<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt">I saw this article referenced on a Google+ community. I thought it was worth a read. It's about the silliness of the Hitler teapot and social media, but it's also about how political correctness can get a little out of hand.<br><br>Enjoy.<br><br>Paul<br><br>Link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/tech/social-media/apparently-this-matters-hitler-teapot/index.html?sr=fb053013hitlerteapot6p<br><br>Click on a link to see a picture of the offending teapot.<br><br><h1>Apparently This Matters: Teatime for Hitler</h1><div>By <strong>Jarrett Bellini</strong>, CNN</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div><div class="cnnEditorialNote"><em><strong>Editor's note:</strong> Each week in "Apparently This
Matters," CNN's <a href="https://twitter.com/jarrettbellini" target="_blank">Jarrett Bellini</a> applies his warped sensibilities to trending topics in social media and random items of interest on the Web.</em></div>
<div><strong>(CNN)</strong> -- Sing it with me, kids!</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2"><i>I'm a little Nazi short and stout, here is mein handle, here is mein spout.</i></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2"><i><br></i></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3">So, JCPenney is selling a
new teapot that looks sort of like Adolf Hitler. Well, inasmuch as a
teapot can actually appear like a fascist dictator. But it does. And,
really, it might be the greatest advertising gaffe you'll ever see.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4">At least until <a href="http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles/56263/projects/2352248/hd_9344365401cf85465f93414e3fe248a1.jpg" target="_blank">Gilbert Gottfried</a> somehow becomes a spokesman for Tampax.</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph5">"Damn it, Jim, what were we thinking?"</div><div><br></div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6">Back to the teapot: It
didn't take long for motorists on Southern California's 405 freeway --
where evening plans go to die -- to notice something in the sky that
looked a little unusual. It was a billboard promoting this new kitchen
essential. And there was no mistaking its resemblance.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7">Pure Hitler.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph8">(Not to be confused with the classic Eagles double album by the same name.)</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph8"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph9">Now, in case you can't
quite figure out the similarities in the teapot image, notice that the
top handle swoops wider to one side mimicking Hitler's dark, curtained
hair. The knob on the lid closely resembles his infamous trademark
toothbrush moustache. And the spout rises into the air as though he's
giving a Nazi salute.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph9"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10">That, or he's just waving to the Eva Braun coffee maker.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11">Either way, it's him.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12">However, at this time I can't confirm whether or not the Hitler teapot <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1087380/Did-Hitler-really-ONE-testicle-A-historian-sorts-extraordinary-truth-far-flung-myths-Fuhrer.html" target="_blank">is designed with only one testicle</a>. Clearly, that little attention to detail would prove this was far more than a simple coincidence.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13">Mind you, the standard two testicles would be equally concerning.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14">Regardless, I'm still
willing to give JCPenney the benefit of the doubt that this was all just
an accident. (The retailer didn't respond to our request for comment.)</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15">Though, to be fair, as a spectator of life with a front row seat, I <i>do</i>
enjoy the controversy. For if you're going to accidentally have your
product resemble a famous person, somehow, by a strange law of comedy
that can't be explained, the absolute worst human being in the history
of the world is far more amusing than, say, Tom Hanks.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic;" class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16">Now, understand that
this particular teapot, from JCPenney's exclusive Michael Graves Design
collection, quickly went viral after images of the billboard appeared on
<a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Pareidolia/comments/1f16bf/this_kettle_looks_like_hitler_xpost_from_rpics/" target="_blank">Reddit</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BenariLee/status/337978364029718529" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17">And that's when things turned delightfully melodramatic.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18">Culver City's Democratic mayor, Jeffrey Cooper, <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/05/mayor-culver-city-adl-respond-jcpenney-hitler-tea-kettle" target="_blank">complained to Mother Jones magazine</a>:
"I am disappointed JCPenney actually put that billboard up in the first
place. ... As a Jew, I am offended, (and) as an elected official, I am
mad that the city I represent is linked to this."</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19">Presumably, he then breathed heavily into a paper bag for half an hour while listening to Enya.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph20">Seriously, pull yourself together, man. If <i>anything</i>, here's all you had to say:</div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21">"Yep. Definitely looks
like Hitler. Surprised they didn't see it, but I'm pretty sure there was
no intention to offend anyone. My guess is they'll take down the
billboard and apologize."</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22">Which is exactly what JCPenney did. They <a href="http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/05/28/tea-kettle-or-adolf-hitler-jcpenney-billboard-stirs-controversy/" target="_blank">took down the billboard</a> and even had some fun on Twitter replying to comments.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23">In fact, when comedian <a href="https://twitter.com/pattonoswalt" target="_blank">Patton Oswalt</a>
tweeted, "Well, JC Penney, get ready to sell a S***LOAD of these
teakettles to a lot of ironic hipsters," the retailer quickly responded
with, "Totally unintentional. But they'll need to grab it in stores
since it's sold out online. #SadHipsters."</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph24">Naturally, sales skyrocketed after the photos went viral. The $40 teapot is now <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/shop-brands/view-all-brands/michael-graves-design/shop-categories/view-all/michael-graves-design-bells-and-whistles-stainless-steel-tea-kettle-/prod.jump?ppId=pp5001930588" target="_blank">back-ordered on JCPenney's site</a>
until late June, and some of the teapots even started listing on eBay
for $200. Sadly, I have to admit that now I kind of want one for my
house as a conversation piece.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph24"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph25">"So, what do you think of my Hitler teapot?"</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph25"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph26">"I think you need to put on pants."</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph26"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph27">Not surprisingly, the
sales boom started when it all became one big social media circus. Which
is why you sort of have to applaud the seemingly levelheaded responses
by JCPenney, which never equaled the drama of Cooper's outrage culture
hysteria.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph27"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph28">Even the Anti-Defamation
League took it in stride, commenting to Mother Jones that "JCPenney did
the right thing by responding to public concerns and removing the tea
pot from their product line. We take JCPenney at their word that any
resemblance to the Nazi dictator was completely unintended."</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph28"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph29">In the end, it's just a
minor blip in the cosmos. But, from a social perspective, what's truly
interesting is that Hitler -- at least as an iconic image -- doesn't
seem to have the same meaning to a newer generation which is further
removed from his horrors and unthinkable crimes. Kind of like Genghis
Khan to anyone during the last 700 years.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph29"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph30">These days, to many,
Hitler has become just sort of a caricature, having transcended his evil
reality into something far more abstract. Like a teapot.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph30"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph31">And this explains why we nonchalantly have the website <a href="http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/" target="_blank">Cats That Look Like Hitler</a>.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph31"><br></div>
<div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph32">Which, clearly, by the laws of comedy, is way more fun than <a href="http://tomhanksimals.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">dogs that look like Tom Hanks</a>.</div><div class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph32"><br></div></div></body></html>