VIDEO: Saudis upset by "racist" Israeli Nissan ad
If you are so insecure in yourself or so proud that you are insulted by every little slight, then you have bigger problems that need to be addressed. Case in point, a new ad being run in Israel by Nissan touting the fuel efficiency of the Tiida (sold here as the Versa). The ad portrays some men who bear a striking resemblance to Saudis physically assaulting a Tiida in response to learning of its efficiency. While the ad is clearly racially insensitive and perhaps foolish from a marketing perspective, especially considering the region of the world where it is running it is clearly not a big deal. For Saudi officials to call for punishments to be applied to Nissan is idiotic. Being insulted by anyone is not cause for punishment. If you don't like the ad, don't buy the product. Personally I find the ad to be somewhat immature in it stereotypical depiction of Arabs, and it certainly wouldn't sway me toward this car, I wouldn't deny Nissan or any other company the right to air the ad. Hopefully we won't see any violence result from this.
[Source: Jerusalem Post]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave 12:43PM (8/07/2008)
One more reason we need more choices of BEVs...NOW!
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paul 12:57PM (8/07/2008)
"Hopefully we won't see any violence result from this."
Heh. From the stereotypical depicted Arabs?
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Andy 12:58PM (8/07/2008)
I don't know the specifics of the complaint, but while arabs have good reason to be touchy, the ad is not picking on just any arab. The portayal is clearly of one of those uberwealthy shieks traveling the world surrounded by servants in extraordinary luxury, and it's not from trading cotton. They can cry all the way home to their billions of dollars in the bank.
It's much like the commercial in the US that shows the Italian chef shaking his fist about a brand of store bought Italian prepared foods that are supposedly sinking his business.
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Tim 1:14PM (8/07/2008)
O.K., The Saudis (and Arabs in general) were a people stuck in a 12th century tribal paradigm when oil was found on their land in 1938. That was only 70 years, or about 3 generations ago. http://www.the-saudi.net/saudi-arabia/saudi_history.htm
They are still a 12th century tribal minded people, but OIL made a few VERY rich and powerful elites. Some of them cannot laugh at themselves, forgive and forget or turn the other cheek because haven't mentally or emotionally matured to that point yet. They take everything personally because they are wrapped up in a religious security blanket. Think Linus with a sward and a bad attitude full of hate for everyone who is not just like him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_van_Pelt
It only takes a few bad apples (who are willing to commit genocide for their deity) to spoil the whole barrel. It's actually really sad when you think about it. It would be funny if they weren't so damn dangerous. Unfortunately, it's NOT funny!
Fortunately, those with this 12th century mindset are the minority. Unfortunately, America’s 70 years of meddling in their internal affairs are reinforcing the minority’s radical position with the general populace. The C.I.A. calls this “blow-back”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowback_(intelligence)
That’s why we MUST disengage entirely from the middle-east and find alternatives NOW no matter the financial cost.
This is the BEST and ONLY Constitutional alternative: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Directive
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Noz 1:25PM (8/07/2008)
You make it sound like they are the only one's getting rich?
What about all the WHITE folk who have waged wars since oil was discovered who have gotten rich? You think oil will make you rich? Be an arms dealer....
Guess who are the biggest arms dealers? Well let's see...the US (white), the Europeans (pretty much all white), the Israelis (the "superior" whites), uhhh..who else?
Yeah that pretty much sums it up.
As for the comments about the Saudis not being mature, etc...that may be so...but have you ever met hardcore religious people from anywhere in the world who can laugh? Do you think orthodox jews are not wrapped in a security blanket of religion? Do you think evangelica christians are the types who laugh at people?
Look at that lunatic Hagee...go watch Jesus Camp. Let me know what you think of their security blanket.
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Hank 1:32PM (8/07/2008)
People need to lighten up.
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Hans Wurst 1:33PM (8/07/2008)
Tim, you got some good points, but you seem to be missing the main point.
I'd agree with your "It would be funny if they weren't so damn dangerous" to a certain degree, if your "they" includes "us."
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paul 1:40PM (8/07/2008)
"Look at that lunatic Hagee...go watch Jesus Camp."
The moral equivalence here is repulsive. I pass by Hagee's church on my way to work every day and I can assure you there hasn't been a single incident of a Hagee follower blowing up a pizza parlor via semtex vest.
