I saw a billboard, reported at http://xtramsn.co.nz/business/0,,5007-4636532,00.html, today.
   I like to think I have a pretty developed sense of humour, but this was plain disgusting.
   Americans: some New Zealanders might not agree with your nation’s policy, but please know this sort of advertisement does not reflect our sentiments about you. It has been put up by some ill-educated, liberal extremists, and I refer not only to the client, but its advertising agency and a city council that should know better.
   The hypocrisy is that if someone in the US put up a billboard calling our Prime Minister ugly (and she photographs poorly), they’d be the same SOBs jumping up and down about decency. Or, how about a billboard saying, ‘Hell Pizza loves terrorism. Screw London.’ See guys, it doesn’t feel very nice, does it? But politically, it’s the same treatment you gave the 43rd President of the United States.
   Just in case it was me, I asked some liberal friends their opinions. They are identical to mine. Decency is not the sole preserve of liberals or conservatives, or centrists like me.
   If anyone thinks the Wellington City Council is corrupt, then they have just received more armament.
   If you are reading this blog, then you are probably sick of advertising agencies operating as though it were 1955. Here is more evidence to support your viewpoint.
   Our cynicism about advertising is justified. If ads like this are meant to grab attention, then they are probably covering up for something. My immediate thought was that the client must have an inferior product. If I discover the agency’s name, I will post it. posted by Jack Yan, 12:08 PM  permalink