Boycotting things French German and Russian

[George Hill]

I've been talking about boycotting goods from countries within the coalition of weasles.
The 3 primary countries are:
France. Germany. Russia.

Boycotting the French is easy. I've never liked anything from France anyway.
Boycotting Germany is a bit harder for me. I like German Cars. I like German Guns. I even like German food.
HK - the font of all tactical firearms. Crap.
And Russia? There goes my VEPR II. It's imported from Russia straight to Utah. Too bad.

Luckily for us gun enthusiasts there are good guns to be had from the Coalition of the Willing.

Guns from Spain and Italy and the Czech Republic.
Stars, Astras, Berettas and CZs....
Plenty of good guns to keep us busy for the next 20 years.

 

[Correia]

I'm not going to boycot those country's gun companies. I figure that the good folks at Vyantsky Polyanya or Obendorf have about as much to do with their government's policies as I do with ours.

Plus figure that the folks who build guns are probably the GOOD people in those countries.

 

[Soap]

Boycotting based on nationality allows economic ignorance to rear its ugly head yet again.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Really cute: boycott private enterprises in those countries and give their leaders a chance to campaign on the nationalist/xenophobic platform...and reduce your own options at the same time. Do H&K or Izmash really have much say in the German and Russian foreign policy?

 

[George Hill]

France. Do you know how much money America spends on importing wine from France? The figure is over 26 Million a year. And that is just Wine alone. Add in a few other million for other items we import from France.
If we vote with our feet then France - Not just the Wine Industry - but France as a whole will feel a very dramatic effect across the board.

Look at everything we import from Germany. Guns. Beer. Cars. And all kinds of sundry... Think of the economic impact.

Economic Impact - that is a MESSAGE, people. A very clear message that America is not happy about the level of loyalty shown when we needed them.

Over there in France and Germany and Russia they have Anti-American parades. They have Anti-American rallies. They have Anti-American parties. They celebrate news when CNN reports a US casualty!
:banghead:

We should send these people a very clear message... Private Interprise is the fuel that drives a nation's economy.

Think about it.

There is nothing cute about it... nothing snide. If they want to be Anti-American and not support us - then they can get by without American Dollars. Sure, the private interprise will be effected... but the whole nation will feel the collective effects. Just look at the effects a few companies has had on our economy. Enron and the Bad Accounting Companies... The economic damage from 9-11... Hey, only two buildings went down in New York - right? Sure. But the Economic Impact accross the country was massive. Massive! They still haven't been able to count it!

To kick a country in the balls - you kick it in the wallet.

You know the old saying "You don't know what you had until you lost it?" Let them feel the impact of what they lost and let's see if the have change in attitude that starts at the bottom. I'll bet you it does. There is nothing xenophibic about it. How Politically Correct can you get?
When the people get together and say "Wow, I didn't know how much we depended on Americans!" Then we will start seeing a change in politics. That's how it works here... it pretty much works the same over there too.

 

[SodaPop]

I don't know what the statistics are, but France has been getting hit hard by boycotts against their products. I heard that today on the news.

I think the French are an easy target. I'm in the coffee and vending business and just about all of my customers have taped over the "French Vanilla" coffee selection and put "Freedom Vanilla."

Is "French Vanilla" French?



Boycotting Germany is pretty freakin hard.

France is going to pay for this.....

 

[CZ-75]

Can I just boycott France three times?

 

[Jesse H]

What happens to hard working Americans whose business is in fine wines?

 

[Lexter]

I'm with George Hill!!!! Boycott the French, Germans and Russians.

I've always been a firm believer in the practice of "voting with your wallet!!"


Lexter

 

[Soap]

Look at everything we import from Germany. Guns. Beer. Cars. And all kinds of sundry... Think of the economic impact.

Guns: American dealers/wholesalers/importers of said German guns will feel the "economic impact."

Beer: American dealers/wholesalers/importers will feel the "economic impact."

