Just read a comment on my last blog saying there WAS a message on the 800 number. Ahhh... I called the local number that's listed on my bill. No message. So, I'm guessing my soft-criticism should be directed at the local office, not the national!
By the way, I'm up and running but I still can't send an email to the account for some reason. Maybe it's 'cause it's been sitting there in my outbox trying to go for so longs it's corrupted itself... I'll delete and try a new one.
I'm going to change my password and suggest that all others do the same.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Comcast hacked...
Hacked: ticked off, irritated, mad... If you're a Comcast email user you've been hacked and if you're normal, you're hacked about it. It's almost impossible to avoid being hacked if you're a large company these days. You're a big target waiting for some group or individual to figure out how to get past your safeguards.
Comcast got hit last night and they're still trying to recover. Luckily, I have email accounts set up on various websites and hotmail, but my Comcast email accounts are still down.
I tried calling Comcast when I noted a problem and saw on some blogs that it had been fixed. Mine wasn't so thought maybe I needed to do something on my end, so called. Most companies will have a canned message when you hit "tech support" indicating a company-wide problem. Not Comcast. I ended up on hold forever, finally gave up the ghost and figured they'd get it fixed sooner or later.
Why not have a message when you hit the "email problem" button? Why not have a message on Comcast.COM? Comcast.NET is still down as I type.
Why not send out a short release to the press saying there's an unknown problem and it's being fixed?
I read that it's a group calling themselves "Kryogenic Warlocks" on someone else's blog.
Just took a break and went to check and see what's being said now... there are some hacked people out there! Looks like some are actually doing better than I when it comes to talking to a live person at Comast. No estimates on time frame (how could they have an idea when they're still going through code and loopholes trying to close the doors to the hackers and find where they've possibly left malicious code?). Understand tech support has been rather rude to some people so maybe it's a good thing I didn't get through.
I have an email from one of my accounts on this computer going to my Comcast account on the other computer. It's sitting in my inbox, not going anywhere until the system is fixed. When I see it's gone I'll know they've fixed the problem (at least temporarily).
Guess I'll have to change my email passwords just to be on the safe side as they've probably been compromised...
Comcast got hit last night and they're still trying to recover. Luckily, I have email accounts set up on various websites and hotmail, but my Comcast email accounts are still down.
I tried calling Comcast when I noted a problem and saw on some blogs that it had been fixed. Mine wasn't so thought maybe I needed to do something on my end, so called. Most companies will have a canned message when you hit "tech support" indicating a company-wide problem. Not Comcast. I ended up on hold forever, finally gave up the ghost and figured they'd get it fixed sooner or later.
Why not have a message when you hit the "email problem" button? Why not have a message on Comcast.COM? Comcast.NET is still down as I type.
Why not send out a short release to the press saying there's an unknown problem and it's being fixed?
I read that it's a group calling themselves "Kryogenic Warlocks" on someone else's blog.
Just took a break and went to check and see what's being said now... there are some hacked people out there! Looks like some are actually doing better than I when it comes to talking to a live person at Comast. No estimates on time frame (how could they have an idea when they're still going through code and loopholes trying to close the doors to the hackers and find where they've possibly left malicious code?). Understand tech support has been rather rude to some people so maybe it's a good thing I didn't get through.
I have an email from one of my accounts on this computer going to my Comcast account on the other computer. It's sitting in my inbox, not going anywhere until the system is fixed. When I see it's gone I'll know they've fixed the problem (at least temporarily).
Guess I'll have to change my email passwords just to be on the safe side as they've probably been compromised...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Headless fire ants can't bite
If you’ve ever been stung by a fire ant, you probably wished they’d all get sick and their heads would fall off. Agricultural scientists are working to do just that.
Scientists at the University of Georgia, the USDA-ARS in Gainesville, Fla., and other universities in the Southeast are releasing parasitic flies with the hopes of reducing the fire ant population in the South.
Didn't bring their enemies
“Fire ants came from Brazil and Argentina,” said Wayne Gardner, an entomologist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Unfortunately for us, they didn’t bring their 30 to 50 natural enemies with them.”
