A&W Restaurants parodies announcement from M&M's, jokes about putting jeans on cartoon bear because 'even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing'



M&M's recently announced plans to place "an indefinite pause" on its "spokescandies," and A&W Restaurants has capitalized on the announcement by issuing a parody statement about its own mascot.

"America, let's talk," the A&W Restaurants post began, mimicking the beginning of the M&M's message. "Since 1963, Rooty the Great Root Bear has been our beloved spokes bear. We knew people would notice because he's literally a 6-foot tall bear wearing an orange sweater. But now we get it — even a mascot's lack of pants can be polarizing.

"Therefore, we have decided that Rooty will wear jeans going forward. Not to worry though: he will remain our official spokes bear. After all, he is un-bear-ably cute and im-paw-ssible to replace. We are confident Rooty will continue to champion good food & good times for many years to come...now in denim," A&W Restaurants concluded.

The company later noted that the post was just a joke.

\u201cIs now a good time to mention this is a joke? \ud83d\ude05\u201d
— A&W Restaurants (@A&W Restaurants) 1674590490

The post was a parody of a statement M&M's made this week about its "spokescandies."

"America, let's talk. In the last year, we've made some changes to our beloved spokescandies. We weren't sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn't think it would break the internet. But now we get it — even a candy's shoes can be polarizing. Which was the last thing M&M's wanted since we're all about bringing people together," the message said.

"Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause from the spokescandies. In their place, we are around to introduce a spokesperson America can agree on: the beloved Maya Rudolf. We are confident Ms. Rudolf will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong," the statement noted.

\u201cA message from M&M'S.\u201d
— M&M'S (@M&M'S) 1674481505

Last year, M&M's switched the green character's go-go boots for sneakers and the brown character's heels for another sort of heel.

"The refreshed M&M’S® brand will include a more modern take on the looks of our beloved characters, as well as more nuanced personalities to underscore the importance of self-expression and power of community through storytelling," Mars had announced last year.

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M&M's walks back new woke 'spokescandies' after backlash, hires actress to promote brand instead: 'A spokesperson America can agree on'



The new, special-edition packaging of M&M's did not last long. Just two weeks after the chocolate candy brand announced that an "all-female" version would soon hit the shelves, its parent company, Mars, has decided to put that marketing campaign on "pause."

On January 5, M&M's made the announcement of the female packaging and announced updates to the iconic "spokescandies" that have appeared in commercials for years. For the new look, female spokescandies Green and Brown were redesigned to tone down their femininity. Green wore sneakers instead of white go-go boots, and Brown wore heels that were lower and more square compared with the high heels she had worn in the past. M&M's even gave hints that the two characters were in a lesbian relationship.

\u201cIt\u2019s rare Ms. Brown and I get to spend time together without some colorful characters barging in. \u2013 Ms. Green\u201d
— M&M'S (@M&M'S) 1435514962

The brand had also introduced Purple, a new female spokescandy designed to promote inclusivity. As a peanut M&M, she appears plus-sized, and her debut commercial features Purple parading around the backstage of a theater and singing a song entitled "I'm Just Gonna Be Me."

Though Jane Hwang, global VP at Mars Wrigley, just recently asserted that consumers would "relate to and appreciate" the revamped version of the beloved candy, consumers and right-leaning outlets like Fox News instead responded with outrage and exasperation. Media Matters created a montage of various Fox News personalities — including Tucker Carlson, Kat Timpf, and Martha McCallum — denouncing the new, woke version of M&M's.

"Green M&M got her boots back, but apparently is now a lesbian, maybe," Carlson quipped.

"I think this is the kind of thing that makes China say, like, 'Oh good. Keep focusing on that,'" McCallum added.

\u201c@mmschocolate If you're wondering how we got here...\u201d
— M&M'S (@M&M'S) 1674481505

M&M's apparently got the message that many people are tired of global brands adopting woke marketing campaigns. On Monday, it admitted that the "all-female" edition could be "polarizing" to some and stated that all spokescandies had been placed on "an indefinite pause" in favor of a new spokesperson: actress and comedienne Maya Rudolph, a former cast member of "Saturday Night Live" who also starred in blockbuster films like "Bridesmaids" and "Idiocracy."

