While speaking at GQ‘s Man of The Year Awards, Russell Brand thought it’d be hilarious to joke about the fact that Hugo Boss, the event’s sponsor, made a fortune selling uniforms to the Nazis. Which it was unless you’re an editor for GQ whose corporate sponsor you (accurately) linked to one of the most historic genocides in the history of man. Via The Daily Mail:

While on stage, Brand told the gathered celebrities and politicians, ‘If anyone knows a bit about history and fashion, you know it was Hugo Boss who made uniforms for the Nazis.’
He then added, with less than subtle irony, ‘But they looked **** fantastic, let’s face it, while they were killing people on the basis of their religion and sexuality.’
…
Shortly afterwards, Brand was kicked out by the magazine’s editor, Dylan Jones. According to the comedian’s Twitter feed, the two men exchanged angry words, with Jones saying, ‘What you did was very offensive to Hugo Boss.’ Brand replied, ‘What Hugo Boss did was very offensive to the Jews.’

First off, BAH-ZING! Second off, probably my favorite part of this whole ordeal is when the Daily Mail attempts to point out that Hugo Boss wasn’t exactly an active Nazi, he just joined the party to make an insane profit from Herr Fuhrer’s practically innocent little Blitzkrieg and took advantage of the forced labor from occupied countries who then occasionally died from the work conditions. Which – FOR THE RECORD! – were better than others. It’s not like he was out there gassing Jews with a tiny mustache. In fact, as the Daily Mail reports, Hugo Boss was able to successfully appeal his post-war status to the lesser category of “follower” as opposed to an active promoter of Nazism which was surely based on his fine character and not substantial wealth. Politics just doesn’t work that way. Oh no no no, balderdash.

Good luck trying to find a major German company from that time who wasn't involved with the Nazis.

True, but I do think it's extra problematic when a company is so closely and personally identified with an individual person who was a Nazi. I'm sure there are German publishing companies around today that were also involved with the Nazis, but that doesn't mean "Goebbels Publishing, Inc." wouldn't deserve a little extra side-eye.

True, but I do think it's extra problematic when a company is so closely and personally identified with an individual person who was a Nazi. I'm sure there are German publishing companies around today that were also involved with the Nazis, but that doesn't mean "Goebbels Publishing, Inc." wouldn't deserve a little extra side-eye.

That said, I wholeheartedly agree that Russell Brand is a tool, and his statement was motivated entirely by rudeness and a desire for cheap publicity.

The BMW logo is a propeller. They existed as a company entirely to make aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe. That's what their logo represents. Should we boycott BMW until they change their logo?

And really, how many of us can afford a BMW in the first place?

And really, how many of us can afford a BMW in the first place?

Suppose I could but I'd rather have an Audi...

Indeed. And to some extent I'd prefer a Jag as well.

What I'd really like is a Porsche Panamera, but that's a bit out of my range while I'm still in the Air Force...oh well...2 1/2 more years...

The ugliest Porsche ever? (Which is saying a lot in the Porsche world. They're all just flattened Beetles. )

Well they start at 30k so I would assume most of us could afford one if we really wanted one.

The ugliest Porsche ever? (Which is saying a lot in the Porsche world. They're all just flattened Beetles. )

The BMW logo is a representation of the Bavarian flag.
BMW started making cars in 1929.
BMW made aircraft engines as well as motorcycles during WWII.
So pretty much no.

They look pretty good in the real world, if you already like Porsches.

Which I do not. Lol.


I mean, the Panamera's range is from roughly 80k to roughly 160k. That's a big span and a lot of "other" really nice wheels I could get for that much.