The image at right is from a recent flyer campaign launched by the Nutritional Health Alliance (NHA) depicting Senator Durbin wearing a turban with the words, “Keep Congressional Terrorism at Bay.” What is this all about? Believe it or not, this flyer was put out by a lobbying group for the makers of dietary supplements, i.e.vitamin pills, who are upset over recent legislation proposed by Durbin to make manufacturers of supplements report serious side effects of their products.
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Hate mongering is the last refuge of scoundrels |
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p>The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and over 100 other groups have come together to protest this odious flier. In their response, SALDEF states:
We are outraged that the Nutritional Health Alliance (NHA) would be engaged in the production of such a racist flyer that serves to perpetuate an increased environment of prejudice and hate against the Sikh, Muslim and Arab American communities…The depiction of the turban as a terrorist symbol, or individuals who wear turbans as terrorists, as your flyer explicitly shows, is baseless and reprehensible…The flyer serves as nothing more than hatemongering [Link (pdf)]
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p>SALDEF and its allies call for:
NHA to remove the flyer from any further distribution immediately. We further ask that a public apology be made and posted on the NHA’s website. Legitimate public debate must not be tainted with images that continue to create a dangerous environment of xenophobia and hate against innocent Sikh, Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans. [Link]
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p>The NHA has a little shame, but not much. They’ve replaced the flyer with one that talks directly about their opposition to the legislation, but they defend their right to use xenophobic lies to make their point: If I sound to you like a hate-monger, then I can’t help it
Even Jerry Kessler, director of the Nutritional Health Alliance, chief executive officer of N.Y.-based Natural Organics and designer of the circular, said it was a purely political response to regulations proposed by Durbin. He also agreed the flier was “not fair” and “in bad taste.”
“Desperate times require desperate actions,” Kessler said. “I’m certainly going to do what’s necessary to call attention to our cause. If I sound to you like a hate-monger, then I can’t help it.”
More than a million copies of the flier were sent to vitamin and supplement buyers, and Kessler said he’s responded personally to phone calls and letters from people he has offended. [Link]
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Jerry Kessler, hate monger |
Via email, via his company’s Contact Us web page, or via snail-mail:
NHAPO BOX 649
Melville, NY 11747 – 9806
Personally, I’m also going to boycott vitamins with the “Nature’s Plus Brand.” While I normally would not boycott a company or complain to its officers about the political actions of its CEO, this case is different because these actions were taken in large part in pursuit of the company’s overall financial interests. I’m protesting how he lobbied for his vitamins in letters to his customers, not his personal political beliefs, and as such I think the company is the appropriate locus of action. There is just no excuse for such behavior.
i suggest you put it above the fold.
the contact info that is.
Jerry boy will be hearing from me.
Disgusting!
I suggest everyone write their respective Senators in support of Durbin’s legislation. Not only is it a good idea on its own merits, but its best to hit these hatemongers where it hurts most.
Calling them up and giving them hell might not be a bad idea either. customer service department toll free (800)645-9500
incredible. unbelievable. shocking.
interesting note: the journalist who broke the story — his article has been picked up across trhe country — is a desi brother. adam jadhav of the st. louis post dispatch. for all i know he may be lurking here. if so: much respect, brother.
the worst part of this is that these motherf*****s knew EXACTLY what they were doing. between the neanderthal majority of their client base and the publicity now generated by the shock value, they’re achieving exaclty what they wanted. it’s the whole “don’t ask permission, ask forgiveness” mentality.
man, y’all got me steamed up.
Just wrote an email to Kessler demanding an apology and retraction. Thanks for alerting us to this!
We have some anti-political correctness folks commenting on this blog. I would like to hear their take on this.
These bast#$ds should be sued for “wrongful death” … yeah thats right…. Just to show them that we are serious !!! Its these type of hateful stereotype spreaders, who have indirectly caused the taking of innocent lives of Sikhs in America. This kind of shit gets innocent people KILLED. There must be some accounting.
C’mon folks speak up here’s your chance to defend free speech. Back your anti PC rehtoric up and say something.
Do you have your own thoughts on the “anti-PC” nature of directly associating turbans with terrorism? Or perhaps you want to start a flame war. Thanks for elevating the discussion.
It is to deal with exactly this kind of shit that ACLU was created decades ago. Instead of wasting its time and energy on mostly frivolous lawsuits to appease its Leftist and anti-American zealots, I hope the ACLU redeems itself by taking SALDEF’s side and making Kessler pay.
M. Nam
This is not about political correctness. This is about common, basic decency and responsible behavior. Propaganda like this has dangerous consequences. In fact even without propaganda like this there have been lethal attacks on people simply because they happen to be wearing a turban. This just shows a wanton disregard for the safety of the concerned communities. It’s way more serious than tiptoeing around sentiments and hurt feelings and they may be well within their rights to slap criminal negligence charges against this company, I would think.
tom – eyes on the prize, brother, eyes on the prize. this is a threat to the desi and arab communities. we can all flame each other later.
It is to deal with exactly this kind of shit that ACLU was created decades ago.
