Colombian coffee growers threaten to sue U.S. cartoonist

The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia threatens to sue "Mother Goose & Grimm" cartoonist Mike Peters, after the publication of a cartoon strip that the group claims "attacks the national dignity and the reputation of coffee from Colombia" by linking organized crime and coffee, according to the Associated Press.

In the comic strip, which you can see here, a character says: "Y'know, there's a big crime syndicate in Colombia. So when they say there's a little bit of Juan Valdez in every can, maybe they're not kidding." The joke plays off a former marketing slogan used by the federation, AP says.

Juan Valdez is a fictional character that has appeared in advertisements for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia since 1959, representing the Colombian coffee farmer.

The lawsuit against Peters will reportedly be filed tomorrow and seek at least $20 million in damages, as well as demand a retraction from any newspaper that published the Jan. 2 cartoon.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Comments

[Sharon McEachern]

I agree with you Dr. Dave -- a sense of humor is definitely needed. All you have to do is think about those of us who drink way too much coffee and are floating with caffeine. The Ethic Soup blog has a really funny article on the "25 reasons you know you've had too much coffee" and one of them is -- Juan Valdez names his donkey after you. Another is -- you know you've had too much coffee when you start chewing on OTHER people's fingernails.

If you want to lighten your mood , read it at:

http://www.ethicsoup.com/25-reasons-you-know-youve-had-too-much-coffee.html

Don't laugh so hard you spill your 8th cup of coffee all over yourself!

[Dr. Dave]

It's just too bad when organizations get so big and stoggy thet they lose all semblance of a sense of humor. I mean, do I really think they've chopped up Juan and Conchita (his mule) and put parts of him in the can?

Please...find your sense of humor , it's make life a little easier!

[southoc]

It is not any worse than the absolute ad dipicting the reconquesta.