Right-Wing Mayor Calls for McDonald’s Boycott Over Spanish-Language Ads

**Richard Tafoya** · Jul 10th, 2006, 01:45 PM

Another bottom-feeder reaching out to the bunker-dweller vote.

Think Progress:
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/07/10/spanish-boycott/

Quote:

Mayor Steve Lonegan (R) of Bogota, New Jersey is “calling for a McDonald’s boycott if the fast-food chain does not take down a Spanish-language billboard advertising iced coffee.”

Lonegan said the advertisement is “offensive” and “divisive” because it sends a message that Hispanic immigrants do not need to learn English.
“The true things that bind us together as neighbors and community is our belief in the American flag and our common language,” Lonegan said. “And when McDonald’s sends a different message, that we’re going to be different now, that causes resentment.”

Lonegan’s remarks must come as quite a surprise to the U.S. Army, which launched a major Spanish-language ad campaign in 2001. The tagline is “Yo Soy El Army” (I Am The Army):

Here’s the official “Yo Sol El Army” H2 humvee:

You might also be interested in the Spanish-language recruitment sites for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. So when does Mayor Lonegan launch his boycott against the U.S. military?

WannaBreatheYou · Jul 10th, 2006, 01:49 PM

That is so utterly ridiculous. I remember going to Eastern Washington as a kid, where there is a huge Mexican immigrant population for the crops, and everywhere you went, things were in English and Spanish. This isn't new. He's just being an ass.

daddyslittlegirl · Jul 10th, 2006, 03:34 PM

ROTFL! I heard this and thought WTF is he on

All their doing is trying to sell their products to people who don't understand english!

**Richard Tafoya** · Jul 10th, 2006, 03:37 PM

In the scope of 40 minutes, I can drive through some great neighborhoods here in Los Angeles where the majority of the signage shifts from Korean to Spanish to Vietnamese to Chinese.

What a tragedy it would be if the xenophobes take the cultural flavor out of those neighborhoods.

**db44** · Jul 10th, 2006, 04:07 PM

Didn't we have this at the start of the last century with guys riding around in sheets saying we should send the ex-slaves back to Africa... Or worse?

When will we learn?

young again · Jul 10th, 2006, 04:38 PM

Ironic that the mayor of "Bogota" is offended by Spanish. What a maroon! I'm not sure where Bogota, NJ is, but I hope for that mayor's sake it's not around here. Seems another Korean (I think) sign goes up every day. Poor guy won't be able to shop or eat anywhere.

LesterX · Jul 10th, 2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Tafoya

In the scope of 40 minutes, I can drive through some great neighborhoods here in Los Angeles where the majority of the signage shifts from Korean to Spanish to Vietnamese to Chinese.

What a tragedy it would be if the xenophobes take the cultural flavor out of those neighborhoods.

Heck, Richard, substitute Thai for Vietnamese and you could cut the drive down to about 15 minutes!

**pinky** · Jul 10th, 2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Tafoya

In the scope of 40 minutes, I can drive through some great neighborhoods here in Los Angeles where the majority of the signage shifts from Korean to Spanish to Vietnamese to Chinese.

What a tragedy it would be if the xenophobes take the cultural flavor out of those neighborhoods.

Somehow, seeing the signs in Chinatown in English just wouldn't be the same, would it?

shining star · Jul 11th, 2006, 12:42 PM

Of all the reasons to boycott Mickey D's, they choose THAT?

Jul 10th, 2006, 01:49 PM	#2
WannaBreatheYou Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hell. Posts: 14,227	That is so utterly ridiculous. I remember going to Eastern Washington as a kid, where there is a huge Mexican immigrant population for the crops, and everywhere you went, things were in English and Spanish. This isn't new. He's just being an ass. __________________ Thinks if you are what you eat, I'm going to eat a skinny person ASAP!!

Jul 10th, 2006, 03:34 PM	#3
daddyslittlegirl Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 7,111	ROTFL! I heard this and thought WTF is he on All their doing is trying to sell their products to people who don't understand english! __________________ No man is ever worth your tears But the one who is Will never make you cry I found that man

Jul 10th, 2006, 04:07 PM	#5
db44 Shark bait, OOH-HA-HA! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Not in Kansas anymore!!! Posts: 20,747	Didn't we have this at the start of the last century with guys riding around in sheets saying we should send the ex-slaves back to Africa... Or worse? When will we learn? __________________ In the end, only kindness matters.

Jul 10th, 2006, 04:38 PM	#6
young again Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NJ Posts: 1,749	Ironic that the mayor of "Bogota" is offended by Spanish. What a maroon! I'm not sure where Bogota, NJ is, but I hope for that mayor's sake it's not around here. Seems another Korean (I think) sign goes up every day. Poor guy won't be able to shop or eat anywhere. __________________ 1-2-3-4!

Jul 11th, 2006, 12:42 PM	#9
shining star Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: at the corner of sanity and insanity Posts: 17,390	Of all the reasons to boycott Mickey D's, they choose THAT? __________________ "do you think that i would call just to hear you breathe?"

Jul 10th, 2006, 03:37 PM	#4
Richard Tafoya Administrator Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Posts: 11,183	In the scope of 40 minutes, I can drive through some great neighborhoods here in Los Angeles where the majority of the signage shifts from Korean to Spanish to Vietnamese to Chinese. What a tragedy it would be if the xenophobes take the cultural flavor out of those neighborhoods.