cannabisnews.com: Networks Balk at Pot Spots





Networks Balk at Pot Spots
Posted by CN Staff on September 17, 2002 at 17:06:38 PT
By Wendy Melillo
Source: AdWeek.com
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's biggest anti-marijuana initiative is already stirring controversy, even before its launches this week.One network has rejected two ads for offensive language, and a second has imposed time restrictions on boundary-pushing spots that link pot smoking to violence and date rape.
Two 30-second ads by Ogilvy & Mather, New York, featuring the tag, "Responsibility is a bitch," were turned down by ABC. The network accepted a version without the profanity, sources said. ABC declined comment.A CBS rep said the spots were being evaluated. NBC has restricted the spots to airing after 9 p.m. "We realize there is a substantially larger younger audience from 8 to 9 p.m. where people might find it inappropriate," said Alan Wurtzel, NBC president of research and standards. "Earlier than 9 p.m., we don't want the language in there."Said Ogilvy ecd Chris Wall: "We knew it was a controversial thing, and even if ONDCP approved, there might be network issues."The commercials, "Stacey" and "Dan," trace a marijuana purchase to a horrible end. Copy reads, "This is Stacey. This is the dime bag that Stacey bought. This is the dealer who sold the dime bag that Stacey bought. This is the supplier who smuggled the pot to the dealer who sold the dime bag that Stacey bought. This is Carla hit by a stray bullet from Stacey's supplier and paralyzed for life." Tagline: "Responsibility is a bitch, isn't it, Stacey?" In "Dan," the purchase is traced to a drug cartel and an innocent family is shot. ONDCP rep Jennifer de Vallance said Ogilvy made several versions of the ads in case of network rejection. Meanwhile, ABC has ruled that a date-rape-themed spot by Leo Burnett in Chicago can air only after 10 p.m. because of its sexual content, sources said. Burnett created four spots through the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's pro-bono process. In "Couple," a teen girl at a party gets high in episodic shots. When she is incapacitated, a guy reaches for the buttons on her blouse. The tag is, "Marijuana: Harmless?" Burnett referred calls to the client. A Partnership rep said the ads tested "superbly" and the results will be shared with the networks to address any concerns.Source: AdWeek.comAuthor: Wendy MelilloPublished: September 16, 2002Copyright: 2002 VNU eMedia Website: http://www.adweek.com/Related Articles:U.S. Official Warns of Teen Pot Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14145.shtmlThe Violent Side of Marijuana Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14140.shtmlNew Drug War - ABCNews.com http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14128.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by John Tyler on September 18, 2002 at 10:54:37 PT
Stacey add
I saw that Stacey drug add on ABC. It wasn't that great, but what ABC did was to follow it up with a second add that showed people in therapy, like AA, who had become addicted to a new comedy show to be aired this fall. The whole effect was to mock addition, as in one can get addicted to anything one likes if it is good. It thus negated the effect of the Stacey add that preceded it. 
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Comment #12 posted by Dan B on September 18, 2002 at 07:40:03 PT:
Hmmmm....
Or is that "hear, hear"? I have often wondered whether the phrase is intended to direct everyone's attention "here," or if it is intended to direct everyone to "hear" what is being said. I guess it works either way and, anyway, I am off topic now, so I'll close. If anyone wants to let me know the scoop on this matter, please feel free to email me at the link provided above (click my green name).Dan B
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Comment #11 posted by Dan B on September 18, 2002 at 06:54:43 PT:
Here, Here
I dont mean to make "fun",of the rules set by the good people who manage this site,quite the contrary.I agree that a certain level of decorum is essential to maintain a sense of validity;especially,when we consider the serious nature of the issues addressed at Cnews.I second that. The post I made was intended to show that we are making a better attempt at civil conversation regarding this topic than they are. Of course, the word "bitch" is not the real issue--but, trust me--when people like the religious fundamentalists I grew up with hear that word in these ads, they'll throw a fit. In fact, these ads may serve to make them question their loyalties to the DEA/ONDCP/PDFA crowd--You know, the Semblers and the Barrs, the Ashcrofts and Bushes and Hutchinsons. That is why I point out the language as hypocrisy. As my dear Mom told me many times when I was growing up, "Two wrongs don't make a right." Maybe the fundies will begin to recognize the big wrong (drug prohibition) for what it is when it is coupled with the little wrong (what many believe is foul language).Dan B
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Comment #10 posted by DANA on September 18, 2002 at 00:08:37 PT
Perceptions of Obscenity and Profanity
.There is indeed a considerable gray area,when it comes to defining "profanity".I guess that in many ways,"profane" words exsist within the eye of the beholder,and,they can also be defined according to the context in which they are used.
 
