Monday, April 28, 2008

Would you be confused?

Me neither.
    "Virginia-based Smithfield Foods is being sued by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for allegedly infringing the foundation’s “Race for the Cure” trademark, the Washington Post reports. The lawsuit came after the company filed a trademark application for “Deli of the Cure,” which it plans to feature on packaging to emphasize its corporate donations for breast cancer research. The foundation argues the slogan will confuse consumers."Seen at Capital Research Center Foundation Watch
Which consumers are confused? Consumers of deli products, or consumers of advertising for races? The national organization of all the races, marathons and walkathons take a huge cut of the proceeds for letting the locals use their name, advertising flyers, etc.

Frankly, save me from the colors pink and green. Curing breast cancer is about more than being aware or getting a mammogram; and saving the planet is more about respect for God's creation than thinking you're a big green deal with screwy light bulbs and crossover or hybrid cars. I'm all for businesses being "responsible," but there's way too much coziness between drug companies, food companies, clothing designers, etc. and these various causes, whether it's cancer, diabetes or MS. The Komen Foundation not only takes a cut from the local races, but gets money from huge corporate sponsors and its investments. It has bragging rights on something like raising $1 Billion--and that's great if it all went for research, but it doesn't. It goes to administer the foundation, to sponser races, and to raise awareness. A neoplasm found early doesn't mean it won't kill 10 or 15 years down the road--you just know about it sooner. Besides, it's been in business for 25 years. Is $1 billion that great? And if someone else makes a sandwich and says "it's for the cure," how are they hurt? Unless of course, Smithfield wasn't funneling their contribution through Komen.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Susan G Komen organization gives to Planned Paernthood, so they get no support from me.

Meat has been cured long before the SGK foundation existed, but the idea of a money making machine that helps fund abortion providers suing over the use of the word cure does not surprise me.


I look at the 990's and I am not particularly impressed with SGK. I give to three cancer related charities, but it will be a cold day in Florida when I give money to anyone who gives my money to abortion providers.

Norma said...

I'm not sure why any group would need to give PP money, including the American taxpayers. "Douglas Scott, Jr, the president of Life Decisions International, noted that Planned Parenthood showed more than $100 million in "excess revenue over expenses" for the fiscal year. Although Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization, Scott noted, that figure represents what is "known to regular people are profit." The group had net assets of nearly $1 billion, he noted, in what is "essentially a savings account." Catholic World News