Boycott Ken Garff Automotive Group

Mrs. Katharine Garff, wife of Ken Garff Automotive Group Chairman of the Board and CEO Robert Heiner Garff, gave $100,000.00 to the California's Yes on Proposition 8 campaign to take away the rights of gays and ...

[REDsonja]

Well it will be hilarious to see prop H8TE get over-turned and Mrs. Garff will just be out of $100,000.00. In these tough economic times, it is great to see financial loss happen to such deserving people!

[Creative1]

Contact your friends in Utah. These dealerships need to be boycotted.

If they choose to use there money to deny us rights we need to make sure they have fewer customers.

Always remember that we have the power of our dollars.

NO MONEY TO BIGOTS>

[TomInElPaso]

Now here is one that truly deserves to be boycotted. Go for it y'all.

[Gail Ann]

I posted a review on yelp.com for the Salt Lake City dealership asking people to boycott.

[matt]

To vote in free conscious or donate money to a cause that one believes in; does not translate to being a discriminator. It does not mean that you will be fired from your job if you are gay. It does not mean that people have the right to harass you if you are gay. It simply means that through a vote, a decision to alter the definition of marriage as exercised for mileniums of time should be amended. People on both sides of this issue spent money and voted. However, you only see one side of the aisle really over stepping bounds. Using scare tactics of posting personal information and inviting people to harass donors is closer to being a hurtful discriminator.

[Lazlow]

Of course, when they find out that there is a boycott because of their actions they are going to whine and cry fowl. But you know what... it's EXACTLY what they deserve!

[TomInElPaso]

matt wrote:

To vote in free conscious or donate money to a cause that one believes in; does not translate to being a discriminator. It does not mean that you will be fired from your job if you are gay. It does not mean that people have the right to harass you if you are gay. It simply means that through a vote, a decision to alter the definition of marriage as exercised for mileniums of time should be amended. People on both sides of this issue spent money and voted. However, you only see one side of the aisle really over stepping bounds. Using scare tactics of posting personal information and inviting people to harass donors is closer to being a hurtful discriminator.

errrr....

One thing you did forget to mention is the other side was going after No on 8 donors WHILE the election was going on. And they're not going after the donor but the donors business, just like your friends at the American Family Assn does every day of the week.

It's a two way street my friend, a two way street.

[Creative1]

matt wrote:

To vote in free conscious or donate money to a cause that one believes in; does not translate to being a discriminator. It does not mean that you will be fired from your job if you are gay. It does not mean that people have the right to harass you if you are gay. It simply means that through a vote, a decision to alter the definition of marriage as exercised for mileniums of time should be amended. People on both sides of this issue spent money and voted.

However, you only see one side of the aisle really over stepping bounds. Using scare tactics of posting personal information and inviting people to harass donors is closer to being a hurtful discriminator.

Ahh yes... MORE LIES coming out of Salt Lake City.

Here is a link showing how the Yes on 8 people folks tried to coerce donations PRIOR to the election... Now they are yelling we were only exercising our rights.

Well folks we have right too... the right to NOT patronize businesses that help destroy marriages.

Heres the link.

http://ebar.com/news/article.php...

It was origianlly published Oct 30, 2008 and shows the lies that continuallly eminate from Salt Lake.

[NoMo]

Creative1 wrote:

<quoted text>
Ahh yes... MORE LIES coming out of Salt Lake City.
Here is a link showing how the Yes on 8 people folks tried to coerce donations PRIOR to the election... Now they are yelling we were only exercising our rights.
Well folks we have right too... the right to NOT patronize businesses that help destroy marriages.
Heres the link.
http://ebar.com/news/article.php...
It was origianlly published Oct 30, 2008 and shows the lies that continuallly eminate from Salt Lake.

Wow!!..and yet it doesn't surprise me, not one little bit

[censoredagain]

matt wrote:

To vote in free conscious or donate money to a cause that one believes in; does not translate to being a discriminator.