Moornam: You have a profound misunderstanding of civil liberties in general and the role of ACLU in particular. The ACLU has nothing to do with this kind of a problem. Jerry Kessler is well within his legal right to invoke the imagery of turbans worn by Sikh/Muslim looking terrorists in his advertising. The ACLU protects speech and does not restrict speech. The job of ACLU is not to restrict speech but promote more speech. Yes, even odious speech like this needs protection against government intervention (if the government were to intervene)
timepass, you have made your thoughts very clear on this, I want to hear from the other side. It is possible that they have a different take on this, it is also possible that they are willing to make an exception in this case. I am curious. That is all.
You are most welcome.
This is shocking. Usually I let this kind of stuff fly, even make allowances for ignorance, even try to understand that sometimes it is just a bad kind of poor taste joke by people who dont know better. But this is straight up racism from a feckless bigot. So he better be ready to hear from England too – this tsuff is going international! And he doesnt know what he has let himself in for – this dude has made an enemy of Pattie Kaur!;-)
What an idiot. Based on this morons statement, if I were the Govt, I’d REALLY want to find out the side effects. I’m sure in the NHA representative’s case whatever supplement he’s been taking, the side effect is loss of brain function, stupidity, and eventual devolution. Kinda reminds me of the Super Mario Brothers movie with those mutated dudes who said,”GOOMBAH”.
If O’Reilly/Michelle Malkin/conservative nuts were all for the boycott of Sears/Wal Mart for not putting up enough Christmas trees and to protect that oh so aggrieved minority, aka evangelical christians, I am sure they are going to be all over this and lead a boycott of Nature Plus products to protect an actual minority being conflated with terrorists here.
Jerry Kessler is well within his legal right to invoke the imagery of turbans worn by Sikh/Muslim looking terrorists in his advertising. The ACLU protects speech and does not restrict speech.
And what is their role when they have to balance free speech against irresponsible racist propaganda? I know hate speech is banned. This may not qualify as hate speech but since it can lead to hate crimes I think there may be a case in here.
I agree with what you are saying and my eyes are on the prize. What I am trying to figure out is a consolidate opinion of browns (who read this blog) on this kind of bull.
Metaphorically speaking…(as Jim Cary) If we are throwing something at Mr. Kessler, I would like it be something solid and crystalline (granite) rather then amorphous (mud).
What is hate speech and where is it banned ?
I know hate speech is banned
You know it wrong. Hate speech is free speech.
And what is their role when they have to balance free speech against irresponsible racist propaganda?
They cant do anything about it legally.
Btw, why the f* do the conservatives want to run to the ACLU to protect their precious little civil liberties (that is when they are not tearing it down) What happened to all the conservative ‘civil libertarian groups’? I guess they dont really give a f* about the civil liberties of workers, gays, immigrants and minorities.
FYI, SALDEF takes this position on the issue:
I don’t want legal action against him – this is free speech. I want political and economic pressure brought to bear until he apologises. The kind of glib association he made makes me a lot less safe walking down the street. An apology can’t undo the damage, but it’s a start.
I don’t want legal action against him – this is free speech. I want political and economic pressure brought to bear until he apologises.
I am with you on this, Ennis. You are absolutely right. I think we should not stop till we make himm apologize.
Moornam and Divya, The ACLU has nothing to do with this debate. As AMfD pointed out:
The ACLU isn’t some anti-racist organization. Otherwise why would it have defended Rush Limbaugh? They protect mostly abuses of the first amendment. Bringing up the ACLU in this situation seems like a cheap shot that just clouds the real problem. What Kessler has done is wrong. It isn’t up to the ACLU to police him but the consumer and perhaps the government agency that has oversight of his industry.
looks like it’s happening. anytime you get divya and al mujahid conferring on tactics, you know something’s going down!
Pattie Kaur ~ this probably isn’t the type of sardar post you were hoping for =)
The ACLU has gone to bat for the KKK and Neo Nazi groups on the basis of free speech.
IF you want to hurt this guy, you hit them where it hurts. I’m sure there are several doctors and pharamcists who have say in what supplements get stocked in their supplies. If they make a stink, you’ll hear douchebag mc’nutts shut up.
She might design a tee-shirt with a print of Bush/Cheny/Rove/Rummy and Kessler all in pugs.
I just hope she will not construe this as an insult (I will never ever take a panga with a sardarni).
What a bunch of f’tards! Count another brother for boycotting “Nature’s Plus” brand. How can they get away with this kind of blatant racism? Conflating a way of dressing with terrorism will only entrench the existing stereotypes and discrimination against browns in the US. All of us – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, FoBs, ABCDs, ABC.5Ds etc etc – need to protest this in strongest possible terms.
The US society is under close scrutiny these days and such acts will continue to deteriorate its image around the world. Interestingly enough, one of the most positive national public opinions of the US as a society happens to be in India. Perhaps it’s just as well that Indians get to see such acts of blatant racism pervasive in the US society and get a more balanced perspective. The reality of interacting with Americans is already beginning to make its impact : I can’t wait to see the much-anticipated sitcom “The Call Center” on NDTV. Yes, the browns are watching you!
