# Lowes -----WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 14, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228 "2011-12-14T21:35:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/41 "2011-12-15T17:53:20Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sure, but the point is that pressuring sponsors is either a legitimate tactic or it isn’t. Ah, the old standby: There’s no difference between pushing an old lady out of the way of a bus versus pushing an old lady into the path of a bus, because either way, you’re still just pushing old ladies around. (Hat tip to WFB, Jr.) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/42 "2011-12-15T18:06:40Z")
Don’t get me wrong: the people complaining about the show are idiots. There’s no objective way to determine whether things are offensive, though. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/43 "2011-12-15T18:18:21Z")
How did “family” become a synonym for “fascist”? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/44 "2011-12-15T18:29:09Z")
I’m not going to Lowe’s anymore until they apologize and admit they were wrong. I’d prefer to believe they are just idiots who thought they were pulling away from a controversial subject, but it’s hard to believe people that stupid are in charge of a successful business of this size. There are only a handful of nutcases who saw any problem with this show, and it strains my credulity to believe Lowes thought they represented a significant portion of the marketplace. Lowes deserves far worse than this pitting, and hopefully people will spend their money elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/45 "2011-12-15T18:39:22Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > All publicity is good publicity? This foreigner had never heard of Lowes until this incident. > > I heard about it because someone linked the [25 Dumbest Comments On Lowe’s Facebook Page About “All-American Muslim”](http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/dumbest-comments-on-lowes-facebook-page-about-al). The stupid on that site made my brain bleed. I actually had to keep re-reading some of the posts to decipher what they were trying to say. Why do folks use apostrophes, when the intention is simply to pluralize a word, not show possession? “American’s are strong.” WTF??? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/46 "2011-12-15T18:45:56Z")
I love how the Lowe’s FB is adamant about characterizing their actions as a “business decision,” as if that somehow insulates them from criticism. “Oh, you want to appease bigoted assholes in order to make money? Well, that’s fine then. Carry on.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/47 "2011-12-15T18:49:22Z")
Well, it’s _marginally_ better than pulling the ads because they hate Muslims too. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/48 "2011-12-15T18:54:41Z")
Since when does doing something out of self-interest make it better than doing it out of conviction? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/49 "2011-12-15T18:55:54Z")
Easier to change their minds in the former scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/50 "2011-12-15T18:59:11Z")
Let’s hope. We can also hope that the controversy they’ve started will increase the viewership of All-American Muslim (TLC Sundays at 10pm EST). ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/51 "2011-12-15T19:00:42Z")
The “business decision” angle is utter bullshit. It’s like idiots saying comments were “taken out of context”. It’s a token admission that maybe, just maybe a bone-headed decision was a PR clusterfuck and it’s just a case of cover-your-ass. I guess it’s better than coming right out and saying they hate Muslims, but that’s an unrealistic standard. No large company with stores nationwide is going to commit corporate suicide, even if that’s how they really felt. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/52 "2011-12-15T19:07:50Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > All publicity is good publicity? This foreigner had never heard of Lowes until this incident. > > I heard about it because someone linked the [25 Dumbest Comments On Lowe’s Facebook Page About “All-American Muslim”](http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/dumbest-comments-on-lowes-facebook-page-about-al). 😃 but seriously :rolleyes: Favorite pattern was seeing how everyone is adding “Merry Christmas” to the comment as some sort of a zinger with an air of hope that All American Muslim will be so offended… :o ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/53 "2011-12-15T19:12:38Z")
This issue touches a raw nerve for me. I’ve been bottling this up for a while but I’m going to spew it here. In 2007 a conservative American friend of my family came to visit me in England. We went to eat in a Kurdish restaurant. As we were in the restaurant, drinking Lebanese beer, we witnessed a peace-and-reconciliation march between the local Muslims, Jews and Christians, that originated at the synagogue and ended at the mosque. We all agreed it was a beautiful sight. Fast forward to the “ground zero ‘mosque’” thing a year ago, and he emailed the following shit to everyone in his address book: [Dr. Jeffress Tells The Truth About Islam](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfb9p3qSRqA&feature=related) If you don’t want to watch the video, it’s an evangelist talking about Muslim people in the most insulting, stereotypical, and mostly incorrect way. I wrote a long and detailed response, reminding my friend of what he witnessed during his visit in 2007, but never sent it. I didn’t want to get into a debate, and felt that my words would have had no effect. (His family are Catholics, and I also found that Jeffries calls Catholicism “the whore of Babylon”.) The reason I say “ignorance” in my first post to this thread is that it seems that a large minority in the US have absolutely no fucking idea what a Muslim is, basing all impressions of a billion people on the worst examples in the most oppressive countries, or on terrorists. I am very glad that the program sought to dispel some of the more egregious stereotypes, but clearly it hasn’t worked. I have so much respect for this man. My father’s age, he’s been part of my life since I was a kid. He and his wife have visited several times, and flew over for my wedding. It upset me so much to see him being like the people who posted on Lowe’s wall. What the fuck has happened to American conservatives? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/54 "2011-12-15T19:12:57Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > 😃 but seriously :rolleyes: > > Favorite pattern was seeing how everyone is adding “Merry Christmas” to the comment as some sort of a zinger with an air of hope that All American Muslim will be so offended… :o Nitpick. It’s Merry CHRISTmas. Apparently, that’s how it’s done. You must be a moosleem by not capitalizing the CHRIST like he’s a REALTOR. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/55 "2011-12-15T19:17:36Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Nitpick. It’s Merry CHRISTmas. Apparently, that’s how it’s done. You must be a moosleem by not capitalizing the CHRIST like he’s a REALTOR. Having opened the December mail at some ACLU affiliates, I can confirm that the preferred format is “Merry CHRISTmas” or “Merry CHRISTmas ASSHOLES!” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/56 "2011-12-15T19:20:23Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > What the fuck has happened to American conservatives? They’ve been too busy being terrified of the commies to get to know anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/57 "2011-12-16T00:34:28Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > Nitpick. It’s Merry CHRISTmas. Apparently, that’s how it’s done. You must be a moosleem by not capitalizing the CHRIST like he’s a REALTOR. I have to admit, CHRIST®mas has an interesting look to it. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/58 "2011-12-16T02:33:57Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > I’ve posted the same post on their website five times, and they’ve deleted all of them. For the record, here it it: > > “Lowe’s, you have every right to determine your own advertising strategy. You do not have the right to not receive criticism for that strategy. Your decision to cave in the face of hatred and bigotry is cowardice. American Muslims are as important a part of this country as any other group. Our country is a plural society - that means we accept more than one idea.” That’s very noble. I told them I had been a regular customer with lots of money, and “you don’t know it, boy, but you just blew it.” I think we make a great team. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/59 "2011-12-16T02:52:47Z")
Do you need a Facebook account to leave feedback? If so, and their contact us link is down, whatwhat’s the best way to communicate umbrage? ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228/60 "2011-12-16T03:03:16Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Do you need a Facebook account to leave feedback? If so, and their contact us link is down, whatwhat’s the best way to communicate umbrage? Move On has an electronic petition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-wtf/606228.md?page=4)