|
Post by Henrik on Mar 21, 2003 9:31:19 GMT -5
I have been wanting to raise an topic I find interesting for some time now, and have finally gotten around to it!
I have been reading a bit about how there is a certain boycott movement in the US against countries or people that are opposing the war. The most obvious is France, where I have seen people who refuse to buy French wine etc., as a protest against their opposing the war. Also, as Wycco mentioned, the Dixie Chicks seem to be suffering a bit after having spoken out against the president.
One thing that the people participating in the boycotts need to realize is that in order to be consistent, they should boycott all countries and other entities that oppose the war. However, that would probably cause some problems given the large number of US cities that oppose the war. Indeed many US cities, and not the really small ones either, have passed a resolution opposing the war on Iraq. Granted, this resolution has no real impact on the government, but it does show their clear opinion. Some examples of these cities are:
Los Angeles, San Francisco (obviously!), Denver, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Austin (yep!), Seattle and even Washington DC.
So, before you begin boycotting French and German products because they opposed the war, think that you must also boycott all those cities too….
|
|
|
Post by Topcontender on Mar 21, 2003 10:25:11 GMT -5
I can boycott Hollywood/ LA. I am still waiting for the big one.
CNN/ USA Today/ Gallup Poll 76% ofamericans support war.
On the Orielly factor, he had a poll asking who would boycott french goods. 95% said "yes." Well he was so pleased he sent the numbers to the French Embassy.
|
|
|
Post by daSilva on Mar 21, 2003 10:58:37 GMT -5
That's the wonderful thing about living in free societies, we can all express our opinions. We don't have to buy CD's or wine or we can march peacefully against the war. I bet that they can't do that in Iraq or North Korea.
|
|
|
Post by Henrik on Mar 21, 2003 11:16:21 GMT -5
Couldn't agree with you more da Silva!
I just wish there were less hypocrites in the free world....
|
|
|
Post by daSilva on Mar 21, 2003 11:34:20 GMT -5
True nuff.
Speaking of hypocrites, I saw a protest yesterday in, I think, San Fran where groups of war protesters were pulling people from their cars and beating them. WTF is that?
|
|
|
Post by glendo on Mar 21, 2003 13:54:46 GMT -5
enough already..
i really dont mean to offend TC or Rx by saying this:
(generally) Americans are the biggest fuckwits on the earth. their arrogance and stupidity is sickening. this planet would be a better place without it. i'd say the world should boycott the us, and bring it down... but they have the world by the balls.. for thier own gain.
|
|
|
Post by daSilva on Mar 21, 2003 14:08:47 GMT -5
If you don't mean to offend then you shouldn't say it. Does that make Australians a bunch of arrogant fuckwits as well for supporting the war. Of course not.
|
|
|
Post by Wycco on Mar 21, 2003 14:18:52 GMT -5
Henrik,
I think boycotts of the Chicks, and France is ludicrous and self-defeating, however, I respect the rights of the people boycotting to boycott. If it makes them feel better, Oh Well, big thrills to Noddy! Personally, I think its only helping the Chicks and France get more attention!
Personally, I won't eat at McDonalds due to their past stances on being pro-IRA terrorism. My non-patronage isn't going to make McDonalds go bankrupt- but I take the pleasure in knowing that none of my hard earned bucks go to that pansy-arse clown, Ronald.
I also refuse to spend my dollars at any store that has annoying adverts on TV... just because I can (none of my dollars will be spent on annoying ad-campaigns!)
Glendo,
I don't quite agree with you... Any harm the US may cause on the rest of the world would be out of ignorance... Americans generally do mean well... naturally they do put themselves first, but show me a nation that doesn't.
People are people wherever you go... Although there are plenty of pricks in the US- the vast majority are nice well-meaning folks. (I would venture to say a larger percentage of people here in the US are nice-people than in my native England).
Where America fails is in its understanding of the outside world. The fault lies in the education system- In general Americans simply arn't taught Culture, Geography, and history of the outside world very well.
As such, many fail to note the significance of other world nations.
In general though, I think you'll find Americans (as a whole) to be a great group of people... if you ever make it state-side, I think you'll see that the pricks you've met down-under arn't truly representative of this nation.
|
|
|
Post by Danny Boy on Mar 21, 2003 15:29:04 GMT -5
I think Glendo is trying to say; he is pissed off that so many Americans relish death and destruction as long as it is done to others and not themselves. They also get orgasmic over the death penalty of their own prisoners, irrespective of weather they are guilty or not.
|
|
|
Post by pabs on Mar 21, 2003 15:39:03 GMT -5
I don't think Americans as a whole cherish death or destruction, let alone get orgasmic about the death penalty regardless of guilt. You really make it sound like the entire American culture is based on that, Danny. I am sure there have been quite a few people put to death wrongfully but efforts to increase DNA testing have increased dramatically in the last few years and convictions have been overturned.
You know, I wonder: have you lived here?
|
|
|
Post by Mo on Mar 21, 2003 15:58:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Henrik on Mar 21, 2003 17:22:32 GMT -5
Fellow Shamuists,
I didn't intend for this thread to get out of hand, and become a US bashing thread. Then again, I suppose my initial criticism was against a certain group of Americans, and so the result could be expected.
Wycco, I agree that everybody has a right to boycott what they want. Ever since I lived in Lebanon, I boycott all products from Israel, with the most obvious products being grapefruits and avocados. This is simply as I decided back then that I would not support financially a country that would bomb the country I was living in. It may be shortsighted, but it is my right to do so. I have not lived in a place where anybody else has dropped bombs on me than Israel, and so I do not feel that this can be considered hypocritical. I should also add that I do not make a big thing out of, like demonstrating in the streets and calling others to act like me. No, I simply don't buy those products, end of story. However, people that are today boycotting French products because they opposed the war, should also be boycotting a number of US products simply because there are a large number of US cities that are opposed to the war.
I suppose the main thing is that we are still given a choice, unlike far too many people in the world today. I intend to use that right to choose as long as I have it, and although I will not make a fuss about what I choose, I will fight for the right to choose.
|
|
|
Post by Wycco on Mar 21, 2003 17:27:44 GMT -5
Understood! And I agree boycotting the French is nuts! (Although, Sister Lisa did sign the petition to give the Statue of Liberty back- just because)
|
|
|
Post by who won on Mar 21, 2003 18:02:03 GMT -5
i'm quite certain, given the way a humoress emailspreads around the world you will shortyly be receiving this in your in box, however, if you have not already, this is fairly amusing. www.zen15631.zen.co.uk/bb.mpgYou do need to have your sound up slightly to appreciate this and do read their lips.
|
|
|
Post by Danny Boy on Mar 21, 2003 22:21:19 GMT -5
Pabs; It is the way the americans are portrayed by your own (mass) media that gives the world it's bad impression of americans. I do know many americans and none of them match the steriotype put across by the likes of Fox News and other stations.
|
|