Absolut-ly sorry?

So the folks at Absolut Vodka, famous for those message-in-a-bottle ads, are reeling from the effects of a campaign that resurrected a 19th century map showing the southwestern U.S. as part of Mexico.  That's right, in this Absolut world, residents of California, Texas, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico (at least they're used to this kind of confusion) are Mexicans.

A post last week about the ad in the LAT's blog, La Plaza, unleashed quite the firestorm of anger -- and angry Photoshopping. Does it matter that the ads rely on actual history and ran solely in Mexico? Absolutely not, says the AP.

More than a dozen calls to boycott Absolut were posted on michellemalkin.com, a Web site operated by conservative columnist Michelle Malkin. The ads sparked heated comment on a half-dozen other Internet sites and blogs.

"In no way was it meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues," Absolut said in a statement left on its consumer inquiry phone line.

Some fringe U.S. groups also claim the land is rightfully part of Mexico, while extreme immigration foes argue parts of the U.S. already are being overtaken by Mexico.

Here's the La Plaza post that got things started. Our blogging brethren to the north, meanwhile, take things a step further.

--Veronique de Turenne

Comments

[David]

I wouldn't drink Absolute simply because it gives you the nastiest hangover headache not because of their ill-conceived advertising.
Cheap vodka= BAD hangover.

[Larry Larson]

Abslute made a mistake on how this might be interpreted in the USA.

Wish you would acknowledge the LA issue of the proposed "Jamiels Law". Seems like the times choose's its issues to fit it's political lean.

[Robert Simmons]

As a proud American, business man, restaurant and bar owner, I found the ad outrageous and pandering to the anti-American sentiment of certain fringe groups in Mexico. Since I opened my establishments, I have always stocked Absolut Vodka. I won't anymore. The only language companies uinderstand is profitl loss. Their apologies are empty. They need to fuire whoever was behind all this. I urge all of you to join me in the Absolut Vodka boycott!!

[Oscar Barceinas]

As a proud Mexican I do not feel any resentment against the USA people; however it surprises me that history hurts you more than us. To insult each other will not make any good, so if we are happy living where we are (despite some of you truly believe that Mexico is a filthy and stinky hole) leave it as it is; see many Mexicans are immune to insults. Cheers – with your favorite drink.

[ANTONIO ARRUZA]

why not just have a good tequila shoot and forget about all this stupid comments
ABSOLUTE NO SENSE OF HUMOR IN THIS LAND

[.::.cHeMa.::.]

Que no se les olvide a los estadounidenses que toda esa parte que tienen era de Mexico, asi que no se sientan ofendidos por recordarles algo de historia incultos, la verdad duele. VIVA MEXICO

[Thorton's Dragoon]

Absolut's disingenuous Mexico City centered ad campaign demonstrates the need to focus on cutting off all direct and indirect financial support to Mexico and its citizens, wherever they reside. When Texas rebelled against the abusive Mexican government and then successfully defended that action, Mexico has steadily declined in political and military importance and ability. The ambush of Captain Thornton’s 70 Dragoons by almost 2,000 Mexican troops triggered the Mexican-American War. The U.S. prevailed and settled the far West. We developed it and made it a thriving region. Typical of a country that is content with status quo and is unwilling to develop their own country in a similar fashion, Mexico now wants this territory back. We do all the development and hard work; they want to reap the benefits.

Sound the El Degüello for Mexico!

[Christine Anderson]

It doesn't just pander to anti-American sentiment, it creates it. What a vile thing to do -- and to do it just to sell something is beyond despicable.

[theone]

All you people are clearly haters, for hating on an Ad that was not intended for you to interpret and selfishly critic with your own subjective opinion about you think. It is really sad that all of you blatantly insult Mexicans and Western Europeans without really finding out the facts, that the U.S. did land grab from Mexico.

[Michael Nabors]

This ad is completely insulting to all true Americans. The land that is presently the Southwest American States was legally obtained by the American government. There was nothing "stolen" by any stretch of the imagination. Those that believe the land was "stolen" need to re-read real accounts in the history books. And for those that think that the land should revert back to Mexico should return to Mexico and stop trying to bring Mexico into America. All true Americans should stand up against this ad and against all anti-American sentiments from any nation or ethnic group.

