UN-Hate Ad Campaign angers US and Vatican

A recent ad campaign called "unhate" from the clothing company Benetton which features prominent political and religious leaders smooching has drawn wide criticism from both the White House and the Vatican over the use and perceived message of the ads. The Vatican said the ads were:

a clear demonstration of how publicity can violate the basic rules of respect for people by attracting attention with provocation

First of all, it's a fairly unhelpful and blase message that all of us already know we should probably do. Seeing a poster of two leaders kissing really doesn't "flip a switch" in my head at all other that "what the F is that for?" For the people that do hold religious or political hate within, I doubt a campaign with the people they dislike kissing the people they support will do anything but make them more angry. Secondly, I think less "un-hate" more "awkward" when I see these. Partly because, while they are decently photoshopped, they definitely don't look natural or comfortable. Perhaps it is the US. concept of a kiss as more a sign of love than a general "acquaintance hello" type message...but with the US pres being in a bunch you'd think they'd have thought of that. Not that love doesn't counteract hate, but more that kissing on the lips, in my mind, links directly to romance..( I know that's not true around the world but it's worth bringing up as to whether or not its a successful ad campaign)

I dunno. I'm not offended, i just don't know if "tolerance" is really the message I get here...

I get a very strong pro-homosexuality message (sans the identity of the leaders) which is no problem at all, I just don't think  that's what they were going for... I dunno it's hard to dislike ads like this since the message is good...I just think there could have been a more creative, new, and less offensive (to other people) way to carry it out...You don't want to express tolerance in a way that induces hate and causes some people to take offense.,,

The Update says they've pulled the pope ads due to legal action from the Vatican, and also that the White house has expressed its displeasure with the use of the president's image.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/benetton-s-controversial-unhate-ads-1321492332-slideshow/man-strolls-front-benetton-store-downtown-rome-photo-214304151.html

and the story:http://www.news.com.au/world/heavens-fashion-label-benettons-kissing-leaders-causes-a-storm/story-e6frfkyi-1226198055703