A new t-shirt from Cafepress.com: Never go full Stiller.
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on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 6:51 am and is filed under Tropic Thunder, business, movies.
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August 16th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Does anyone realize that the movie does NOT mock people with cognitive diabilities? It mocks insensitive actors who make movies such as the fictional “Simple Jack” in “Tropic Thunder.”
In other words, all this protesting is really against Ben Stiller for the audacity to satirize actors who mock people with cognitive disabilities.
Think of it this way: would you attack a filmmaker who satirizes the way racists treat minorities? If yes, then by all means continue to attack Ben Stiller.
Yes, you may have to explain your position again. It makes no logical sense. People seems to be trigger-happy when it comes to protests.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:15 am
It would better if the T-Shirt said, “Never go Full Jerk” or “Never go Full Ignoramus.” I think that they will get a message.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I’ve worked tirelessly to undo the damage that Ben Stiller did for models in Zoolander. I’ve counseled former newsreaders of Mexican origin post his work in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Morally outraged superheroes have sought my help ever since the release of 1999’s Mystery Men. I know for a fact that Tenenbaums everywhere no longer sleep on any floor above ground level since The Royal Tenenbaum fiasco of ‘01.
But never, anywhere along the line, until this whole Tropic Thunder affair, did it occur to me that the man’s initials are what they are.
Cheap shot? Yeah. Maybe. I’m so tired of having to bloody re-state why so much of TT is so wrong. Sorry everybody (and I even include ole BS himself in that.)
August 13th, 2008 at 7:38 am
It is different when you mock a person for what they do as compared to mocking a group of people because of who they are. To say that Ben Stiller is an idiot is different than saying all Polish people are idiots.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Last night in my response to one of my blog comments that was from someone who didn’t “get” the reason for the boycott, I had made the comment “Before you go full Stiller”. This was meant to mean “Before you are completely insensitive to others” So, I am not sure if this idea came from my statements (I know that many here read my blog as well) However, I had not intended that statement to become a tag line.
I agree with others that this would send a negative image of what we are doing and it would send the message that it is ok for us to come up with names for others.
However tempting it may be to call everyone who is insensitive to other’s feelings a “Stiller”, and yes, because I DO have a sense of humor I can find the irony in that, I think that it is best to not fall into that way of thinking.
Kristy Colvin
IMDSA President
International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association
http://www.imdsa.org
August 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
While the “Stiller” t-shirts are clever, I’d say it’s a bit hypocritical.
I think the message advocates want to send is that it’s not right to direct this type of language toward anyone.
We lose our credibility if we’re ok with it as long as it’s a different target.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I’ve been having an unproductive e-mail dialogue with CafePress about the content of the products they are selling on their site. Here are two items that I noticed last night:
Product Number: 52465966 I Kick Retards- bumper sticker and hat
Product Number: 47398034 Rocks, Thrown at Retarded Kids Since the Beginning of Time- T-shirt
Product Description: We know you don’t actually throw rocks at retarded kids. But what else are rocks good for? Although you may offend those who ride the short bus, retarded kids may not understand the shirt.
Now, do we really want to send any more money to these poeple?
August 12th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
As the grandmother to a “special” child I am extremely disappointed by this movie. The repetative use of the “R” word and the selling of t-shirts and novelty items in an effort to promote the term “Full R—–” is appalling to say the least.
With so many families struggling daily to assure that these precious children/adults get the education and medical care they are entitled to this “term” being plastered across the United States will ultimately send the WRONG message to all children/students who might share a classroom with a special needs child.
My 5 year old granddaughter is just as entitled to live in this world as any other child is and should be able to walk amongst her peers free of insulting comments, deflamatory t-shirts just as any typical child does!
Allowing ones child/teen or any family member to don such clothing as to bring pain and anguish to another human being is simply shameful. What is the message this will send?
I pray they will NOT sell the “F-R” t-shirts to anyone! Cut thier losses and pull them off the shelves now! This kind of madness will teach all our children that it is alright to be hurtful to our countries special needs population. Is there not enough violence and hatred in this world already?
Parents; Take a stand and refuse to allow your family members to purchase such insulting garments. Teach them compassion and love for all humans, atypical and typical alike.
Grandmother to an angel..Miss Emma (Angelman Syndrome UBE3A)
August 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I think that the whole point should be that hate speech is not good no matter WHO it is directed toward. I don’t think that these shirts are a good idea, because we aren’t holding ourselves to the same standards that we are asking of others.
I don’t like what Ben Stiller did in the movie, and I won’t buy anymore of his movies…but I am not going to get down to his level and mock him…that seems counter productive(and wrong) to me.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Ya know Sharon…you are absolutely right. I guess I had a knee jerk reaction but I have since reconsidered. I also should have done my homework on Cafepress.com before posting my last comment. It appears they are just as guilty or even more so of insulting our mentally disabled population. Based on another post, I typed in the “R” word on their site and was completely appalled at all their insulting and demeaning tee shirts poking fun at the mentally challenged. I guess I will not be purchasing a shirt from them after all!
August 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Whoah, wait a minute folks. I share the gut reaction on behalf of my son but isn’t this joining Stiller on the low road? And also giving him free publicity for his ill conceived and insensitive movie?
August 12th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Now that’s more like it, cafepress.com. How about a tee shirt that says: “Once upon a time there was a Stiller”? And also: “You are such a Stiller” Those are shirts I would proudly wear. Perhaps “Stiller” will soon become synonomous with the word “Jerk.”