View Full Version : Time to boycott U.S. products
I've been thinking about this for some time, and today came across this article:
The Last Straw: Boycott the U.S.
by Murray MacAdam
"Guatemala? Why would you want to go there?"
The U.S. customs official's voice dripped with contempt as he grilled my daughter at Toronto airport. Only minutes before, we had bade her a heartfelt farewell as she headed to Guatemala to study Spanish and do volunteer work, full of excitement.
The official scowled when Rosie told him she planned to spend four months in Guatemala. He told her to empty her carry-on bag, and examined every item carefully. A female officer frisked her from head to toe. This is how the United States welcomes an 18-year-old woman who wants to experience a developing nation.
Might the Cuba stamp in her passport from our trip there last year have had anything to do with it?
Was I ever relieved when Rosie emailed me that night to say she had arrived safely in Guatemala City.
After I got over my anger at her rude treatment, I told myself: that's it. Time to hit the Yanks where it hurts, the only place they care about it: their wallets. From now on, I'm going to boycott U.S. products as much as possible and will not travel there, until they show they are a civilized nation.
Twenty years ago South Africa was a pariah state, boycotted by all people of conscience for its brutal treatment of the black majority. The international boycott of South African products was a powerful weapon in forcing the apartheid regime to change. It gave citizens around the world a practical way of making a difference.
Today a rogue nation defies world opinion by occupying another country for its oil and to wield political power in a key world region. It continues its slaughter there with so little respect for human life that it doesn't bother counting the victims of its war. It tortures its prisoners of war with impunity. Meanwhile it runs a concentration camp in Cuba where, despite repeated pleas, it refuses to obey internationally respected rules for the human treatment of prisoners. The global supercop dismisses calls for an international criminal court out of hand.
In the face of stark evidence of climate change, the rogue nation thumbs its nose at 141 nations in the world that have agreed to act against this looming ecological threat.
The list goes on. The point is, what are we going to do about it? Is it simply enough to march in the next antiwar rally, as important as that is? Or don't we need to ratchet up the pressure on the U.S. through economic pressure?
A boycott of U.S. products might seem like an extreme step. But many citizens of Muslim nations started boycotting American products when the U.S. invaded Iraq two years ago. They were joined by a growing number of Europeans and even some Americans, led by Adbuster's Boycott Brand America campaign. The recent near-murder of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena by U.S. troops in Iraq is sure to bolster the ranks of Europeans who boycott the U.S. The British consumer group Ethical Consumer found that 20 percent of European and Canadian consumers questioned in a recent survey said they avoid buying U.S. products to protest the Iraq war and U.S. foreign policy. The Victoria Peace Coalition has endorsed a U.S. boycott.
The dim-witted cowboy who can barely speak coherently may be the frontman for this rogue nation. But behind him is a powerful array of corporate interests for whom he is headwaiter. What they want, Bush delivers: tax cuts that shovel even more money into their pockets, gutting of environmental laws that let them pollute with impunity, and now plans to destroy the U.S. social security system so corporations can invade this market. As Ralph Nader said, George Bush is a corporation masquerading as a politician. A boycott confronts this corporate behemoth head-on. And it will serve to educate people about the corporate interests behind the Bush throne.
A U.S. boycott also helps protect the environment. As the Finnish environmental organization Dodo notes, "The world's consumers have a responsibility to help President Bush consider the (Kyoto) issue anew. By boycotting American products we will decrease U.S. production and the country's rapidly growing energy consumption."
I am not entirely comfortable with the boycott tactic, because of the hundreds of Americans I've met who share my values. I know that many Americans are resisting the Bush regime. But not enough. Americans, if they chose to, could rise up and force the U.S. war machine to a halt. Yes, it would be very tough and would require a massive mobilization. But did the Ukrainians find it easy to overthrow the corrupt regime that had been oppressing them?
This is a question of conscience. It's time to put our money where our values [are].
I fully agree with the author, and think it's one of the best things we as Americans can also do to show our opposition to the corporate/fascist take-over of our government and our country.
So I for one will refuse to support American products or companies to the greatest extent possible, and will encourage others to do the same.
stealthman_1 03-11-2005, 10:23 PM Get off the hooch. :rolleyes:
Oh you mean the Kool-Aid? The kind that's free @ every Repub gathering?