Cars: American dealers/wholesalers/importers will feel the economic impact. Just to illustrate my point, let's say that we get a negative economic impact on Daimler-Chrystler. Will you feel great when Chrystler decides to lay off 5000 American workers because they're losing money with the Daimler division? Or how about all of the American banks/capital budgets/regular stock owners will feel if D-C's stock plummets? Or perhaps mom's minivan now costs $40K because they need to make some sort of margin to keep D-C's American operations afloat. Then D-C could perhaps withdraw operations in America leaving Americans without jobs and American investors with another reason to jump off a bridge. Unintended consequences anyone?

Economic Impact - that is a MESSAGE, people. A very clear message that America is not happy about the level of loyalty shown when we needed them.

Why don't we send a message by stop sending the Euros financial aid or military support? This might actually have a negative impact on the foreign country, with little economic impact in the U.S.

We should send these people a very clear message... Private Interprise is the fuel that drives a nation's economy.

Yes, and your actions would screw American enterprise.

To kick a country in the balls - you kick it in the wallet.

And that kick will come around and whack your balls too if you really think about it.

 

[Selfdfenz]

From the NYT International Page.

Who are the coalition members?

According to the Bush administration and press reports, they are: Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palau, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. Noticeably absent are major powers--France, for example--that were members of the coalition that overturned Iraq's occupation of Kuwait in 1991.

Are all the members "willing?"

No. Officials in some of the countries have distanced themselves from participating in the war. For example, the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, has sharply criticized the attacks on Iraq, and the government of the Netherlands has assured its citizens that Dutch forces won't enter combat.

Other countries have not been named publicly but are likely members of the coalition. They include Israel, as well as several Arab states that are providing bases or other assistance to the war: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt.

So who knows. I have heard there are 50 participants.

I boycott Smith and Weasel, and Glock and Ruger because of the damage they have done to the RKBA. Do I have a problem making the list longer? Absolutely not.


Will I boycott the products of Germany, the Former Soviet Union and France?
Absolutely.
Companies in pain will make it known to their leaders. Leaders can loose elections over such things. Is it just me or aren't the French boycotting the US for all they are worth??

But the issue with any foreign comapny or their employees suffering I could care less about.

The French, Russians and Germans all sold technology to Saddam and they knew some of it was illegal. In so doing they made the world a much more dangerous place. I think Saddam helped terrorists directly and indirectly and would (may have) supplied them with WMD that may have been produced with the aid of technology these countries provided. No wonder these three countries worked so had to see US forces never made it to Iraq (UN fiasco) so we could polk around and find all this equipment and the Iraqis that halped get it into Iraq and know the deals that were made and with whom.

I send a message to politicians in this country by voting for some and not others.
I see no conflict in not sending my dollars to counties that place a low value on what the United States has done for them in the past and little or no value on the lifes of people Saddam and his terrorist proxy warriors would like to target.

I will not tell anyone what to buy or not buy. I'll admit the idea that someone wants to send their dollars to a nation like France is something I find illogical and disappointing considering the position their government and frankly far too many Frenchmen have take regarding the United States.

I can't un-buy the products I have that came from any of these countries but in the future, I'm with George.
And we're not wrong, or alone!

S-

I also proudly boycott Mexico and China every chance I get.

 

[Stinger]

To those concerned about the possible effects a French/German/Russian boycott would have on the US of A:

Don't fret. Funny thing about economics, the market will shift, and where once French wine was dominant, another type will fill its void. German cars will be replaced by others as well. And caviar, well...darnit, I guess we can't have it all, now can we?

If you consider a boycott of S&W, or some other American company okay, but not boycotting companies from another country, you, my friend, are practicing in the art of hypocrisy. Those American companies you are boycotting have American employees.

Vote with your mind, vote with your heart, and vote with your CHA-CHING! Let those socialist Europeans learn the power of American Capitalism!



Stinger

ps. I am very sad to find out that my favorite yogurt is French (Yoplait).

 

[othermarc]

Best of luck on your boycott... it's not nearly as easy as avoiding BMW, Puegot, and HK. For Example:

Jameson Irish Whiskey (or Bushmills) is Irish, right? WRONG. they are French owned. See for yourself.

Channel surfing and see a good ole American flick like "Delta Force" on USA network or Star Trek on SciFi.... sorry! That's French owned, too. Makes me wanna puke.

