Open Letter
Mr. Christianson,
I noticed that I had received about three hits to my blog from your article regarding Apple Computer’s Switch campaign this past week. While I will not respond to your straw man arguments against Apple, I will respond to your comments about me.
First, please know that my thoughts here are as an individual and not on behalf of Apple Computer.
Your statement that I am an actor is completely false. As I have stated before, I am just an average college student. I completed a survey on Apple’s website that asked for stories from people who had recently switched to the Mac. Apple liked my story and invited me to share it. Nothing more.
If I were an actor, I would have jumped at the chance to join the Screen Actors Guild after completing the commercial with Apple. However, I am still not a member and I have not pursued any acting outside of my friends’ class projects.
Second, I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I believe that loving each other just as Christ showed love to the world is the greatest moral principle. I do not believe that Old Testament Mosaic laws apply after Christ ushered the Age of Grace. Therefore, I do not believe that homosexuality and the teachings of Christ are at odds. You are free to disagree, but please do not allow your opinion to discriminate.
Third, I supported President Bush in two elections. I now acknowledge that I made a mistake twice. Shame on me. I supported the military action in Iraq before the truth that President Bush lied about the weapons of mass destruction was uncovered.
My support for President Bush further declined when he halted an internal investigation to the illegal wiretapping of all Americans’ domestic calls and shut down EPA research libraries that contained information that countered his horrid environmental policies.
Make no mistake: I love America. I believe there is still more opportunity here than anywhere else in the world. I believe that American can be a shining city upon a hill again, but not under the policies of large bureaucracy, uncontrolled irresponsible corporate behavior, and world policing.
I have a gigantic 10′x6′ flag covering an entire wall in my room. I love this country. It was built upon educated dissent and I am only continuing that tradition with my pithy political posts.
Finally, the Switch campaign happened four years ago. It’s a faint memory only to tech geeks. Apple’s compelling personal technology products, not the people who appeared in its advertisements, determined its profit margin.
I have never discussed my political, spiritual, or other views with Apple and I do not believe my views were pertinent to my promotion of its products. The Switch campaign put regular people in the spotlight. We came from different parts of the country at different points in life to publicly share the enjoyment of a company’s products.
Your conclusions about Apple and me are misguided. I assure you that I have never tried to make anyone gay, hate the US, use drugs, or worship satan.
Regards,
Jeremiah Cohick
Posted on Wednesday, August 30th, 2006 at 17:19.