When a new species becomes an invasive pest, like the fire ant, controlling it is like “constantly playing catch up,” he said.
USDA scientists are coordinating the release of phorid flies to sites in southeastern states, including Georgia. The flies, which are smaller than gnats, come from areas in South America where fire ants are native.
“They rear the flies in their laboratory and provide them to cooperators in the individual states,” Gardner said. “The flies are then strategically introduced to sites in each state.”
Off with their heads
The female fly stings the ant and lays an egg inside her body. “It’s a painful sting,” Gardner said. “You can tell by the way the ant goes into contortions.”
The egg hatches in the ant, and the larva grows and develops inside the body. “When the larva hatches, it eats the ant from the inside out and the ant’s head falls off,” said Gardner. “It’s basically a decapitating fly, which is amazing.”
Gardner and his UGA colleagues have used natural enemies to fight insect pests for 15 years. “It’s not as easy as just finding a natural enemy of the ant and bringing it here,” he said. “It takes time and resources to go into their native range, collect and study them and get a point where we know it’s safe to introduce them here.”
The scientists are testing the effectiveness of nine species of parasitic flies. Each species attacks different size ants and at different times of day.
Cuts their appetites
“The flies definitely kill fire ants, but they actually cause more harm to fire ant populations by looking for ants to sting,” Gardner said. “The ants sense the wing beat of the adult flies, know that their enemies are in the area and quit foraging.”
When the ants stop foraging, the colony weakens.
Gardner’s team has introduced two species in at least 6 sites in central and south Georgia. They are also seeing flies spread into northern, western and southern counties from releases made in the bordering states of Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
The researchers don’t expect the flies to solve the fire ant problem in the South. “Will we see areas that are totally devoid of fire ants?” Gardner said. “No, but we may see one mound instead of 10 in a row.”
by Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia
Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Scientists at the University of Georgia, the USDA-ARS in Gainesville, Fla., and other universities in the Southeast are releasing parasitic flies with the hopes of reducing the fire ant population in the South.
Didn't bring their enemies
“Fire ants came from Brazil and Argentina,” said Wayne Gardner, an entomologist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Unfortunately for us, they didn’t bring their 30 to 50 natural enemies with them.”
When a new species becomes an invasive pest, like the fire ant, controlling it is like “constantly playing catch up,” he said.
USDA scientists are coordinating the release of phorid flies to sites in southeastern states, including Georgia. The flies, which are smaller than gnats, come from areas in South America where fire ants are native.
“They rear the flies in their laboratory and provide them to cooperators in the individual states,” Gardner said. “The flies are then strategically introduced to sites in each state.”
Off with their heads
The female fly stings the ant and lays an egg inside her body. “It’s a painful sting,” Gardner said. “You can tell by the way the ant goes into contortions.”
The egg hatches in the ant, and the larva grows and develops inside the body. “When the larva hatches, it eats the ant from the inside out and the ant’s head falls off,” said Gardner. “It’s basically a decapitating fly, which is amazing.”
Gardner and his UGA colleagues have used natural enemies to fight insect pests for 15 years. “It’s not as easy as just finding a natural enemy of the ant and bringing it here,” he said. “It takes time and resources to go into their native range, collect and study them and get a point where we know it’s safe to introduce them here.”
The scientists are testing the effectiveness of nine species of parasitic flies. Each species attacks different size ants and at different times of day.
Cuts their appetites
“The flies definitely kill fire ants, but they actually cause more harm to fire ant populations by looking for ants to sting,” Gardner said. “The ants sense the wing beat of the adult flies, know that their enemies are in the area and quit foraging.”
When the ants stop foraging, the colony weakens.
Gardner’s team has introduced two species in at least 6 sites in central and south Georgia. They are also seeing flies spread into northern, western and southern counties from releases made in the bordering states of Tennessee, Alabama and Florida.