 It's all kind of weird.I guess "bitch",is almost "OK",now that we have seen it used in the above article,but,perhaps "bitch",would not be "OK",if one was to call someone a "bitch".(?).and then,if "bitch",is considered acceptable when used in a proper and prudent manner;then what about;"son of a bitch"?I guess "ass" is acceptable,as long as it's not followed by "hole"?
 I hope it's sort of obvious that I'm partly joking.I think most people know,and realize what "profanity" is.It's rather fortunate,in a strange way,that that dddd/qqqq/pppp/bbbb character crashed and burned in his spaceship.I think he was pushing the limits of acceptableness.
 
 I guess,ideally,we could have some sort of list of "acceptable" language,some system of protocol that would mandate,and specify the limits.You know;stuff like:
 
 
"fart:Acceptable only as long as it is preceded by the word:"old". The word,"fart",will not be acceptable,when preceeded by such words as :"stinky","bad",or:"wet".
 
 
 Anyway,as far as this article goes;I think that the use of the word "bitch",pales in comparison to the egregiously offensive content of the ads themselves!In my opinion,"bitch" is not a word that has the potential to offend,or corrupt "the children",I think "the children",will be far more corrupted by the content of the ads.I doubt most would even know of the term "dime bag",until they heard it on one of these ads.I think that substances known as "exstacy",and many others,were actually promoted due to foolish,absurd ad campaigns of the ondcp.
 
 
I gotta go now,I can feel the 'f' word coming on if I continue. 
 
 PS:I dont mean to make "fun",of the rules set by the good people who manage this site,quite the contrary.I agree that a certain level of decorum is essential to maintain a sense of validity;especially,when we consider the serious nature of the issues addressed at Cnews.Things are getting quite exciting here in California.The federal sonuva-bees think they can mess with The California Republic.I have nothing against the good people of Texas,but I must admit,that the lone star cowboy ______,who was appointed to the oval office,and his motley crew of arrogant,collusive,bigwig brown-nosin' ,effin _____________.,and the Texan based rape of California consumers in the "energy crisis" charade!________________ ________________________________________________ 
 