"America, let's talk," the M&M's message begins. "In the last year, we've made some changes to our beloved spokescandies. We weren't sure if anyone would even notice. And we definitely didn't think it would break the internet. But now we get it — even a candy's shoes can be polarizing. Which was the last thing M&M's wanted since we're all about bringing people together.

"Therefore, we have decided to take an indefinite pause from the spokescandies. In their place, we are proud to introduce a spokesperson America can agree on: the beloved Maya Rudolph. We are confident Ms. Rudolph will champion the power of fun to create a world where everyone feels they belong."

\u201cA message from M&M'S.\u201d
— M&M'S (@M&M'S) 1674481505

Rudolph confirmed the partnership to Today: "I'm thrilled to be working with M&M's. I am a lifelong lover of the candy and I feel like it's such an honor to be asked to be part of such a legendary brand's campaign. It's a very fun pairing, if I do say so myself. I think little Maya would be thrilled to get to work with M&M's."

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M&M's goes woke, offers 'all-female' candy package featuring new Purple character who promotes inclusivity



Mars, the parent company of the beloved M&M's chocolate candy, has decided to go "woke" — again. On Thursday, the company announced that it will offer a special edition "all-female" M&M's package which will feature the new Purple character designed to promote inclusivity.

The "all-female" M&M's packages will look markedly different than the traditional packages, so consumers should have no difficulty deciphering between the two. The "all-female" packages will include only three colors: brown, green, and the latest addition to the M&M's cast, purple.

M&M's had teased the addition of a new color for a while and had asked fans to make their preferences known through a vote. When the final votes had been tallied, purple had bested pink and aqua.

With the new color comes a new member of the iconic M&M's cartoon characters, all of whom have their own unique personalities. Purple, described as "quirky, confident and authentic," is designed to promote inclusivity. She is the first female peanut M&M and therefore, according to some observers, promotes body positivity. On Tuesday, she made her official debut in an ad in which she walks around the backstage of a theater and sings a song entitled "I'm Just Gonna Be Me."

"There is so much about our new spokescandy that people can relate to and appreciate," Jane Hwang, global VP at Mars Wrigley said of Purple, "including her willingness to embrace her true self — our new character reminds us to celebrate what makes us unique."

Along with the curvy new Purple character, the "all-female" M&M's package will also include Green and Brown, two traditionally female characters who have been given a new, less feminine look. Green has abandoned her knee-high white boots with stiletto heels in favor of sneakers. Though Brown — who enjoys the tagline "Not bossy. Just the boss" — continues to wear heels, she, too, has toned down the sex appeal, preferring a lower and more square-shaped heel these days to the pointier heels she wore in the past.

In addition to the limited colors, the "all-female" M&M's package — which will come in milk chocolate, peanut, and peanut butter varieties — will also feature an upside-down image of the characters on the packaging itself to represent the ways in which women are "are flipping how they define success."

"Women all over the world are flipping how they define success and happiness while challenging the status quo, so we’re thrilled to be able to recognize and celebrate them," Mars Wrigley North America chief marketing officer Gabrielle Wesley said. "And who better to help us on that mission than our own powerhouse spokescandies Green, Brown and Purple?"

And Mars has promised to put its money where its mouth is. The company intends to donate up to $500,000 to two organizations which promote female musicians: "She Is The Music" and "We Are Moving the Needle." It will also donate an additional $300,000 to other nonprofits dedicated to supporting women, Fox News reported.

Though the "all-female" M&M's promo might frustrate many consumers who just want to buy candy without an attending socio-political message, it should not come as a surprise. New Mars CEO Poul Weihrauch has encouraged the brand to evolve so that it corresponds to what the company calls a "more dynamic, progressive world."