Sorry - never could develop a taste for it.
The problem, as I've pointed out here often, is that we don't make anything here any more other than cars. What would foreigners boycott? Microsoft or Intel? They've been 'boycotting,' sanctioning and pirating them for years.
Boycotting American branded products would backfire quickly. Unlike most of the rest of the world, we have the room and resources to do it pretty much all by ourselves if we set our minds to it. An embargo against our products would spark a surge of nationalism that would make the post-9/11 surge pale in comparison. The rest of the world depends on our consumption. The last thing they'd want is for us to stop consuming their stuff.
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 05:00 AM ...So I for one will refuse to support American products or companies to the greatest extent possible, and will encourage others to do the same.
You should starve to death in about 3 weeks!
Of course that is if you are serious.
metalhead 03-12-2005, 05:30 AM Bad week huh?!
Major Kong 03-12-2005, 06:56 AM You should starve to death in about 3 weeks!
Chile. Of course he would have to go a U.S. owned store, but he wouldn't starve.
Andrew
Sorry to rile all of you "patriots". Sh!t happens.
Major Kong 03-12-2005, 08:13 AM I'm on your side. I was trying to point out the fact that I don't think people realize where their food is coming from.
Andrew
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 08:23 AM Since roadbikereview.com is American, you will now boycott it?
Not to mention his internet provider.
Not to worry this is all talk on his part. He was most likely sippin a pepsi when he posted it.
AJS, since your beef is with the government more so than the people you should just boycott paying taxes. Income, personal property, user, etc. Of course sales tax would be a tough one.
Asumming your local utilities (water, sewage, etc.) are provide by the local government you may want to stop paying those bills as well.
It maybe easier if you just leave the country. If you promise to never come back and mail me you passport to ensure you can't, I will help raise some funds to get you started with you new life. I imagine your X would make a sizable contribution.
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 08:28 AM I'm on your side. I was trying to point out the fact that I don't think people realize where their food is coming from.
Andrew
..since he used the term "products" that he would have half a chance (meat other than fish would be a challenge) but as you mentioned he would still be supporting American companies wih the purchase. Even if he ordered everything online out of the USA it would be shipped via american companies.
..since he used the term "products" that he would have half a chance (meat other than fish would be a challenge) but as you mentioned he would still be supporting American companies wih the purchase. Even if he ordered everything online out of the USA it would be shipped via american companies. He did say:
So I for one will refuse to support American products or companies to the greatest extent possible, and will encourage others to do the same. The most effective way to get your point across in America is with your wallet. It's the ultimate form of expression one can make in this country.
bill105 03-12-2005, 09:16 AM Not to mention his internet provider.
Not to worry this is all talk on his part. He was most likely sippin a pepsi when he posted it.
AJS, since your beef is with the government more so than the people you should just boycott paying taxes. Income, personal property, user, etc. Of course sales tax would be a tough one.
Asumming your local utilities (water, sewage, etc.) are provide by the local government you may want to stop paying those bills as well.
It maybe easier if you just leave the country. If you promise to never come back and mail me you passport to ensure you can't, I will help raise some funds to get you started with you new life. I imagine your X would make a sizable contribution.
i dont think ajs will be driving either if he's serious. while the oil used may have come from a foreign country, its more than likely processed to gasoline here. sorry ajs, i guess youre bike will have to do for all your travels.
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 10:49 AM He did say: ...
[QUOTE=AJS]So I for one will refuse to support American products or companies to the greatest extent possibe, and will encourage others to do the same.[QUOTE]
There is a huge difference between "possible" and "practical". If he means practical than he, you and everyone else of his ilk can boycott and it want make a rats a$$ of a difference.
Of course if we just include those of "his ilk" I don't think the 10 of you would change anything no matter what you did.
There is a huge difference between "possible" and "practical". If he means practical than he, you and everyone else of his ilk can boycott and it want make a rats a$$ of a difference.
Of course if we just include those of "his ilk" I don't think the 10 of you would change anything no matter what you did.
It's about something most of you wouldn't understand if it hit you in the face and it's not something you can buy in the store: Integrity.