And let's not forget- Jeep and Dodge are as American as they get, right? Wrong again, German owned- Daimler Chrysler. Aww shucks... Jeep just came out with the "Freedom Edition" Jeep Grand Cherokee.

These are just a few of the examples so do your research and good luck!

 

[Soap]

othermarc- Good points!

Stinger- Wanna argue econ? Let's rock!

Funny thing about economics, the market will shift, and where once French wine was dominant, another type will fill its void.

Good idea! Maybe one day the market will shift where Asia is the dominant economic force and America is a third rate nation. But at least the market shifted! My point is that the market can bear ANYTHING. But what it has to bear, may not necessarily be good for Americans.

If you consider a boycott of S&W, or some other American company okay, but not boycotting companies from another country, you, my friend, are practicing in the art of hypocrisy. Those American companies you are boycotting have American employees.

At what point did Mercedes-Benz sell out and crap on my natural rights? Boycotting in objection to a company's practices is one thing, boycotting based on location is another. What does a private company have to do with a government's decision? When the Patriot Act was passed, or the '94 Crime Bill, did you boycott all American goods to influence the USG? Didn't think so.

Vote with your mind, vote with your heart, and vote with your CHA-CHING! Let those socialist Europeans learn the power of American Capitalism!

You're advocating something that is ignorant and ill-informed. The power of American Capitalism will only be felt if the capitalists are well-informed and can make sound economic choices. Boycotting based on geography isn't one of them.

ps. I am very sad to find out that my favorite yogurt is French (Yoplait).

Yoplait is a division of General Mills. General Mills does $10.8 billion of sales. Some of the brands they have are Pillsbury, Bisquick, Totino's pizza, Betty Crocker, Green Giant vegetables, Old El Paso, Fruit Roll Ups, Pop Secret, Yoplait, and not to mention a ton of cereals. They have about 1,370,000 shares of stock in the market. It was founded in 1866 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The headquarters is still there to this day. They employ 29,859 people. I would venture to say the majority of these people are Americans. Now ask yourself, do you really want to try and screw the people who have invested their lives and their dollars into this company just because you want to feel like you're doing something? I sure don't. Now where are my damn Lucky Charms

 

[Zundfolge]

Groupthink is the essence of collectivism.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I'm actually having a new set of Freedom Doors put in my house, between the dining room and the kitchen.

I'll eat my Freedom Toast on my dining room table, which is finished with a Freedom polish.

Afterwards I'll get dressed for work, wearing the dress shirt with the Freedom Cuffs.

On the way home, I'll stop at the "adults" shop to get a Freedom Tickler to share with my significant other, who will be waiting for me in her Freedom Maid's outfit.

After a Freedom Kiss, we'll have some dinner, kick back with a movie, probably The Freedom Connection with Gene Hackman, and then catch Third Rock From the Sun, which stars one of our favorite comics, Freedom Stewart...

 

[Mike Irwin]

Dan,

I think you'll find that Yoplait is actually LICENSED to General Mills for manufacture and distribution in the United States.

The owner of the brand marque is a Freedom company.


Wild Turkey and Grey Goose are also owned by a Freedom country...

 

[Soap]

Mike- I was aware of that, and as such, boycotting the yogurt in this country will have a direct effect on the people who make it, distribute it, or make any sort of profit from it. IIRC the brand name itself originates from France correct?

I suppose the company could rename it and drop the license. But re-marketing a new product to fill the void of a product that is already good surely isn't cheap. For example, it would be a bad idea if Frito-Lay were to drop Dorito's and market a new product that is exactly the same but with a different name/package.

 

[zastros]

Freedom Mustard?

Here's a lovely bit from James Lileks:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/804/3783024.html

"We rarely break news here in Variety, since we're printed six months in advance, but I've just been handed this bulletin from the French's Mustard Company. They're apparently worried some people believe "French's Mustard" is the handiwork of perfidious Gauls -- hence the yellow hue, drawn from spines of the soldiers themselves. Not so! It's made in New Joisey! Home of Tony Soprano! Who kills people with a gun! Here's how the press release begins:

"Recently there has been some confusion as to the origin of French's Mustard."