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Nixon 7:14PM (8/07/2008)
Nah, the religious people in the US don't bomb pizza parlors. They bomb abortion clinics, and shoot doctors. Or they get their followers to commit mass suicide.
Tim 1:54PM (8/07/2008)
Noz (#5)
We agree. Mistakes have been made. The US (and giant corporations) should have NEVER, ever been there in the first place. It was GREED that caused this problem, and only fear of loss can end it.
We must ALL follow the concept of Westphalian Sovereignty http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westphalian_sovereignty and leave each country to it's own devices so it's people can choose what works best for them.
We can all live and let live, as long as we (1) stay within our own boarders and (2) don't attempt to force our ideals upon one and other.
When we cross those boundaries, we risk WAR! The American founders knew this. Our current leaders on BOTH sides of the isle have forgotten history. They have embraced socialism and interventionism. This MUST stop!
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meme 2:13PM (8/07/2008)
"The moral equivalence here is repulsive. I pass by Hagee's church on my way to work every day and I can assure you there hasn't been a single incident of a Hagee follower blowing up a pizza parlor via semtex vest."
Nah. He just tries to get the US to bomb other countries from 10,000 feet in the air. You don't have to watch the carnage aftermath that way, you know.
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Noz 2:18PM (8/07/2008)
""The moral equivalence here is repulsive. I pass by Hagee's church on my way to work every day and I can assure you there hasn't been a single incident of a Hagee follower blowing up a pizza parlor via semtex vest."'
Utter rubbish...
Go and see what the Israelis are doing to Palestinians on a daily basis (crap you never see in the US because you're fast asleep)...
And please give me a list of how many Israeli fatalities have been caused by suicide bombers versus how many children have been killed by Israeli "accidental" precision bombing.
I wonder...what would you do if you see bulldozers coming in everyday and destroying your neighbourhood?
Hagee wants to drop a nuclear bomb on Iran...that's not repulsive?
Blind as a bat..I tell ya.
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Sam 12:28PM (8/08/2008)
Noz, The Palestinians have been kept in refugee camps by the rest of the Arab world for decades and used by pawns in the eternal war against Israel. The Arabs (including the Palestinians) don't want peace with Israel, they want the land Israel is on.
Noz 2:19PM (8/07/2008)
TIM:
I agree with you too....I didn't mean to come across as not agreeing.
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TheRookie 2:36PM (8/07/2008)
The ad is in Russian, not Hebrew or whatever the language is. It goes like that (for those who don't speak either Russian or Arabic):
0:10 You destroyed my house, Allah will destroy yours.
0:12 May kites bite you day and night
0:15 May the sunheat burn you down
0:18 ... and your creators!
0:20 May Allah take you!
0:28 Nissan Tiida - from 110,990 shekels (?) * According to importer
0:30 Be cursed, Tiida!
Or something like that. Very russian ad, if you ask me :)
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TheRookie 2:37PM (8/07/2008)
The ad is in Russian, not Hebrew or whatever the language is. It goes like that (for those who don't speak either Russian or Arabic):
0:10 You destroyed my house, Allah will destroy yours.
0:12 May kites bite you day and night
0:15 May the sunheat burn you down
0:18 ... and your creators!
0:20 May Allah take you!
0:28 Nissan Tiida - from 110,990 shekels (?) * According to importer
0:30 Be cursed, Tiida!
A very Russian ad, if you ask me :)
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TheRookie 2:37PM (8/07/2008)
Sorry for duplicated post. :(
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Serge 2:54PM (8/07/2008)
There is a sizable Russian-speaking community in Israel as a result of immigration from former Soviet Union. Shekel is the currency of Israel.
Wait till Nissan/Renault start advertising their Project Better Place EVs.
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Hans Wurst 3:27PM (8/07/2008)
Good thoughts, Tim!
I'd like to up them one notch: If we did the smart thing that the American founders did, again, at the next level, that is, if we let the states be states and do their thing but added an umbrella government above them, just to make things easier for them, and so hey could appeal to something higher up when there is some trouble between them...
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woodenbee 3:40PM (8/07/2008)
Thats a slick ad, it would equally apply here in the US, but they should have Bush holding the Saudi's hands, and some GM execs slashing the tires.
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