That depends on what the cause is. IF one is voting for or financially supporting a discriminatory cause then yes it is being discriminatory. Telling two individuals in a couple that they do not qualify for a civil contract due to their gender is discriminatory. Hello is this mic on? Also remember that a boycott is also a form of a free vote; it's called a $ vote. Hello is this mic on? Econ 101

matt wrote:

It simply means that through a vote, a decision to alter the definition of marriage as exercised for millenniums of time should be amended.

Oh Mary Pleasssse! What an exaggeration. Millenniums? Ms. Thing did you forget about current and past multi-spousal relationships in the LDS the FLDS and others around the world? Hell marriage was not even a religious right in the christian church until centuries after the church's inception. millenniums what a distortion of the truth. You need to back away from the kool-aid and read some history books.

matt wrote:

People on both sides of this issue spent money and voted. However, you only see one side of the aisle really over stepping bounds. Using scare tactics of posting personal information and inviting people to harass donors is closer to being a hurtful discriminator.

Well then matt you have not been looking at the other side then. Please do a fact check on the supporters of the yes on 8 side. Before the November vote the yes on 8 side was sending nasty letters threatening boycotts to business that gave money to the no on 8 side. It's a fact! check out this website for yourself http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/10/23/4... Below is sample of the yes on 8 side

"Equality California is advertising on its website that it has received a contribution of at least $10,000 from you.… Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarriage.com which will help us correct this error and restore Traditional Marriage.… Were you to elect not to donate comparably, it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage. You would leave us no other reasonable assumption. The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to protectmarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published."

[ActsOfBeauty]

http://www.boycottkengarffautomotive.com/

More info on their dealerships and locations.

[dante2810]

matt wrote:

It does not mean that you will be fired from your job if you are gay. It does not mean that people have the right to harass you if you are gay.

Sorry Matt, but here in Texas I can be fired for being gay. YOU cannot be fired for being mormon (i am going on assumption you are, forgive me if i am wrong).
And I can walk up to you, punch you in the face just because of your religious belief and be charged with a hate crime, but if you punch me in the face simply because i am gay, it is simple battery, no hate crime enhancements.

Prop 8 and those that supported it are part of the "cause and effect" of our struggles for equal rights.

[TomInElPaso]

dante2810 wrote:

<quoted text>
Sorry Matt, but here in Texas I can be fired for being gay. YOU cannot be fired for being mormon (i am going on assumption you are, forgive me if i am wrong).
And I can walk up to you, punch you in the face just because of your religious belief and be charged with a hate crime, but if you punch me in the face simply because i am gay, it is simple battery, no hate crime enhancements.
Prop 8 and those that supported it are part of the "cause and effect" of our struggles for equal rights.

From the GLADD: Media Reference Guide on gay hate crimes in Texas

"In 21 states (Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin), hate crimes laws address crimes based on sexual orientation."

[dante2810]

TomInElPaso wrote:

<quoted text>
From the GLADD: Media Reference Guide on gay hate crimes in Texas
"In 21 states (Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin), hate crimes laws address crimes based on sexual orientation."

Ahh... I was mistaken on the hate crimes part of my comment.

But I can still be fired for being gay in Texas, along with being denied services or to rental/lease property.

[Mike]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Below is the response from Sydney at Yelp.com who has chosen to remove my review of the Garff business websites. I point you to the below quoted text which I posted in response to the recent donation of $100,000 by the Garff family to Prop 8 which destroyed the rights of Californian GLBT citizens.

Please forward this email to all of the distribution lists that that you have in your possession. If this were any other minority that these people chose to oppress and hate, this listing wouldn't even be allowed on the "Yelp" website at all.