Gotta go. 
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Comment #9 posted by The GCW on September 17, 2002 at 19:53:39 PT
Bitchin' bitch ad got a lot of LTE's
Breckenridge Ski Area in Colorado, ran an ad in a couple (?) mags (for young people I think), that used the term Bitch or something and it aroused a big big bitch session.It seems there is a coralation, here. The townspeople (and busybodies...) were up in arms over the use of bitch, yet they will perhaps applaude this bitchen (cage 'em) ad.I've included a bunch of the LTE's written to the Summit Daily News, newspaper, for they may be revealing in the way these stories relate.I haven't paid much attention to the Breck Bitch ad, for cannabis is what is important to My reading time...Breck pulls controversial ads http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020907&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=209070101&Ref=ARCoverage of Brecken-bitch debate missed agency's take on the word http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020914&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209140402&Ref=ARBreckenridge Ski Resort should be ashamed http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020913&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209130406&Ref=ARNightlife is what attracts young adults to Breck, not skiing
 http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020913&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209130405&Ref=ARSki area executives, ad creators have case of napnesia http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020913&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209130404&Ref=ARLet's broaden debate by talking to accessible Breckenridge leaders http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020913&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209130403&Ref=AR At what price do we sell out the soul of Summit County
 http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020912&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209120405&Ref=ARVail Resorts, don't ruin Breckenridge by touting ruinous lifestyle http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020910&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209100403&Ref=ARAgency folks should try using the word Ads did not fit vision of Breckenridge http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020909&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209090403&Ref=ARIt's not about the ads, it's about the future of Summit County http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020909&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209090401&Ref=ARAds get mixed reaction among the Gen- crowd http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020907&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=209070102&Ref=ARDifference between pandering and advertising shrinks http://www.summitdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Avis=SD&Dato=20020907&Kategori=LETTER&Lopenr=209070407&Ref=AR
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Comment #8 posted by Sam Adams on September 17, 2002 at 19:17:56 PT
great quotes ddc
I especially like the first 2 and the last one! I also like the one about constant propaganda making people believe that a hellish life is really paradise. It makes me think of most working people I know in business. They all work ridiculous numbers of hours per week, sacrificing their health and any semblence of family life (with their kids), and all they do is brag how "busy" they are, like it's some kind of status symbol. Watch the mice spin the wheel faster and faster. "My life is great, my wife and I work 70 hours per week so we can afford our $900,000 house - our kids go to GREAT schools! Too we never see 'em and they're being raised by Nintendo and cable TV"Lucky for us, the Republicans and ONDCP are absolutely *horrible* at propaganda!Benito Mussolini's quotes are revealing....obviously one of his weaknesses was that he couldn't keep his mouth shut!
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Comment #7 posted by DdC on September 17, 2002 at 18:38:23 PT
D.E.A.th is Banking on us Forgetting the Past...
"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to
danger."
Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, Nazi Air Force (Luftwaffe) commander, the Nuremberg Trials 
"Terrorist operatives infiltrate our communities, plotting, planning and waiting to kill again....To those who scare peace loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this: your tactics only aid terrorists."
United States Attorney General John Ashcroft 
"Parallel to the training of the body a struggle against the poisoning of the soul must begin. Our whole public life today is like a hothouse for sexual ideas and simulations. Just look at the bill of fare served up in our movies, vaudeville and theaters, and you will hardly be able to deny that this is not the right kind of food, particularly for the youth...Theater, art, literature, cinema, press, posters, and window displays must be cleansed of all manifestations of our rotting world and placed in the service of a moral, political, and cultural idea."
Adolf Hitler, "Mein Kampf", Vol. 1, Chapter 10 
"Secular schools can never be tolerated because such schools have no religious instruction, and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith . . . we need believing people."
Adolf Hitler, April 26, 1933, from a speech made during negotiations leading to the Nazi Vatican Concordant of 1933 
"The struggle between the two worlds [Fascism and Democracy] can permit no compromises. It's either Us or Them!"
Benito Mussolini Address, from Palazzo Venezia balcony October 27, 1930 
"The German people have no idea of the extent to which they have to be gulled in order to be led." 
"The size of the lie is a definite factor in causing it to be believed, for the vast masses of the nation are in the depths of their hearts more easily deceived than they are consciously and intentionally bad. The primitive simplicity of their minds renders them a more easy prey to a big lie than a small one, for they themselves often tell little lies but would be ashamed to tell a big one."
From Benito Mussolini contributing to the "London Sunday Express," December 8, 1935 
"How many murders, suicides, robberies, criminal assaults, holdups, burglaries and deeds of maniacal insanity it causes each year, especially among the young, can only be conjectured...No one knows, when he places a marijuana cigarette to his lips, whether he will become a joyous reveller in a musical heaven, a mad insensate, a calm philosopher, or a murderer..."
HARRY J ANSLINGER Commissioner of the US Bureau of Narcotics 1930 1962 
