GREENMUSE is a regular reader and fan contributor at antiMUSIC, the views expressed here don't necessarily reflect those of antiMUSIC or our sponsors, but we are sure you will enjoy what he has to say! 

In the face of the current disasters, this point has become more and more apparent to me, people will use anything to make a buck.  but lets forget for minute the war in Afghanistan,  and all the nasty little terrorists.  Think to those anti-smoking ads you see on TV, they are all sponsored by Phillip Morris,  or one of the other big tobacco companies,  so in a way,  its like advertising,  with a little morbid twist,  sure they are telling you the truth,  but does anyone think they will be running out of customers anytime soon? I sure don’t see it happening.  My favorite ad,  which was pulled from American TV,  was a commercial with the old Marlboro man,  riding his horse,  the stereotypical strong,  all American man,  then when he passes the camera,  you can see the oxygen tank strapped to the back of the horse just so the poor guy could breathe.  

Another great ad series are the anti drug commercials. You see some kid,  he could be any kid,  even your next door neighbor,  or the newspaper boy,  usually filmed in black and white to really get the dismal mood going.  Then the kid goes into a spiel about how smoking marijuana ruined his life,  made his grades drop, got him kicked out of his house,  killed his dog,  and whatever else the producer decides to toss into the mix.  Now I’m not saying drugs are a good thing and I don’t want to see a crack pipe in every 1st graders lunchbox,  but do you think that kid on TV is an actor or is doing it of free will? I doubt it, I think its part of a probation/community service package decreed by a judge for violation of senseless laws.  And upon seeing how this poor, defenseless little boy, lead on by the treachery of others, will doubt how serious the war on drugs is and continue to fund and support it with their votes.  

But the icing on this rotten cake is the recent disaster in New York and the pentagon. How many of you have seen subway’s ad with the all black screen, some solemn words scroll across the screen and then finally a bright and happy Subway logo pops up on the screen?! What about all the movie stars and corporations donating millions of dollars? In my opinion, if they were donating this money to the cause and not trying to promote themselves, they would donate discreetly or discourage press coverage of the event.  This capitalizing on the tragedy even occurs at local levels too, I’ve seen lots of car dealerships,  fast food places,  mom and pop sub shops,  the sex store on the corner,  all with huge banners,  proclaiming them to be “all American”.  Wanna bet that car lot with the huge flags and playing the star spangled banner is doing a lot better than the one across the street that still looks the same as it did before Sep 11th?  I’m not even going to get into the roadside vendors selling biohazard protection suits and “God Bless America” t shirts.  Don’t forget the little clip on flag for your car,  it’ll cost you a ten spot! If anything, I think the flag should be given away,  never sold.  But enough out of me, I’m going to stop this before it becomes a real political rant.  For those here in the states, have a good thanksgiving.  gm
 

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