I thought this was a "chow" site, not a political push wagon.

[gryphonskeeper]

I love the chow tips, but can't stomach the constant Obama ads. Every single chow tip video had a political re-elect Obama ad. Now once in a while I can see an ad here or there, but every single video? Sorry, but I lost my job in direct due to Obama policy, and so did my husband so seeing his face in every ad left a sour taste in my mouth for chow tips.

[DockPotato]

Ad blocker ++

[John Francis]

Ads? What ads? I haven't seen an ad here or on any other site in ages. Of course, I use Firefox as my browser with the Adblock Plus add-on, and if I need to use Internet Explorer, that too now has Adblock installed.

[carolinadawg]

Yeah, that's been pretty much reported several times now.

[John Francis]

A truth always bears repeating. :-)

[JerryMe]

How very, very strange . . . .Have never had that problem. Now I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone.

[greygarious]

This whole thread is a political jeremiad that has no place on this site. We could all be petty about ads we don't approve of, on a variety of media.

[mcf]

Thanks for saying that.

[pikawicca]

I use Firefox and Ad Blocker Plus. I never see ANY ads on CH.

[Quine]

Chrome and Adblock the cat version. :-) I understand that a dog adblock version is in the works as well.

[chowser]

If you look at it for what it represents--our right to a free election, free speech that people in a lot of countries are fighting and dying for, it might give you a different perspective of appreciation rather than anger. Move to Libya or China and you won't experience it. Sometimes a change in perspective is helpful in what we can't change, serenity prayer and all that.

[Joebob]

What about the Scandinavian countries, as well as the rest of Europe? Free elections and speech there as I remember. So long as money equals speech and corporations are people (I'll believe it when Texas executes one.), this will happen. Have you read "What Money Can't Buy"?

[chowser]

Sigh, I was trying to be Pollyanna about it as a way to get through this coming election. At the same time, there are still people around the world who would put up with political ads if they had the right to vote. My father was a vociferous crusader for that right in the country he was born is so it's been important to me. Sure, it can be done better but the fact that it's done is meaningful.

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, can we please not get into a debate about the nature of American elections here? It's really pretty off-topic for Chowhound. Thanks!

[gryphonskeeper]

But, you put it on your site by accepting money for it. I didn't pull this topic
from the air, I pulled it from your Chowhound.com page.

[Leepa]

Does that mean you're going to get similarly upset if you see an ad for a car or any other non-food related thing?

[HillJ]

Leepa, no we get mad at food related ads we find in poor taste too. But, I think gryphon. has a point that if the ads (that keep the site going) are going to run then talking about them isn't that far fetched. The First Lady has a new book out about the DC garden and has been running all sorts of ads about good health, wellness...CHOW could have chosen an ad like that, that ties in with food and the nature of this community.....so--the point made here wasn't completely lost on me.

[carolinadawg]

No one said you can't talk about the ad. What WAS said was that you can't talk about "the nature of American elections", which makes sense to me. And I dont recall anyone saying the Obama ad was "in poor taste".

[HillJ]

but can't stomach the constant Obama ads. was said by the OP and I said no we get mad at food related ads we find in poor taste too (my words) and the CH Team asked us to keep the topic on food.

I think I'm all clear carolinadawg. We all have our p.o.v. Thanks!

[carolinadawg]

No, the CH team said, and I quote, "can we please not get into a debate about the nature of American elections.". And the OP has a personal issue with the Obama ads, which is not the same as thinking something's in poor taste.

None of that has anything to do with a point of view. It is simply what things are.

[HillJ]

Those were my words not anyone else's. What about that haven't I made clear twice now. I said it. Not you, not Leepa- me. My reference to p.o.v. again I'm referring to my pov. I'm not putting words in anyone's mouth but if you're going to point out my own, then at least get that much right.

[HillJ]

and the CH Team also said...It's really pretty off-topic for Chowhound. Thanks!

and I took that to mean off the topic of FOOD.

[carolinadawg]

But they've allowed this entire thread(which is discussing the ad) to stay, which is proof it's ok to talk about the ad. Sorry to upset you so.

[HillJ]

Unless we continue to talk about politics I would imagine, carolina. I don't worry about moderation. I trust it.

[Leepa]

Where did I say they can't be discussed?

It's been a long time since I've been involved in marketing but the last time I was the advertisers choose where they're going to place an ad. The publications or websites don't choose who approaches them to place an ad. They can refuse one, certainly, but they don't get to pick who wants to advertise on their site.

