January 13, 2017

"Speaking of bean, didn't Ronald Reagan promote jelly beans, specifically the brand Jelly Belly?"

My comment in a Facebook discussion about the Politico article "Trump tweet on L.L.Bean would break White House rule/Current policy prohibits the president from endorsing specific companies." From the article:
[T]he Office of Government Ethics prohibits executive officials from using their position to endorse an organization, product or person. While this regulation technically does not apply to the president, President Barack Obama put in place a White House policy that expanded it to also apply to the Oval Office.

"We strictly forbade this when I was in the White House for the President and everyone else,” Norm Eisen, Obama's former ethics czar, told POLITICO. “How can you ask others to follow it if he doesn’t?”

Trump urged supporters to patronize L.L.Bean after the retailer’s founder’s granddaughter, Linda Bean, illegally donated to a PAC supporting Trump, leading to calls for a boycott. (Her $60,000 donation exceeded the amount that the PAC could accept from any one contributor.)

"People will support you even more now,” Trump said before encouraging Americans to snap up the company’s preppy products.
So Trump tweeted to counter the effect of a call for a boycott that aimed at hurting someone who'd supported Trump. That's a surgical strike — undoing a harm.

I hadn't realized Presidents couldn't express love of particular products and encourage people to share his pleasure. Back in the 80s, the news media often talked of Reagan and his jelly beans. Here's how the Reagan Library presents is:

When Ronald Reagan ran for Governor of California in 1966, he began eating “Goelitz Mini Jelly Beans” as part of his successful attempt to give up pipe smoking. Herman Goelitz Candy Company, the Oakland-based producer of the jelly beans, sent a monthly shipment to the Governor’s Office throughout Reagan’s two terms in Sacramento. The company also made a custom-designed jelly bean jar for Reagan.

After Reagan left the governorship, he continued to receive shipments of Goelitz Mini Gourmet Jelly Beans directly from the company. When Herman Goelitz introduced its Jelly Belly brand of jelly beans in 1976, it began including the new brand in Reagan’s regular shipment. Within two years, the shipment consisted entirely of the Jelly Belly brand.

Three and a half tons of red, white, and blue Jelly Belly jelly beans were shipped to Washington, DC for the 1981 Inaugural festivities. Blueberry, one of Jelly Belly brand’s most popular flavors, was developed in 1980. Its blue color completed the other flag colored Jelly Belly jelly beans, the red (Very Cherry) and white (Coconut).

Herman Goelitz Candy Company provided the Reagan White House with Jelly Belly jelly beans for all eight years of Reagan’s presidency. In February 1981 Herman G. Rowland, the president of Herman Goelitz and a fourth-generation descendant of the company’s founders, received official Government authorization to develop a Jelly Belly jelly bean jar with the Presidential Seal on it. These Presidential jars of Jelly Belly beans, each in its own blue gift box, were given by Reagan to heads of state, diplomats, and many other White House guests.

President Reagan’s favorite Jelly Belly flavor was licorice.
Now, Reagan seems to have really liked Jelly Belly jelly beans. There's no reason to think Trump has an independent and personal love for L.L. Bean products. He's helping out someone who helped him politically. If you continued down that road, campaign donations could work as tit for tat. Pay money and get a product endorsement from the man.

By the way, does Donald Trump ever go camping or hiking or do anything outdoorsy that might go with L.L. Bean products? The only outdoor activity I picture him doing — other than walking between a building and a car or a car and a plane — is golf. Have we ever had a less outdoorsy President?

139 comments:

David Begley said...

We all hope Althouse had a nice birthday. Rush Limbaugh (from Missouri) and Ann Althouse (from Wisconsin) share the same birthday.

Unknown said...

"The President Is Really, Really Proud Of His Shinola Watch."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obama-shinola-watch_us_56a0f633e4b076aadcc56033

"Here's What You Need to Know About President Obama's Badass Shinola Watch
Don't worry, non-presidents can buy it."
http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-accessories/news/a41395/president-obama-shinola-watch/

WFalcon2325 said...

"endorse an organization, product or person" Hmm...is solyndra solar an organization? Seems to me Pres. Obama visited their plant and made sure they had millions of dollars before they failed. I think that would qualify as an endorsement.

MayBee said...

What about Michelle Obama and all her fashion? There was a time when she even seemed to have a marketing relationship with J Crew.

Mark said...

Obama's Office of Government Ethics really has kicked it into high gear looking for all the ways that they can publicly blast Trump and speciously charge him with unethical behavior, haven't they? They and the "intelligence community" are neck-and-neck in trying to sabotage and delegitimize the incoming president.

khematite said...

JFK made James Bond novels and daiquiris very popular, but kind of did in the top hat industry.

TreeJoe said...

You mean like the brands of shoes and suits and clothing and watches the president uses? Or the places he and his family visits for vacations? How about the sparkling wine they serve at their balls?

I could go on and on....long have products sought to attach themselves to the presidency, and long have presidents supported certain products.

While I find it can be unseemly/unethical, I like in this instance Trump's vocal support for brands who suffered BECAUSE they or their owners supported him.

