JetBlue caves to right-wing pressure.
JetBlue caves to right-wing pressure.
After being subjected to a smear campaign by Fox News host Bill O’Reilly for its in-kind donation to the upcoming YearlyKos convention, JetBlue has asked the YearlyKos organizers to remove its name from the convention’s website. O’Reilly celebrated the move on his show last night. Watch it:
According to Kos diarist Pontificator, “Last night, a representative of JetBlue told us that we could keep their logo on the frontpage of the YearlyKos website, so long as we made it clear that it was an ‘in-kind’ donation. They told us we could announce that fact. Today, they went back on their word. The representative from JetBlue says the CEO ordered him to tell us to remove the logo.” The JetBlue logo is no longer on the YearlyKos home page.
UPDATE: Pontificator’s post appears to have been taken down. Markos has the story.
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Can we contact JetBlue and tell them how cowardly this action is?
July 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pm“That’s what Air America did, and now they’re bankrupt.”
Actually Bill, you lost your radio show and they’re still on the air.
OOOOOOOOOWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNEEEEEDDDDDDDD
July 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pmSigh. The list of companies I’m boycotting keeps getting longer.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pmGood or bad, any publicity is good publicity
July 20th, 2007 at 12:53 pmJetBlue is in a no-win situation.
Now they will be boycotted by the left.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:53 pmTeh moron-in-chief leading the Ãœber moronic americans …
July 20th, 2007 at 12:54 pmI don’t get it I haven’t kept up with this. What’s the deal? Why do I care?
July 20th, 2007 at 12:55 pmStill upset that the Pope is a primate, Bill?
July 20th, 2007 at 12:55 pmThe story isn’t correct. Updated information from Kos can be here here.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:55 pmI was afraid or that.
I reported O’Reilly’s claim that JetBlue asked to be removed as a sponsor yesterday at DailyKos. I got a fair amount of flak for having taken O’Reilly’s word even though I had a screen capture of his letter from JetBlue.
Now it turns out that JetBlue are indeed a bunch of wankers and dKos looks like it got spanked by O’Reilly. Even worse, O’Reilly gets to parade his smugness around and claim that his absurd allegations about dKos being a hate-filled site have been vindicated.
Here is my take on the matter: Is Bill O’Reilly Lying About JetBlue?
I guess he wasn’t – and JetBlue was. It’s all too sad. And don’t fly JetBlue to YearlyKos (or anywhere else).
July 20th, 2007 at 12:57 pmWhat a coincidence, Virgin America has just started low cost flights to the west coast, with all the amenities of Jet Blue and then some.
Long time jetBlue customer, but when i return to CA I am definitely going with Virgin.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:58 pmWith the shenanigans going on at Jet Blue, they’re acting more like a right wing airline and dispenser of lies every day.
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/south-florida-com/T325DHR4J97C7IAUE
Read comments halfway down page by Gus Boulis.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:00 pmDid this dweeb condemn the Left for pressuring sponsors to be pulled from Imus’ show? Anyone know?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:00 pmHmmm… appears that JetBlue is indeed still backing YearkyKos, the sun is still out, and birds continue to chirp…
Dild O’Reilly’s power seems to be slipping…
July 20th, 2007 at 1:01 pmjetBlue should have realized that any foray into the political realm was going to have consequences. They look pretty foolish for retracting their YKOS support. Pissed off both camps, they’re still looking for the toe they shot off.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:02 pmDon’t the idiots at jetblue realize that protesters have to fly on some airline?
let the freeper clowns take southwest airlines.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:02 pmWeird. Kos insists that JetBlue is still a sponsor and that their logo still appears, with their permission, on the YearlyKos site. The diary that this TP story links to is no longer posted but the JetBlue logo is not, in fact, on the YearlyKos website.