The researchers don’t expect the flies to solve the fire ant problem in the South. “Will we see areas that are totally devoid of fire ants?” Gardner said. “No, but we may see one mound instead of 10 in a row.”
by Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia
Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Chambliss, Isakson Urge Democratic Leader to Strip Agricultural Worker Provisions from Emergency War Supplemental Bill
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today, along with eight other Republican senators, sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., urging the removal of language that would grant legal status to over 1 million illegal agriculture workers and their families in the emergency war supplemental spending bill.
“A bill to provide funding for our servicemen and women should not be bogged down by a debate over immigration policy,” said Chambliss. “I strongly disagree that this amendment would serve to provide stability in the agricultural industry and would in fact harm U.S. farmers and ranchers and U.S. workers. Nobody is more interested in the well-being of American agriculture than me, and this proposal is simply the wrong policy at the wrong time.”
“There’s no greater domestic issue in this country than illegal immigration, and the American people will not stand for this attempt to grant amnesty on a bill designed to give our soldiers the resources they need in the War on Terror,” Isakson said. “The war supplemental is not only the wrong vehicle to deal with this issue but I firmly believe this is absolutely the wrong approach in regards to agricultural workers.”
On May 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment to the emergency war supplemental spending bill that would give a five-year visa to 1.35 million workers plus their spouses and dependent children to live and work in the United States. For almost all legal purposes, the amendment requires that the illegal aliens who qualify for the proposed visa be treated as lawful permanent residents. Illegal aliens would qualify for the proposed five-year visa by proving they have performed agricultural employment for 863 hours or 150 work days or earned $7,000 from agricultural employment over the course of a four-year period. Once granted the proposed five-year visa, the illegal aliens would be authorized to work in any job other than agriculture-related jobs for the rest of the year and would be treated as U.S. workers for hiring purposes.
Adding the amendment to the appropriations bill also violates Senate rules because it legislates on an appropriations bill. As such, it will be subject to a point of order on the floor and 60 votes will be needed to keep this language in the bill. Chambliss and Isakson strongly oppose the amendment and will vote against it.
The text of the letter to Senator Reid is below. The letter was also signed by Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, David Vitter, R-Louisiana, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, Elizabeth Dole, R-North Carolina, and Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky.
May 20, 2008
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid:
We write to express disappointment that the Senate Appropriations Committee chose to include in the War Supplemental more than 100 pages of immigration language that would grant legal status to more than one million illegal alien agriculture workers and their families. We urge you to remove these controversial provisions from the bill so we can enact essential funding for our troops without delay. If these provisions remain in the bill, you can expect a vigorous debate on immigration policy.
“A bill to provide funding for our servicemen and women should not be bogged down by a debate over immigration policy,” said Chambliss. “I strongly disagree that this amendment would serve to provide stability in the agricultural industry and would in fact harm U.S. farmers and ranchers and U.S. workers. Nobody is more interested in the well-being of American agriculture than me, and this proposal is simply the wrong policy at the wrong time.”
“There’s no greater domestic issue in this country than illegal immigration, and the American people will not stand for this attempt to grant amnesty on a bill designed to give our soldiers the resources they need in the War on Terror,” Isakson said. “The war supplemental is not only the wrong vehicle to deal with this issue but I firmly believe this is absolutely the wrong approach in regards to agricultural workers.”
On May 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment to the emergency war supplemental spending bill that would give a five-year visa to 1.35 million workers plus their spouses and dependent children to live and work in the United States. For almost all legal purposes, the amendment requires that the illegal aliens who qualify for the proposed visa be treated as lawful permanent residents. Illegal aliens would qualify for the proposed five-year visa by proving they have performed agricultural employment for 863 hours or 150 work days or earned $7,000 from agricultural employment over the course of a four-year period. Once granted the proposed five-year visa, the illegal aliens would be authorized to work in any job other than agriculture-related jobs for the rest of the year and would be treated as U.S. workers for hiring purposes.
Adding the amendment to the appropriations bill also violates Senate rules because it legislates on an appropriations bill. As such, it will be subject to a point of order on the floor and 60 votes will be needed to keep this language in the bill. Chambliss and Isakson strongly oppose the amendment and will vote against it.
