The newest Samual Adams beer commercial is in the news now for mis-quoting the US Declaration of Independence by omitting the words "endowed by their Creator". Everybody and their grandmother has an opinion as to why the commercial was made the way it was. Some think this is yet another effort to remove God from the culture. Some think it was a justified effort to separate Church and State. Some think the company was simply following established Rules against using religion to promote products. In our humble opinion, all these people are over thinking this issue. The actual reality is that this is sloppy creativity.
It was a deliberate action for the writers of this commercial to incorporate an historic document into their advertisement vehicle. They should have been responsible enough and astute enough to know any variation from the exact historical text would face widespread criticism. As a result of their carelessness, the product they created turned out to sound really stupid.
What would be the reaction to "Romeo, Oh, Romeo, do you want fries with that?"; or, "Now, Voyager, start your engines."; or "As American as Italian loafers."
Well known quotes from historical document, poems, works of literature, and coined phrases are well known for a reason. These words are usually profound and meaningful. They convey a message with few words and stick in the mind. There is almost always a context. Deviation is, therefore, frowned upon.
Unfortunately, there is nothing new upon the earth. How many people support "an eye for an eye" and ignore "turn the other cheek"?
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