Back on May 15, 2005, then PepsiCo president and CFO Indra Nooyi said the following as part of her commencement speech to graduates of Columbia University Business School. She was comparing continents with fingers on a hand. Guess which one she selected for America?

After that, the Conservative blogosphere was enraged! I was furious too. I recall angry callers on Hugh Hewitt’s show promising to boycott all of PepsiCo’s products. I adjusted my own buying habits after hearing her remarks. I wrote the company and received the following response.

Dear Darnell,

Thank you for contacting us about Indra Nooyi?s recent commencement speech at Columbia University, which has created a difficult situation.

Please know how sorry we are for disappointing you ? and how much we appreciate your input. Feedback such as yours has been shared directly with Indra, and she clearly regrets this unfortunate episode. With that in mind, Indra has asked us to share this statement with you:

“Following my remarks to the graduating class of Columbia University’s Business School in New York City, I have come to realize that my words and examples about America unintentionally depicted our country negatively and hurt people.

I appreciate the honest comments that have been shared with me since then, and am deeply sorry for offending anyone. I love America unshakably — without hesitation — and am extremely grateful for the opportunities and support our great nation has always provided me.

“Over the years I’ve witnessed and advised others how a thoughtless gesture or comment can hurt good, caring people. Regrettably, I’ve proven my own point. Please accept my sincere apologies.”

– Indra Nooyi

Thanks once more for taking the time to contact us here at PepsiCo. We truly value your very conscientious point of view, and promise to work just as diligently at regaining your trust and confidence.

Sincerely,
PepsiCo

Yes I saved their response and here is part of what I sent them back:

Thank you for your response. Although she has said she feels she made a mistake after the fact. The gravity of her comments in a prepared speech lead me to feel it is simply an actual reflection of her views of this nation and it’s efforts to defend it’s interests
…

Keep in mind there was much America-bashing going on then like there is now from the Liberal/Progressive movement, because America actually uses our military to defend our interests. And it was 5 months after President Bush started his 2nd term in office.

Here’s some other details of the fallout.

Now lets says she’s really sorry and means it. Fine, but with all the negativity surrounding her and her apparently negative views of America, should she become the company’s CEO? I don’t think so. But I’m not a decision maker at PepsiCo. Personally I would have endorsed someone with appeal inside and outside of America. To me her selection sends a message to those of us who disliked her statements. And the message is, so what. As in, so what if she trashed the nation PepsiCo is based in and so what if you didn’t like it, we’re putting her right up in the top spot when you wanted her out the door!

Instead of thinking about the American consumer base, PepsiCo and the MSM are having a celebrate diversity moment.

Hey PepsiCo, how about finding someone for the top spot that knows how to better respect America?

Needless to say, I don’t have a desire to run out and buy any of their products.

update 8/14/2006 11:25AM: Power Line agrees and says “Buy Coke products”.