We can hit America where it hurts!!!

by Ray Fri Dec 20, 2002 14:45

The 'summary' box has a character limit, which is why this article has been cut short. You can only use the 'summary' box for a short description of the article (or a very short article), the main text has to go into the 'full text' box.

by liberal shite Fri Dec 20, 2002 15:34

the problem with the US is its imperialism, ie capitalism. We should try to transform the world into a socialist world.

Boycotts not only dont work, but they also distract attention from the real enemy- capitalism. Why should we not buy products from US capitalists and buy them off European capitalists? what's the difference?

ALL goods produced in this world are produced under capitalism and are produced involving exploitation. Why boycott American goods?

by jmayler Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:16

SICK OF THE WAR
On the day war is 'officially' declared on Iraq quite a lot of people are going to call in sick.
what's the point? i hear you cry - well a lot of us in temporary Job's can't call a strike or anthing like that cos we would be sacked.
This way the economic machine takes (an admittedly small) dent to profits.
And we get to have the day off!
Personally i will take care to not use any oil on the day- in my own small way this will infentesimally impact on big oil's profits.
It also means i can get out and about with a bit of civil disobedience.
What if thousands did this?
what if it spread worldwide?

by Annonymous - Left-Wing / Humanitarian Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:22

They may not change it massively but they do have an effect.

I agree we should try to transform the world into a socialist world and thousands/millions of people are trying to do that around the world, but its going to take a long long time - it may well never happen.

So while we are trying to make it happen, intermediary actions like boycotts should be taken.

And I think rather than they distracting from the real enemy of capitalism, they focus more attentino on it. Every time a boycott takes place more people are made aware/educated of the horrific demerits of capitalism - some people will join up in active movements (some maybe not immediatley but every event such as a boycott increase the likelihood of someone getting active at some time in the future) - others will be made more aware.

We cannot stand idley by while we are waiting for massive revolutions to suddenly happen. We must do "everything" we can, no matter how small. We must be active, active, active - every action has an effect which is multiplied exponentially.

Best regards,

by Raylover Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:32

Ray, last night I had a lovely dream about the time you sucked my dick. Will you do it again?

by Ray Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:37

If I'm annoying morons like you I must be doing something right.

by JB Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:40 Dublin

Will you all keep your private lives private! I don't think anyone is interested in hearing about love affairs on Indymedia.

by GreenPartyMike - Green Party USA Fri Dec 20, 2002 16:51

Thank You Thank you Thank You.
EXELLENT idea, hope it takes. From a yank, living in this screwed up country. Start the boycott NOW!!!!!!!!

by Fergus Fri Dec 20, 2002 17:42

I remember going to a talk in Dublin by Kevin Danaher of U.S. group Gloal Exchange. He was replying to a question of 'Why boycott GAP and McDonalds and not all the other sweatshop and fastfood shops that have similar dodgy work practices'? He replied using the idea of 'Low hanging fruit'and pointed out that if you walk down the street shouting 'Destroy Capitalism' people are just going to give you strange 'whats yer man on about'looks. But if you target specific companies that have retail outlets on lots of streets in loads of towns town then these become focal points for ideas, oppositions and alternatives. These companies are within reach (on the street in your town) ie Low hanging fruit.
The idea of boycotting all American products lacks focus. I reckon a more specific target is petrol stations as there is a link with the proposed war (for oil) in Iraq. All petrol stations are in a dirty business but specifically ESSO which was a huge contributer to Bush's election campaign and dismisses environmental concerns. Hit em where it hurts, disrupt their buiness.
Also I reckon the 'Petrol Station' is a symbol for Irelands involvement in the preparations for war as US military planes refuel at Shannon airport. A protest outside a petrol station could also highlight that sorry fact.

