Boycotts: Why I don’t do them

With all of the fervor over the recent comments by the owner of Chick-fil-a, I’ve been pressured by people on both sides of the issue to either boycott the fast food chain, or come out and support it. I chose neither option. By default one can say I boycott them, but it has nothing to do with the gay vs. Christian issue. I’ve never been to a chick-fil-a, and I don’t plan on ever going to one. I’m not a fan of fast food in general, that, and only that, is the reason why.

I still don’t actively support boycotts, however, nor do I actively oppose them. Here’s the reason why: Boycotts no longer work in America. We have become victims of our own massive population.

Boycotts have a specific purpose, to penalize or punish an enterprise for a cause. They only work in capitalist societies because the entire theory depends on the free exchange of money for goods or services. Or, in this case, the lack of such an exchange.

America is a capitalist society, so why don’t they work here? The reason is simple. Boycotts only work in smaller capitalist societies. The United States of America has over 300 million people living it. Small is not a word that can be applied to our nation.

Let’s look at two examples of why boycotts don’t work in a large capitalist society: 

Chick-fil-a: Millions of people chose to actively boycott the fast food chain because of the expressed personal opinions of the owner of the company. That sounds like a win for the boycotters, right?

Wrong. Millions more people actively opposed the boycott by intentionally eating there. All the chick-fil-a boycott managed to do was give the chain free national advertising and drum up a lot of business for it. This is a boycott FAIL!

Arizona: Remember the Boycott Arizona campaign waged over the state’s illegal immigration law, 1070? Millions of people across the nation swore to boycott the entire state, and some even managed to do so. But, they made the mistake of sending protesters to Arizona to show how serious they were. Busload, after busload, after busload.

One protester I interviewed said she wished she could see the looks on everybody’s faces when her convoy came in, 13 busses strong. She was sure it was one of sheer terror. But, when I tried to ask the owner a local mom-and-pop store what his reaction was I couldn’t. He was too busy selling bottled water, sunglasses, and t-shirts to protesters. He was swamped, just like every other store, hotel, and camp ground in town.

Arizona enjoyed a 17 percent increase in tourism revenue that year. Another boycott FAIL!

Boycotts only work in small communities where you can get the overwhelming majority of regular patrons to support it. You also have to do so without inciting a large opposition. Without both factors in place the boycott will fail. 

Let’s look at an example of that:

National Gas Boycott Day: The point of this annual boycott is to punish the oil companies and make them reduce their prices. When we look at the math it seems to make sense. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on gas every day, just in America. Hundreds of millions of dollars is really good financial blow to any company ... except an oil company.

Oil companies process billions of dollars per day worldwide. Furthermore, most people who boycott the pumps on Monday end up making up for it on Tuesday. So, while there is a dip in sales one day, the income is made up shortly there after. You might have a lot of people supporting the boycott, but the population demand stays in place.

The only way you can effectively boycott an oil company is to refuse to use gasoline, or any petrol related product, permanently. Some people have realized this and are actually doing it. Now they just need to get 250 million of the their closest friends to do it too. See the problem? It’s another boycott FAIL!

These are simply a few examples of why I don’t ‘do boycotts’. They’re a waste of energy and very frequently have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to do.

If you want to boycott a single store in a small community to make it close up shop, you might be able to accomplish that. If a big-box store opens up in your small town, threatening the livelihood of the local mom-and-pop shops, by all means, boycott it. I might even show up to help you pass out fliers. But, nationwide boycotts, statewide boycotts, even some countywide boycotts, are simply counter-productive.

And a major waste of time.

I want my Republican Party back!

I’m starting to get tired of people opening their mouths without checking their facts first. With the upcoming election, I’ve been seeing a lot of things being posted on places like Facebook spouting off things like “What did the liberals ever do to offend the Republicans so much?” Then continuing on to list things the liberals (meaning Democrats) supposedly did. In one it was listed that the liberals freed the slaves. In another is was listed that it was the liberals who gave blacks the right to vote.