It's about something most of you wouldn't understand if it hit you in the face and it's not something you can buy in the store: Integrity.
Exactly.
BTW - no offense taken MK. :)
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 02:06 PM It's about something most of you wouldn't understand if it hit you in the face and it's not something you can buy in the store: Integrity.
Where is the integrity in saying you are going to do something that everyone knows you won't follow though with?
AJS: Lay out you plan to boycott american products. I promise not to buy any american made electronics.
RkFast 03-12-2005, 03:37 PM Good thing the left isnt "Anti American" or anything, right?
Just go, already, AJS. You obviously hate it here and have contempt for everything American...so just pick up your **** and get out.
Where is the integrity in saying you are going to do something that everyone knows you won't follow though with?
AJS: Lay out you plan to boycott american products. I promise not to buy any american made electronics.
If he's anything IRL like he is here I have little doubt that AJS will follow through, as much as possible, with his 'pledge.' I don't agree with him on this particular issue -- I go out of my way to do business with 'good' American companies as much as possible and I'm definitely to the right of center -- but I support him nonetheless. If I were going to do it I'd just stop consuming. Nothing but the essentials. The money I'd save would be invested in foreign corporations and the gains rolled into more of the same. That is doable. The thought of Americans not consuming is terrifying to the current neo-con mindset. It threatens the very core of what they're trying to accomplish.
Whether or not he has much impact has little to do with him maintaining his integrity. He is one of the very, very few regulars here who have not wavered a bit from his positions. Most telling is, rather than gloat, he's usually angry when he's right. Integrity isn't about winning. It's about doing the right thing with no ulterior motive and even if it is directly detremental to you.
I believe that it is completey appropriate to buy products from sources which demonstrate ethical business practices, and avoid sources which exhibit practices that are against your own beliefs. AJS, however, is lashing out without thinking this through. Ok, so he doesn't agree with our government's foreign policies. I don't either. But is it appropriate to boycott ALL American companies and ALL products made in the US? From a personal belief perspective it doesn't make sense, and from a practical standpoint it doesn't make sense.
I'm not saying I agree with the sentiment -- as he presented it, I don't (see my response to LL). I actually agree with you completely.
suonata, (et al) -
In your second post, I understood your opinion to be constructive criticism before the last sentence, and not mere baiting. I do appreciate it.
Though it may not seem that I've given this much thought, as I said at the top of the article, I have considered boycotting for quite awhile now. I don't take this sort of action lightly either, which is why it has taken me this long to come to the decision.
I have to agree with the author when he says that while there are many that are actively opposing the Bush regime in the U.S., there are not enough. For example, I have looked at websites that have lists of "blue" companies and "red" companies - with stats on those that have contributed, by how much and to whom, to the 2 main political parties or to the smaller parties. Many U.S. companies have contributed equally or nearly so to both parties, which seems to me a way of hedging all bets and not taking a stand. Typical greed and self-protection from either side of the fence, especially when many of us know that whether Democratic or Republican it's just 2 sides of the same corporate coin of the realm.
The way I see it, the situation won't change until damage is meted out to any companies that have a stake in the political process, which basically includes all of them. I don't see the benefit for the public in allowing a "blue" company to skate while they may be reaping some corporate advantage brought about by the Cons/Repubs, if that gain is at the expense of their workers or the public good as a whole - including employee wage, benefits, and job security issues, fair labor and outsourcing issues, environmental issues, the paying of necessary, fair, and equitable business taxes, the type of goods/services they provide and for whom and for what purposes, and so on.
Naturally, since I live in the U.S., it is impossible to completely boycott everything "American". But I will make the effort when given a choice.
Ken -
Thank you.
Aw, shucks AJS. I might have to take you off my ignore list! But I do like the suspense of clicking "View Post" to see what you wrote, and you're the one and only person on it. What the heck, I'll leave you with that special status. ;)
Whatever blows yer skirt up, hon. ;)
Lifelover 03-12-2005, 06:34 PM Whatever blows yer skirt up, hon. ;)
Would you say that to a woman at work?
Show a little integrity and stick with your ignore list.
