Irn-Bru Company signs deal with American 'shock-jock'
Irn Bru
Scotland’s largest soft drink manufacturer, AG Barr, has signed a deal to sell a new energy drink owned by one of America’s most outspoken right-wing ‘shock-jock’ families.
Barr, otherwise known as “The Irn-Bru Company”, recently signed the controversial deal, allowing them to distribute Rockstar, a caffeine-laden energy drink invented by Russ Weiner, son of Michael Weiner aka Michael Savage, the extremist, conservative political commentator and radio presenter.
Mr Weiner, who ran for a seat in the California State Assembly in 1998, is a strong advocate of the deportation of illegal immigrants and the bringing together of “Americans who actively seek to take back our borders, our language, and our traditional culture from the liberal left corroding our great nation.”
His father, Mr Savage, who has become closely linked with Rockstar since they started sponsoring his live shows, holds a PhD in Nutritional Ethnomedicine from the University of California, Berkley and has written extensively on medical botany and nutrition. However, in recent years, he has focused heavily on the lambasting of ethnic minorities, homosexuals and liberalists.
Recently, Mr Savage referred to Iraqi prisoners as “sub-humans”, claiming: “I think there should be no mercy shown to [them]. I believe that a thousand of them should be killed tomorrow.”
He has also referred to disabled people as the “Wheelchair Mafia”, branded same-sex adoption as “child abuse” and, when speaking about human rights and homosexuality, stated: “when you think ‘human rights’, think only one thing: someone who wants to rape your son.”
Four years ago, he was sacked from his television show by broadcasting company MSNBC, when he told a gay caller to “get AIDS and die, you pig.”
The release of Rockstar on the UK market was slammed by Tom French, Edinburgh University Student Associoation's (EUSA) Vice President for Services (VPS), who has enforced a boycott against the selling of Rockstar products in EUSA outlets with immediate effect.
Speaking to The Journal, Mr French commented: "Having met with the appropriate union managers, and having researched into this matter, I have decided to put in place a boycott of Rockstar products across association outlets.
"This has been agreed on the basis that the very publicly expressed racist and homophobic views of the owners of the Rockstar brand are not compatible with the Students' Association's policy to support and promote equality and diversity within the student community and beyond.
“Further to this it is my belief that our commercial outlets should seek to promote more ethical products where possible, and should refrain from spending funds on buying in stock from unethical companies. That is why we continue to expand our range of Fairtrade products, and in tandem, continue to boycott products from companies such as Nestlé and now Rockstar.”
John McQuade, Chairman of Edinburgh University’s Bisexual, Lesbian and Gay Society, echoed Mr French’s views, voicing his full support for the boycott. He branded Rockstar “uncivilised” and stated: “under no circumstances should the company be dignified by having its product purchased by anyone, student or otherwise.”
Speaking on the issue on a broader scale, James Alexander, president of the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, felt that Scottish students would vote with their wallets against the product. He said: “People in Scotland are socially conscious, and there could and should be a knock-on effect for people who preach these sorts of unacceptable views.”
AG Barr have been unavailable to comment over the course of the last week.
Rockstar, which now rivals Red Bull in its popularity throughout the United States, claims that its drinkers experience the greatest boost of any energy drink on the market due to its unique herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle. However, the company’s website features the blunt tagline “More caffeine”, an appropriate slogan for a drink which contains 160mg of caffeine per 16 oz can, double that of Red Bull.
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