I got a response from Lush after sending them email about the Flosty Gritter:

Thank you for taking the time to write us, we truly appreciate it when our customers take the time to write in with their feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find the name Flosty Gritter offensively racist. The Flosty Gritter has been a wonderful addition to our range of products for quite some time. I can assure you that in no way was it our attention to poke fun of those of a Japanese heritage or those with pronunciation difficulties and apologize if it comes off as so. Here at Lush we are very proud to employ a vast range of multi-cultural employees and believe in toleration for those of any race. Each of our products, including the Flosty Gritter are developed by our talented product creators in the UK. I would be happy to forward on your comments to the Lush UK customer care team. Have a lovely day,

ETA: what burns my toast is that the subject of the email they send to me is "product rant." Like I was just mindlessly spouting off to them about it. Way to take it seriously, Lush

I think my boss is having a day like mine. As she was walking back to her desk, I was standing up to go get some coffee, and she asked me if I was wearing this outfit all day. Apparently in her head, I was wearing jeans, a long sleeved t-shirt and sandals. (Actual outfit? black dress slacks, fluffy white shirt with black & white tweed jacket and black & white tweed high heeled mary janes)

I got a response as well, rather similar:

Thank you for writing us, we appreciate your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find the name Flosty Gritter completely offensive. The Flosty Gritter has been with us for some time, and has been enjoyed by a great deal of users. As a company, Lush is incredibly proud to employ people of many different heritages, including the Japanese. It was not our intention to be racist and sincerely apologize if you feel it comes off as such.

The Flosty Gritter and each of our terrific products are developed by an amazing team of product creators in the UK, I would be happy to forward your email onto our UK customer care team.

I am actually not surprised that it was developed by the UK folks. The casual racism that I saw when I lived there was pretty rampant.

I made some muffins, and the plan was to put orange glaze on them for Halloween. I didn't have enough yellow, so they're peach-colored. Halloween fail.

I couldn't do an emergency run for yellow because I've been waiting for a dishwasher repairman since 8. They called at 11 to say that it would be at least 1, because his first job went pear-shaped on him.

Now I can't get to the post office in time to get the stupid registered mail that I have no idea what it is. I didn't even know about it for several days, because the postal person smushed up the notice and pushed it under the door.

I am actually not surprised that it was developed by the UK folks. The casual racism that I saw when I lived there was pretty rampant.

Interesting. My close friend's horrible husband (I've mentioned him before) was reared in England. He's the one who giggled and ordered "flied lice" at a Thai restaurant (we were a group of 7 people). He actually repeated it three times because the server coudn't understand WHUCK he was ordering. His wife looked slightly embarrassed and rolled her eyes, and the rest of the table was silent.

I told him I was completely offended and that I had no interest in dining with him and I got up and walked out.

believe in toleration for those of any race.

Oh, isn't that nice of them.

Thank you for writing us, we appreciate your feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find the name Flosty Gritter completely offensive.

Thank you for taking the time to write us, we truly appreciate it when our customers take the time to write in with their feedback. I am sorry to hear that you find the name Flosty Gritter offensively racist.

Form letter mad libs!

"At Lush, we believe in toleration for those of any race, even those that talk funny."

David! What's your opinion on Sandy Alderson?

I'll second javachik's opinion - he's great. Super smart and competent, but pretty tough too (ex-Marine). He was the guy in charge of putting together the A's back in the 80s and 90s, and bringing Beane up in the organization.

He knows how to draft, doesn't make dumbass free agent investments and knows how to put together a winning lineup. He'll hire smart people and won't be afraid to let them contribute.

With the Mets budget and talent core he'll be able to have them competitive and organizationally sound within a couple years.

Huh. I didn't even get the form letter.

Time to escalate, I think.