I have a feeling that someone is playing games.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:02 pmOh, that’s gonna get a Worst Person in the World award for sure tonight!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pmIt’s time to wield the power of the purse from the bottom up to counter the top down. If JetBlue, indeed has caved, don’t fly them! I won’t and that’s a promise!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pmI’ve worked in corporate America, man and boy, for 25 years now, and can tell you one thing about it that has never changed: it is an environment ruled by fear and that is inherently spineless, easily intimidated. I speak from experience: I have lost two jobs for challenging or departing from the cult of fear. This is why their advertising is spun to deliver exactly the opposite impression: the more a corporation tells you that it is “bold,” “innovative,” and “strong,” the more you may be assured that its leaders and minions are spineless rags who are pushed with every stray hot breeze.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pmContact JetBlue and let them know that you will no longer be using or recommending their airline. Please be polite.
1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) (in the US)
July 20th, 2007 at 1:12 pmI have a feeling that someone is playing games.
Comment by PaulB
Go to DailyKos, and click the sponsors tab at the top of the page, then scroll down. It was there 5 minutes ago.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:12 pmDid this dweeb condemn the Left for pressuring sponsors to be pulled from Imus’ show? Anyone know?
Comment by Nirvision
I would assume that sort of behavior is an open game. It’s up to the sponsors to either cave in or back down.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pmHey, I have a question guys and gals….were alot of the trolls banned yesterday? It seems so much more civil here today. No Mr. Pr(ick) spamming idiot post after post. No CT_V1 spamming too. What gives?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:15 pmNot good for a commercial airline to be associated with allies of Islamo Fascism, 9/11 and all.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:18 pmThey’re hanging around schoolyards today.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pmBill O’Reilly spreads more lies, hate, and misinformation as anyone. Let’s go after the sponsors of the O’Reilly program. Let’s get them documented and let them know what he id doing to democracy in this country. This can’t be allowed to stand. It’s ludicrous.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:20 pmAm I really a primate?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:22 pmI think its great. Billo has clearly illustrated the power of Corporate boycott. Something that many of us have been practicing for a long time. Now he has given the OK for a “news” outlet to start boycotts, so let’s get going. Here’s my short list for boycott. Anyone else have some:
Walmart, Target and any big box store.
McDonalds, Burger King, etc.
Red Lion and Ramada
Exxon and Texaco
Home Depot
and now, Jetblue
Add on
July 20th, 2007 at 1:26 pmHmmm, perhaps JetBlue just didn’t realize what a hate site KOS is until it was pointed out to them? That’s understandable.
However, they do understand marketing, and marketing their airline to the .001 percenters is a foolish financial move when they manage to alienate the greatest majority of Americans who are not Bush haters, even if those Americans aren’t particularly pleased with the President’s performance right now. Supporting the radical-left fringe just doesn’t pay, especially when most of that radical left fringe is broke, and doesn’t fly anywhere.
Folks who sit in darkened studio apartments, with web access and a fax machine, and not much else, are not an economic market for any business to target.
O’Reilly himself doesn’t have much power without the support of the majority, who are clear-thinking, level-headed Americans who don’t subscribe to the radical ideology of the left-wing nut-case minority.
(And for your information, Yeter: O’Reilly didn’t lose his radio show, only one station in DeeCee dropped it. It plays loud and clear around the rest of the United States, including my hometown.
Oh, and by the way, Please, PLEASE, boycott JetBlue, you liberal hate-mongers! I wouldn’t want to have to sit next to you on my next flight.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:26 pm76%
July 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmThe primate thing is especially funny, as the biological term was derived from the ecclesiastical one.
Primates are called primates because they were the “first” among mammals, in Linneaus’ mind.
In other news, time to hit Fox’s sponsors with the same sort of campaign. Time to remind people about the whole glass house/stone throwing thing.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmYes, Pope, you are a primate. I’m sure of it – i’m a catholic. And you are a primate.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmMaybe just maybe there are a few JetBlue individuals who did not know about the DailyKos who are BO supporters that got this done. That is what I’m thinking. No relational human being could be working for JetBlue and surrcumb to BO’s bullshit.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmLet’s get them documented and let them know what he id doing to democracy in this country. This can’t be allowed to stand. It’s ludicrous.
