Lowe's Pulls Ads from "All-American Muslim," Lawmaker Threatens Action

Kevin Glass | December 13, 2011 11:15 AM

After the small Florida Family Association threatened to organize a boycott of companies that advertised on TLC's "All-American Muslim," Lowe's announced it was pulling its ads from the show. This announcement has sparked many

accusations of bigotry on the part of Lowe's for its insensitivity on the part of moderate American Muslims.

I haven't seen the show, but it looks pretty tame on the whole, showing the day-to-day struggles of a few families in Dearborn, Michigan.

As Jonah Goldberg wrote,

I know that there’s a lot of investment in the idea that there’s no such thing as moderate Muslims. My own view is that’s not true. A better and more accurate criticism — by my lights — is that moderate Muslims are too quiet, too reluctant to become a force for reform within the larger Muslim community. If that’s the case, then shouldn’t we be relatively happy that there’s a show pointing to a better model for Muslims than extremism? Isn’t it a good thing that there’s a show celebrating the fact that you can love America and be a Muslim?

If Lowe's wants to pull their advertising and bow to the pressure of a small family group in Florida, that's their prerogative. The move looks to be bringing Lowe's a lot more trouble than it's worth, however, and has prompted nationwide calls to boycott Lowe's. Boycotts aren't enough for one California legislator, however - State Sen. Ted Lieu believes that Lowe's may be in violation of anti-discrimination laws.

Calling the Lowe's decision "un-American" and "naked religious bigotry," Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, told The Associated Press he would also consider legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads... The senator vowed to look into whether Lowe's violated any California laws and said he would also consider drafting a senate resolution condemning the company's actions.

From what I can determine, Lowe's decision to pull their advertising was intemperate and ill-considered. Contrary to the Florida Family Association's missives, the show looks harmless - boring, even. This has put an inordinate amount of attention on the show and negatively on Lowe's. But Lowe's doesn't look to be in any violation of any laws, and energies of do-gooder legislators who attempt to bring the force of law down on a private company's decision would be put to better use in something non-coercive. Like a boycott.