Lowe's 'All-American Muslim' Advertising Decision Blasted By Democrats (VIDEO)

Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday became the latest Democrat to lambaste a recent decision by Lowe's home improvement stores to pull advertising from a reality TV show about American Muslims living in Michigan.

"This is a major American company rubber stamping basic foundational bigotry against a major American religious group," Murphy said of the decision, which was prompted by a complaint from right wing evangelical group the Florida Family Association. "This country was founded on the premise of religious freedom and this body should never remain silent when a group of people is marginalized just because they worship a different God."

In an earlier statement, the Florida Family Association claimed that TLC's "All-American Muslim" was "propaganda" that improperly characterized Muslims because it didn't depict anyone "advancing Islamic fundamentalism and Sharia law." The show follows five Lebanese American Muslim families living in Dearborn, Michigan.

"The show profiles only Muslims that appear to be ordinary folks while excluding many Islamic believers whose agenda poses a clear and present danger to liberties and traditional values that the majority of Americans cherish," the complaint read.

Florida Family Association is accustomed to getting involved in contentious dogfights. In the past, the group has crusaded aggressively against gay rights, college curriculums and other TV shows.

Lowe's quickly yielded to the protests despite the group's history, and has since stood by their decision to pull their commercials:

"Lowe's has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lighting [sic] rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance."

But that explanation has failed to calm the company's detractors. Ted Lieu, a Democratic state senator from California, has threatened legal action and is considering organizing a boycott of the store.

Democratic congressmen John Conyers of Michigan and Keith Ellison of Minnesota have both called on Lowe's to apologize for the action.

Conyers said he was "disappointed' in the company and suggested that it "strongly repudiate the intolerant messages espoused by anti-Muslim groups."

Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, expressed concern with Lowe's willingness to kowtow to a "fringe hate group," but suggested on Tuesday that the company could rectify the wrong by admitting its mistake.

Comments

[lindenwalk]

03:19 PM on 03/19/2012

Many of so called experts here, have not been to their neighboring state let alone an Asian or a Muslim country. It is unfortunate and ignorant to mix up a civil issue with a religious one. About Lowes; I loved to shop there but I have not been there since November or so last year because of giving into a hate group. BTW, my reaction would had been same if Lowes would have pulled out ads from a Jewish show on a Muslim group demand or a native American show on a KKK demand.

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:40 PM on 12/25/2011

Hode ho, ho Congress does it again. EVERYTHING except what THEY are elected to do! Like "Baseball" rule enfarcer to interfearing with Lowe's freedom of speach! That is why I left organized political parties . . . am now unenroled and damn proud of it. What a GD shame that the GOP hijacked the "T-Party" as this was America's last great hope for a return to sanity! How about a little ENGLISH as the national language, if parents are NOT US Citizens your birth in America doesn't win you the "Mother of all Scratch tickes" US Citizenship! That was OK back in the day of Windjamers but not when you can fly in from anyplace in the world a week before your due and give the "Gift that keeps on Giving" duel-citizenship!

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:30 PM on 12/25/2011

Always liked Lowe's . . . but had to pass a Home Depot to reach them.
I will drive the extra mile from now on!

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:07 PM on 12/25/2011

This Muslim TV promotional is a distortion of TRADITIONAL Muslim actions even while "Modern" Iran is TORN between stoning a woman or hanging her for infidelity! What do "THEY" do for the OTHER side of this TRIST? A $10 fine? (we can only hope THEY use an OLD rope or BIG rocks!)

[Vox Gabrielus]

08:59 PM on 12/18/2011

TLC also wanted to pilot "Nazi Families in Germany" which BMW and Ford supported, but Goldman-Sachs wouldn't have run their commercials. Most people in the Nazi party probably lived ordinary, non-genocidal lives, and maybe did not read "Mein Kampf." If only the allies could have more fully supported the Nazi moderates with a cable TV reality show!

[Doug Sandlin]

12:57 PM on 12/21/2011

Bad analogy.

Affiliation with the Nazi Party in WWII-era Germany both implied and involved the adoption of a certain mindset.

Affiliation with Islam does not imply or involve the adoption of a certain mindset, despite what many anti-Islam pundits have made up about that.

Like all major global religions, Islam has a vast range of beliefs and views.

And so, again: bad analogy.

A better analogy would be:

"Lowe's pulled it's ads from TLC's new show "All-American Germans", because a group contacted them complaining that any German-related show without overt references to the rampant, covert Nazism among German-Americans is "propaganda"."