Comment by Jim Coffey
It has already happened Jim. And don’t worry, it is working. His ratings are down and his rantings are up. Every week he exposes more of what a propaganda tool he is for the Facists.
But the man’s ego and paycheck are so large that he will keep doing what he is doing until the dipshits in America who keep their televisions on from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, tuned to Faux news switch channels. And those people are inherently pathetic.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pmContact the above companies captjashook listed, and ask them if they can continue to support someone who sexually harasses subordinates with conversations about phone sex, vibrators, threesomes, masturbation, the losing one’s virginity, and other sexual fantasies.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:29 pmI meant rational human being.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:30 pmI love Billo’s use of the word “Scrutinized” it is the same word he used about war dissenters. He later claimed that he wasn’t actually attacking war dissenters, merely having them “Scrutinized”. Looks like we have our new word for harassment.
Those Jews weren’t being put into ghettos. They were being gathered to gether so that it was easier to “scrutinize” them. And Crystalnacht was merely an evening of extreme “scrutinzation”.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:32 pmComment by Shoooooo
What are you typing about?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:35 pmBill O’Reilly is not right wing, though.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm“Contact the above companies captjashook listed, and ask them if they can continue to support someone who sexually harasses subordinates with conversations about phone sex, vibrators, threesomes, masturbation, the losing one’s virginity, and other sexual fantasies.
Comment by Shoooooo — July 20, 2007 @ 1:29 pm”
I thought one’s private behavior didn’t have any bearing on one’s professional life? That’s what we heard from the apologists on the left when Bill Clinton was literally “caught with his pants down”…..
Couldn’t possibly be yet another double-standard from the radical fringe left, could it?????
I’m going to go “smoke” a cigar….
July 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pmBoycott JetBlue? Check. I’m flying United to Chicago for Yearly Kos – how about you?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:38 pmWhat part of sexual harassment is difficult for you to understand?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:38 pmyou liberal hate-mongers!
Comment by O. Bigfoot
Bigfoot, I know bloggers tend to put out a lot of shiite. But since when did Liberals hold the record for this. I listened to Rush Limbaugh for years and years (just to get my blood pressure up) and that guy and his callers were amazingly hateful.
I know it is the current vogue among Conservative pundits to call liberals “hate-mongers”, but how can you not notice the irony of Jesus’s words right now.
“How can you pull the splinter out of your brother’s eye, when all along you have this big plank in your own?”
July 20th, 2007 at 1:39 pmBigfoot
A. We are not talking about Vitter on this thread.
B. Clinton wasn’t quoted on numerous occasions about how Leaders who break their marriage vows should be impeached, held accountable, de-penused.
It’s the hypocrisy, not the crime. Everyone deserves a mistake.
ITS ALL CLINTON FAULT…. Whatever
July 20th, 2007 at 1:42 pmHey Egg,
How’s the hangover from Filibuster night?
July 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pmTo: corporatecommunications@jetblue.com
JetBlue:
DailyKos so much appreciated your sponsorship of YEARLYKOS. I want to thank you for at least providing it in the first place. Bummer though is why was it necessary to pull your support NOW?
It’s is distressing that your company gives O’Reilly’s right-wing neocon attacks any sway at all. Will you be supporting any efforts that are political in the future? Was it a mistake in the first place?
Now the PR on this will take a whole new turn for you today. Get started on figuring out how to explain this to the whole Bay Area? Democrats and Progressives here are very frustrated with the whole situation and how it has been handled. Losing your support is really a shame. We are all talking about this in the office right now.
This is a very sad day for DailyKos and Kossacks like me.
Regards,
AUSTIN
July 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm“Hmmm, perhaps JetBlue just didn’t realize what a hate site KOS is until it was pointed out to them?”