Larry J said...

IIRC, Ronald Reagan had a big bowl of Jelly Belly jelly beans on his conference table. It was widely publicized that he loved them. To the best of my knowledge, he never said for anyone to buy them. It was just known that Jelly Belly was his favorite brand. They are really good jelly beans, if you're into that sort of thing.

Obama may have had a policy in his administration but that's nonbinding on Trump. Further, Trump won't be president for another 7 days.

GRW3 said...

Defensive tweets by the President will be a powerful tool for protecting friends. Like he said in the press conference, he has a bully pulpit that others don't have.

Wince said...

prohibits executive officials from using their position to endorse an organization, product or person.

What about the parade of celebrities in the Obama orbit, many with projects to promote?

James K said...

"By the way, does Donald Trump ever go camping or hiking or do anything outdoorsy that might go with L.L. Bean products?"

LL Bean offers casual clothing, luggage, bedding, sleepwear, not just outdoorsy stuff. Though come to think of it, I've never seen Trump dressed casually, and he doesn't seem to sleep that much.

Glenn Howes said...

So it's technically legal. The best kind of legal.

traditionalguy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tank said...

Trump shows that he is loyal to his friends. More important than your rule number ten million and one. He's got your back.

No F's given.

traditionalguy said...

And this crafty conflicts of interest guy, whose mother was from The Hebrides Isles of Scotland historically ruled by the McDonalds Clan, eats Big Macs in his campaign photos.

IMPEACH HIM, before he drinks a Coca-Cola while taking the oath of the Presidency.

Pepsi Lives Matter.

Freder Frederson said...

He's helping out someone who helped him politically.

No, he is helping out someone who broke the law.

Curious George said...

UH, Trump ain't POTUS yet.

I sold three phones systems to Goelitz Confectionery...the maker of Jelly Belly jelly beans (looks like they have since changed their corporation's name to the product name "Jelly Belly). They had a one building office/factory in North Chicago, IL.

Reagan discovered the tasty jelly beans while governor of California. He brought them to the White House when he was POTUS and that's when things took off for the company. Once just available in boutique candy shops, they ended up being available, well everywhere.

Bill Kelly, the owner, drove an Old Cutlass that was more than a few years old when I first met him. Great guy, kinda shy really didn't want to get any bigger, but of course got swept away with the craze. Mega rich now.

Jelly Belly's are awesome...the flavor goes through the whole bean versus just having unflavored bean coated with a flavor shell. And of course al ot of unique flavors.

MayBee said...

What about the parade of celebrities in the Obama orbit, many with projects to promote?

No kidding.

traditionalguy said...

@ Freder...Consider it an Executive Order, and get you some of those Maine clothes.

GWash said...

there is a world of difference between wearing clothes, watches or vacationing at some resort or FLOTUS 'seeming' to favor jcrew clothes... the president has to wear clothes (in public, dylan not withstanding).. i'm not sure there is any connection to campaign contributions or endorsement of what the Obamas are wearing or where they are vacationing... and i applaud any president who tauts american companies when he can... what happened here is what we can expect of the grifter in waiting... Ms Bean CONTRIBUTED MONEY to the trumpsters campaign and then he boosted her business - a direct connection.. the donald just doesn't get it.. everything is a opportunity for him to profit... that is why we need to see his tax returns .. why can't we see them? why is everyone on this blog so opposed to seeing the tax returns of the future president? why can't we know possible conflicts so that we can avoid them? if the shoe was on the other foot you guys would be screaming bloody hell...

MartyH said...

Jelly Belly does a pretty cool factory tour (near San Francisco). Every single jelly bean has the Jelly Belly logo on it! You can buy "belly flops"-misshapen jelly beans-in the gift store IIRC. Lots of automation but also lots of hand labor. My son used to love going there.

Bill Harshaw said...

Less outdoorsy? Nixon. Also less athletic. Sets a low bar for Trump.

Curious George said...

"By the way, does Donald Trump ever go camping or hiking or do anything outdoorsy that might go with L.L. Bean products? The only outdoor activity I picture him doing — other than walking between a building and a car or a car and a plane — is golf. Have we ever had a less outdoorsy President?"

Obama? I mean other than running down dogs to eat in Kenya, what outdoorsy thing has he done?

Laslo Spatula said...

Look at this in the context of Gulliver’s Travels.

Trump is the Giant in this new political landscape.

The Lilliputians will try to tie him down through protests and boycotts and media slings and arrows.

He intends to swat each one down, rather than let them attempt to constrain him.

Giants are gonna do what Giants do.

I am Laslo.

Curious George said...

More Jelly Belly factoids:

They get the outside shiny by tumbling them against each other in a drum....like polishing stones in a rock tumbler.

Unbelievably loud.

Bruce Hayden said...

This is one of the more absurd things that they have done. Of course, Trump hasn't taken office yet, but if he had, what could they do? Fire him? Likely the other way around, getting themselves fired. Cut his salary? He won't be taking one, and while they would be operating under an executive order (which Trump will be able to rescind as easily as it was issued), the Presidential salary is set by statute, which trumps (heh) executive orders.

