For all you boycotters. .

[WillyJ]

Okay, let me ask you this. . .


France decides that invading Outer Mongolia is something they just have to do to protect thier country even though Outer Mongolia has never actually attacked France. . .


Our President looks at the situation and after consulting with his advisors decides that France invading Outer Mongolia might have it's moral/legit reasons; but overall it's probably going to cause more problems then it will solve. . . and our President decides that we can not support this action for that reason, and 90% of the American agree. .


So here's the question: would you want our President to send young American men and woman to die in a war our President didn't agree with just because France thought it was necessary just becuse they are our ally?


If you can look deep in your heart and say yes; then by all means keep up this boycott stuff. .

If not; then please lay off this racist; biggotted nonsense that is just hurting people here on the CB you don't really mean to hurt. .


Thank you. .

 

[jjskribs]

Well said Willy............

 

[DonnaS]

Very well said!

 

[Fishbone†]

I have not brought anything about my position on this to the DIS, nor have I purposely or inadvertantly hurt anyone here on the DIS (regarding this topic).

That being said, with all due respect, I see this post as a "round-about" and "legal" way of not only attempting to force your opinion upon me, but in the process brazenly and without question calling me a bigot and a racist.

I don't see things your way (regarding the war in general), nor do I see the comparison in your analogy and I won't argue with you about it, because it will do neither of us any good..... I've researched and processed information to form my opinion, and I trust you have done the same. No amount of discussion between the two of us will change that, and you have the right to that opinion and the stating of it. But, I do resent your use of name calling, and respectfully ask that you do not judge me (and my opinions) with such strong and undeserved terms.

I have fun on these boards accepting people in spite of the varying opinions that I know we have (I, being one who would rather not know where another stood on certain subjects to keep the innocence alive), and have in fact enjoyed sparring with you in the past..... please don't drive a wedge in our "friendship" by pointing fingers and throwing stones. I promise to give my all to avoid the same.

Respectfully,
Fishy†

 

[Saffron]

I agree with you Will.

Fishy, I think what Will is trying to say, and I could be all wrong, is that when we as a people choose to boycott anyone because of their nationality or where they're from, that's discrimination, plain and simple. The countries that are being singled out are not our enemies, yet some are treating them as such. I've seen a lot of hurt over the last couple of days, caused by a very few people.

 

[Planogirl]

Thank you Willy for your comments. I have family members who are from other places and I also have a few friends who have had their heritages called into question lately. These people fully support what the US is doing and for them to be slammed is very sad to me. Luckily, I've only seen a few people do this, most are careful to be angry with the governments rather than with the citizens.

 

[Beauty]

I don't think I could say it any better than Willy and Maggie but I will agree.....boycotting everyday people and their livelyhood helps no one and hurts more people than its worth.

 

[Serena]

Maggie, you said what I've been trying to figure out how to say. Thank you.

 

[Bob O]

In this country everyone has a right to boycott/not buy items based on whatever critieria they may have and it isnt racist at all to not buy items from any country or company if you dont believe in the ideals set by that country/company.
And if a country is going into a military engagement i may not agree with i might not send troops to support them, but i wouldnt do everything i could to make it harder for that country and provide aid and comfort to the enemy of the country im friendly with !!!

 

[Fishbone†]

Just as a clarification, I'm don't resent or hate anyone (person) from any country..... I do disagree with some of the governments.... but I would NEVER be unkind to someone because of where they are from..... and if that's the behavior you are talking about, then I retract what I said and apologize.
I, however, was under the impression we were referring to boycotting, and if so than I stand firm with what I previously said. This is a right I reserve, and have no issues with Willy's post up until the use of some derogatory terms pointed at anyone who exercises those rights. I have chosen, in the past, to boycott a lot of things for a lot of reasons (without judgement on those who don't choose to), including commercials in poor taste.

Again, if I have misunderstood, I apologize. I do NOT condone the intentional mistreatment of innocent human beings just because.......

 

[JasonLyons]

I agree with Fishbone but Prov 26:17 so im going to find another thread to post on

 

[Nikole]

Sorry Willy but I disagree. I think you have oversimplified this argument.