The text of the letter to Senator Reid is below. The letter was also signed by Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, David Vitter, R-Louisiana, Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, Elizabeth Dole, R-North Carolina, and Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky.
May 20, 2008
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington D.C. 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid:
We write to express disappointment that the Senate Appropriations Committee chose to include in the War Supplemental more than 100 pages of immigration language that would grant legal status to more than one million illegal alien agriculture workers and their families. We urge you to remove these controversial provisions from the bill so we can enact essential funding for our troops without delay. If these provisions remain in the bill, you can expect a vigorous debate on immigration policy.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Chinese Using Trojan Horse?
Who needs guns when you can poison a nation... and better yet, they ask to be poisoned? Remember the Trojan horse scenario? Not only do we get gifts with hidden toxins, but we in turn go out and buy them to give. Our kids are playing with lead covered toys with who knows what kind of cumulative affect. We're brushing our teeth with anti-freeze laden toothpaste from China.
Yes, I understand that most likely it simply boils down to the Chinese having lower standards than we do, but still the end result is the same. We are eating lead, our pets are suffering and people are being killed. Yep, killed.
What will be the long term affect on our economy? Have you ever thought about how much it costs a company to have an item recalled? What impact does a recall have on a company's public image when consumers see an empty shelf with a recall note on it at the grocery store? How many parents have stopped buying any item made in China as a result of the large number of lead paint toy recalls?
I know it's a wild thought that keeps going through my mind (at least I hope it is), but, in addition to all the problems with tainted products from China, think about how much of our country is being bought by companies based in other countries. I heard, but haven't verified, that we had to borrow money from China for the rebate the government dished out to try and get us out of the current financial downturn?
We all go merrily on our way, buying this, buying that without paying much attention. Are we someday going to look back and see that our own indulgence resulted in the downfall of this great country?
I'm great at seeing potential problems or possible conspiracy theories. However, it's too big a problem for little ol' me sitting here typing away at the computer. In today's world a true conspiracy talked about on the Internet gets lost among those imagined and those tossed out in malice.
I'm watching what I buy these days. But I do it with the knowledge that while I may be protecting the health of my family to some degree, I can't know which product will be a Trojan horse. I also do it knowing that by avoiding items made in China, I'm hurting businesses here in the United States.
Tainted Chinese imports spur calls to protect consumer
Toxic blood thinner may have killed as many as 81 people, US says.
Lead in toys. Melamine in pet food. Toxic chemicals in toothpaste. And now, tainted pharmaceuticals.
The unfolding scandal of contaminated blood thinner from China is the latest in a string of revelations about dangerous imports from a country that has risen to become manufacturer to the world.
US lawmakers now are pushing for more protection for American consumers, as hearings in Congress this week have made clear. Even the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says he needs more money – and a new approach – to try and ensure that products entering the country are safe.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0424/p02s02-usgn.html
From June 2007: Throw away Chinese toothpaste, FDA warns
Products may contain poisonous chemical used in antifreeze
The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
Out of caution, the Food and Drug Administration said, people should throw away toothpaste with labeling that says it was made in China. The FDA is concerned that these products may contain diethylene glycol.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18985512/
Yes, I understand that most likely it simply boils down to the Chinese having lower standards than we do, but still the end result is the same. We are eating lead, our pets are suffering and people are being killed. Yep, killed.
What will be the long term affect on our economy? Have you ever thought about how much it costs a company to have an item recalled? What impact does a recall have on a company's public image when consumers see an empty shelf with a recall note on it at the grocery store? How many parents have stopped buying any item made in China as a result of the large number of lead paint toy recalls?
I know it's a wild thought that keeps going through my mind (at least I hope it is), but, in addition to all the problems with tainted products from China, think about how much of our country is being bought by companies based in other countries. I heard, but haven't verified, that we had to borrow money from China for the rebate the government dished out to try and get us out of the current financial downturn?
We all go merrily on our way, buying this, buying that without paying much attention. Are we someday going to look back and see that our own indulgence resulted in the downfall of this great country?