In a way they’re right. It was the liberals who did these things, but they were called Republicans at the time.

I’m sure many are cursing the screen right now shouting about how I don’t know my facts and how I’m just trying to come up with some way of defending Republicans, even if it means lying. To them I say Google it. Bing it if you prefer. Or better yet, open a history book or talk to a US History teacher. That guy who pushed like hell, moving heaven and earth to see the 13th Amendment ratified, Abraham Lincoln, was the very first Republican president. He might have been the 16th president of the United States, but he was the first Republican president.

He was followed by Andrew Johnson, who happened to be warming the vice president’s office when Lincoln was assassinated.  Johnson officially had no party, but he sided with Democrats at the time. Acting as a Democrat he chose to speed along the reconstruction of post Civil War America instead of insuring the rights and freedoms of everyone. Republicans of the day chose to impeach him for this.

20 years later the Democrat parties of several southern states began to repeal the black right to vote. The direct result of Johnson’s closet-Democrat politics.

 Here we are over a hundred years later and the parties have switched roles. Now the Republicans are the conservatives and the Democrats are the liberals. But, there are still some major differences. The Republican party was not founded on extreme liberal principles. They were firm believers in change, but not change for the sake of change. They realized that you could change an entire nation, an entire culture by changing only one key thing. The original republicans were believers in Universal Sufferage, not communism. The current Democrats are leaning more and more towards communism, and some are even starting to say it straight out. The idea that those who have should be legally bound to pay for those who have not, no matter the reason those who are have nots have nothing.

Meanwhile, the current Republicans are actively working to begin stripping people of their rights. The word “republican” has become synonymous with “conservative”. In truth, the word “conservative” doesn’t even begin to describe what the current Republican party is trying to do. “Regressive” would be more accurate. A conservative wants to keep things the way they are. A regressive wants to put things back the way they used to be. In this case, 200 years ago.

So, now we see liberals acting like conservatives as they try to battle the regressives, and all the while people are taking credit for things their opponents did, not realizing that their opponents were them when they did these things. Confused yet? You’re not alone. The entire nation is confused right now. We’re in the middle of a massive political identity crisis that has Abe Lincoln turning in his grave. If someone posted a picture of the Lincoln Memorial Monument crying I would believe that. And the caption would read, “I want my Republican party back!”

The End of Slick Rick

What's that sound? I know, it sounds like "government nigg....of...theh..." Sounds like a stutter? It's so much more satisfying than that.

That is the sound of Rick Santorum committing political suicide. *POW*

Democrats will be sorry to see him go. You disagree? I don't. You see, if Rick Santorum somehow managed to gain the Republican nomination there would end up being a mass defection in the GOP voter ranks. If The Poor Little Rich Mormon won pretty much all Republicans would back him, even if he wasn't their first choice. But if Santorum won the nomination every Republican with half an ounce of sanity left would vote for Obama... not because they wanted four more years of Obama, but because they would rather live through that than see Santorum in the Oval Office for anything other than an ass kicking.

And while there will be many Santorum supporters who whine and snivel that he was not calling the President a n%$#!r, and even some who will scream "Yes he was, and Republican Jesus Bless him for it!" There will be more who quietly step away and fade into the shadows so as not to be in any way affiliated with him.

Slick Rick your time is done. I would say rest in peace but... nah. None for you, you racist, sexist, theist pig!

Not in God's Image

I always find it interesting when a leader who claims to be Christian decides that he or she can pick and choose what parts of the bible are important, and which aren’t. Which of the teachings of the prophets, or even Jesus (Remember that guy? The one that died a slow and painful death for you?) is relevant to human life. I’m not going to waste time talking to the moron in question this week. Instead I want to talk to other Christians... real Christians.

First, I should let you know that I am not a Christian. I’m Asatru, a believer in the ancient gods of Asgard. But, I have read the bible. In fact, I’ve read it more times than the average Christian. So, I find it very easy to look at things from a what is supposed to be a Christian point of view. I know what the most sacred precepts and tenants of the Christian faith and life are supposed to be. Foremost among them is that Man was created in God’s image.

