I know everybody in here has seen the new "all american" graphics on the 2003 Cannibal, I think they look very good myself. I emailed Cannondale though with an interesting question, are any of the proceeds from the sales of this "all american" edition Cannibal going to benefit any foundations like the Red Cross for example, like what Polaris does with their "patriot" quads. I dont think that it is right for a company to try and capitalize on the current patriotism that has swept the land because of the unfortunate terrorist attacks. I know that these quads are priced exactly the same as the regular Cannibal, so Connondale is not going to make any extra money on any one quad, but, these are certainly going to sell for more than a regular cannibal would, and these LE's are also going to strike a greater interest in Cannondales quads thus improving their profits. For those of you that care, I will post what I get back from Cannondale as soon as they reply to my email.

 

I don't think they're "cashing in" on anything. It's just an American company showing they care. Alba has kits for all of the Yamadogs in the Patriot series. It's also only available until August.

 

If Alba sells a sticker kit and "you" put it on "your" quad, that shows that "you" care. If a company puts a sticker on their quad to sell more quads, they are trying to capitalize on a current fad or a current situation. If they put a sticker on their quad to try and sell more quads so they can help another organization, that shows they care about more than their bottom line.

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk but do you work for one of these organizations or are somehow affiliated with one? Cannondale is an <u>American</u> company employing <u>American</u> workers. They are giving back more to our country than anyone realizes. Cannondale is simply offering a color scheme to buyers who might like to show their support for the stars and stripes. How is Alba any less guilty than Cannondale of taking advantage of a &quot;fad&quot;? Patriotism is up right now so Alba goes and makes up decal kits. Patriotism is up right now so Cannondale goes and makes up decal kits. Can you tell me the difference between the last two statements? I donate money to our local Easter Seals so that's not a problem but I find it very frustrating when people use a guilt trip to try and get people feel they're obligated to donate to various charity organizations. Because Alba, Cannondale, Polaris, etc. have decal kits showing an American flag pattern this doesn't mean they're obligated to donate proceeds to a charitable organization. If I own a business and I hang a flag in my front window to show support for my country do I automatically have to start donating more money? I'm not attempting to lure more customers in by showing my support for the U.S., I'm simply showing my support. Does any manufacturer for any good have to donate more money if they print &quot;Made in America&quot; on a tag? After all, by your definition it would look as if they're simply trying to cash in on a current fad.

 

We are all donating money to the cause, TAXES.

We have just as little control over how that money is spent as to the money to the non-profits.

I give blood to the Red Cross and I've wittled down on giving to others blindly. They mis spend your hard earned money.

Anybody watch the NO SPIN ZONE.

Smitty

 

GuyRaptor, I am in the United States Air Force, I have seen patriotism come and go, over and over. Patriotism always seems to show up when we are in a conflict, or when our way of life is threatened. There is a difference between Alba making a kit that you can buy and put on your quad because you feel patriotic, and a company putting a sticker kit on a quad to try and sell more quads. If you hang a flag in your store window, you are showing your patriotism, youre not trying to sell your store. I dont think anybody should be required to donate because they have a made in america product, But, I also dont think it is right to use the american flag as a marketing scheme.

 

Sledneck27,

Not to start a small war, but isn't everyone who is making money, selling flags, stickers, limited production units, charities all making off one thing and that was the distruction of the World Trade Centers.

Business make money on all sorts of things. As a former Marine, I think anybody who helps bring the cause of support back to this country in whatever fashion is OK by me. Personaly, I'm sick of sending our TAX dollars out of contry to people that hate us. If they want to hate us that's fine, just don't expect my money to help you.

My grandfather was shootdown and captured and escaped twice during WWII. My father retired US Navy. My family's history is steeped in Americia for the last 320 years. One of the first Ships into Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. All to often we forget those that have given all for the cause. If a sticker kit, quad or what ever wakes people up to the fact the WE MAY LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY, BUT SOMEONE PAID FOR IT, than so much the better.

Just my thoughts

Smitty

 

Yes, I agree that a lot of companies are benefiting from what is currently going on, that doesnt make it right. Being a Marine, surely you have seen how Patriotism seems to come and go when it is convienent for people, I find that disgusting. My family is also steeped deep into the US military history, my grandfather was on the beach at Normandy and my dad was in VietNam, and I am also sick of doing my job for people that dont care, people on our side and people not on our side. It's just unfortunate to me that it would take such an unfortunate event for people to show their patriotism. I understand that Cannondale is an american company and I, being an american, am proud of their accomplishments. I love their products and I want to buy a Cannibal, but, I want to feel 100 percent good about the purchase, using the american flag as a marketing tool in this time of national patriotism is going to sell more quads, and I dont feel that it is morally correct to use the american flag in this manner. Unless some of the proceeds are being used to benift a good organization like the Red Cross, Polaris seems to understand this, and they are another &quot;american made&quot; company.

 

Sledneck,

Yes, it disgust me on what it takes to show pride in the US. You can also see that this to is a FAD for some.

As far as donations to the RED CROSS, the only thing they get from me anymore is Blood. After watching what they wanted to do with the millions donated for the family's of the WTC, I won't give them anymore money.

I also don't think Cannondale is using a marketing ploy to benifit from the WTC. Just an Americian Co., supporting Americian workers and suppliers.

Just my thoughts.

Smitty

 

Yes, I agree that the Red Cross misappropriated some funds and there were some people that were very greedy, but, people did get help. I have no problem though with them wanting to purchase anything that helps them do their job better. It's like the military, if all they ever did was buy weapons, all the support for those weapons would get old. Every company is like a machine, if any part fails, the whole machine fails. I just want to know that Cannondale is being the best company that they can be.