ROFL… Dear heart, I don’t think you understand what a “hate site” is.
“That’s understandable.”
Well, sure, if you’re a moron.
“However, they do understand marketing, and marketing their airline to the .001 percenters is a foolish financial move”
Dear heart, you misspelled 70%. Always glad to help you.
“when they manage to alienate the greatest majority of Americans who are not Bush haters”
You mean the “greatest majority of Americans” who currently despise the president, think he’s doing a rotten job, think the country is going in the wrong direction, and who can’t wait until a new president comes along.
“Supporting the radical-left fringe just doesn’t pay”
Yeah, heaven forbid that you support 70% of the country. That’s just a terrible thing to do for your business.
“especially when most of that radical left fringe is broke, and doesn’t fly anywhere.”
LOL… Sure, dear, just look at how much wealthier Red States are than Blue States…
“Folks who sit in darkened studio apartments, with web access and a fax machine, and not much else, are not an economic market for any business to target.”
ROFL…. Oh, the irony. Project much, dear?
“O’Reilly himself doesn’t have much power without the support of the majority, who are clear-thinking, level-headed Americans who don’t subscribe to the radical ideology of the left-wing nut-case minority.”
You misspelled 70% again, dear. Always glad to help.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pmHey Egg,
How’s the hangover from Filibuster night?
Comment by captjashook — July 20, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
If it’s OK with everyone, I’d just as soon never hear the word “filibuster” again.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:46 pmGuess those name change rumors about “Jet Blue” are true.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:47 pm…
YOu know what?
I give up too. I just plain ****ing give up.
When jackasses like Bill O’Reilly win every single time they flex their little muscles, when the media fawns over every single freakin’ right wing talking point, when respect for the left is so easily discarded because some damn pundit can project his hate onto a target and get his loyal dittoheads to browbeat them and paint the media narrative like this….it’s just too much.
I. Give. Up.
The right has won. I’m moving to Canada, because the damn republic’s been lost.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pmno need to contact jet blue just don’t ever fly on them again!
July 20th, 2007 at 1:50 pmComment by Kryptik
Don’t worry, dude. Things move in pendulums. We are almost at the apex of the pendulum. If you stick around you will see it come back. Every dog has its day.
I regularly, grudgingly applaud the Dems for having such restraint. The Conservative, hate-mongering HypoChristians had a heyday with Clinton. At least the Reid, Pelosi and Co. are showing a decorum and acting like adults, giving the system a chance.
That is why we have the blogosphere, so we can all act nutty.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pmBu the way. They are also really standing in contrast to Repuglickin’s. It is slowly becoming crystal clear how dangerous the fRight wing is to democracy and freedom.
70%, when was the last time we saw 70% of America agree on something?
The fact that Billo is in hystronics, grasping at straws, shows you that we have given enough rope for them to hang themselves.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pmComment by captjashook
I’ve waited for that pendulum to swing for a while now. Meanwhile, within…what, 2 days? O’Reilly’s able to effectively bully JetBlue into dropping from one of the biggest progressive events we have.
It’s…so depressing and so infuriatingly easy for them, it makes whatever we do seem so damn futile.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:06 pmApparently, from what I read at Crooks and Liars, JetBlue didn’t cave and is still sponsoring the convention
July 20th, 2007 at 2:42 pmThat is sad because I just got a letter from Jet Blue thanking me for my support of them.
Sometimes evil just wins out.
A lot of hateful people out there and I am one of them now.
Jack Jett
July 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pmhttp://www.jackejett.com
Air America is bankrupt? How is it that I still listen to them, still support their advertisers and almost daily listen to new material?
Lies, all lies
July 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pmIm all for it. Lets get together and boycott sponsors of Fox Noise. Two can play this game. Hell, I fly Southwest anyway
July 20th, 2007 at 3:05 pmJetBlue just lost my support.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:10 pmSimply book with someone else…its not hard to remember the name JetBlue… next time you buy some ticks (I am soon) be sure to NOT buy JetBlue… real simple.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:14 pmleftwing hate sites should not be supported
July 20th, 2007 at 3:37 pmleftwing hate sites should not be supported
Comment by crimedog
right wing hate talks shows should be supported?