1) There is a difference between supporting your allies and doing anything you can do to thwart them. We would NEVER turn around and say some of the things that the various governments have said about us. The US is by no means perfect. We defintely have our share of jerky politicians however, just because we choose not to participate in France's war with Outer Mongolia doesn't mean our Government would throw out anti-France sentiments all over the place. It doesn't mean that we wouldn't SEE the moral/ethical situation at hand and condemn them for doing what they feel is morally/ethically correct. Bottom line is France, Germany and Russia have a HUGE list of reasons why they don't want to assist in this, and very little IMO does not stem from their own personal financial positions. They all stand to lose a good bit of money if Saddam goes down.

2) Just because I choose to boycott a country because I disagree with their politics does not make a me a bigot or a racist and quite frankly, I vehemently disagree with your statement. I can choose to boycott the products of a country, I can choose to boycott visiting a country due to it's politics. There's a VAST difference between that and calling an entire country of people names, looking down on them etc. I got news for you, the comments made by Canada's PM make my blood boil. However, any intelligent, free-thinking individual would realize that not all Canadians stand behind his comments. That would be like saying All Americans support every comment Bush makes. Or like saying that anyone who boycotts these countries is a racist bigot.

3) There's a huge difference between some of the countries who have chosen to SUPPORT our decision to do this versus sending troops with us to support us versus those who have called the US names and put us down. Sorry but the French, German and Canadian governments......... notice I said GOVERNMENT not people....... have all done that. These are 3 countries that we have supported, given assistance to before. Yet they turn around and want to throw out hateful anti-american comments. Bully for them. I will boycott them until they decide they can't have it both ways......they can't slam us while holding their hands out.

 

[Disney Doll]

IMHO, boycotting is a good way to send a message without the personal attacks on people of a country whose policies you don't agree with.

I would never walk up to a French person living in the USA and make a derogatory comment. But if I choose to boycott a French product, then so be it.

The government of France has made their choice with regard to this war, and that's fine. Now the American public can make their choice with regard to the boycotting of French goods

It's very simple...France made their choice not to support our war efforts. Some of us have made the choice to refrain from buying French goods. Every choice has a consequence. If the USA didn't go to war with France in Outer Mongolia, and France boycotted USA goods, that would be the consequence of the choice the USA made.

Choices have consequences. We should learn that very early in life.

 

[Nikole]

The countries that are being singled out are not our enemies, yet some are treating them as such.

Sorry Maggie but........they may not be our enemies but they sure as heck are not our allies either. You can't be someone's ally and tell them that the death and destruction of 9/11 was their own fault. You can't be someone's ally and refer to the President of the USA as Hitler. IF those are allies......

 

[DonnaS]

As I said in the Mexico boycott thread of Willy's (and I should have said here)... it is one thing to economically boycott a country, but quite another to pick on the people from a specific country or those of that heritage.

I focused on that part of Willy's post and completely ignored the part where he was saying not to boycott or that boycotting (economic) was racist.

So, sorry Willy-- I guess IMO it wasn't "very well said" as I originally posted.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

what movie was it where they said "there are no countries anymore, only corporations"?

the problem with boycotting "French" products is that you may actually be boycotting American made goods.

I am disturbed by the rising anti Semitism in France. I won't go to France for that reason -- why should I spend my money where I'm not welcome?

but I won't stop going to a french restaurant here in NYC or buying a product made here by a "french" company.

 

[bsnyder]

Exellent post, Nikole!

and I sure am glad to "see" you!

 

[WillyJ]

Nikole, perhaps you should do a little research and see how many UN resolutions the US has vetoed over the years and rethink your answer. . it's in the 1,000's and many have been put forth by France.

I'm not saying boycotting in and of itself is racist; but some of the anti French and Canadian comments here lately have sure come off as bigoted and racist. . and singling out one or two countries out of the dozens and dozens in the entire world that disagree with us on this issue to slam is exactly that. .

 

[annemariec]

I disagree with WillyJ's post. Especially this statement he made, "If not; then please lay off this racist; biggotted nonsense that is just hurting people here on the CB you don't really mean to hurt."

Racist and biggotted are not words to be thrown around lightly IMO.

I would like to know what his (and others) thoughts are on France's boycott of US products and services.

Annemarie

 

[Mermaid02]

Good point AnneMarie- what about the French boycott of U.S. products?

I also agree that racist and bigot are terms not to be used lightly- just because I won't buy anything made in France.... doesn't mean I'm a bigot. It means I disagree with the current political climate in that country.