I Double Dare Ya!
bigbill 03-12-2005, 07:02 PM I thought that the "love it or leave it" went away in the 70's. I think that the statements made by AJS are part of a healthy, thought provoking discussion. I don't agree with him very often unless he is giving advice on another forum, but you have to respect his courage to say what many other people never will. I am a career military guy who has been there done that (OEF, OIF, Gulf war I) and am sometimes disturbed by the blind patriotism that is slung against dissent. Dissent is why we formed our own country.
I'm a U.S. Army vet as well Bill, and I have a good record working as intelligence analyst for 1st Cav., III Corps, etc. back in the late 70's/early 80's. Would I ever serve in Rumsfeld's military for something like this raping of Iraq? No F*cking Way.
Would you say that to a woman at work?
Show a little integrity and stick with your ignore list.
A #1: Yes I would, and have, because the people I work with know how to take & give a little humor without getting their Kotex' into a pinch like you're pretending to. They're adults, not prudes or pollyannas.
A #2: Since you brought it up, I'm sure you've seen my other recent post that refers to it, so you also know that suonata's not on my IL. Therefore, why are you trolling again?
Snakebit 03-12-2005, 07:55 PM I thought that the "love it or leave it" went away in the 70's. I think that the statements made by AJS are part of a healthy, thought provoking discussion. I don't agree with him very often unless he is giving advice on another forum, but you have to respect his courage to say what many other people never will. I am a career military guy who has been there done that (OEF, OIF, Gulf war I) and am sometimes disturbed by the blind patriotism that is slung against dissent. Dissent is why we formed our own country.
We hear this a lot, that dissent is patriotic and to an extent, that's true. Dissent can also be self serving.as can the blind Patriotism you describe. What we see on this board isn't at the level of that dissent that started this country. Those men risked their lives for an idea and they were in armed revolt, the rhetoric here doesn't rise to that level. I read questions here that are reasonable and voiced with real concern and that is part of the political discourse that guides this country. The type of thing constantly posted by AJS is not like that. We are all grateful for his service but no matter what type of intelligence he was involved with, it was compartmentalized and only part of the overall package that those who formulate policy use to guide their decisions. He was not one of those policy makers. Having faith in the political leaders we elected and believing they are Americans first, regardless of party, doesn't make one a blind sheep. Disagreeing with them makes one cautious, not necessarily patriotic. Now if AJS is right and we are on the hiway to hell, perhaps he is the second coming of George Washington. I doubt it.
RkFast 03-12-2005, 09:44 PM I thought that the "love it or leave it" went away in the 70's. I think that the statements made by AJS are part of a healthy, thought provoking discussion. I don't agree with him very often unless he is giving advice on another forum, but you have to respect his courage to say what many other people never will. I am a career military guy who has been there done that (OEF, OIF, Gulf war I) and am sometimes disturbed by the blind patriotism that is slung against dissent. Dissent is why we formed our own country.
If you dont "love" it, fine. Maybe youve got a few issues with it. Maybe there are some things youd like changed...maybe the current President isnt to your liking. I dont see a problem with any of that. Maybe youre pissed off, but deep down love your country. Fine.
But if you HATE it....if you WISH for its demise.....then yeah...you should probably go.
RkFast 03-12-2005, 09:50 PM [QUOTE=AJS]suonata, (et al) -
Naturally, since I live in the U.S., it is impossible to completely boycott everything "American". But I will make the effort when given a choice.
[QUOTE]
If "given the choice", he'd "try". Wow. How noble. He's not even promising to follow up with his ridiculous boycott idea if he's even has a clear choice to do so! How full of **** can you get!!!??!!!
If thats not the definition of a "Limosoune Liberal", I dont know what is.
Lifelover 03-13-2005, 03:49 AM A #2: Since you brought it up, I'm sure you've seen my other recent post that refers to it, so you also know that suonata's not on my IL. Therefore, why are you trolling again?
But I am and you keep repling to my post. No integrity.
metalhead 03-13-2005, 06:22 AM You guys are always doing the same thing. You accuse us of blindly following the party line as the corporate puppeteers pull the strings of the president and congress and anybody else in a position of political power. You don't offer any alternatives that I've seen; you just run alongside the car hoping it to get a bite at the tire. I never see alternatives offered, by you or the candidates I would guess you would support as they are the only alternatives in the system we have been operating under for a couple hundred years or so.
