultClassics Minutes…

• Boeing apologized for publishing an ad for its V-22 Osprey aircraft that depicted troops landing onto a mosque. The ad’s copy included, “It descends from the heavens. Ironically it unleashes hell.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations was among the first to complain. Boeing claimed the ad mistakenly ran because of a clerical error. “We consider the ad offensive, regret its publication and apologize to those who like us are dismayed with its contents,” said a Boeing spokesperson. However, Boeing failed to explain why the ad was produced at all. Probably for an internal pep rally.

• New Sears CEO Aylwin Lewis is laying down the law. An internal memo demanded that employees refrain from carrying bags or packages displaying competitors’ logos. Lewis was allegedly pissed off to learn that a Sears executive traveling with associates was spotted packing a competitor’s shopping bag. Lewis deserves respect for presenting the new mandate. Advertising icon David Ogilvy always insisted on wearing Sears clothes, as the retailer was one of his major clients. Wonder how many current Sears employees would do likewise. There are probably few folks sporting the oh-so-sophisticated Covington gear at the Hoffman Estates headquarters.

• The honeymoon is over for about 30 people indicted for participating in an immigration-marriage fraud operation in South Florida. The ring charged green card-seeking immigrants thousands of dollars to arrange fake marriages to U.S. citizens. One woman had 14 “husbands” in the scam. She’s probably got a closet full of toasters.

• Seattle is cracking down on strip clubs, creating laws designed to turn off the visiting gentlemen. There will be no more lap dances, and patrons may even be prohibited from sticking bills into G-strings. Additionally, the clubs must have bright lighting ala department stores — which will no doubt make the “merchandise” less appealing. Players for the Seahawks, Mariners and Sonics are probably furious.