It's unfortunate that Yelp.com supports and and obviously condones homophobia and bigotry and as such, I ask that they be added to the growing list of businesses and websites that we will continue to boycott until we all have equal rights and privileges under the law. I also suggest that you contact "Sydney" ( Sydney @ Yelp HQ <[e-mail]> ) at the below email address and let him know that the continued support of homophobia, hatred and ignorance is not appreciated and as such, Yelp.com will be avoided in the future.
Thanks,
Mike

On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Sydney @ Yelp HQ <[e-mail]> wrote:
Hi Mike,
I'm writing to let you know that we decided to remove your review of Northwest Dodge after it was flagged by the Yelp community. It is undoubtedly a controversial issue for a business or one of its employees to take a stand on Proposition 8. While we encourage you to exercise your free speech rights with respect to this issue, consumer reviews are not the place to do it.

As our review guidelines (http://www.yelp.com/faq#great_review ) state: "Reviews aren't the place for rants about a business's employment practices, political ideologies, or other matters that don't address the core of the normal customer experience." We trust you recognize that our decision impacts both sides of this debate equally, and that our policy has been in place long before this issue emerged.

Regards,
Sydney

Yelp User Support
San Francisco, California
Removed Review:

Mrs. Katharine Garff, wife of Ken Garff Automotive Group Chairman of the Board and CEO Robert Heiner Garff, gave $100,000.00 to the California's Yes on Proposition 8 campaign to take away the rights of gays and lesbians. In the past 9 years, Katharine Garff had only given $3,000 in political contributions, all to U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch. Now all of a sudden she becomes one of the largest contributors to Prop. 8 in the country.
The Garff family owns dozens of car dealerships in 4 states -- Utah, California, Texas and Iowa. Please support this important Boycott and support equality for all.
http://www.bo ycottkeng.../
Texas Dealerships
Texan Pontiac GMC Buick
18225 Eastex Freeway
Humble, TX 77338

Casa Pontiac GMC Buick
1701 I-10 East
Baytown, TX 77521

Northwest Dodge
19616 NW Freeway
Houston, TX 77065

Leave feedback on http://Yelp.com
Clearlake Dodge
15711 Gulf Freeway
Webster, TX 77598

PLEASE PASS IT ON.
ref:00D3vCN.50047625e:ref

[Toadal]

I think that if most parents of gays had the opportunity to know before their son's conception whether he would be gay and live its attendant lifestyle, would opt for having a puppy instead. ...

[TomInElPaso]

Toadal wrote:

I think that if most parents of gays had the opportunity to know before their son's conception whether he would be gay and live its attendant lifestyle, would opt for having a puppy instead....

You may be right. Ignorance abounds.

[TomInElPaso]

Mike wrote:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Below is the response from Sydney at Yelp.com who has chosen to remove my review of the Garff business websites. I point you to the below quoted text which I posted in response to the recent donation of $100,000 by the Garff family to Prop 8 which destroyed the rights of Californian GLBT citizens.
Please forward this email to all of the distribution lists that that you have in your possession. If this were any other minority that these people chose to oppress and hate, this listing wouldn't even be allowed on the "Yelp" website at all.
It's unfortunate that Yelp.com supports and and obviously condones homophobia and bigotry and as such, I ask that they be added to the growing list of businesses and websites that we will continue to boycott until we all have equal rights and privileges under the law. I also suggest that you contact "Sydney" ( Sydney @ Yelp HQ <[e-mail]> ) at the below email address and let him know that the continued support of homophobia, hatred and ignorance is not appreciated and as such, Yelp.com will be avoided in the future.
Thanks,
Mike
On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Sydney @ Yelp HQ <[e-mail]> wrote:
Hi Mike,
I'm writing to let you know that we decided to remove your review of Northwest Dodge after it was flagged by the Yelp community. It is undoubtedly a controversial issue for a business or one of its employees to take a stand on Proposition 8. While we encourage you to exercise your free speech rights with respect to this issue, consumer reviews are not the place to do it.
As our review guidelines (http://www.yelp.com/faq#great_review ) state: "Reviews aren't the place for rants about a business's employment practices, political ideologies, or other matters that don't address the core of the normal customer experience." We trust you recognize that our decision impacts both sides of this debate equally, and that our policy has been in place long before this issue emerged.
Regards,
Sydney
Yelp User Support
San Francisco, California
Removed Review:
Mrs. Katharine Garff, wife of Ken Garff Automotive Group Chairman of the Board and CEO Robert Heiner Garff, gave $100,000.00 to the California's Yes on Proposition 8 campaign to take away the rights of gays and lesbians. In the past 9 years, Katharine Garff had only given $3,000 in political contributions, all to U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch. Now all of a sudden she becomes one of the largest contributors to Prop. 8 in the country.
The Garff family owns dozens of car dealerships in 4 states -- Utah, California, Texas and Iowa. Please support this important Boycott and support equality for all.
http://www.bo ycottkeng.../
Texas Dealerships
Texan Pontiac GMC Buick
18225 Eastex Freeway
Humble, TX 77338
Casa Pontiac GMC Buick
1701 I-10 East
Baytown, TX 77521
Northwest Dodge
19616 NW Freeway
Houston, TX 77065
Leave feedback on http://Yelp.com
Clearlake Dodge
15711 Gulf Freeway
Webster, TX 77598
PLEASE PASS IT ON.
ref:00D3vCN.50047625e:ref