Dissent is a good thing when it's clear what you support. Otherwise you just come across like a bunch of whiners. Where's the beef?
P.S. See if you can respond without calling me a brownshirt, a troll, insulting my intelligence or telling me how naive I am. I am none of the above, I just happen to have a different opinion than you. People are waking up to the fact that you offer no "vision thing" .That's my theory on why the tide is turning in the american electorate. What do you think about that? It's a serious question, not a smart comeback comment.
RkFast 03-13-2005, 08:09 AM You guys are always doing the same thing. You accuse us of blindly following the party line as the corporate puppeteers pull the strings of the president and congress and anybody else in a position of political power. You don't offer any alternatives that I've seen; you just run alongside the car hoping it to get a bite at the tire. I never see alternatives offered, by you or the candidates I would guess you would support as they are the only alternatives in the system we have been operating under for a couple hundred years or so.
Dissent is a good thing when it's clear what you support. Otherwise you just come across like a bunch of whiners. Where's the beef?
P.S. See if you can respond without calling me a brownshirt, a troll, insulting my intelligence or telling me how naive I am. I am none of the above, I just happen to have a different opinion than you. People are waking up to the fact that you offer no "vision thing" .That's my theory on why the tide is turning in the american electorate. What do you think about that? It's a serious question, not a smart comeback comment.
He just needs attention. Im sure sooner or later the loon will advocate the assasination of the President under some nutty pretense, in the interest of "sparking debate". Or maybe he will post some long manifesto from a Canadian Communist entitled something like "Mom and Apple Pie: How the United States and the Bush Administration Seeks to Exploit Mothers and Apple Farmers Across the Globe."
Folks like these leftists who knash their teeth all day long and blame Bush for everything from the weather to "The Worlds Next Top Model" are just whining away and crying "The Sky is Falling!!!" If they stopped freaking out and throwing their tantrums, they would realize....ESPECIALLY people like these white males in their comfy suburban homes would realize the only change in their personal lives the last five years has been that they are paying more to feed their SUVs and their tech stocks took a dump. Not to say our world doesnt have problems and things need to change. It would be naive to think it doesnt. But these kooks who think that troops goose-stepping down Main Street are only a stone's throw away and base this on the fact that airport security in the U.S. is finally up to snuff with the rest of the globe (where ARE those Twin Towers these days??!!??) are so off base, they would make Rickey Henderson blush.
paper warrior 03-13-2005, 12:47 PM The place I have been boycotting for a while now is Safeway though not intentionally. The reason I have been boycotting Safeway is it's just too expensive. My "corporate conspiracy theory" is that Safeway has reviewed the retail landscape across the country and decided they cannot or will not compete with the Walmart lifestyle phenomenon and decided to go for a more "uppercrust" niche. Which unfortunately I decided I cannot afford.
Even Walmart isn't that cheap as the rep unless you go for the house brands so the national outlets I go to are Cost-U-Less and Grocery Outlet though I wouldn't hang around there at 8:00 in the evening.
Bocephus Jones II 03-14-2005, 07:54 AM The place I have been boycotting for a while now is Safeway though not intentionally. The reason I have been boycotting Safeway is it's just too expensive.
Safeway expensive? You haven't shopped at a Whole Foods yet, have you?
paper warrior 03-14-2005, 10:35 AM And Colorado Cyclist too.
mohair_chair 03-14-2005, 11:18 AM Help me understand this. The author is upset because customs officials are inquisitive and do a thorough search of his daughter, so we should boycott US products? Did he think that because his daughter was going somewhere to study and do volunteer work, she would get a free pass? The rest of that article is just ranting. I don't know where you get this stuff, AJS, but you get further and further away from reality with each passing day.
Help me understand this. The author is upset because customs officials are inquisitive and do a thorough search of his daughter, so we should boycott US products? Did he think that because his daughter was going somewhere to study and do volunteer work, she would get a free pass? The rest of that article is just ranting. I don't know where you get this stuff, AJS, but you get further and further away from reality with each passing day.
Can you show where anything the author mentioned is not true, or based upon lies and misinformation - such as what's common from your side? Once again, attack the messenger but you cannot assail the message.
