Yesterday, after I wrote the Little Nut Brown/Ronnie post and received wonderful emails of support, I decided do my daily internet walkabout. I went to visit one of my favorite sites by a gifted Spanish writer I respect very much. Barcepundit has had several Insta-lanches in the past year due to his incredibly insightful breaking news, and I always start my day there or at NetWar04.
As his page loaded I saw an all too familiar image in an ad I was unfamiliar with. The image seemed inocuous at first, then I read the ad text and BAM! I got the full impact of the ad campaign by the trigger of one word - "ENJOY"! The online ad is designed to increase subscriptions to this Spanish news website which is the equivalent to the NY Times.
It is without question the most offensive, opportunistic, sadistic and immoral ad I have ever seen. I waited more than 24hrs before posting, to see if there would be a detraction or an apology to New Yorkers or US citizens, but none has been forthcoming.
The caption on the photo is MEANT to be deceptively ambiguous and you'll see why later. There are several translations that are possible because the "object" of the phrase is missing.
Here are 3 translations:
Literal: A lot can [give/hit/be done/happen] in one day. [Spanish verb: Dar]
Ver 1. "You can do a lot in one single day; just imagine what can happen in three months" - Franco Aleman of Barcepundit (Spanish blogger who broke the story)
Ver 2. "A lot can happen in one day, imagine what can happen in three months" - Commenter on TimBlair.com
The ad continues:
"In elpais.es you will find up to the minute updates, information analysis from all perspectives, the latest news, more than one million articles published since 1976..." the ad ends with
What's implied with the photos is that if you subscribe to this online journal (the equivalent of the NY Times in Spain), you will enjoy news of this kind (see smoldering photo) with your free subscription. In my view, the only people that enjoyed 9/11 was Al Qaeda and its sympathizers.
There are many Spaniards who are equally angry at this Socialist rag for this campaign. If you also go to Roger Simon, Little Green Footballs or Tim Blair's site, you'll see/read and eyeful from them and others.
Posted by Michele at September 16, 2004 01:27 PMIt´s a shame and not funny.
That newspaper as you say it´s a rag.
There are many Spanish that we do not think this way.
Regards from Spain