And all the way back in 2017, a tweet from M&M's went viral because it seemed to suggest Green and Brown were in a lesbian relationship. The tweet features Green and Brown on a sandy beach. The two are sitting on a bench, and Green's hand is placed suggestively on Brown's lap. "It’s rare Ms. Brown and I get to spend time together without some colorful characters barging in," Green says in the message.

\u201cIt\u2019s rare Ms. Brown and I get to spend time together without some colorful characters barging in. \u2013 Ms. Green\u201d
— M&M'S (@M&M'S) 1435514962

Though the tweet was originally posted in 2015, it did not go viral for another two years.

War zone in Mexico: 30 die during arrest of El Chapo's son; video shows Sinaloa Cartel retaliate by burning city, shooting commercial airplanes, trying to kidnap doctors



Mexican authorities arrested the son of notorious Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman on Thursday. The Sinaloa drug cartel has retaliated by turning a city in Mexico into a fiery war zone.

Mission to arrest El Chapo's son

A significant Mexican military force swooped into the city of Culiacan to take Ovidio Guzman into custody. The Mexican army ordered Blackhawk helicopter gunships to attack a convoy of 25 cartel vehicles – some sporting machine guns.

Mexican law enforcement was able to arrest Guzman. However, 10 Mexican military personnel and one Culiacan policeman were killed during the operation, according to Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval. There were 17 police officers and 35 military personnel injured during the firefight. Authorities believe 19 members of the Sinaloa drug cartel died during the mission.

A Mexican military aircraft conducted a strafing run against Sinaloa Cartel members, according to The Drive.

\u201cWar has broken out between Mexican Defense Forces and the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacan in response to the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son.\n\nMore footage will be added in the thread below as it emerges.\u201d
— Libertarian Party Mises Caucus (@Libertarian Party Mises Caucus) 1672954902
\u201cThe son of imprisoned drug kingpin \u201cEl Chapo\u201d has been arrested by authorities in Mexico. The pre-dawn military operation sparked gunfights and roadblocks across the city where the Sinaloa drug cartel is headquartered. @mattriversabc reports. https://t.co/47JbkrfG9v\u201d
— World News Tonight (@World News Tonight) 1672977631
\u201cAeronaves de la Fuerza A\u00e9rea sobrevuelan la Ciudad de Culiacan en Sinaloa\u201d
— M\u00e9xico Aeroespacial y Defensa (@M\u00e9xico Aeroespacial y Defensa) 1672945924

Sinaloa cartel launches violent campaign to free Ovidio Guzman

The Sinaloa Cartel set the city of Culiacan on fire in an attempt to force Mexican authorities to free Guzman.

According to Fox News, "The violence became so heavy that Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha said cartel members showed up at local hospitals attempting to kidnap doctors to take them back to the front lines and treat wounded fighters."

Rocha said, "It got to the point that at one moment, the doctors were saying, ‘We’re getting out of here.'"

El Pais reported, "Witnesses who spoke to El Pais paint a picture of terror, where packs of armed criminals, on motorcycles or on foot, played cat and mouse with the authorities. Roberto, a painter who left home shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, said the criminals seized his car at gunpoint: 'I don’t know what a war zone is like, but I think it’s the same thing,' he said."

The cartel set cars, buses, and tractor-trailers on fire as roadblocks across the city. The drug cartel blocked 19 roads and highways in Culiacan. The cartel wanted to prevent the Mexican military from transporting Guzman to the Culiacan airport.

Two military planes landed at the airport and deployed more troops to secure the airport.

Law enforcement was able to transport Guzman to the airport, but the cartel launched a last-ditch offensive. The Sinaloa Cartel shot at a military plane and a commercial airliner in an effort to stop Guzman from being flown out of the city.

The Aeromexico airliner attempted to take off from the runway, but was hit by gunfire. Passengers threw themselves to the floor of the plane to dodge the gunfire. The commercial airliner was forced to retreat to the terminal.

The New York Post reported that the plane's engine had been hit during the shooting, which caused a leak. None of the passengers were injured.

The Sinaloa Cartel grounded two military aircraft after the planes were hit with "a significant number of impacts," Sandoval said. The cartel soldiers were reportedly firing Barrett .50 caliber anti-materiel rifles at the planes.