This is pure racist, straight and simple. Kessler should be forced to apologize and I don’t know even if criminal charges can be brought against him.
Ennis, AMfd : Isn’t hate speech illegal? Like for eg: someone says get rid of all these turban-wearing Sikh/Muslim terrorists. Isn’t legally something wrong in here? Or are we restricted to political/economic pressurising to force him/NHA into an apology?
check out the video made by NHA and Mel Gibson
http://nha2004.com/press/cutfurther/mel%20gib_high.wmv
May be we should be banning movie stars who support this eveil organization…
These bast#$ds should be sued for “wrongful death” … yeah thats right…. Just to show them that we are serious !!! Its these type of hateful stereotype spreaders, who have indirectly caused the taking of innocent lives of Sikhs in America. This kind of shit gets innocent people KILLED. There must be some accounting.
Could you please tell me how many Sikhs and Muslims have been hatefully killed in America in the aftermath of 9/11? Just imagine what would have happened if this were to happen in one of the homelands of most posters here. Appreciate America for what it is. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t complain about this Turban issue. You should, but don’t go about stupidly inflaming passions with false info.
In the US, hate speech is protected by the first amendment. What is not protected are actions, such as conspiracy to commit a crime. This flyer, while odious, is nowhere near legally actionable.
Ann Coulter once said:
This was horrifying but legal, just as when she said:
She is free to argue for forceful enslavement of people and to advocate for terrorism if she likes. It’s a free country.
Isn’t hate speech illegal?
No, free speech covers hate speech.
Like for eg: someone says get rid of all these turban-wearing Sikh/Muslim terrorists. Isn’t legally something wrong in here?
He does not say that in the advertising. Hypothetically, if he did utter those words, unless the words were by themselves the only trigger which caused the listener to immediately commit violence, speech cannot be restricted under the First Amendment.
Or are we restricted to political/economic pressurising to force him/NHA into an apology? Short of amending the First Amendment, thats all we can do.
So…Sam, what would be an appropriate number of dead Sikhs and Muslims before I can start lighting up my passions ?
Riots and killing probably. Bad stuff.
Er, many of those on this blog happen to call the US of A as their homeland.
You mean, like this, this, or this (pdf)?
Ennis, I didnt see your post. Was not trying to confirm your answers 🙂
Sam,
This is an article from CNN from about a week after the terrorist attack. It includes some figures too.
The Sikh Coalition website gives a detailed breakdown of hate crimes against Sikhs post-9/11. You will note that a substantial number of them indicate mistaken identity, with the perpetrators assuming Sikhs are Muslims.
What’s the “different take” on this? Are Kessler et al going to cloak themselves under “free speech” and expect that people will let them off easy? I think not. They’ve got the right to send out hateful messages, and we have the right to call them on it, protest, stop buying their products, anything short of accusing them of illegality.
It’s an open and shut situation, so let’s call it for what it is. If the image on the flier were a white man in blackface, an asian brother with a Fu Manchu mustache, or whatever, it would have been exactly the same as the racist imagery in the flier.
If you want to provoke discussion/debate on this, then make your intentions clear — yours weren’t to me.
OH POOP, not Nature’s Plus that makes the only iron supplement that agrees with me and my iron-deficiency-anemic self! muttergrumblemutter
Well, Kessler and his PR department are the worst kind of asshats and don’t deserve my money, my RBC count be damned.
No, free speech covers hate speech.
Okay, now I know. Shouldn’t have expected anything more sensible I suppose. Btw, Abhi I did not suggest turning to the ACLU, an organization that I have mostly contempt for. I don’t think boycotting the company’s products will make a dent. It does help to make as much of a hue and cry as possible in any case. It also occured to me that for all we know these people may have done their research and found that such an ad will be received well (or neutrally) by many before they went ahead with it.
Don’t think too harshly of them. If I wasn’t such a huge fan of the ACLU and all that it stands for then I would have already censored many of your comments 🙂
Is there any online petition or something that we could sign to show our protest? I will also email my protest as directed in the post.
Some people like turben-head/towel-head jokes, paki jokes, polish jokes, jew… some may think this flyer is not really that bad, they may find it funny. That is what I call a “different take”. Clear.
Maybe not. Our Dinesh D’Souza may have a “different take” on this. I can only hope that we get his opinion on this.
I hope I am making them clear now Mr. Jhonny-Come-Lately
1) perhaps we need to have the bill of rights read to everyone at least once a year? (if you are american, europeans & canadians have different attitudes about free speech, as they respect it, but don’t worship it. this is one religion i’m willing to sign on to, FYI)
2) this is a no brainer in terms of getting public support.
3) the issue isn’t the right to say what they said, it is that it is false and scurrilous.
4) perhaps some of the commenters on this weblog should contact the owners and request that they add an FAQ entry that if you don’t espouse a particular political plank expect to be called out and insulted.
Desprate times means desprate measure, lets support Durbin! How about a couple of thousand indians sending Durbin $100 that will be substantial effect on mr kesslers organization. Couple this with a boycott and see what happens. I’m sure its substantial.
perhaps someone should contact bobby jindal? he could talk to their lobbyists.