by Ray Fri Dec 20, 2002 18:15

I think, for a boycott to be successful, there has to be a direct connection between the company you target and the cause you are protesting. The connection between the war and Esso is (IMHO) too extended, and too tenuous.
You also have to make sure that the people effected by the boycott are in a position to make the changes you want. The Nestle and Shell boycotts meet that criterion, but a boycott of everything American doesn't. Many millions of Americans oppose the war, why target them? (In South Africa, the ANC and many other black groups called for the international boycott. That hasn't happened in the US)
Finally, the trouble with the 'low-hanging fruit' theory is that boycotts are nowehere near as good at effecting entire industries as at targetting individual companies. For example, when the Nike boycott was at its peak, Reebok held 'human rights awards', to cash in on the boycott by presenting itself as an ethical alternative. In fact, Reebok was just as bad as Nike in many ways. But while you may be able to persuade people not to buy Nike runners, its hard to persuade people not to buy _any_ runners. Sure, the boycotts helped put the issue on the agenda, and that's great, but they won't change the practice of subcontracting which all of the major companies use, and that practice is at the root of the sweatshop problem.

by Conor Mac Nessa Sat Dec 21, 2002 05:20

Yes lets boycott all American products. No more Microsoft and no more Dell. Then we'll have no more Indymedia and no more halfwitted tripe.

by Vince Sat Dec 21, 2002 07:52 TheConstitutionrules at hotmail dot com

The U.S. patriot act forbids American Citizens from advocating for a boycott against the U.S. Therefore, I am against the boycott. I repeat against the boycott. Please continue to buy American Products. Thank you for your time!
Vince
Writing from the land of the free

by Anonymous Sat Dec 21, 2002 11:22

Firstly, "Raylover" - shut the fuck up and get a life.

Secondly, very good point on the "low hanging fruit" theory. Yes, I think Esso would be an excellent target to boycott, worldwide. Exxon Mobil was Bush's "officially" second biggest election contributor. They have their HQ down in Texas, I think. They don't give a damn about Envionmental policies. I have watched their CEO on TV openly declaring what has it got to do with them. Companies like BP have done vastly greater amounts (though not enuf) on environmental issues.

The connection between Esso (Oil) and the War would be strong and help the public focus on the real reason behind this war.

Ray, I take your points on the problems with the low hanging fruit theory. On the runners/sweatshop issue, what would you propose would have been the best way to approach it?

But regarding hitting ESSO, I think this is a slightly different matter in that we would not be trying to effect environmental changes but rather, the minds of the public, so a blanket ban on all petrol companies would not be necessary to achieve this and singling out ESSO would help attain focus.

"The U.S. patriot act forbids American Citizens from advocating for a boycott against the U.S." - For that very reason I would advocate the whole idea of boycotting.

And three lines later you write "Writing from the land of the free"! I don't see much freedom in that U.S. patriot act law. Start questioning that freedom beneath the surface.

Best regards,

by Intransigent - Colorado,US Sat Dec 21, 2002 20:33

Land of the Free??? Haha, I like that one. Too bad it's absolute bullshit. Anyway your whole little comment not very interesting at all. Very stupid really. I'm not sure if a boycott of all American goods will really hit the right people but the whole idea behind your little patriotic nonsense was very weak and very foolish. You are buying into the problems that have the world as it is today. The ruling ideas of society are those of the ruling class. Though you are probably just some idiot try to stir up shit again.

by Vince Sun Dec 22, 2002 01:30 TheConstitutionrules at hotmail dot com

I'm not a lawyer. I leave it to the lawyers to interpret the U.S. Patriot act, who have interpreted as stated above. In the meantime, here's wishing you an eye for satire and that all your dreams come true in the new year!
Vince
The land of the free
(get it?)

by Another American Tue Dec 24, 2002 04:49

Well as an American I guess I'm not allowed to be for a boycott. So I certainly WILL NOT suggest starting a campaign to dis-invest from the American stock market, which is very shakey these days and mainly held up by foreign investments. Therefore DO NOT petition church organizations, Universities and the like to dis-invest in the American market!!!