"All propaganda must be so popular and on such an intellectual level, that even the most stupid of those towards whom it is directed will understand it. Therefore, the intellectual level of the propaganda must be lower the larger the number of people who are to be influenced by it." 
"Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise."
From Benito Mussolini contributing to the "London Sunday Express," December 8, 1935 
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."
Harry Anslinger, U.S. Commissioner of Narcotics, testifying to Congress on why marijuana should be made illegal, 1937.
(Marijuana Tax Act, signed Aug. 2, 1937; effective Oct. 1, 1937.) 
"The masses have little time to think. And how incredible is the willingness of modern man to believe." 
"Another weapon I discovered early was the power of the printed word to sway souls to me. The newspaper was soon my gun, my flag - a thing with a soul that could mirror my own."
Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini together in the heyday of 1930s fascism. 
"A violently active, intrepid, brutal youth that is what I am after... I will have no intellectual training. Knowledge is ruin for my young men."
Adolf Hitler quoted by John Gunther "The Nation" 
US Drug Czar, in Colombia, Says Reviewing Policy John P. Walters criticized ABC News for reporting on the Montgomery case. Walters showed no concern for Montgomery but rather complained, "Apparently ABC couldn't find a grandmother on death row for carrying a roach clip..." 
"There is a point at which the law becomes immoral and unethical. That point is reached when it becomes a cloak for the cowardice that dares not stand up against blatant violations of justice. A state that supresses all freedom of
speech, and which by imposing the most terrible punishments, treats each and every attempt at criticism, however morally justified, and every suggestion for improvement as plotting to high treason, is a state that breaks an unwritten law."
- Kurt Huber [The head of White Rose], killed by the Nazis in 1943. 
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Comment #6 posted by idbsne1 on September 17, 2002 at 18:30:53 PT
Offensive?!?!?!?
What are they talking about?The ads are down right FUNNY!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!Oh my God....lol.....the date rape one is really sad......lol.....NOT ONE TEENAGER BELIEVES MARIJUANA WILL LEAD TO DATE RAPE.NOT ONE.Almost all of them will blame ALCOHOL or other drugs. Plain and simple.Does anyone know if there is an agency NOT affiliated with the Government that takes high school student surveys?I'd like to read those....rather than the ONDCP and NIDA lies.idbsne1
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Comment #5 posted by Nasarius on September 17, 2002 at 18:21:19 PT
Don't We Remember?
We saw that the only way to end "drug-related" violence was the repeal of alcohol prohibition back in 1933. It's *exactly* the same situation now.Except, of course, the vast majority of illegal-drug-related violence today is based on cocaine and opium. The majority of the marijuana on the streets in the US is produced in the US or Canada.When will it end? When will a strong majority of the public realize the terrible hypocrisy of the "War on Drugs"? When will our politicians stop catering to the social-conservatives all the time?
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Comment #4 posted by BGreen on September 17, 2002 at 17:57:48 PT
Perfectly on topic, Dan B
And well put.
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Comment #3 posted by druid on September 17, 2002 at 17:49:28 PT:
Dan B
I don't think anyone is going to find your post offensive seeing the context is taken in. I sure didn't but there isn't much that I do find offensive. What I do find offensive are these new ads linking pot with just about anything bad they want to link it to.
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on September 17, 2002 at 17:33:04 PT
Oh, quit your bitching!
just kidding of course. I get a real laugh out of the ads - they've all been the same, failed, theme ever since the frying pan one.The feds and the ad execs think that more shocking and extreme and hard-hitting the ads are, the more they will scare young people away from cannabis.  But the more extreme they are, the more comical they become! If I was 18 and sitting around doing bong hits with my friends and the "date rape" one came on, I would explode with laughter! Does anyone else remember what it was like being a teenager?You would think that at least by now the Republicans would pay off a young Democrat intern or something to review the ads and give feedback. But no, they blunder on ahead, displaying how wildly out-of-touch they are, pumping more taxpayer money into the locomotive engine as it runs off the tracks.
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Comment #1 posted by Dan B on September 17, 2002 at 17:21:38 PT:
Geez . . .
And people were bitching here because of language used in some posts!I assume that "bitch" is okay to use, since it has been officially sanctioned by the ONDCP. So, excuse me a moment while I bitch about this new ad campaign.Considering that drug warriors are the exact same people who bitch constantly about language and violence in the media destroying our young people, it makes absolutely no sense that these people would now stoop to using words like "bitch" and depicting, of all things, violence and date rape to show what some illegal drugs have been linked to. But what really makes me want to bitch is the fact that all of these ads show cannabis as the culprit. Yes, you heard me right: cannabis is supposed to be the equivalent of Rohypnol (for those who are not familiar with that drug, it is the one that knocks women out cold so some guy, likely one who refers to women as "bitches," can rape her, and she will have no recollection), cannabis is supposed to be the equivalent of alcohol (you remember that old drug, right? It's the one that gets men so worked up that they beat women--often calling them "bitch" in the process--as well as other innocent bystanders, including children, whom the prohibitionists claim to be saving) and, of course, cannabis is supposed to be the equivalent of oil, which is linked to funding for terrorists around the globe (those sons of--. . . this is getting old, isn't it?).I think you get my point: these are the guys who want to tell us how to behave, yet they can't even keep their own language under control. If you ask me, I say let them run these spots as often as they can; we will surely be able to claim the moral high ground by the time they finish exploiting female dogs in this manner.Dan BP.S. Let me know if this post is horribly offensive to anyone. I don't mind if you remove it, FoM. It is your call, anyway. I was just trying to make a point.
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