I'm great at seeing potential problems or possible conspiracy theories. However, it's too big a problem for little ol' me sitting here typing away at the computer. In today's world a true conspiracy talked about on the Internet gets lost among those imagined and those tossed out in malice.
I'm watching what I buy these days. But I do it with the knowledge that while I may be protecting the health of my family to some degree, I can't know which product will be a Trojan horse. I also do it knowing that by avoiding items made in China, I'm hurting businesses here in the United States.
Tainted Chinese imports spur calls to protect consumer
Toxic blood thinner may have killed as many as 81 people, US says.
Lead in toys. Melamine in pet food. Toxic chemicals in toothpaste. And now, tainted pharmaceuticals.
The unfolding scandal of contaminated blood thinner from China is the latest in a string of revelations about dangerous imports from a country that has risen to become manufacturer to the world.
US lawmakers now are pushing for more protection for American consumers, as hearings in Congress this week have made clear. Even the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says he needs more money – and a new approach – to try and ensure that products entering the country are safe.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0424/p02s02-usgn.html
From June 2007: Throw away Chinese toothpaste, FDA warns
Products may contain poisonous chemical used in antifreeze
The government warned consumers on Friday to avoid using toothpaste made in China because it may contain a poisonous chemical used in antifreeze.
Out of caution, the Food and Drug Administration said, people should throw away toothpaste with labeling that says it was made in China. The FDA is concerned that these products may contain diethylene glycol.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18985512/
Friday, April 18, 2008
I'm not Catholic Bill Maher
I'm not Catholic Bill Maher, but I won't be watching your show ever again.
In this particular case, I think Protestants should stand with Catholics in letting their displeasure at Maher's statements regarding the Pope and Catholics be known. I plan to do so and I'm going to, as a friend says, put some feet with my words. I'm ditching HBO unless they ditch Maher.
I had heard the one snippet that's being played on television news until just a few minutes ago. I was shocked. But when I popped over to YouTube and listened to the entire rant by Maher, I was abhorred.
Maher plans to apologize tonight. There is no apology that Maher can make that will ever convince me that he is sincere. He was sincere when he spewed his hateful monologue. Even the studio audience seemed to be taken aback by what he had to say. Watch the clip I'm posting below, listen to the laughter when he trashes the sect in Texas, then hear the laughter when he goes after Christianity.
And yes, when Maher took on the Pope, he took on ALL Christians. Protestant roots are firmly entrenched in the Catholic Church. There are disagreements in many areas, if there weren't we'd still all be Catholic, but we're all Christians. We all believe in the same God. I know everyone gets sidetracked on technical issues... but honestly folks, do you really think when you're standing at the pearly gates someday that you'll hear "Oh, you believed in being baptized when you came of age --- you're wrong, you should have baptized your children at birth. Sorry, can't come in."
I took a side trip with that, didn't I? Back to Maher and his comments...
I'll be zapping an email to HBO letting them know I'm discontinuing my subscription unless they discontinue Maher. If they get enough flack, they'll cut him. But watch out, he'll either pop up somewhere else, or he'll be back on HBO after they think the stink has died down.
Here's the entire clip:
In this particular case, I think Protestants should stand with Catholics in letting their displeasure at Maher's statements regarding the Pope and Catholics be known. I plan to do so and I'm going to, as a friend says, put some feet with my words. I'm ditching HBO unless they ditch Maher.
I had heard the one snippet that's being played on television news until just a few minutes ago. I was shocked. But when I popped over to YouTube and listened to the entire rant by Maher, I was abhorred.
Maher plans to apologize tonight. There is no apology that Maher can make that will ever convince me that he is sincere. He was sincere when he spewed his hateful monologue. Even the studio audience seemed to be taken aback by what he had to say. Watch the clip I'm posting below, listen to the laughter when he trashes the sect in Texas, then hear the laughter when he goes after Christianity.
And yes, when Maher took on the Pope, he took on ALL Christians. Protestant roots are firmly entrenched in the Catholic Church. There are disagreements in many areas, if there weren't we'd still all be Catholic, but we're all Christians. We all believe in the same God. I know everyone gets sidetracked on technical issues... but honestly folks, do you really think when you're standing at the pearly gates someday that you'll hear "Oh, you believed in being baptized when you came of age --- you're wrong, you should have baptized your children at birth. Sorry, can't come in."