Typical case of leftists wanting their cake, and to eat it too. They try to destroy people and institutions that stand between them and their view of destiny, whether it involves gay weddings or electing Trump, with social shaming and boycotts, then get all butt hurt when the right hits back even harder, supporting the party they tried to destroy. Their boycott weapon doesn't seem to work very well these days, as conservatives easily and quickly make up for any losses inflicted by leftist operatives and activists.

rhhardin said...

LLB has light warm down jackets with zippers that work; down comforters. Neither particularly camping-oriented.

Maybe Trump bikes to work in the winter.

rhhardin said...

Guess the number of down comforters in the chest.

MayBee said...

GWASH- the fashion industry held fundraisers for the Obamas. Obama wanted to make Anna Wintour the ambassador to Britain. She took contributions of their clothes and money, and then released the name of the designers who dressed her.
Exact same thing.

William said...

I have the sense that LL Bean's customers are older and more conservative. Their clothes don't look like they'd appeal to hipsters, or, for that matter, to gilt driven billionaires. The call to boycott her product may serve to rally her core customers and be a net plus for the company. In any event, if the boycott were successful, the most likely people to feel the pinch would be the company's line workers and not the granddaughter of the founder.

GWash said...

Maybee, did they contribute 10times the allowed amount to their campaign? would you say it's a good thing to see trumps tax return? or are we to just 'trust' him?

Henry said...

I am quite sure that L.L.Bean does not want this attention.

MayBee said...

would you say it's a good thing to see trumps tax return?

What does a campaign contribution have to do with his tax return?

If she contributed an illegal amount, then that's a problem. I'm sure she, like Dinesh Disouza, will be hearing about it.

Henry said...

BTW, the illegal donation was not from the corporation, but one of the family members that owns the corporation. It's a private family corporation. Linda Bean sits on the board of directors but is not involved operationally. Other members of the family have supported both Republican and Democratic candidates at various times, without breaking the law.

Henry said...

So it's not "they" but "she"

traditionalguy said...

Trump's Tax Returns are thousands of pages long and only prove the tax he owed and paid. That makes them prime material for targeting him by political enemies who see only evil in all business, and will then demand more information, ad infinitum. Sarah Palin's stolen e-mails anyone?


Since when does your lawyer let you fournish your enemies any secret informaton, usable against you, that you don't have to fournish?

Ann Althouse said...

"We all hope Althouse had a nice birthday. Rush Limbaugh (from Missouri) and Ann Althouse (from Wisconsin) share the same birthday."

Thanks.

In the sense that Rush is from Missouri, I am from Delaware.

Bruce Hayden said...

@Trad - big difference is that this was not a quip pro quo - she didn't contribute in order to get favorable coverage, or really any other benefit (except keeping Corrupt Hillary out of the WH). Contrast this with what many politicians do, which is to just use intermediaries or otherwise hide their quid pro quos. Moreover, this is a Free Speech issue. The left tried to hurt LL Bean because of the political contributions (which is a form of speech) of a stockholder, and Trump hit back.

Balfegor said...

I am probably the least outdoorsy person I know, but I still wear LL Bean canvas jackets. They're a simple, classic design. I only wish they still made them in the light beige and brown colours (the tan and loden green colours are not my favourite). I also kind of wish they had interior pockets, but there are so many exterior pockets it more or less makes up for it. Also, they are roomy enough to fit over a casual sportcoat, which gives one all the pockets one could desire.

That said, it is a much more informal look than Trump seems to like. He is very much a city man, even at what seems to be his equivalent of a country estate, down in Florida.

William said...

Trump has a history of hunting the most dangerous game in their native habitat. I'm talking of supermodels in an urban environment. You can outfit yourself with Armani suits, limos, and Rolexes and still come a cropper. Even with the strongest pre-nup and the best divorce attorney at your side, the stakes are still high. Better men than Trump have been irreparably mangled in such pursuits.......I'm not that interested in his tax returns, but I'd like to see his pre-nups and gain some understanding of how he negotiated them.

Freder Frederson said...

Typical case of leftists wanting their cake, and to eat it too.

Trump promises that he will replace Obamacare that "will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans", it is ridiculous to berate leftists for wanting their cake, and to eat it too.

whitney said...

The left is just freaking because people are fighting back against their "boycott,defame, destroy" campaigns.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Linda Bean, illegally donated to a PAC supporting Trump, leading to calls for a boycott. (Her $60,000 donation exceeded the amount that the PAC could accept from any one contributor.)

Was it illegal for her to make that contribution, illegal for them to accept it, or both? What, exactly, is the law, and who, exactly, broke it?

John henry said...

How did everyone, including Ann, miss the fact that Trump is NOT the president? Not for another 6 days. Until then he is a private citizen. How can any presidential/govt laws, guidelines, regulations etc apply to him?

And, as someone else mentioned, "technically legal" has exactly the same meaning as "legal" except that it makes the person using the modifier seem silly.

