Joe Kennedy and our Good Friends in Venezuala

magenta321 · #1 12-31-2006, 01:17 PM

I'm putting this here because I really don't understand where this commercial is going... and maybe it's a symposium type of thing.

I'm not sure if this commercial has been edited. When I watched it the first few times I heard it differently than I hear it now. And, I'm not transcribing it as I'm hearing it, so, it's as accurate as my memory is, only.

The first few times I saw the commrecial I wondered who Joe was. I wondered why Joe was on tv telling people he could help them afford their heating oil, if they could not pay to heat their homes. I wondered if Joe was running for office, or Joe was an owner of an oil company.

Now when I hear him tell us he is a Kennedy when I hear the commercial. I still don't know who he is. I would assume he's got his foot in politics, anyway.

The first few times I heard the commercial I swear he said "our friends in Venezuala" are supplying the oil to help out impoverished Americans. That made no sense to me. I know that "our friend" Hugo Chavez would love to make things harder for us, but I think he likes our money too.

Now I hear it as "the good folks in Venezuala" or something along those lines. I still don't know why this country that hates us is being so kind as to help us with heating oil.

I don't get the commercial. I don't get what he's trying to do. And my methane detector goes off every time the commercial airs because I just think it has to be a bunch of horse.... pucky.

So, what's it really about? Anyone know?

Is this commercial airing nationally?

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #2 12-31-2006, 01:38 PM

First I'm hearing of it, but I tune out a lot of commercials anyway.

**File Thirteen**[$] · #3 12-31-2006, 01:38 PM

Is it archived in YouTube anywhere?

magenta321 · #4 12-31-2006, 02:08 PM

Yes, it is.

YouTube - Joe Kennedy's Citgo Commercial

Stokes Pennwalt · #5 12-31-2006, 02:45 PM

Basically, Citgo is offering heating oil at 40% less than the market price for people who can qualify for it. Poor people get to stay warm for less. Venezuela loses some money, but they get to say RARR CAPITALISM SUX, which apparently makes it worth it.

Chavez Boosts Heating Oil Program for U.S. Poor; Goes After Bush Again - washingtonpost.com

magenta321 · #6 12-12-2007, 09:22 PM

He's baaaaaaaaaack.

I drove around NY today and saw a ton of billboards for this campaign. I watch TV in CT and I have not seen any ads play here. I have not seen any billboards in CT yet, either.

There was one place where I saw two ads right next to eachother, and the next ad after it was also the same ad. I'd say they "flooded the market."

**jgibson2**[$] · #7 12-12-2007, 11:08 PM

Any idea how I can nominate a local family for this program? The Christmas family my son's scout troop has adopted had NO heat when the scoutmaster went to visit them. He arranged for a donation from a local organization and we're taking up a collection, but it won't get them through the winter.

magenta321 · #8 12-13-2007, 07:37 AM

I'm pretty sure the number is 800-joe-4-oil, maybe if you call them they can direct you.

eplovejoy · #9 12-13-2007, 10:30 AM

Kennedy's involvement in programs like this is nothing new. He's been working to get affordable heating fuel for poor people since the 1980s.

What is new is the involvement of Hugo Chavez. If he wants to thumb his nose at the U.S. government by giving lower-cost oil to people who need the help, terrific. As they demonstrated in this month's elections, the people of Venzuela are capable of keeping him in line if they think that's needed. In the meantime, It's not like Chavez is trying to take over the United States to ensure his country's supply of bananas.

frazzledspice · #10 12-13-2007, 11:01 AM

I suppose that Kennedy feels that even if the giver might be using the campaign for propaganda purposes, the benefit of being able to help millions of poor American families stay warm this winter is more important than the motive of the giver.

And that is his perogative.

**drmomentum**[$] · #11 12-13-2007, 12:14 PM

It's eating up the local AM radio conservative guy here that he's getting no play from the cash-strapped locals when he attacks Kennedy on this.

I wish there were a web simulcast.

**jgibson2**[$] · #12 12-13-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

magenta321 said

I'm pretty sure the number is 800-joe-4-oil, maybe if you call them they can direct you.

Thanks!

magenta321 · #13 12-15-2007, 07:59 AM

Sorry Judy. 877-Joe-4-Oil.

More billboards went up now. Now there is 2 right outside where I work. Sigh. I think all of New York might be covered in them. At least it's better than the anti abortion billboards I'm used to seeing around that area.

**jgibson2**[$] · #14 12-15-2007, 01:35 PM

I found the right number - I went looking for a web site with more information and found it there. Funny, I didn't notice that you'd given me the wrong one, just cut and pasted from the web site in the email I sent to the Scoutmaster.