Now, having said that, I would like to talk about Georgia State  Representative, Terry England. Here is a man who wants to make women carry stillborn babies to term, or at least until they go into ‘natural labor’ like “cows and pigs do.” I know what you’re thinking. It’s either A) he’s an ass, or B) it’s God’s will.

If you answered A you’re right... and I’m not talking to you. You don’t need a talking to. You’re head is screwed on right. But, if you answered B then we need to have a discussion. Sit. Down.

I know it’s tempting, and even seems logical to go with “God’s will”, but I would like to ask you something. How is it God’s will? We’re not talking about abortion here. We’re talking about a baby who’s heart has stopped beating, it’s neurofunction is flat, it is dead. I’m going to say that again... we’re talking about removing a baby that is already dead. God has already spoken. He has already made His decision and decide that that particular child would not enter the world. How is it God’s will to make a woman continue to carry it?

Let’s examine what excuse Mr. England used. He pointed out that cows and pigs do it. Tell me, as a Christian, does that make sense to you? Every single version of the bible says that you were made in God’s image and that you are above the beasts of the land and sea. But Mr. England says that’s if it’s good enough for a cow or pig then it’s good enough for you or your wife. Cows defecate in their own beds and pigs bathe in mud. These are animals with hooves, not hands and feet, which the bible squarely says are not equal unto Man. So, why would a good ‘Christian’ like Mr. England say such a thing?

Well, lets examine the options. First, he’s probably one of those people that think women fall into the same category as animals, that they are not human, therefore not part of mankind. Or, he’s betting that you’ve forgotten that part about being above the animals of the land and sea. Maybe he doesn’t believe that any of you, male or female, were created in God’s image. I tell you though, I’m kinda hoping that it’s not option one. After all, if it were then that would mean that he believes that he, and every other heterosexual man on Earth, was fornicating with farm animals. Maybe he thinks that’s a good thing. Maybe Mr. England gets off on it. (Suddenly homosexuality doesn’t seem so bad, eh?)

In the end, his motives are not clear, only his implications: that you, your wives, your sisters, and your mothers are no better than the animals of the land and sea. His implications are that you are not divinely created, and especially not in God’s image.

Next time you hear sacrilegious crap like that call it for what it is. Almost makes me wish ya’ll would bring back stoning people to death. Almost.

Honor

Every once in a while we see something that reminds us that not everyone 'on the other side of the line' is an idiot. Today's blog post by Filthy Liberal Scum, Justin Rosario, is one of them.

Look people, you can scream about fairness and political correctness all you want, but there are times when I draw the line. How women and children are treated in many other countries is one of them. Justin echoed my beliefs perfectly in his post. If your culture espouses the abuse of women and children simply because they're women and children, then your culture is screwed up. You're beliefs are wrong. Women are not property and children are not slaves.

It's sad, horrifying even, to hear about incidents where women and girls are forced to marry their rapists just so the family can 'save honor'. If that's your idea of honor then it is this Asatru's belief that you're going to spend eternity in the pit next to Loki. I want nothing to do with that warped sense of 'honor'. It's not honor. It's the exact opposite of honor.

Honor would be if the father and brothers of the rape victim hunted the rapist down and demanded he be prosecuted for his actions. Some might say hunt him down and kill him... slowly... but there is also honor in things like a fair trial. Honor is about justice, not saving face. Honor is about doing the right thing, not doing the popular thing. And if forcing an underage girl to marry her rapist is popular in your culture, then your culture should end.

The Filthy Liberal Scum will say that it should 'change'. But, no, I don't agree with that. Things like this evolve out far darker and deeper roots. If the vine is diseased the roots needs to go too. I'm sure I'll get bashed for that, but it's how I see it. Yup, my conservative side is showing. And I am unrepentant.

The GOP Magic Show

The GOP has been working overtime to put on a huge magic show for the American public. The show is not just for the benefit of their fans, but also for their rivals, the Democrats. And very few onlookers seem to be seeing the show for what it is: an illusion to keep us all distracted from the real issues facing America this election year. 