July 20th, 2007 at 3:45 pmEveryone, JetBlue is also the official airline of Springfield – of The Simpsons Movie. Wonder if pressure could be put on The Simpson’s movie people in some way.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:05 pmLet jetblue know how you feel:
July 20th, 2007 at 4:16 pmPut it into words and send it to:
corporatecommunications@jetblue.com
So here’s the deal. Someone at JetBlue probably took it upon him/herself to support DailyKos and didn’t go through the proper channels to get this approved. JetBlue has a team that handles sponsorships with very stringent policies regarding who JetBlue supports and all promotions and charity events MUST filter through them. The company unfortunately got caught with their pants down because nobody knew this was happening. Dave Barger did a great job deflecting Bill O’Reilly’s henchman (especially considering that he probably had no idea where this guy was coming from).
They could have easily made a scapegoat out of the guy who pushed this sponsorship and hung him out to dry. Instead, they took the high road and dealt with the situation in the best way possible. No matter how you slice it, they wouldn’t come out unscathed given the likeliness they’d now piss off both the Left AND the Right.
But it’s good that we all speculate because nothing makes more sense than jumping to conclusions and whining about everyone else.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:20 pmthe daily kos is a hate-speech web site dedicated to the destruction of our country. they claim to support free speech, but they only support speech when its suits their selfish interests. for example, longtime kos poster cindy sheehan has now been banned from posting on the daily kos because she dared to criticize nancy pelosi. however, if she were to run against a republican in 08, would she be banned? pathetic how the liberals aim to silence their critics through bullying and intimidation.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:36 pmthe daily kos is a hate-speech web site dedicated to the destruction of our country. they claim to support free speech, but they only support speech when its suits their selfish interests. for example, longtime kos poster cindy sheehan has now been banned from posting on the daily kos because she dared to criticize nancy pelosi. however, if she were to run against a republican in 08, would she be banned? pathetic how the liberals aim to silence their critics through bullying and intimidation.
Comment by liberals destroyed america
Does anyone else see the irony in this Rubes statement?
As Bugs Bunny would say, “What a maroon!”
July 20th, 2007 at 4:51 pmThe He is referred to in the above post was supposed to be Falafel Bill O’Liely – he who sexually harassed an employee of his crummy show.
July 20th, 2007 at 5:30 pm“Hmmm, perhaps JetBlue just didn’t realize what a hate site KOS is until it was pointed out to them?â€
ROFL… Dear heart, I don’t think you understand what a “hate site†is.
“That’s understandable.â€
Well, sure, if you’re a moron.
“However, they do understand marketing, and marketing their airline to the .001 percenters is a foolish financial moveâ€
Dear heart, you misspelled 70%. Always glad to help you.
“when they manage to alienate the greatest majority of Americans who are not Bush hatersâ€
You mean the “greatest majority of Americans†who currently despise the president, think he’s doing a rotten job, think the country is going in the wrong direction, and who can’t wait until a new president comes along.
“Supporting the radical-left fringe just doesn’t payâ€
Yeah, heaven forbid that you support 70% of the country. That’s just a terrible thing to do for your business.
“especially when most of that radical left fringe is broke, and doesn’t fly anywhere.â€
LOL… Sure, dear, just look at how much wealthier Red States are than Blue States…
“Folks who sit in darkened studio apartments, with web access and a fax machine, and not much else, are not an economic market for any business to target.â€
ROFL…. Oh, the irony. Project much, dear?
“O’Reilly himself doesn’t have much power without the support of the majority, who are clear-thinking, level-headed Americans who don’t subscribe to the radical ideology of the left-wing nut-case minority.â€
You misspelled 70% again, dear. Always glad to help.