\u201cSinaloa Cartel firing a .50 Cal Barrett anti-materiel rifle at a plane of the Mexican Air Force near the Culiac\u00e1n Airport following the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son Ovidio\u201d
— Sara A. Carter (@Sara A. Carter) 1673019931
\u201cIn an act of terrorism, a war has broken out between Mexican Defense Forces and the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacan in response to the arrest of El Chapo\u2019s son. Where the cartel has now been shooting at commercial airliners with 50-caliber weapons; some arguing provided by the ATF.\u201d
— Joshua Rodriguez (@Joshua Rodriguez) 1672959875

The U.S. wants Guzman

Mexican authorities snuck Guzman into a military helicopter and flew the 32-year-old drug kingpin to Mexico City. Guzman is reportedly in a maximum-security prison near Toluca.

"Guzman was indicted by the United States on drug trafficking charges in 2018. According to both governments, he had assumed a growing role among his brothers in carrying on their father’s business, along with long- time cartel boss Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada," according to CNBC.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard confirmed the Mexican government received a 2019 request from the United States for Guzman's arrest, and that the U.S. wants to extradite the suspected drug lord.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is serving a life sentence at a Colorado supermax federal prison after being convicted of criminal enterprise and cocaine distribution in 2019.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to the southern border on Sunday – his first such visit since taking office. Biden is set to visit Mexico next week for the North American Leaders' Summit – which will include meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Lopez Obrador.

ESPN writer identifies as transgender, declares, 'I'm transitioning to male'



ESPN writer Mechelle Voepel announced on Tuesday, "I'm transitioning to male."

"In sports media, we're lucky to tell stories of others' journeys. We have our own, too. Part of mine is being transgender, and I'm transitioning to male. Byline now M.A. Voepel, pronouns he/him. Please feel free to call me Voepel, MV, Michael, Mike; I’m good with them all," Voepel tweeted.

\u201cIn sports media, we're lucky to tell stories of others\u2019 journeys. We have our own, too. Part of mine is being transgender, and I'm transitioning to male. Byline now M.A. Voepel, pronouns he/him. Please feel free to call me Voepel, MV, Michael, Mike; I\u2019m good with them all. \ud83d\ude0a\u2026\u201d
— M.A. Voepel (@M.A. Voepel) 1660058539

The announcement was met with positive feedback from ESPN colleagues.

"Proud to be teammates with you, Voepel!" Alexa Philippou tweeted.

"Wow, Voepel! Congrats! How about “Mikey”? Will that fly? Proud to have you as a colleague," T.J. Quinn tweeted.

"Proud to be your teammate, MV! Forever admiring you!" Charlotte Gibson tweeted.

Voepel's biography on espnpressroom.com now uses male pronouns and the name M.A. Voepel — the bio previously used female pronouns and the name Mechelle Voepel.

Voepel is slated to receive an award, and wishes to do so while being "authentic," according to the announcement on social media.

"I have the great honor of receiving Gowdy Award next month from Naismith Hall of Fame, and wanted to do that as authentic self, hence this announcement now. Fear can keep us paralyzed for decades, especially when we think we will lose all that is dear to us, including career," Voepel tweeted. "At some point, you realize you need to have faith that your happiness/well-being is worth pursuing, and also have faith in other people's kindness and grace. Grateful for a company that supports all of its employees, for terrific family and friends, and for societal progress," Voepel added.

"I may look and sound a little different," Voepel noted. "Glad to be who I've always been inside. Dedication to covering women's sports, a lifelong joy as well as job, and admiration for all involved – players, coaches, execs, fans, referees, colleagues – that stays exactly the same. Thanks!"

Radical leftist gender ideology is an area of significant cultural contention when it comes to girls' and women's sports, because many people do not believe that biological men who identify as women should be allowed to compete in female sports.

Mark Levin: We've NEVER Seen an Attorney General Treated This Way!

Mark Levin: We've NEVER Seen an Attorney General Treated This Way!