Go Bean!

How can I get the SJWs to protest my book? Ritmo, got any suggestions? You seem to be in with these folks.

A tweet from our president would likely do wonders for sales.

Maybe we can even get him to plug Ann's portal.

John Henry

Freder Frederson said...

They try to destroy people and institutions that stand between them and their view of destiny

And of course the right would never do that. They stood up like soldiers to defend the Dixie Chicks' first amendment rights.

Sheesh.

John henry said...

Maybe we can even get him to plug Ann's portal.

Before Laslo gets hold of my comment, let me say that what I meant was maybe we can get Trump to mention Ann's Amazon linkup.

I don't want Trump trying to do Meade's job.

John Henry

Balfegor said...

Re: Freder:

Trump promises that he will replace Obamacare that "will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans", it is ridiculous to berate leftists for wanting their cake, and to eat it too.

Yes, as Obama might say, it's time for us to reject the false choice between having our cake and eating it too.

Not going to defend Trump on this one, though. I think there is a policy mix that could achieve these aims, but I certainly haven't heard it from Trump, and it is probably no longer politically achievable -- the structural damage to health care markets caused by Obamacare is going to continue dragging us down even after it is repealed.

David said...

"Have we ever had a less outdoorsy President?"

Obama. Maybe not less, but it's a tie.

All of Obama's outdoor events were photo ops.

Nixon comes to mind as well. Wing tips on the beach.

Freder Frederson said...

And, as someone else mentioned, "technically legal" has exactly the same meaning as "legal" except that it makes the person using the modifier seem silly.

Yes, the phrase "technically legal" is silly. But the point is that many things are legal yet are unethical, immoral, and wrong. If the only standard we have for our president is that he adheres strictly to the law, then we have indeed fallen.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

John said...

Maybe we can even get him to plug Ann's portal.

He's a married man, and she's a married woman. Get your mind out of the gutter!

MayBee said...

They stood up like soldiers to defend the Dixie Chicks' first amendment rights.

Over a decade later, and it's still pretty much just the Dixie Chicks.

Freder Frederson said...

I think there is a policy mix that could achieve these aims, but I certainly haven't heard it from Trump

I think there is too, we could just adopt a healthcare system like they have in Germany or France. But no Republican is going to support that.

John henry said...

Blogger whitney said...

The left is just freaking because people are fighting back against their "boycott,defame, destroy" campaigns.

As they always have.

Can you mention one SJW campaign that didn't leave the target significantly better off than before the campaign?

Scott Walker
Chik-Fil-A
Memories Pizza
President (I love that word) Trump
etc.
In most cases it is not even fighting back. It is more like, "I had not really thought about it before. Now that you mention it, if you are against this, it is probably a good idea."

John Henry

David said...

"[T]he Office of Government Ethics prohibits executive officials from using their position to endorse an organization, product or person."

Amazing. How many times a day do you suppose that is violated?

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

John said...
How did everyone, including Ann, miss the fact that Trump is NOT the president? Not for another 6 days. Until then he is a private citizen.

Apparently he's already president in the minds of the Left.

JAORE said...

"@ Freder...Consider it an Executive Order, and get you some of those Maine clothes."

Of course, Freder was referencing the limits on campaign contributions. If true, bad on her (not the company, HER). And she should be investigated for that.

What Freder misses, intentionally, is the Trump reference to L.L. Bean was NOT because his campaign received a donation.

The reference was because the (loonier by the day) hard core left are trying to boycott a corporation because one person with strong ties to the company dared to make a political contribution.

Might turn out like that famously unsuccessful boycott of Chic-fil-et.

Bruce Hayden said...

Yes, you can go to prison for giving even a bit over the legal limits, if you are a political enemy of the President, as Dinesh D'Souza discovered. There are quasi-legal ways around the laws (which is where the bulk of Crooked Hillary's billion dollar campaign/slush fund came from), but you have to play the game right (like giving to state parties, which cut checks back to the national party or campaign). Indeed, jumping around these laws is now a fine art, allowing the well connected to contribute hundreds of thousands to campaigns, violating the spirit, but not the letter of the law.

Freder Frederson said...

Over a decade later, and it's still pretty much just the Dixie Chicks.

Okay, how about this one. And these are Congress members, supposed defenders of free speech, that are involved in this one.

Bruce Hayden said...

@Freder - at least we may have a President who at least tries to obey the laws of the land this time around, as contrasted to the Harvard educated lawyer on his way out, who did what he wanted, and then dared anyone to do anything out about it. Examples of his lawlessness over the last 8 years are numerous, ranging from trading Gitmo prisoners for an Army deserter without Congressional consent, to spending billions of unauthorized dollars on ObamaCare subsidies. Etc.

Tank said...

The left does not want a conversation, they don't want to hear both sides of an argument, they just want to shut you the F up, ruin your business, get you fired and destroy your life.

Trump came to the aid of one who was thus attacked.

Yay Mr. President.

Tank said...

The left is concerned about "the law" now?

Really?

Too late. That ship sailed little by little this passed year.