I took a side trip with that, didn't I? Back to Maher and his comments...
I'll be zapping an email to HBO letting them know I'm discontinuing my subscription unless they discontinue Maher. If they get enough flack, they'll cut him. But watch out, he'll either pop up somewhere else, or he'll be back on HBO after they think the stink has died down.
Here's the entire clip:
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Boycotts... do they work?
I've often wondered about boycotts of products, whether they have an impact or not. I've seen that bombarding companies with letters, phone calls, faxes and emails can work. I know that our politicians can be swayed at times when they're inundated with the same. But how successful are boycotts?
I have participated at times in a boycott of a product, but I get lazy after a while and sooner or later usually start buying the product again. Sometimes I find a new product to replace it and don't go back. However, even when I've decided to stop buying something, I've never followed up to see if it had any impact.
I would think that a boycott would have a much higher chance of succeeding if participants took the time to contact the company in question and let them know they wouldn't be buying whatever it was along with a reason for doing so.
Which reminds me. A few years or so ago I received an email about some company doing something that I thought was horrible. For the life of me, I can't remember what it was right now (brain is falling asleep, fingers are continuing to type). Anyway, I sent the company an email about whatever it was and received a very nice reply almost immediately with sufficient information to convince me they were not the big bad guys portrayed in the email. They sent links and documentation supporting their assertion, which I researched. I "assume" the email is still making the rounds, and that it was started either as a prank or by a disgruntled customer. What a devious way to get back at a company!
The following boycott is one I'll have an easy time participating in since I haven't bought a bottle of vodka in so long I can't remember the number (given that I couldn't remember the company I wrote about in the last paragraph are any of you surprised?).
I have been getting friends to move their accounts from Bank of America though. I had a problem with them before they started chasing after illegals. Clark Howard, of WSB Radio Atlanta fame, had a run in with them that showed me their true colors. Some kid got thrown in jail for cashing a check the bank told him to cash... they then went after him. It's a detailed story that I can't remember (that was a joke, I do happen to remember that one ;-). It is a long story though and if I remember at some point in the future I'll write about it! I only wish I'd had an account with them so I could have pulled my money out!
Which reminds me of another quick story. A friend of mine was sharing that she was getting ready to move her account from her bank. First, she was piling up as much money in the account as she could just so she would have the satisfaction of being able to walk in the bank one day and tell them to hand it all over! She's hoping they'll ask her why, and blanch when they see the amount she's taking with her. Love it!
I'm done. Here's the article:
100 American Organizations Launch Boycott of Absolut Vodka!
Over 100 American organizations dedicated to border security and the enforcement of existing immigration laws launched a nationwide boycott of Absolut Vodka today in response to their ad that ran in Mexico, which panders to a rising separatist movement inside the US, that is being fueled by illegal immigration.
The National Illegal Immigration Boycott Coalition (NIIBC) is known nationally for prior sustained boycotts against Miller Brewing and Bank of America for their support for illegal aliens in the US.
The NIIBC has launched a new website at www.boycottabsolut.com to inform American consumers and provide resources for citizens to engage in the boycott.
"Absolut vodka is trying to sell liquor to Mexicans that aspire to control the Southwest United States," says William Gheen of ALIPAC. "The warning signs are everywhere. Illegal immigration is creating a rising threat to our existing border lines and the very existence of the United States. The separatist sentiments and animus towards America are prevalent in the Mexican population and the ranks of illegal aliens inside the US creating a clear and present danger to our nation. Everywhere we look, Global corporations have a hand in this brewing disaster and Absolut just made the list."
The 100 organizations supporting the boycott will be informing their collective hundreds of thousands of supporters using websites, e-mails, and talk radio shows.
The offensive Absolut ad was created by the Mexican advertising agency Teran/TBWA. The boycott website will also feature video, audio, and text evidence of the growing separatist movement in America to warn the public.
