Political Quotes

“as many know, NBC recently announced its decision to begin airing hard liquor advertisements. This decision abruptly terminates over 50 years of corporate responsibility and effective self-regulation. Now more troubling is that NBC is not even abiding strictly to its own guidelines. For instance, NBC has promised that they will not extend their decision to advertising hard liquor on the Olympics. Well, as this recent article from USA Today says, and I will submit for the Record, they are skating on thin ice. Mr. Speaker, NBC plans to allow the advertisement of products such as Bacardi Silver. Yes, the Olympics, perhaps one of the most youth-oriented sporting events ever, will have promotions for Bacardi Silver and other alcohol advertisements. Technically, Bacardi Silver is not a distilled spirit since its alcohol content is approximately that of beer; however, we all know the reality of such an advertising tactic. Bacardi is a name people associate with hard liquor, period. Simply put, this appears to be a subterfuge to actually market hard liquor. NBC is allowing direct marketing to youth of a well-known brand of hard liquor by piggybacking onto another product. This is outrageous. For all the protestations by NBC about their responsible policy of alcohol advertising, it is a sham. Young people, 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds, will be watching the Olympics and see the ads for products such as Bacardi Silver.”