You agree to abide by any sites TOS prior to posting on most anywhere on the internet. Sorry but Yelp isn't wrong. Can you guess who is though? Hint:(check your rear view mirror)

It has absolutely nothing to do with discrimination nor homophobia on Yelps behalf. Boycott that!

[gotommy]

I'm not convinced...they throw in a ton of money to pass a law that denigrates gay folks and strips away our civil rights. You call for a boycott asking that and fair-minded people everywhere not allow their dollars go toward paying off those bigots. They start to sweat because they realize their bottom is being affected...so you have a lil' chat, announce victory, and call off the boycott?

Am I missing something?

What exactly did you get in exchange? A promise to adopt a non-discrimination policy at their dealerships? What does it mean to "pretty much already" have a non-discrimination policy anyway? Did you share a hearty chuckle at that nutty ol' battle-axe Mom and her whimsical $100,000 "personal gestures"?

How about a matching donation to an AIDS charity or to organizations that now must fight to defeat this monster he and his family helped to create. How about a wad of cash to support a GLBT youth center in his city?

"We promise not to fire any fags we find working at our dealerships. I mean, we already *pretty much* don't fire 'em when we find em now."

That's what you got? That's not penance. That's not setting things right. That's lip service.

You had an "open and honest" discussion...pointing out that gays are human beings capable of complex thought and feeling, and deserving of the same civil rights they have...and you think they "understand now why this was upsetting and hurtful to many people."

What are they...5 year olds? Did you teach them to put their underpants on first and to look both ways before crossing the street?

Unless the boycott extracted more than a "I had no idea" and a "my bad" from these folks, then I don't see why you're calling it off. This isn't summer camp - we're not sitting around campfire singing Kumbaya. This is war - and they started it.

Money talks, bullsh*t walks. They need to put their money where their mouths are. Unless there's more to this deal, it sounds to me like you just took a hike.

[Umninimuzi]

For once I have to agree with Tom in El Paso. There is nothing in Sydney of Yelp's response that indicates any homophobia. In fact, it is a very reasoned response, that has prior impartial documentation to back it up. We should guard against becoming hysterical, and shooting wildly in all directions. That would diminish the effectiveness of our attach. Let's make every shot count -- accurate, powerful, and dead on target. In the case of Yelp, there is no clear target. I agree with boycotting any company who supported Prop H8 financially, though, just not with targeting Yelp on such flimsy grounds.(If it should subsequently appear that Yelp, as an Internet business, offers financial support to any homophobic cause, that's a different matter altogether!)