Not in my house. Not in my social circle. Never comes up. Perhaps in the bustling offices of Retail Mustard Journal (incorporating American Mustard Magazine) there's been a flurry of phone calls on the matter -- You there! Johnson! Run down this tip that French's is made by cloned Nazi collaborators from the Vichy regime! But where I sit, it's a non-issue. We continue:

"For the record, French's would like to say, there is nothing more American than French's Mustard."

At this point, I hear the voice of Jacques Chirac assuring us that he loves America, with its roc et roll, its Elvis of Presley, its bisboll. But let's give them the benefit of le doubt, and read on:

"Born in New York by the R. T. French company, French's Cream Salad Mustard made its debut in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair along with its sidekick, the hot dog. Both were an instant success!

"Throughout the years, consumers have professed their lifelong love of America's number one mustard. For many Americans, French's Mustard IS Americana. 'It's all about baseball, hot dogs, family and fun,' says Elliot Penner, president of French's Mustard."

I've seen this movie: They uncover a spy, and he tries to insist he's really a Yank. Don't shoot! I am an American! I love Bing Crosby! World Series great! Chicago! Al Capone!

But I'll believe them. The headline of the press release is a good reminder of these odd times: "The only thing French about French's Mustard is its name!" That would have made no sense a few years ago. Now we all know exactly what they're worried about.

Now if we could just get a word of reassurance from Iraqi Bratwurst, or the Glorious Saddam, Leader of the Arab Peoples premade cole-slaw company, I'd feel better about supper. "

 

[trooper]

Over there in France and Germany and Russia they have Anti-American parades. They have Anti-American rallies. They have Anti-American parties.

You have all those things in the US, too (that is, if you count antiwar protests as Anti-American). Now go ahead and boycott American products as well.

Will you guys please refrain from starting yet another "Boycott-XYZ-Country"-thread every other day? It gets tiring. And nothing new is ever said in these threads.


Regards,

Trooper

 

[Augustwest]

I have no great love for France, but I'm embarrassed by the way many of my countrymen are acting toward them. Here's a couple of things to consider:

- One excuse I've heard ad naseum on talk radio and elsewhere for our current France bashing is that we bailed them out of WWII, so they have to agree with us. Following that logic, if it weren't for French assistance in the American Revolution, we'd still be speaking English in the U.S., so we should automatically act as France dictates.

- September 12, 2001 - NATO invokes Article 5 of their charter, and French ships and planes assist in Operation Enduring Freedom. When we were attacked, they came to our aid.

I'll reiterate - there's plenty I dislike about France, but all this yapping about how bad a country is for exercising sovereign rights is really tedious.

 

[trooper]

Augustwest,
I have to agree with this.

Furthermore, French-bashing might be funny to some extent but the constant repetition of "all french are cowardly losers who'd gladly surrender to about anyone" doesn't make it any truer.

While France WAS overrun in WWII and had to be saved by the US and the UK, French troops fought valiantly and courageously (if not always victoriously) at numerous times and places.

Think Dien Bien Phu, think Algeria, think of the heroic deeds of the Resistance movement, just to mention a few.

Napoleon ruled at one point all of Europe except Great Britain.


Regards,

Trooper

 

[Mike Irwin]

I've been running through a LOT of what I buy, and have discovered that it would largely be impossible for me to boycott things made in France, Germany, and Russia because I already purchase virtually nothing that is either made in, or has roots in, those nations....

 

[MicroBalrog]

Really cute: boycott private enterprises in those countries and give their leaders a chance to campaign on the nationalist/xenophobic platform...and reduce your own options at the same time. Do H&K or Izmash really have much say in the German and Russian foreign policy?

Oleg, Izhmash is AFAIK property of the Russian government, and H&K is AFAIK at least partially owned by Royal Ordnance. Anybody with more info about who owns these places?

 

[trooper]

HK used to belong to the British Aerospace group but was recently bought by some of its ex-employees. While now being a German company again, it has no ties to the German or any other government (other than that HK supplies a great part of German military's and law-enforcement's weapons).


Regards,

Harald