Roger Sweeny said...

GWash,

why is everyone on this blog so opposed to seeing the tax returns of the future president?

Do not assume that everyone who reads this blog thinks a certain way. That is bigotry. And factually wrong in this case. I'd love to see the returns released.

James K said...

So Presidents aren't supposed to endorse individual businesses, but it's ok to attack them?

http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/11/news/companies/obama-criticizes-staples-obamacare/

MayBee said...

Freder- that's stupid, but I don't get the similarity.

Henry said...

Freder: I think there is too, we could just adopt a healthcare system like they have in Germany or France. But no Republican is going to support that.

Back in 2009 you didn't need any Republicans. What happened?

Roger Sweeny said...

Freder Frederson,

Trump promises that he will replace Obamacare that "will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans", it is ridiculous to berate leftists for wanting their cake, and to eat it too.

No, it's not. The right does it AND the left does it. I long for a media that is willing and eager to reality check everyone. Alas, that would be hard and piss off your friends.

MayBee said...

I'm fine with seeing his tax returns, but his campaign contributions aren't going to be on there.

BUT....it's not a requirement for candidates to produce their tax returns, and I am so disgusted by media behavior that I'm happy for them to not get the victory of trying to bully Trump into producing his returns. We all know they just want to attack him on something they find in there. What do tax returns really tell us? According to her taxes, Hillary Clinton is a model citizen. Even paying more than she probably has to! Why? Because she's known for 30 years that she would one day run for president.

Anyway, if people want to see tax returns of their candidates, they should probably appeal to their states or their parties to require them to get their names on the ballot.

rcocean said...

Wow, remember how worked up the Left was about the Clinton Presidency and all their scandals? Or about the Clinton e-mail scandal and Library bribes? Or the pardon of Marc rich?

Yeah, I don't either. But now, now, they're all into ethics. Gee, I wonder why.

And I love the "technically legal". Here's the thing: its just plain legal, and its not unethical to call for his peeps to counter-boycott LL Bean.

rcocean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rcocean said...

Judas priest, please quit talking about trump's boring Tax returns! He ain't gonna release them 1)because he doesn't have to and 2) they will just give the Left more ammo to attack him.

Commie Chuck and all the MSM cares about the issue. No one else.

The Trump tax returns reminds of the "Phlame affair" where Althouse commentators when on, and on, and on, and on, about a nothing "Scandal" that didn't mean shit.

CStanley said...

Tank said...
The left is concerned about "the law" now?

Really?

Too late. That ship sailed little by little this passed year.


Yeah, I thought this was particularly laughable:
"We strictly forbade this when I was in the White House for the President and everyone else,” Norm Eisen, Obama's former ethics czar, told POLITICO. “How can you ask others to follow it if he doesn’t?”

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Obama - the asshole, had an ethics czar?

lololololol.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Obama doesn't want any Cubans to escape their communist hell hole. made it official. What an asshole.

rehajm said...

If nobody got it: our least outdoorsy president was William Henry Harrison.

Mark Caplan said...

Trump is so widely reviled, he could make a fortune by promising, for a substantial fee, NOT to endorse a company's products. Such a deal wouldn't break any ethics rules.

Anonymous said...

Freder: I think there is too, we could just adopt a healthcare system like they have in Germany or France. But no Republican is going to support that.

The Democrats weren't interested, either. Michael K has written on just this point frequently.

Balfegor: Not going to defend Trump on this one, though. I think there is a policy mix that could achieve these aims, but I certainly haven't heard it from Trump, and it is probably no longer politically achievable -- the structural damage to health care markets caused by Obamacare is going to continue dragging us down even after it is repealed.

Agreed. The healthcare mess is a Gordian Knot, and ain't nobody willing to do the necessary slice-through. The system will just trundle along 'til it collapses in its own dysfunctionality, I guess.

And to be fair, the distortion in the healthcare markets started a long, long, time ago. The recent "fixes" perfected the utter mess.

Birkel said...

rehajm:

I think FDR was the least outdoorsy president. Sitting in hot springs is not outdoorsy.

rehajm said...

I have the sense that LL Bean's customers are older and more conservative. Their clothes don't look like they'd appeal to hipsters, or, for that matter, to gilt driven billionaires.

Mostly true with the strong exception of The Maine Hunting Shoe, or Bean Boot, which they cannot make quickly enough for trendy college types.

Anonymous said...

Belated happy birthday, Professor. (Or is it Professor Emerita now?)

rehajm said...

rehajm:

I think FDR was the least outdoorsy president.


Harrison fucking died from being outdoors. It literally killed him.

Even FDR got wheeled out onto the porch.

whitney said...

John Henry....

Good points but remember the head of public relations at Chic fil a DIED. That heart attack was brought on by the left and my guess is they were gleeful. It's evil.

mockturtle said...

When I think outdoorsy presidents I think of Teddy Roosevelt. But then there was the Jimmy Carter 'killer rabbit' incident. I guess it's hard to get 'into the wild' with a swarm of Secret Service agents and reporters in tow.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

They stood up like soldiers to defend the Dixie Chicks' first amendment rights.

