Chrysler Finds the Key to Patriotism
With all the talk in these parts about what it means to be an American automobile manufacturer, I couldn't resist Chrysler's press release about arranging some 200 employees to spell out the words "O Say, can you see" (complete with human punctuation). Chrysler Group Spokesperson Jodi Tinson stepped into the podcasting breach, challenging my de-PR-speak abilities and facing the inevitable questions about Francis Scott Key's magnum opus (set to a bawdy English drinking song) and Chrysler's Americanosity. The two-legged vowels and consonants will assemble on the front lawn of DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills Headquarters on Friday, July 7 during morning drive time. According to the press release, the employees will sing the national anthem loud enough to be heard across I-75. Here's hoping the DUB car show isn't rolling into town at the exact same moment the crooning begins.
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"Patriotism is usually the last refuge of the scoundrel. He is the man who talks the loudest." - Mark Twain in a speech on education and citizenship, delivered May 14, 1908. Now 98 years later, same as it ever was (thanks for that phrase, David Bryne).
Sir! You rode her pretty hard. Their dopey PR stunt is dumb and all, but I kinda felt sorry for her at the end. While I understand that it's her job to get worked by the press, did she really need to know about Chesapeake Bay? I really wanted to know why we should care. Maybe we shouldn't, but still. What with the closings and the layoffs, I'd love to hear a follow up on how PR can spend the money on a helicopter (!) and not on, say, fixing the fundamental problems there. I'm not impressed. Your best pal, bob
I already dropped these lines at Jalopnik, but I figure it makes more sense to lay down my logic here too: Come on Farago, don't shoot the messenger. I mean vitriol is all well and good and certainly highly appreciated around here, but direct it at the right places...like Jason Vines, who'll actually fire back. I mean giving her a hard time about the highest note? Come on.
nice quizzing. very amusing.