For All You Do, This Trademark Violation's for You

Quick backstory: Anhaeuser Busch is the largest holder of captive Killer whales, so many activists who oppose marine mammal captivity boycot Busch beer. Here's another scrappy little org that's causing August Busch huge trademark headaches, and they make terrific beer as well, so Howie Garrett from the Orca Coservancy wants to turn the boycot around to the more pleasant task of endorsing the Czech import Budvar.

Hi Leslie,

The beer has a fine delicious slightly sweet taste with a pleasant smell and the bitterness of hops. It has a spark of life and the wisdom of the ancients in it. This is the way of Budejovicky Budvar (Budweiser Budvar).

Budejovicky Budvar (BB) (Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic), brewing company, is entering the US market with the beer brand Czechvar in 2001. BB has decided to export beer to the US in spite of global trade-mark disputes with Anheuser-Busch (US). BB decided to use the name Czechvar on the US market owing to a contract of 1939, which prohibits it from using names containing "bud" in countries north of Panama.

Czechvar (the original and by far the better Budweiser) is storming into beer markets worldwide, and now Americans will be able to drink from the source, and send a message to the king of whale jailers.

If a couple of animal rights groups take on the cause of drinking Budvar it could take off big time. It's the opposite of a boycott, so what's illegal about that? Here's to fine beer.

Howard Garrett

Bring Us... A SHRUBBERY!

Dear Friend,

I'm happy to report that the people have selected the oak as their choice for America's National Tree in the nationwide vote hosted by The National Arbor Day Foundation on its Web site, arborday.org.  From the first day of voting, oak was the popular choice of the American people.  Another magnificent American tree, the redwood, was the second place finisher.

The National Arbor Day Foundation wishes to thank everyone who voted or encouraged others to take part in this historic process, which marked the first time that the entire American public has been able to state their pick for a national emblem. Visit arborday.org for vote totals and comparisons of all the candidate trees.

Best regards,
John Rosenow, President
The National Arbor Day Foundation  

We were disappointed over the votes overlooking the Date Palm for national tree, but then, we don't have that many oaks here in Seattle, either.

-Ed