[Vox Gabrielus]

11:52 PM on 12/22/2011

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your reply. Your analogy is insightful, and I do think, helps bring attention to the point I was making in using my analogy. I did not mean for my analogy to reflect the religious aspect of Islam (that is, in general, the moral code, and ideas on an afterlife), but to single out the political ideology. In this regard, I think my analogy holds. In trying to educate myself about Islam I've read many things, from Karen Armstrong, to the Idiot's Guide to the Koran, and was willing to consider that one could possibly equate old religious texts with outdated ideas. When I actually read the Koran (3 different translations), the foundation of Islam, I was left with a different impression, one of a violent, quasi-genocidal political ideology. There were over 8 million Nazi's in WWII Germany, but most were remained silent, and tried to remain ignorant of the evils of Nazism.

[Vox Gabrielus]

11:52 PM on 12/22/2011

According to a Pew Poll August 2011, only 1% of American Muslims thought suicide bombings of civilians was "often" justified, while 7% thought it only "sometimes" justified. Although we don't know the population of Muslims in America very accurately, it is likely between 2 to 3 million. I am indeed making a connection between this 7% (that actually admit this in a poll) and the violent ideology that is so very predominant in the Koran. I am also drawing a parallel to those that sit quietly by, such as one of the families in "All American Muslim" who goes to Imam Husham Alhusayni for advice, who by most accounts appears to be a supporter of Hezbollah. The same Pew poll also found that 21% of Muslim Americans report that they see a great deal or a fair amount of support for extremism in the Muslim American community. There was no shortage of Muslims visibly out protesting Lowe's recently. Where is the outcry of that 21% against this support of extremism here in America? Why does a Muslim in this show go to an Imam who is supporter of a terrorist organization, and no Muslim organization in America protests that? This resounding silence is all too familiar.

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:02 PM on 12/25/2011

LIKE "THEY" didn't have TV let alone "Reality Shows" back then.

[Jeffrey Joseph]

06:06 PM on 12/18/2011

What don't they get by, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all?"

[JL1218]

11:05 AM on 12/18/2011

Hurray for Lowes. Always remember this. Islam is not a peaceful religion that wants to coexist. They want to coexist only until they can control, dominate, and then, if need be, destroy.

[Doug Sandlin]

12:58 PM on 12/21/2011

Really, now?

Some people who don't like Islam and Muslims seem to have made up a lot of stuff along those lines ... but is there any real-world indication, among American Muslims in general, that it's true?

Exactly.

[JL1218]

11:50 PM on 12/21/2011

They are coexisting and biding their time. This action against Lowes is just one step in the direction to try to control. As they grow, (if we are dumb enough to let them), the next step will be more control, then on to dominate, etc. American Muslims in general, as you put it, are not being violent at present, true, however, as they become more populous, only look at France and England to see what is coming.

[von2]

12:27 PM on 12/30/2011

Read the koran and know they follow it and see what you think.

[Sandy Kramer]

06:28 AM on 12/18/2011

It's always good to hear from a Fifth Columnist, aka Democrat. I know you may not welcome this fact, but we still live in a (relatively) free America. Private enterprises have an unquestionable right to cancel sponsorships: At least for now. If you don't agree with Lowe's action, organize a boycott.
I know, I know, you'd rather blow up the stores and behead all the customers and employees...

[Doug Sandlin]

01:00 PM on 12/21/2011

Just FYI ... Boycotts are taking place, and violence is not.

Private enterprises do have unquestionable rights.

So do private citizens -- freedom to practice their religion, and live their lives, unmolested by the defamatory statements of people who are naive enough to believe other people who have made up things about them.

[freedom is right]

01:18 PM on 12/16/2011

"population jihad". Look it up liberals.. stop choosing ignorance.

[Doug Sandlin]

01:42 PM on 12/21/2011

Somebody who is very bad at math, and who hates Muslims, made that up.

[freedom is right]

05:04 PM on 12/15/2011

There is REAL legitimate concern that the FFA is expressing. And it has NOTHING to do with "hate, bigotry, intolerance" etc etc... all the favorite intimidation /attack words of the Left.. it has to do with preserving our freedoms in this country. Those who dare to question the existence of possible agendas of SOME Muslims are attacked because of outright ignorance. Blind ignorance can be dangerous. Take a look around the world at what is going on.. learn some REALITY. Your "good" desire to not offend anyone will bring this country down... your liberal leftist views allows and HELPS those who want to force sharia law on us. They LOVE you guys for that.. otherwise, you are "infidels".. you, who are defending them and HELPING them are their ENEMIES unless you convert to Islam. Try and give yourselves some credit for being capable of DISCERNMENT. That's what the Right have done.. we CAN understand that some Muslims reject the forcing of Islamic laws & religion on others... but.. we can ALSO understand that SOME DO NOT. We live in a world of REALITY. Which is necessary to do if we want to protect our rights and freedoms.. here's one of thousands of links to learn about.. reality... the REAL world .. not some fantasy land where nothing bad ever happens.. and agendas by anyone other than those "evil" Christians just doens't exist.
http://www.factsoverfiction.com/Jihad%20Population.html

[lancer123]

10:58 AM on 12/16/2011

I don't want any conversation reduced to name calling if anyone has any
well documented information I would be happy to entertain it. I have
absolutely nothing against the Muslim people it is the Islamic ideology I
detest and it is that which our constitution has a problem with. I would
be happy to change my view if anyone can supply me any well documented
proof that is not the case. Just look at the countries where the Islamic
Ideology has became predominate. If one really thinks a devout adherent
to that Islamic Ideology doesn't have a distain for our Constitution then
well.... your wrong. Their ideology cannot and will not flourish under
our Constitution and it’s their desire that it does. Something has got to
give.

