Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Even Better Than the Real Thing

By Mickey Z.

Read full article...

Posted 05/12 | Add a Comment

    Comments:

    You must register to comment.

    Login | Register

  1. Great idea, Mickey!

    Wish I could join in, but I’ve been boycotting Coke, Pepsi, Esso, McDonald’s, Disney, WalMart and Starbucks for years already...not to mention Gap, Nike, and most other global entities of exploitation.

    I’ll sure pass this on and post it widely on listservs - the great thing about boycotting multi-nationals is once you get in the habit - I’ll bet you won’t even miss their self-proclaimed “vital products” - I sure don’t!

    Thanks, Mickey!

    Posted by Joanne Giza from  on  05/12  at  03:11 PM

  2. I am behind this 1000%, and I will pass the word enthusiastically to everyone...repeatedly.  Deafening applause for Mickey!  This article has many worthy aspects to it. Blessings in solidarity, The Ox P.S. I particularly like the idea of letting Coke know that each of us in involved in tearing them apart this way...with a letter(?)...and email(?)...a call(?)...so that some drama can build too --tension a great basis for “mistakes” being made-- as we move toward closing the factories.

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  05/12  at  06:38 PM

  3. Thanks, Joanne and Ox. Your comments combine to highlight something I should have mentioned. If you’re already boycotting corporations, let them know and let others know (articles, letters to editor, list-serves, blogs, etc.). If you know people who, until now, still trust corporations, share info with them and urge them to spread the word. The key is make this a widely-known effort.

    As for myself, I haven’t purchased a Coke product in many, many years but that’s not enough. I have to add to that by letting Coke know and inspiring others to do the same.

    In solidarity,

    MZ

    Posted by Mickey Z. from  on  05/12  at  06:46 PM

  4. Make sure --if you’ve been boycotting for awhile-- that you don’t miss that Odwalla and Winnie the Pooh are on The List of NoNos.  It’s easy to lose track of connections/"recent acquisitions” sometimes...even if we’ve been hyper-vigilant.  That list is invaluable, Mick.  Best, Rich P.S. One of the “tricks,” I believe, is to find a way to tactfully get the word out to people who don’t and won’t care.  Don’t let your goal be bringing them into the fold necessarily.  In the Big Picture it’ll count if people have seeds dropped all around incessantly...just as they added up with smokers and non-seat-belters.

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  05/12  at  06:53 PM

  5. Dig this: Through selective reading, I guess, I missed Odwalla. Ox’s double posting made me go back and check and...damn, there it is. I really like a vegan power bar with organic ingredients but…

    Hey, it’s a minute sacrifice compared to what I could be living through.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from  on  05/12  at  07:08 PM

  6. Our friend David Rovics wrote a good one about Coca Cola a while back:

    Drink of the Death Squads

    David Rovics

    Coca-Cola came to Colombia
    Seeking lower wages
    They got just what they came for
    But as we turn the pages
    We find the workers didn’t like the sound
    Of their children’s hungry cries
    So they said we’ll join the union
    And they began to organize

    So Coke called up a terrorist group
    Called the AUC
    They said “we’ve got some problems
    At the factory”
    So these thugs went to the plant
    Killed two union men
    Told the rest, “you leave the union
    Or we’ll be back again”

    Now Coke did not complain
    About this dirty deed
    Why give workers higher wages
    When Coke is all they really need
    They phoned the AUC
    Said “thanks, without you we’d go broke
    And to show our appreciation
    Here’s one hundred cases of Coke”

    (Chorus)
    The baby drinks it in his bottle
    When the water ain’t no good
    The dog drinks it
    But he don’t know if he should
    Some folks say
    It’s the nectar of the Gods
    But Coke is the drink of the Death Squads

    Well the workers wouldn’t take
    This situation lying down
    Some went up to Georgia
    Said “look what’s happened to our town
    You American workers got downsized
    And as for us we just get shot
    And those of us who survive
    Our teeth begin to rot”

    (Chorus)

    Well now that’s the situation
    What are you gonna do
    ‘Cause death squads run Colombia
    And they’re paid by me and you
    We can let Coke run the world
    And see what future that will bring
    Or we can drink juice and smash the state
    Now that’s the real thing

    (Chorus)

    Posted by Justin Felux from  on  05/13  at  11:42 AM

  7. FYI, one and all, most of Odwalla products are NOT organic.  Cheers, Ox

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  05/14  at  05:49 PM
    8. Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. {/if}

    Next entry: Who's Afraid of Truth and Reconciliation?

    Previous entry: No Apology Necessary — Off to the Hague!

    [ads]

    Support Press Action