From Rick Santorum's cries of religious freedom to Rush Limbaugh's remarks about women who use birth control, the GOP has manged to keep the majority of America captivated with their three-ring circus. But, birth control is not an issue this year. It hasn't been an issue for 60 years. The real issues, that the GOP is terrified registered voters will remember, is the economy and jobs.

Why doesn't the GOP want us to remember this? Because there has been a significant decrease in unemployment over the last year under a Democratic president. A president who is intent on staying in office for a second term. If the American public remembers that it's jobs we should be thinking about they might start realizing that this Democratic president took a huge mess and actually made some headway in cleaning it up. That might earn him votes!

Unfortunately, Liberals are playing right into the GOP's hands. Every time the GOP, or some member of their ranks, makes ridiculous statements or inflammatory remarks about birth control Liberals go into a frenzy. Screaming and yelling begins, things start flying across the room, and hour upon hour of tv time and page upon page of written media pours out on the birth control issue. "How dare they!" "War on Women" and more start flooding the lives of everyday Americans. All of this, from both sides, ends up distracting voters from the actual issues regarding this year's election.

And the American public eats it all up. After all, it's easier to forget that you're broke when you have something to entertain you or piss you off.

So, what we have is the GOP standing on a stage with it's arms spread wide. In one hand they have a nice bright, shiny sparkler. The Liberals are watching, entranced, eyes fixed on the sparkler, while John Q. Public watches them.

And all the while, in the GOP's other hand, the one no one is paying attention to, our economy and jobs are being covered up.

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you

Here’s a disturbing thought...

I recently decided to take a closer look at the extreme wings and find out what they really thought and were up to. I found the liberal left-wingers (the ones who lean so far left they need a crutch to hold them up and keep them from falling over) to be very open and up-front about what they believed and wanted. In fact, this info is everywhere, all over the web, in the newspaper, and even fliers all around any given town (not to be confused with bumper stickers that only make a statement and don’t give any actual information).

I didn’t run into any boards or chatrooms that required membership to read, just participate. I’m not saying they don’t exist, I’m just saying I didn’t see any.

The Lefties approach a lot of what they’re talking about with massive amounts of humor and sarcasm, which I have to admit makes it hard for me take them seriously. Most of the time all I can do is sit there enjoying the free giggles, while hoping they really aren’t as stupid as they sound. For the Lefties, attacking the other side’s policies and candidates resembles a mob of stoned teenagers engaged in a food fight, with occasional adult begging for order before finally succumbing to the second-hand smoke and developing a contact high.

On the other side of the coin, however, I found something far more disturbing. The extreme right doesn’t want anyone to know what they’re up to. They give out well placed and sort-of-well worded press releases and very obviously employ an army of professional publicists. Unfortunately for them, these are publicists who weren’t good enough to get a job somewhere else. But that’s not the part that I find scary.

No, the part that I found really disturbing was that I didn’t find a single board or chatroom that allowed someone to read without joining. It might not have bothered me so much, but some of them posted the current thread topics for the public. One such topic that really caught my eye was “Obama Opposition Research - Post All Negative Information on Presidential Misrepresentations” on the national Tea Party site teapartypatriots.ning.com. And, of course, when I clicked on it I was asked to sign-in or become a member to view post.

Really? This is one reason (one of many) why I’m a member of the ‘middle’. The idea of either side actually getting to rule this country with impunity scares the ever living shit out me. One side doesn’t appear to be able to stay sober long enough to make any major decisions, while the other side is a bunch of sneaky-ass bastards who plan surgical strikes against anyone who opposes them. One side would spend us into the ground trying to help everyone, while the other side would let millions die just to save a buck.

And what’s really, really scarey, is that both sides think they can justify how their beliefs are the right ones, and actually believe it. I guess Stealers Wheel was right. Clowns to the left. Jokers to the right.

And here I am, stuck in the middle with you.