[democratbob]

12:23 PM on 12/30/2011

So in order to save ourselves from becoming like Saudi Arabia or Iran we'll make ourselves like them by limiting religious freedom here. There's absolutely no sense to that at all.

[WillowInTheWind]

11:44 AM on 12/15/2011

If you don't like it, don't shop there! Pretty simple really.........

[fishbelly]

09:33 AM on 12/15/2011

I wanted to get a nice Kobalt stainless steel tool cabinet from Lowes. I can't bring my self to buying one now knowing that Lowes bends to the FFA which is just a rebadged group that stopped wearing those white pointy hoods.

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:17 PM on 12/25/2011

Dear Heart, to be for EVERYTHING is to STAND for NOTHING!

While the Iranian government (GOVERNMENT) struggles with problem of converting a stoning to hanging of woman convicted of adultry. (This is the MOTHERLAND of Muslim beliefs!) While "THEY" do what to the man involved?

[democratbob]

12:24 PM on 12/30/2011

And that has what to do with American freedom of religion and conscience?

[D-Driller]

05:59 AM on 12/15/2011

Why was it okay for liberal groups to call for advertisers to pull commercials from the Glenn Beck show, but this is wrong? A bit two-faced, hypocritical and cynical, aren't we now, Libs? Go ahead, tell me how "this is different", followed closely by, "I know you are, but what am I".... Pathetic. What's funny is that I supported groups who wanted to suppress Beck - that is their right, nowhere in the Constitution is there "equal ad airtime for all". But I equally support this decision - maybe Lowes doesn't want to be associated with Muslims. That's okay. Muslims shouldn't shop there then. Fair enough.

[frankath]

01:57 PM on 12/15/2011

I'm not following. WHO on the left was complaining about little glennbeck losing his advertisers or customers due to a boycott of them? Some free-speech gonzo's maybe, BUT glennbeck is SO hateful that a little boycott worked just fine for me. Same goes for Lowe's. If they can kowtow to a "Phony Christian" hate group, then WE can decide not to shop there. If they don't want to be "associated" with Muslims, fine. That takes several million people out of their customer base. If they can handle that financially, then fine. They can ALSO then put up with Muslims, not just boycotting their stores, but picketing them. If that is what Lowes wants, then fine. Free country and all. But NO complaining from Lowes is allowed, as they CHOSE this course of action.

[D-Driller]

12:32 AM on 12/16/2011

You followed what I said fine - I'm in total agreement with you. Beck could say what he wanted, but had to live with the consequences. Lowes will have to live wih their decision as well, as will TLC for having such a program on their stations. I was simply pointing out the hypocrisy of most posters on here - crying about "Lowes Boycotts" and such for what? For not advertising on a program they did not fel comfortable with? Glenn Beck's show lost sponsors too - where were these hypocrites then?

[Kayle Lang]

10:26 AM on 12/16/2011

Even though I hate Glenn Beck a great deal, D-Driller has a good point, and I 100% agree with him. People are being very hypocritical about this.

Lowes decided that they are getting into hot water, and they rather just avoid the controversy. They are a business, not an activist group. They are not anti-Muslim because of this.

[Doug Sandlin]

01:46 PM on 12/21/2011

Beck supports prejudice.

Lowe's (indirectly, by bowing to the FFA) supports prejudice.

Very simple.

What makes prejudice such a problem is not that it's wrong, as in unethical - though many of us would say it is unethical - but that it (prejudice) is always based on assertions that are untrue.

If you doubt this, you can check it out for yourself:

Out of millions of American Muslims, how many of them have been arrested for crimes which confirm the conjecture of the people who hate them?

Exactly.

[MoonBeamWatcher]

03:23 PM on 12/25/2011

This program is an "infomercial" for an unrealistic overview of the Muslim agenda.
A living example is: the Chief Rabbi of Paris has advised Jewish youth to ''hide" their Yamaka under ball caps to avoid beatings by roaming bands of Muslim gangs.

[mmcgrew]

04:11 AM on 12/15/2011

Someone from FFA was watching The LEARNING Channel ??????

[miketothad]

02:40 AM on 12/15/2011

Hate and discrimination are synonymous with the right.