Lot's of people stood up for the Dixie Chicks' right to speak out. It was their own words that pissed off their customers. You don't grow your brand in country music by suggesting your fans are stupid losers and that America sucks. In light of how it all worked out, "Shut up and sing" was good advice that Natalee Maines ignored to her own detriment.

But you don't really understand the first amendment do you? No one restrained them. They self-immolated like SJWs do.

mockturtle said...

I've ordered from LLBean most of my life and still do. There will undoubtedly be some kind of leftist boycott now so I hope the rest of us will pick up the slack.

Birkel said...

rehajm:
The porch is not outdoorsy. And getting there in your own power is part of outdoorsy.

I grant that Harrison is second. But I am not grading FDR on a curve.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

LL Beans Waterhog door mats are fantastic.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

many things are legal yet are unethical, immoral, and wrong

Exactly! Just like the criminal plan to disrupt the peaceful transition of power. Unethical, immoral, and wrong.

Charlie said...

I'd never heard of Five Guys until Obama had a photo op there. Now I eat there all the time!

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

Freder, Man, you are running out of ideas.

Now you want to defend Democrats who are violating the rules of the House by hanging art that broke the rules of the contest and should not have been admitted in the first place. So you are defending double-rule breaking by Democrat congresscritters for the purpose of what? Attacking Republicans? House rules say no art that depicts "current political issues" is eligible. I think someone crudely drawing a pig in a cop uniform being shot by gangbangers IS commenting on current political issues. There are a million places this "art" could hang that are NOT in the Peoples House, and NOT in violation of any rules. But assholes gotta asshole.

Asshole!

rehajm said...

Birkel:

Stop trying to make it a contest:

FDR: Campobello. Sailing. Has National Parks named after him- Outdoor parks.

Harrison: A few minutes outside...DEAD!

traditionalguy said...

This brings back memories. When my parents were elderly and unable to go out shopping, they gave everyone in the family L. L. Bean's catalogue clothes for Christmas, plus a check. Great stuff.

Birkel said...

No way, rehajm. If you can find pictures of FDR hiking in the national parks named after him, you win.

Freder Frederson said...

But you don't really understand the first amendment do you?

Apparently your understanding of the first amendment is it is all right for conservatives to boycott organizations whose speech they don't like, but when liberals do the same, it is wrong.

Birkel said...

Harrison led a battle against Native Americans -- Tippecanoe.

And he led the battle in the War of 1812 during which Tecumseh was killed. Harrison was a general.

That beats FDR.

Birkel said...

Freder Frederson:

After the long string of backfiring boycotts, any CEO who didn't try to spark a Leftist protest should be removed for cause

Anonymous said...

mockturtle: I've ordered from LLBean most of my life and still do. There will undoubtedly be some kind of leftist boycott now so I hope the rest of us will pick up the slack.

The problem for me is that, at least for the clothing staples I used to buy regularly from Bean, the quality has really gone to hell in recent years. But that, alas, is true of just about all clothing retailers.

roesch/voltaire said...

I don't think comparing Regan's love of jelly beans is the same as Trump the master brander tweeting support for LL Bean-- there is a hill of bean difference, but that said LL Bean is a good company with fine products and this progressive will not boycott them.

cubanbob said...

"[T]he Office of Government Ethics prohibits executive officials from using their position to endorse an organization, product or person."

Hmmm maybe Freder can enlighten us on the Clinton Foundation......

GWash speaking of tax returns, tell us how a guy who never had a job that has paid more than $400,000 a year and isn't independently wealthy can afford to buy a $5,000,000 home in DC and a $30,000,000 home in Hawaii.

Chuck said...

Lawprof Bradley Smith speaks to the problem(s) of "secondary boycotts," which the LL Bean protest certainly is, since it wasn't even an LL Bean corporate donation that was in question, but rather merely a single family member/descendant of the founders:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304050304577375583144909656

MayBee said...

Cubanbob- to be fair, the Obama's are renting Joe Lockhart's house. Fair market value puts it at $22,000/month to rent, but who knows what/if Lockhart is actually going to charge the family.

But you are right, the Obamas spend a lot of money considering their salary.

Danno said...

Blogger Nancy Strickland said..."The President Is Really, Really Proud Of His Shinola Watch."

Who knew? I was under the impression that Obama didn't know shit from shinola.

Michael K said...

"the donald just doesn't get it.. everything is a opportunity for him to profit."

The Gwash and Freder war on profit continues even if their president, who really did conduct a war on profit, is leaving.

I would love to see Freder try to explain the German and French healthcare systems.

First they are not at all alike.

Second, the French system relies on market effects, which are anathema to Democrats.

The ignorance level is up on this thread.

Also, no mention of the 2008 Obama campaign which turned off credit card verification so those Arab donations would not be seen.

NCMoss said...

If it's true that LLBean created a line of mom-jeans exclusively for the soon to be former president, I say boycott away.

Danno said...

