Ads advocating illegal activity?

[panamajack]

I’ve heard local radio spots for Adobe that go something like this :

(Ben-Stein-style monotone)
Don’t jump on the bed … Don’t go outside the lines … Don’t run with scissors …

(Eager fresh young voice breaks in)
Here at Adobe, we like to break the rules whenever possible!
So if you want to get in on something exciting and different, etc.etc.

(which is interspersed with and followed by the monotone, which near the end says)

… Obey the posted speed limit …
Now, ignoring the patent falsehood that Adobe breaks every rule possible (at least Burger King claimed they only violated the health code sometimes), are they not upsetting, if not inciting, legal authority to ream them for this one? They have a litany of seemingly arbitrary rules, then throw in something clearly illegal. I know that this one rule is likely the #1 violation among drivers, but isn’t it taking it too far even in a commercial to imply one should break the law?

Anyone know what the D.A. or someone similar is making (or should make) of this?
panama jack

---

don’t sleep in the subway, darling, don’t stand in the pouring rain
-petula clark

[AWB]

There are rules and there are laws. They just break rules.

Rule: “Don’t run with scissors.”
Law:

18.2-61. Rape.

A. If any person has sexual intercourse with a complaining witness who is not his or her spouse or causes a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, to engage in sexual intercourse with any other person and such act is accomplished (i) against the complaining witness’s will, by force, threat or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or (ii) through the use of the complaining witness’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness, or (iii) with a child under age thirteen as the victim, he or she shall be guilty of rape.

B. If any person has sexual intercourse with his or her spouse and such act is accomplished against the spouse’s will by force, threat or intimidation of or against the spouse or another, he or she shall be guilty of rape.

However, no person shall be found guilty under this subsection unless, at the time of the alleged offense, (i) the spouses were living separate and apart, or (ii) the defendant caused bodily injury to the spouse by the use of force or violence.

C. A violation of this section shall be punishable, in the discretion of the court or jury, by confinement in a state correctional facility for life or for any term not less than five years. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a juvenile over the age of 10 but less than 12, does not possess the physical capacity to commit a violation of this section. In any case deemed appropriate by the court, all or part of any sentence imposed for a violation of subsection B may be suspended upon the defendant’s completion of counseling or therapy, if not already provided, in the manner prescribed under 19.2-218.1 if, after consideration of the views of the complaining witness and such other evidence as may be relevant, the court finds such action will promote maintenance of the family unit and will be in the best interest of the complaining witness.

D. Upon a finding of guilt under subsection B in any case tried by the court without a jury, the court, without entering a judgment of guilt, upon motion of the defendant and with the consent of the complaining witness and the attorney for the Commonwealth, may defer further proceedings and place the defendant on probation pending completion of counseling or therapy, if not already provided, in the manner prescribed under 19.2-218.1. If the defendant fails to so complete such counseling or therapy, the court may make final disposition of the case and proceed as otherwise provided. If such counseling is completed as prescribed under 19.2-218.1, the court may discharge the defendant and dismiss the proceedings against him if, after consideration of the views of the complaining witness and such other evidence as may be relevant, the court finds such action will promote maintenance of the family unit and be in the best interest of the complaining witness.

And only rules that stifle creativity; e.g., “Don’t hire a kid right out of high school.” is a rule. But that kid might be a financial genius, and Adobe recognized his talent and hired him.

They probably don’t run with scissors, so they don’t break all the rules.

[Jophiel]

AWB, I don’t think the OP was saying that “don’t run with scissors” was a law, they were saying “Obey the posted speed limit” was a law. Which it is. However, I don’t think there’s any real penalty for this sort of thing other than concerned policemen forming a protest or something.

[tcburnett]

*Originally posted by panamajack *
**I know that this one rule is likely the #1 violation among drivers, but isn’t it taking it too far even in a commercial to imply one should break the law?

Anyone know what the D.A. or someone similar is making (or should make) of this? **

Jack, I think there is a large difference between a commercial that says “QUESTION AUTHORITY!”, which would not be permitted in Iran or China, and one that says “Solicit your friends to conspire to overthrow the US government…join the urban terrorist campaign NOW!”.

If it becomes a serious national problem, the government can always mandate a governor on all vehicles that prevents them from exceeding the posted speed limit. Don’t worry too much about it. Democracy is not in danger.

Remember…rules are made to be broken; laws are made to be ignored.

[tcburnett]

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by AWB *
**There are rules and there are laws. They just break rules.

Rule: “Don’t run with scissors.”
Law:

18.2-61. Rape.

A. If any person has sexual intercourse with a complaining witness who is not his or her spouse or causes a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, to engage in sexual intercourse with any other person and such act is accomplished (i) against the complaining witness’s will, by force, threat or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or (ii) through the use of the complaining witness’s mental incapacity or physical helplessness, or (iii) with a child under age thirteen as the victim, he or she shall be guilty of rape.
**

Wait. As I read this, the age of consent in your state is thirteen. That is the first year of being a teenager. This is middle school. I thought Hawai’i was too damn liberal and the age of consent here is 14.