"Zogby polls tell us that most Mexicans feel they do not need American permission to enter the US and consider this land rightfully theirs. This invasion has leaders, groups, thousands of supporters on the streets, and global corporate support. It is time for Americans to fight back by boycotting businesses that support the separatist movement." said William Gheen.
For more information, please visit www.boycottabsolut.com, www.illegalimmigrationboycott.com or www.alipac.us
I have participated at times in a boycott of a product, but I get lazy after a while and sooner or later usually start buying the product again. Sometimes I find a new product to replace it and don't go back. However, even when I've decided to stop buying something, I've never followed up to see if it had any impact.
I would think that a boycott would have a much higher chance of succeeding if participants took the time to contact the company in question and let them know they wouldn't be buying whatever it was along with a reason for doing so.
Which reminds me. A few years or so ago I received an email about some company doing something that I thought was horrible. For the life of me, I can't remember what it was right now (brain is falling asleep, fingers are continuing to type). Anyway, I sent the company an email about whatever it was and received a very nice reply almost immediately with sufficient information to convince me they were not the big bad guys portrayed in the email. They sent links and documentation supporting their assertion, which I researched. I "assume" the email is still making the rounds, and that it was started either as a prank or by a disgruntled customer. What a devious way to get back at a company!
The following boycott is one I'll have an easy time participating in since I haven't bought a bottle of vodka in so long I can't remember the number (given that I couldn't remember the company I wrote about in the last paragraph are any of you surprised?).
I have been getting friends to move their accounts from Bank of America though. I had a problem with them before they started chasing after illegals. Clark Howard, of WSB Radio Atlanta fame, had a run in with them that showed me their true colors. Some kid got thrown in jail for cashing a check the bank told him to cash... they then went after him. It's a detailed story that I can't remember (that was a joke, I do happen to remember that one ;-). It is a long story though and if I remember at some point in the future I'll write about it! I only wish I'd had an account with them so I could have pulled my money out!
Which reminds me of another quick story. A friend of mine was sharing that she was getting ready to move her account from her bank. First, she was piling up as much money in the account as she could just so she would have the satisfaction of being able to walk in the bank one day and tell them to hand it all over! She's hoping they'll ask her why, and blanch when they see the amount she's taking with her. Love it!
I'm done. Here's the article:
100 American Organizations Launch Boycott of Absolut Vodka!
Over 100 American organizations dedicated to border security and the enforcement of existing immigration laws launched a nationwide boycott of Absolut Vodka today in response to their ad that ran in Mexico, which panders to a rising separatist movement inside the US, that is being fueled by illegal immigration.
The National Illegal Immigration Boycott Coalition (NIIBC) is known nationally for prior sustained boycotts against Miller Brewing and Bank of America for their support for illegal aliens in the US.
The NIIBC has launched a new website at www.boycottabsolut.com to inform American consumers and provide resources for citizens to engage in the boycott.
"Absolut vodka is trying to sell liquor to Mexicans that aspire to control the Southwest United States," says William Gheen of ALIPAC. "The warning signs are everywhere. Illegal immigration is creating a rising threat to our existing border lines and the very existence of the United States. The separatist sentiments and animus towards America are prevalent in the Mexican population and the ranks of illegal aliens inside the US creating a clear and present danger to our nation. Everywhere we look, Global corporations have a hand in this brewing disaster and Absolut just made the list."
The 100 organizations supporting the boycott will be informing their collective hundreds of thousands of supporters using websites, e-mails, and talk radio shows.
The offensive Absolut ad was created by the Mexican advertising agency Teran/TBWA. The boycott website will also feature video, audio, and text evidence of the growing separatist movement in America to warn the public.
"Zogby polls tell us that most Mexicans feel they do not need American permission to enter the US and consider this land rightfully theirs. This invasion has leaders, groups, thousands of supporters on the streets, and global corporate support. It is time for Americans to fight back by boycotting businesses that support the separatist movement." said William Gheen.
For more information, please visit www.boycottabsolut.com, www.illegalimmigrationboycott.com or www.alipac.us
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)