Blogger GRW3 said...Defensive tweets by the President will be a powerful tool for protecting friends. Like he said in the press conference, he has a bully pulpit that others don't have.

I would suggest that Trump tweet everyone on his side to drop CNN from their channel selection or maybe their entire cable package until the media change their ways.

MadisonMan said...

I used to buy tons from Lands End, which is a midwesterny LLBean, sort of. Not so much now. I see too much 'Made in China' in their catalogs, to be honest, and it turns me off. If I'm gonna spend >$50 on apparel, I want it made in this hemisphere.

Going to the LLBean store in Freeport is enjoyable though, I've done that a couple times when I've been in that neck of the woods. Don't recall buying anything on the visits, but the experience is fun.

Big Mike said...

Nothing Obama did via official policy or executive order is binding on Donald Trump. Until Friday he is a private citizen. After the Inauguration he can undo anything Obama did via official policy or executive order with a stroke of his pen. Bad enough that Obama is a profoundly ignorant man; his supporters are worse.

Danno said...

Blogger GWash said...Maybee, did they contribute 10times the allowed amount to their campaign? would you say it's a good thing to see trumps tax return? or are we to just 'trust' him?

A tax return has absolutely no detail on financial transactions other than asset sales. It is pretty obvious you are an ignoramus in this area of expertise. Trump won. Get over it!

mockturtle said...

Anglelyne laments: The problem for me is that, at least for the clothing staples I used to buy regularly from Bean, the quality has really gone to hell in recent years. But that, alas, is true of just about all clothing retailers.

Yes, I agree. And the sizing is not always consistent. But I hate shopping so much I'm willing to risk it. I have sent back a few things that were not up to the quality I anticipated. Some of their products are still excellent. I just ordered a second pair of their Comfort Trail pants and they are flawlessly made. But it's a gamble, I admit.



robother said...

So executive officials promoting a product is illegal? SHouldn't we be locking up Obama administration officials who promoted health insurance (by making it mandatory)?

Paddy O said...

"Nothing Obama did via official policy or executive order is binding on Donald Trump."

Except Obama issued an executive order granting himself a lifelong supply of executive orders.

Stalemate!

Paddy O said...

Isn't any public event at a private venue the President attends an endorsement?
Pro Sports teams hosted at the White House (and with the Chargers moving to Los Angeles purely for business reasons, as no one wants them, it's clear sports is all about money). Even hosting college teams promotes the school.

The government sure seemed to boost Chevrolet there for a while.

How much funding goes to Planned Parenthood and other such places?

The list goes on and on.

~ Gordon Pasha said...

Theodore Roosevelt avidly supported Winchester Repeating Arms before, during, and after his Presidency

http://wolfandiron.com/trthursday-the-winchester-theodore-roosevelts-rifle-of-choice/

He may (or may not) have coined the phrase, "Good to the last drop" for Maxwell House Coffee

http://blog.mycoffeesupply.com/history-maxwell-houses-good-drop/

And then there is the entire Teddy Bear industry to which he gave his imprinteur


RNB said...

Ian Fleming's "Dr. No" got a much-needed sales spike after John Kennedy was seen to be reading it. Wouldn't that be "product placement" nowadays?

JAORE said...

"Apparently your understanding of the first amendment is it is all right for conservatives to boycott organizations whose speech they don't like, but when liberals do the same, it is wrong."

OMG Freder, even for you this is dense.

The nexus to the first amendment is GOVERNMENT. The boycotts by private groups or individuals,left, right or indifferent are NOT covered.

Unload the gun, your foot has suffered enough.

Martin said...

As Glenn Reynolds now often writes:

You want more Trump? THIS is how you get more Trump.

Joe said...

The first batch of shirts I ordered from L.L.Bean years ago were great. The identical, save color, set I ordered a year later were terrible in every respect and I vowed to never buy from them again. Still not tempted.

Joe said...

So did Obama violate his own rule by mentioning "green" companies?

As but one example found with a quick search:

"Here at this site, Solyndra expects to make enough solar panels each year to generate 500 megawatts of electricity. And over the lifetime of this expanded facility, that could be like replacing as many as eight coal-fired power plants."

Dr Weevil said...

Anglelyne (8:42am):
If you're going to make 'emeritus' feminine, you should do the same for 'professor' and address our host(ess) as 'Profestrix Emerita' - yes, that is the proper Latin form.

Lloyd W. Robertson said...

I seem to recall Nixon installing Pepsi in the machines at the White House, and then Carter installing Coke. California vs. Georgia, campaign contributors in both cases.

mockturtle said...

Trump isn't President yet, either.

I remember when Jackie, who was inclined to buy from French designers was told by her husband to buy from Americans. And there were specific ones, like Oleg Cassini who were heavily promoted.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Ann Althouse said...He's helping out someone who helped him politically. If you continued down that road, campaign donations could work as tit for tat.

Wow, you know, now that you mention it that does sound like a very bad thing. I'm just gland nothing like that's ever gone on before. It would be terrible of Trump to break new ground, you know, and do something so sordid. Scary.

Henry said...