Comment by PaulB — July 20, 2007 @ 1:45 pm”
Hey PaulB, keep dreaming. Just don’t be too shocked when you wake up tomarrow and Dick Cheney is prez for a while.
Fact: Jet Blue has distanced themselves from the DailyKos. They know which side their bread is buttered on.
Fact: If Jet Blue was comfortable with their previous position, they would not have changed it.
Fact: If the majority hadn’t been flooding Jet Blue with emails and phone calls, they would not have had to change their position.
Fact: The folks won, you lost.
Fact: I feel great about it!
July 20th, 2007 at 5:53 pmThe kindergarten-kiddies over at the dailykos hate-blog are all stomping their feet because The Big Bad Meanie-Man Bill O’Reilly gave them a little taste of their own medicine.
You see, it wasn’t that long ago when all the little dailykos kiddies were throwing a big temper tantrum over some of the remarks made by that Big Bad Meanie-Woman Ann Coulter.
Those poor little dailykos kindergarten-kiddies were so upset that they began to pout and whine to everyone that would listen to please hurry and go call all the corporate sponsors of Ann Coulter’s web site and tell them to stop associating themselves with such a Big Bad Meanie-Woman, OR ELSE!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Here are some of the poor little snivelers’ pleas for help:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/7/132041/8216
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/4/105236/4618
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/16/95834/5076
OMG!!!!!!
DID YOU FEEL THAT????
WAS THAT AN EARTHQUAKE???
OMFG!!!
NO!!!
I THINK IT WAS THE STOCK MARKET CRASHING AFTER HEARING THAT THE STUPIDEST LITTLE PUNK IN POLITICS WAS CANCELLING HIS JET-BLUE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD!!!
WHOA!!!
THAT WILL TEACH US NOT TO GO MESSING WITH THE DAILYKOS!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
July 20th, 2007 at 7:08 pmIt’s time for JetBlue to change their name to JetYellow,
with an accompanying change in the color of their logo.
JetYellow. JetYellow. JetYellow.
Which is definitely not the color for TRUE PATRIOTS.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:18 pmWell, it’s DailyKos. I don’t see why anyone would want to associate themselves with DailyKos. It’s a hate site.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:25 pmWeren’t they already ?
July 20th, 2007 at 10:42 pmThat hysterical idiot over at Americablog was organising boycotts of airlines at a rate of about one a week at one stage. I can’t imagine the US has enough airlines for him not to have run out by now.
maybe if Kos would stop silencing cindy sheehan to defeat nancy pelosi in her congressional campaign, sponsors wouldnt abbadon there little hypocrites’ convention. why did you pan cindy kos? all fun and games when she camps outside bush’s ranch, but now that she has her sites set on nancy, she’s banished!!! you people are a disgrace.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:48 pmYou would hope so idiot, he’s pointing out the irony to you. Apart from the irony of kos being on the receiving end of a boycott WTF did you think he was writing about ?
July 20th, 2007 at 11:01 pmSomeone mentioned Crooks and Liars, but according to them it seems that O’Reilly did get what he wanted: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/20/jet-blue-caving-to-oreillys-minionssort-of/
-tom
July 21st, 2007 at 5:08 amWhere is now the freedom of speech that defend the Fox pundits?
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:01 amWell at least it brought people to this site,and from reading the posts i would say there is alot of hate in here..I for one did support IMUS and thought that te sponsors were weak willed jackasssses for dropping him even if i dont agree with everything he says.I do believe its quite funny now these guys want to boycott JETBLUE for realizing they shouldnt sponsor a left wing radical group or a right wing radical group,it makes for bad business. You guys that want to attack everyone that doesn’t agree with you just because you say they attack you???MAKES NO SENSE…..
July 27th, 2007 at 7:59 pmI commend Jet Blue for having the guts to remove themselves from The Daily Kos dung heap. I will fly Jet Blue anyday.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:10 pm