Alli Talks About Weight Loss Differently

The other day, I was reading one of my favorite magazines when I flipped the page and the above ad jumped out at me. 

 

Now, it's time for true confessions. I love ice cream. I mean I truly love ice cream. It is one of my greatest weaknesses. So, when I read that one pint of ice cream equates to 2,500 steps, I started to feel a bit sick to my stomach.  I wondered, "Just how many steps do I have to take anyway?"

So, I read on.

The next sentence told me that if I substituted my favorite ice cream with frozen yogurt, I could cut 48 grams of fat per pint!  I thought, "Now we're talking. I think I can do that."

Then the hook. "And if you take alli with your meal you can cut even more. Because alli was designed to block 25% of the fat you eat so your healthy decisions can be even healthier."

I have to admit ... I didn't see that one coming at all. 

 

So, just what is alli anyway? Is it a weight loss supplement? I concluded that it must be because the ad went on to say that "for every two pounds you work to lose, alli can help you lose one more."

What an interesting and totally disarming way to broach the topic of weight loss. Talk about changing the category conversation. Even their tagline of "how healthy works" forces the consumer to think of this weight loss supplement as the healthy and right thing to do for your body.

While alli certainly deserves high marks for talking to consumers in a positive way about weight loss, unfortunately, it's not enough to get me to buy it. You see, I have a cousin that will be on oxygen for the rest of her life because she took ephedra as a weight loss supplement ... back when the makers of ephedra thought it, too, was a healthy way to lose weight.

Voices of Unborn Children Are Silenced

According to ThatsAbortion.com, approximately 60% of black pregnancies in New York City end in abortion. That stacks up to 40,798 abortions each year compared to 27,405 live births.

Increasingly unhappy with these statistics, a nonprofit Pro-Life group called Life Always decided to be the voices of these unborn children. They placed a large sign on the side of a three-story building in the SoHo district of New York City.

This ad was strategically placed close to Planned Parenthood who are advocates of the right to choose abortion over life, performing numerous abortions each year at that site. To add fuel to the fire, Life Always unveiled this advertising during Black History month. Its message?

"The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb."

Wow. Whether you are pro-life or pro-rights, you have to agree that is one powerful message.

Not surprisingly, the message on this building created quite a stir in New York. From the moment it went up, a battle erupted between pro-rights and pro-life supporters.

But, round one goes to the pro-rights advocates who succeeded in getting the ad taken down after only one day.

The owners of the building claim they removed the ad because of the negative effect it was having on people living and working in the area. Allegations of the wait staff at a nearby restaurant being harassed contributed to their decision.  Additionally, civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton had planned a protest for the following day claiming, "The billboard was offensive, especially during Black History Month."

With protests in my own state capital of Madison, Wisconsin regarding Governor Scott Walker's efforts to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers, I must admit that it's nice to see the spotlight shifting towards New York for a change.

LGBT Social Movements Cause Obama Administration to Shift Policy on Gay Rights

Attorney General Eric Holder has concluded that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act violates the Constitution. This is a complete reversal of DOJ's position regarding DOMA. Although President Obama campaigned on a promise to seek the repeal of DOMA, DOJ has defended the statute in recent litigation.

Even more important than his conclusion that Section 3 violates the Constitution, Holder also argues that courts should apply "heightened scrutiny" to classifications based on sexual orientation. This also represents a reversal from recent DOJ arguments. When courts apply heightened scrutiny, they are less deferential to governmental justifications for discrimination. This standard could potentially invalidate numerous laws that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Social Movements

It is important to note the role that social movement activity has played in causing this shift in policy. LGBT groups have been the most vocal in their criticism of policy choices by the Obama administration. I previously have written on this subject.

Social movements are essential to social change. While many liberal organization -- particularly, traditional civil rights groups -- have never publicly criticized the Obama administration, LGBT group have demanded better results and swifter action in a host of areas. Apparently, their advocacy has paid off.

It remains unlikely that race-based civil rights groups will pressure the Obama administration to take more progressive stances on issues relevant to poor persons of color. So long as most persons of color remain highly supportive of Obama, these groups have will have no incentive to demand more substantive justice. Pity.

London Judge: Assange Can Be Extradited to Sweden

A London judge has held that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden. Assange faces various charges for sex-related crimes in Sweden.

Assange's lawyer plans to appeal the ruling. His lawyer also contends that Sweden might turn Assange over to the United States. This is a bizarre argument, because Sweden would have to apply the same standards for extradition as England. Thus, whether Assange is in Sweden or England, the US would have to show just cause before he could face extradition to the US.

Tied for #1: Dog Sitter Throws Bud Light Party

Tied for the #1 spot in the USA Today Super Bowl poll is the Dog Sitter Bud Light spot.

The spot opens with last minute instructions being given to the dog sitter. "They're really smart. They'll do whatever you tell them." Then, almost as an afterthought, "Oh and there's a ton of Bud Light in the fridge."

Of course, that leads us to the inevitable.

Fast forward to a hopping party where dogs are doing whatever the dog sitter tells them to do ... because they are really smart dogs, remember? Spinning records. Tapping beer. Carrying a tray of beers around the party.

Talented dogs. Plenty of Bud Light. A party in the making. What's not to like?

Sue's Grade: A

Cute. Simple. Effective. 
Enough said.

Tied For #1: Pug Goes For Doritos

Tied for the #1 spot in the USA Today Super Bowl poll is the Doritos spot with the cute pug dog.

This was the first Super Bowl ad I remember seeing, so it was strangely quiet as everyone's Super Bowl Advertising Antenna went up. You didn't need much sound to follow the sequence of this ad.

Man taunts dog with Doritos.
Dog charges man with Doritos.
Dog knocks down door and man.
Dog snatches Doritos.

Case closed.

Sue's Grade: A
This was a good start to the Super Bowl. Little did I know at that time that few ads would be as entertaining as this one. Easy-to-follow and get: don't taunt someone with Doritos unless you are prepared for them to take them.

#3: Pint-Sized Darth Vader Uses Force on VW

Capturing the #3 spot in the USA Today Super Bowl poll is Volkswagen's Darth Vader spot.

Any commercial that starts with Star Wars music can't be all that bad. And this one doesn't disappoint.

Enter Darth Vader. The black-clothed arch-nemesis of the Jedi Knights and father to none other than Luke Skywalker. He carries the force with him as he hurriedly moves down the hall, black cape flying behind him.

He turns the corner and enters ... what? An exercise room in a house? And another surprise awaits ... he's not THE Darth Vader. This is some pint-sized Darth Vader wannabe.

He attempts to use the force on the exercise bike. On his dog. On the dryer. On a doll. On a sandwich his mom prepared. But, he has no power. The force is not within him.

He dejectedly holds his head in his hands. Then, his dog barks and he realizes that his dad has just driven in the driveway. He runs outside where dad expects a hug, but his son runs to the car instead. One last time, he tries the force on the car.

Watching from the kitchen window, dad uses his automatic engine starter to rev the car. The boy turns, shocked and in awe of his talents. At last, he has found the force within him and it worked!

Copy: "The all-new 2010 Passat. Coming soon. Starting around $20,000."

Sue's Grade: A-

This was one of my favorite Super Bowl ads. It was suspenseful, pulling you through the ad, frame by frame. It didn't hit people in the head, have dogs charging men, or bring floating goldfish back to life. It was humorous, entertaining, and interesting. The only reason for an A- is that it didn't register the brand name as well as it could have.