How many times did President Obama appear on ESPN?

Dude1394 said...

Just placed my very first order at LLBean. Nice stuff.

Unknown said...

Just pre-ordered by Buffalo Driving Shoes/Mocassins from LL Bean to help them out. I didn't need them until April, but what the hey! I hate it when a brand company gets attacked for the stupidest of reasons. This is as insane as going after that mom&pop pizza parlor in rural Indiana because they wouldn't cater gay weddings...even though they'd never catered a wedding...and weren't asked to cater a wedding.

Saul Alinsky can go suck the big one.

JackWayne said...

The left has been at war with the right since Reagan. It took the right years to figure that out but now both sides are fully engaged. Now that all the rules have been tossed out, the left finds that they don't particularly like the situation. The problem is that the war will not end soon. I expect that if Trump does half of what he says, not only will he get a second term but we'll have a 2-term Republican after him also.

Chuck said...

About LL Bean, where I have shopped an placed mail orders for about 40 years...

If and when you have a problem or a complicated order that requires phone attention, you are likely to get an intelligent, friendly AMERICAN voice on the other end of the phone. I have joked with a number of them, that they don't sound like retail phone agents; they sound like grad school students. Or instructors!

You are basically guaranteed a satisfying purchase experience, with LL Bean.

Bill Befort said...

The gigantic James Bond industry and its innumerable spinoffs arose from JFK's casual choice of Ian Fleming, out of the whole available universe of adventure novelists, as his favorite. The history of popular culture -- and perhaps a lot of other history too -- might have followed a different course if he'd put in a plug for Joseph Conrad or Chesterton instead.

Christy said...

I took one look at the plump Linda Bean on TV and knew why L.L. Bean has such a nice selection of plus sized swimwear.

I never go to Chik-Fil-A because it always has a line 2X around the restaurant. McDonald's and Sonic close by along the same access road has no line. I don't think Chik-Fil-A is that much better, but even years later and at great inconvenience, people want to support freedom of speech. A.k.a give the finger to sjw. Let's see what happens at L.L.Bean.

John henry said...

I mentioned yesterday afternoon that LL Bean's stock price took a jump. I was wrong. They are not publicly traded.

When I searched LL Bean stock price a little while ago I got the same page but only this time noticed it was Lumber Liquidators. Symbol LL

They were up almost a dollar today over yesterday's bump.

I wonder if others made the same mistake. Figured, need to buy some of that Bean stock and just clicked a buy order to LL without noticing?

There may be other reasons, of course.

How cool would it be though if a company completely uninvolved benefited from the special snowflakes whining?

John Henry

mockturtle said...

Chuck tells us: About LL Bean, where I have shopped an placed mail orders for about 40 years...

If and when you have a problem or a complicated order that requires phone attention, you are likely to get an intelligent, friendly AMERICAN voice on the other end of the phone. I have joked with a number of them, that they don't sound like retail phone agents; they sound like grad school students. Or instructors!

You are basically guaranteed a satisfying purchase experience, with LL Bean.


You are 100% right, Chuck! It happens sometimes. ;-)

rehajm said...

Birkel said...

Harrison led a battle against Native Americans -- Tippecanoe.

And he led the battle in the War of 1812 during which Tecumseh was killed. Harrison was a general.


..but not a President! As President, Harrison's outdoorsy activities were: being exposed to the outdoors....and dying.

Known Unknown said...

"Have we ever had a less outdoorsy President?"

Obama is fake-outdoorsy.

Birkel said...

In that case, rehajm, Trump is a null set. But Althouse has asked me to consider him, meaning pre-inauguration events MUST be considered by the terms set by Althouse.

F.D.R.

F.T.W.

Kirk Parker said...

Freder,

" If the only standard we have for our president is that he adheres strictly to the law..."


At least it would be a start. (Ask Cookie for details if you're unclear.)

ken in tx said...

Baby Ruth Candy bars were named after Grover Cleveland's daughter. George Washington's image appeared on almost every product you can imagine throughout the 1800s, especially whiskey-- Abe Lincoln's as well. The question is did any of them make money off their presidential office. I don't know. However, I don't think Trump needs or wants any more money. He's not taking any pay.

William said...

And Trump is bound by some random policy Obama put in place? Hahahahaha. Tell me another one.

Bad Lieutenant said...

Good company, a rare point of agreement with Chuck AND roesch. I wish LLBean would put on a sale right now, MLK would be a good excuse, but as now I see nothing I need offhand. They used to have more colors in their still excellent khakis. Good shoes, some USA or English. Nice gadgets and robes and luggage. Maybe tune site navigation to enable finding more stuff. Could call or email to express support, I guess. Wish they stocked the Yonkers more fully.

Bad Lieutenant said...

Whenever I call them they answer from the mothership in Maine. Fine people.

Bad Lieutenant said...

And again the left fired off a lot of this ammunition already. They said the vilest things about Bush and Cheney and the people in the administration but subsequently nobody that I recall has ever suggested that any of them took a dime. Certainly not GWB. So no more crying wolf.