[Bruce Wood]

The southwest was not stolen from anyone. in that time there were not borders like we have now< they lost a war, and we paid their so-called government for the land. Shut up already, about this land belonging to mexico. You want to take over and turn it into the crap that is mexico. Absolut is lousy vodka anyway, just drink something else, let them sell this rotgut to mexico.

[Frank]

Why not show a map of Hitler's Europe? Think they would like it?

[Quique]

From a certain point of view we all have the "truth", its certainly known that history is written by the winners, and i accept many facts of many folks that said that the U.S. won the territory fairly and other stuff. Personally i think that the U.S goverment forced the war with the Mexican goverment, as historically they did with other countries like Spain when they adquired Puerto Rico. But dont think this is an anti-unitedstatian sentiment, i love Mexico and the U.S both of they are great countries that should work together for many goals in common, and leave aside all the crap realated to the mexicans who want to get. From my opinion the presidents Polk and Jackson in 1847 and 1838, wanted the mexican land for their own economic reasons, they became richer when they built many real state companies and solded the land of Tejas, Arizona, Californa and other Mexican states. It is all about money, just like today mr Bush did, or mr. Calderon or any others, they are just consumed, puppets of the Power.

The Us forced a war, and they almost lost it in La Angostura in 1847, but they created in collaboratin with the mexican catholic church a lot of chaos in Mexico City, the mexican army turned back and the rest is history... all "solded" by force. hehehe

The ad is just funny, for some people like me, Dont feel offended, a long time a go it was part of Mexico, with some population in a big bloddy deasert.

¡Viva Mexico, a great and beautiful nation!
¡Viva el General Santana! El Cojo trece veces dictador JAJAJAJAAJ

[Quique]

From a certain point of view we all have the "truth", its certainly known that history is written by the winners, and i accept many facts of many folks that said that the U.S. won the territory fairly and other stuff. Personally i think that the U.S goverment forced the war with the Mexican goverment, as historically they did with other countries like Spain when they adquired Puerto Rico. But dont think this is an anti-unitedstatian sentiment, i love Mexico and the U.S both of they are great countries that should work together for many goals in common, and leave aside all the crap realated to the mexicans who want to get. From my opinion the presidents Polk and Jackson in 1847 and 1838, wanted the mexican land for their own economic reasons, they became richer when they built many real state companies and solded the land of Tejas, Arizona, Californa and other Mexican states. It is all about money, just like today mr Bush did, or mr. Calderon or any others, they are just consumed, puppets of the Power.

The Us forced a war, and they almost lost it in La Angostura in 1847, but they created in collaboratin with the mexican catholic church a lot of chaos in Mexico City, the mexican army turned back and the rest is history... all "solded" by force. hehehe

The ad is just funny, for some people like me, Dont feel offended, a long time a go it was part of Mexico, with some population in a big bloddy deasert.

¡Viva Mexico, a great and beautiful nation!
¡Viva el General Santana! El Cojo trece veces dictador JAJAJAJAAJ

[federico arellano]

I have never bought this brand of vodca but I will ask for it any establishment i decide to take my bussiness. Just visited Baja California and had the opportunity of viewing this ad ..........the drunks from California enjoyed aswell as the tequila.....
Gracias ABSoLut

[PROUD TO BE MEXICAN]

Absolut-ly true: United states stole the mexican territory in the last century
why do you americans feel offended? I think you should be more offended than I just because american soldiers go to the war and they don't know why and they die, that's shameful and that should make you feel angry because this it's happening in the present. everything else now is history.

[Mr. Rodrigo Stevens]

Gentlemen:

I accept that for historical reasons, Mexico lost its territory, Many of them seem
to repeat at the moment.
Certainly you developed it and nobody removes them that honor.

gives me pain that your country, in an economic desire Of some, go in Decline.
And they don't forget that if the Roman Empire fall, why no must fall the American Empire.

Don't surprise them that their proudly American map changes and its proud one
people this in the mendicity in other countries, in not a lot of time.