Gedney pickle controversy (changing "Midget" name) (Wadena, Hewitt: firms, dinner)

[Globe199]

Originally Posted by chessgeek

I am so glad that someone that "deeply does not care" saw fit to provide a 140 word rant against the masses and the issue in general and then does not hold the mother to any accountability whatsoever. The company is also to blame. Why not say "I do not care. It is not a big deal"? Then I would disagree much more respectfully.

I disagree. In this case, I think that no one is to blame. To whom or what should the mother be "accountable?" Did she break the law or otherwise cause harm?

The reason this is more important than meets the eye, Globe199, is that these PC name issues often clog our legal system and courtrooms that should indeed be handling more important matters. If the company had disagreed with her, she would have sought legal action to try and force their hand. So it is a much bigger deal when we involve our courts.

When did she say that she would file suit? She made a complaint to their customer service. I don't recall reading about any threat of legal action.

Your last two sentences are arrogant in my view...the idea that if you don't care, no one else should care either.

I said nothing of the sort. All I said was that I don't know why people care about this.

Blame is with the woman and Gedney's decision makers.

Then call Gedney and tell them you're boycotting them.

This woman in Rhode Island reminds me of the people that get incensed in December when you wish them "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

I have never known anyone to become incensed at that, and I work at a place that holds very liberal political views. I do know that Fox News trots out their annual fabricated "War on Christmas" to get folks worked into a froth. I would bet any money that this pickle story made it to the aforementioned fair and balanced network. It's just the sort of rage bait they love.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by shotz90s

Personally I think it was a bit short-sighted of them not to think of this sooner.

I saw what you did there

[chessgeek]

My final comment (probably!) on this matter is that she will no doubt be seeking to get sports organizations in her region to change their names. I discovered three of them quickly: Foxboro Midget Football, Plainfield Midget Football, and Cranston Midget Hockey.

It will be interesting to find out if she selfishly tries to force their hand for her own egotistical purposes or whether she decides to be a mature adult and respect the names that organizations have chosen and not be some sort of "PC name czar".

She may then realize that the most important things in her child's life are being supportive and having a network of friends, relatives, neighbors and specialists that also care. Changing a name is a superficial action, but it can also harm others seeking legitimate redress if she has an attorney sue on her behalf. I doubt the sports organizations will back down like Gedney did.

Again, someone can try to resort to mockery and ridicule against my viewpoint because one has no real argument (most agree with me, though), but that only makes me laugh and then respond even more strongly. It does not convince me of anything. Logic, facts and reason are better for that.

I just hope Gedney has not created a nightmare "pickle" for itself of unending, unreasonable requests from unreasonable people. 99% of the public just want their pickles to continue tasting good!

[chessgeek]

To Globe199: FWIW I eat Vlasic pickles at the moment, but I will simply disagree rather than organize a boycott. The mother is accountable in the general moral sense of being a responsible adult and respecting the rights of others to decide names and being a good example for her child and spend her time getting a specialist for the child rather than trying to make headlines! . I am not suggesting a civil penalty of any sort.

Do you realize how much money it is going to cost to change the name on the labels? I would have told her "You pay for the cost of the change and we'll do it" It would have ended right there.

You said "I deeply do not care. I do not understand why anyone else does care." I'll leave that open to interpretation by others. I would have been more impressed with a more tolerant "I personally do not care. I guess I can understand why someone might care, but I disagree. I can't believe that does not strike you as an arrogant two sentences, unless my comprehension is suddenly failing me! I was not hurt by it in the least, just in the spirit of calling you on it. I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you did not mean for it to sound that way.

I think it is great there is not 100% agreement on the issue. We just have strongly differing opinions and it is great that in the USA (unlike some other countries)neither of us will be backing down anytime soon!

I read two articles on this matter and it is doubtful if she would have just gone away quietly if they had refused by saying "OK, well thanks for considering it anyways".

Remember in my original post I said I'll respect the right of others to disagree. It is that tone that is missing in your first post.

I hope you are not under the impression I am somehow a pro Fox Network right winger. I voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012 and against Bush both times. There are many Democrats that are not PC. We just don't get the same publicity I guess.

As far as Christmas, I guess "incensed" was a little strong; "Offended" would have been better. In my region I did notice people had to walk on eggshells five years ago, because they would occasionally get corrected. The last few years people are just fed up with that and will say the salutation as they darn well please. It is getting better, but there are still those few that are offended and she reminds me of them.

Thank you for approaching the issue from a MUCH more logical perspective on your second post. That is appreciated! I am not good at splicing out the comments of others and reposting them yet (newer at this than you,,,hopefully was not confusing). We'll continue to disagree, but there was more civility the second time.

[Red Wolf]

What about the Harley Fat Boy ?

[slamont61]

OMG...

[slamont61]

uh oh..

[chessgeek]

Terrified pickles...love it...LOL!

BTW, the town of Hewitt, MN (south of Wadena) has an annual summer pickle festival. It is sure to be dwar..oops I meant midg oops... It is sure to be less than average in size compared to the Aquatennial, Raspberry or Uptown Art Fairs, but pickle lovers will enjoy it!

[Globe199]

Do you realize how much money it is going to cost to change the name on the labels?

I was thinking the exact opposite. I would guess that it's a relatively CHEAP thing to change, otherwise they might have fought it a bit more. The CEO probably went to their packaging contractor and asked what it would cost to change it and was told an acceptable number. You spend an hour redesigning the label, use whatever stock is left of the midget label, then start printing new ones.

[chessgeek]

I have been searching in vain to find an estimated cost for Gedney to make the change. With today's graphic arts technology, maybe it won't be real high. What is lot to one person may be a little to another. There is still the "death by a thousand cuts" possibilities if other people are offended by some of their other brand names. If they were getting hundreds of calls, I could see it, but do not change it for one person!

BTW, I read that she will now contact Vlasic and request that they change the name of their "Sweet Midgets" brand. She says they need to be educated. (She knows best...elitism). She is the one that will hopefully be "educated" that PC does not yet rule everyone in this world if they stand firm and don't change it.

If anyone happens to read or hear about those costs, please share. Thanks!