Garnier Fructis

This ad by garnier fructis preys on women's emotions, and at the same time insults a man's intelligence. It makes an assumption that women are hypersensitive about their appearance, and only their apperance. They only emphasize a woman's body rather than mind. In addition it makes an assumption that men only care about a woman's apperance. It is a sexist ad that exploits the physical attributes of people, isolating emotion in order to sell an ninferior product. I beieve that this ad, while inocent in it's apperance, is sexist, ad borders on intolerance.

Race ads

Race ads continue to be controversial in the US. Looking at some of the ads in the late 19th century and 20th century, we see the role of racism in advertisements. During this time period many heads of corporations who were white and protestant, subscribed to a sociological croc politely labeled "social darwinism." It said that white protestants were successful because of nature, and because the ruling class believed in this racist ideology, the average american was bombarded with racism. Only during the civil rights era did the underpriveleged groups, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Women, Catholics, and Asian-Americans, begin to take down this racst ideology. However racism is still marketed today. A recent six flags ad portrayed an Asian-American sterotype, and african-americans are still characterized by the record indudtry as "gangsters." Sexism is advertised as we saw with the soap commercial, a woman can in fact have an independent life, but of course the media continues to tell both men and women that they must act and look a certain way. Regrettable, advertising is going after our critical thought.

Nader

An ad from votenader.org:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Ho09tKmAA&feature=channel

Nader

A Nader '08 ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5WiE6MnmCM

Patriotic Ads

If patriotism is the mass opiate of the people, then politicans are professional drug dealers. What is Patriotism? It's a code word for nationalism; it gives all people, the poor and the rich, the white and the black, something to be proud of. It also critizes those who are not patriotic. A person in America who is not as nationalistic is often labeled a traitor, a pinko, or some other term. Some have even linked my unpatriotic spirit to being an atheist, I must've forgot that we had a state religion. But I digress, patriotism is a view carried by most Americans. Americans look for patriotism in their leaders. In this election John McCain has defined his patriotism by his participation in an unjust war, and by failing the task assigned to him which resulted in his imprionment. Barack Obama has said he is patriotic because he is hard-working and comes from the working class, this however doesn't mean he's patriotic, now his wearing the flag on his jacket that's patriotic! The ads featured try to tap the patriotic spark in an average "Joe the Plumber's" heart. I believe looking at the evidence one could argue McCain is a "patriot.", this does not neccesarily mean it is a good thing. I believe Obama is also patriotic, whatever that means. The problem however is that there is no definition of patriotism that allows an objective measurement. Some call supporting the war patriotic, Hippies of the 60s felt their pacifism was patriotic. Traditionalists say that a faith based people is patriotic, some view a wall of church and state as the "American" way. The fact is one could write a book of how different groups have viewed themselves as patriotic, the term is used so much it has lost all meaning. The fact is anyone can say their the most patriotic person and they may not be right, but they wouldn't be wrong. Like a sponge that has too much water, the American people are saturated with patriotism, it needs to be wrung out.

Democratic Socialism

An advertisement explaining the basic precepts of Democratic Socialism, in the background is the Internationale, the international anthem of Democratic Socialists.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWMB8xtK1IM

Socialist on the economy.

Here Presidential Candidate Brian Moore (Socialist Party USA/Peace and Freedom Party) discusses the 700 billion dollar government bailout and the current economic crisis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfFxjD_tpHw