[carolinadawg]

You didn't, and I never said you did say that.

[Leepa]

Perhaps I took this the wrong way then...

"But, I think gryphon. has a point that if the ads (that keep the site going) are going to run then talking about them isn't that far fetched."

[HillJ]

if the ads (that keep the site going) are going to run then talking about them isn't that far fetched."

Actually I said that Leepa. Now this is getting funny.

[carolinadawg]

If you look in the upper right hand corner of each reply, it tells you who the poster was replying to. If its blank, then the reply is aimed at the OP (original poster).

[HillJ]

I have no idea how the ads are selected Leepa. None.

[Quine]

I smell a locked thread coming soon. just saying.

[HillJ]

Funny I smell roasted potatoes and eggs!

[linguafood]

I find those stupid-ass videos of Gordon Ramsey's new "show" waaahaaaay more annoying.

Glad that I'm not inundated with any political ads from where I am posting these days. What a fucking relief to not see any of that crap abroad.

[gryphonskeeper]

I watched 10 minutes of GOrdon Ramsey show "Hells Kitchen" and had nightmares for a couple of days. I never allow anyone in the kitchen while I am cooking and cannot fathom someone screaming at me because the corner of my toast point was a tad charred. That man needs to smoke some good ganga and mellow out.

[INDIANRIVERFL]

Using Chow for knife tips? Embrace the ads, and let them empower you.

That or send a check.

[Ditdah]

Many (not all) websites don't actually choose all their advertisers, they subscribe to a service that pays them for displaying the ads. The service then solicits various companies (services, politicians, etc...) to purchase advertising space. So there's a good chance Chow didn't specifically pick the Obama ads.

Regardless, I don't see anything wrong with the political ads. It's the election season, and the candidates need to get their message out. You say the ads don't belong "in your kitchen" but this really isn't your kitchen. It's a website about cooking - a media outlet. Just as you might see political commercials on during a cooking show, you might see political commercials on the web. It's just the nature of business this time of year in the US.

Why exactly don't you think a cooking site should show political ads? Are you saying that because it's not food related? Not every ad is going to be about food; I currently see an advertisement for a cell phone. Why should cell phone companies be allowed to advertise on a food site, if politicians can't? Or, is it just because you don't agree with the person in the ad? Maybe I don't like a specific car company because they are Asian and I only like to buy American. Does that mean the Asian auto manufacturer shouldn't be allowed to advertise on any site I visit?

Assuming you live in the US, you are going to be exposed to political ads every year, and even more during presidental election years. (I don't know if it's the same for other countries or not.) You can't avoid them, unless you're a hermit. And anyway, it's just a campaign advertisement - it wasn't an article posted by Chow in support of one candidate or another. Just ignore them, or get an ad blocker for your browser. The alternative is to hide out in a bunker with no contact with the outside world until December.

[rockandroller1]

+1

[hill food]

hiding out is my plan

[Leepa]

Use a browser that supports some sort of ad blocking add-on. I use Firefox with AdBlock Plus. I never see adds here or anywhere else. It was a long while before I realized that CH or Facebook even had ads. And that was because a friends was complaining about them.

[vil]

Exactly this. I also use NoScript. I was never aware of any ads on CH until this thread!

[CookieLee]

+1 with Leepa. I also had no idea there are ads.

[Veggo]

For a change of pace, switch channels to Telemundo and watch Nieto battle it out with Obrador in Mexico. There is no escape from election season....

[gryphonskeeper]

That made me spit wine out of my nose laughing, but you are right, there is no escape! I just hate election years because of this.

[whs]

Gryph, get over it. You live in New Hampshire, so you've got plenty of Romney ads to enjoy on WMUR. It's only going to get uglier.

[gryphonskeeper]

Which is why I never watch TV at all WHS. I hate politics creeping into my house. If you ask me they are all crooked, every last one.

[GH1618]

There are other sites which place advertising videos ahead of free videos to pay for the feature. The practice is not uncommon. It's exactly the same as a paid political ad appearing on television before a freely broadcast program.

If you would have them exclude advertising merely because of political content, that would be a political act itself.

[mcf]

The site accepts advertising. Don't read the ads that don't interest you.

[carolinadawg]

Well, the alternative is to write a check. Ads are how the site is supported.