It's only "ranting" when it doesn't support your version of reality, hmm?
mohair_chair 03-14-2005, 01:14 PM Can you show where anything the author mentioned is not true, or based upon lies and misinformation - such as what's common from your side? Once again, attack the messenger but you cannot assail the message.
It's only "ranting" when it doesn't support your version of reality, hmm?
AJS, I find it hilarious that you talk about reality when half the stuff you post here are ridiculous and completely disproven conspiracy theories. So don't try to lecture me on reality.
In any case, I'm not even arguing for or against said reality. The only thing that matters in that article is the part that says "After I got over my anger at her rude treatment, I told myself: that's it. Time to hit the Yanks where it hurts, the only place they care about it: their wallets."
He's like everyone else in the world that blames their problems on America. No, actually he's worse. Until his daughter was treated "rudely," he didn't care. Now he's on a mission. To me he's just a petty guy who has gone off on a rant. I tune him out.
I don 't recall where much if anything I've posted here has been completely disproven - as a conspiracy theory or otherwise. Nothing but anti-raves, baseless denials, and dissembling from the Con supporters, but those do not constitute "disproving". So, I'll lecture you and anyone else on reality until you get it right.
As for the author's reason(s) for boycotting, did it occur to you that perhaps he - like myself - has considered doing so for quite some time, and that the incident with his daughter at customs was just his last straw? Judging from the rest of his sentiments, that seems the most likely. Your feeble attempts at discrediting myself and the author have once again fallen flat.
mohair_chair 03-14-2005, 02:18 PM I don 't recall where much if anything I've posted here has been completely disproven - as a conspiracy theory or otherwise. Nothing but anti-raves, baseless denials, and dissembling from the Con supporters, but those do not constitute "disproving". So, I'll lecture you and anyone else on reality until you get it right.
As for the author's reason(s) for boycotting, did it occur to you that perhaps he - like myself - has considered doing so for quite some time, and that the incident with his daughter at customs was just his last straw? Judging from the rest of his sentiments, that seems the most likely. Your feeble attempts at discrediting myself and the author have once again fallen flat.
You were really an intelligence analyst? What happened?
Lifelover 03-14-2005, 02:21 PM I don 't recall where much if anything I've posted here has been completely disproven - as a conspiracy theory or otherwise. Nothing but anti-raves, baseless denials, and dissembling from the Con supporters, but those do not constitute "disproving". ...
You always want people to disprove things that you have never proved in the first place.
The burden of proof is on the acuser.
What, another desperate attempt at avoiding the topic mohair?
metalhead 03-14-2005, 06:55 PM And Colorado Cyclist too.
Yeah but the Colorado catalog is delicious!!!!!
RkFast 03-14-2005, 07:45 PM You were really an intelligence analyst? What happened?
Too much LSD is my guess.
atpjunkie 03-14-2005, 08:53 PM as Whole Paychecks. OB People's Baby. Whole Foods is a great place to meet women though for you single guys.
a) they have $ (have to to shop there)
b) they care about their bodies, most excercise of some sort, usually yoga (endless opp's)
c) they are usually more educated
I just try to not buy companies I don't support ethically. Though I'm considering creating a mutual fund out of defense contractors, it's a growth industry right now.
"b) they care about their bodies, most excercise of some sort, usually yoga (endless opp's)"
Long as they look as good while bent over grabbing their ankles as they do when they're shopping, I'm down widdit.
Duane Gran 03-15-2005, 05:02 AM Interesting article. I would have liked to have a URL in addition to the source text.
Duane Gran 03-15-2005, 05:07 AM I suggest we turn this topic on its head a little. What does it say about our culture if we endorse the US governments illegal and immoral actions with our wallets? I actually think it is a sad state of affairs that it is controversial to suggest that we should withhold our financial support. In many ways, the American consumer is a silent accomplice to the international crimes of the US government. Isn't it about time that silence is broken?
In many ways, the American consumer is a silent accomplice to the international crimes of the US government. Isn't it about time that silence is broken?
Which is precisely my reason for boycotting "American". I know that's not real popular right now, but neither do I enjoy knowing that the U.S. gov't is killing, torturing, and maiming civilians in Iraq and elsewhere every day.
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